Deftones

If there’s one thing to know about the Deftones, it’s there ability to draw a crowd.  This rang true on Saturday evening in Houston, March 30th, as fans began to line up outside The Bayou Music Center in anticipation of what would be the last show of this leg of the Deftones’ tour.  An extensive crowd had begun to build, some of which had been waiting hours beforehand.  Indeed, a fine line had been drawn between the fans.  On one side you had the hardcore Adrenaline-era fans.  These were the ‘rather be caught dead than miss a show’ fans.  The type of fan that was still rocking their tour shirt they bought back in ‘95.  Then you had the late in life Deftones fan.  Sure, we may know a couple songs off some of their most famous records, but we were still unworthy to even be sharing the same air as these ‘super fans’.  Putting our differences aside, we entered the venue and prepared to have our ears caressed by the sweet sounds of the Deftones.

The lights began to dim as all sat and awaited the arrival of Chino, Stephen, Sergio, Abe and Frank.  The band began to set up and boom, they were off.  First song of the night was “Rocket Skates”, an unofficial single released from the bands Diamond Eyes album.  This song really got the crowd going as Chino Moreno belted the lyrics “Guns.  Razors.  Knives (Fuck with me).”  This band was all over the place, literally.  Not much had changed in the stage presence since ‘95.  They still had the jumps, the head bangs, and the breakdowns that all remembered.  They finished the opening set with my two favorite tracks, “Be Quiet and Drive (Far)” and “My Own Summer (Shove It)” off of their sophomore album Around the Fur.  It was nearly impossible to move up front, packed like sardines in a sold-out Bayou Music Center, but the band didn’t disappoint, playing favorites from “Sextape” and “Feiticeira” all the way to “Around the Fur” and “Change (In the House of Flies).

These all were great moments, but the most memorable had to be the throwing of a t-shirt during “Digital Bath”.  Now normally at a rock show, the band would heckle you for such actions… but not at a Deftones show.  Rather than throw it back into the crowd, Moreno found this a great opportunity to sport a new wave of fashion by placing the t-shirt around his head and playing the rest of the song blindfolded.  This was really a crowd-pleaser moment and was a statement of both hilarity and awesomeness.  The band ended on a three-song encore of “Root”, “Engine No. 9”, and the lead singer’s least favorite piece, “7 Words”.  After this Deftones concert experience, can truly say that they are not to be missed.  If you ever have the rare opportunity of seeing this band live, take it.  You just never know what Moreno might do next.  End.