Stephen Carpenter of Deftones: The Sound and The Story (Short)

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Formed by three childhood friends from Sacramento, California, Deftones is a musical force of nature as unpredictable as the weather itself. Within five years of forming, the band signed with major label Maverick Records and set off on a multi-decade musical rollercoaster with as many highs, lows, twists, and turns as any hard rock band in history. Having built an insatiable fan base by literally spending years on the road, it’s this same fan base that has benefitted the most for believing in “their band.” These fans have been reaping the benefits of sonic landscapes such as “Around The Fur,” “White Pony,” and “Saturday Night Wrist” all the while embracing any side collaborations only seemed to strengthen the Deftones family. Their latest, ‘Gore’ (Reprise) was released in April of 2016 and it shows the band can still explore the unchartered with the best of them. We caught up with the band during their appearance at the 2016 edition of Riot Fest.
Fret Twelve welcomes Deftones Co-Founder Guitarist Stephen Carpenter to ‘The Sound and the Story.’

[@theoriginalbrian2646]

Stephen Carpenter is why I play guitar. Abe Cunningham is why I play drums.

[@JamminWithJer]

With you

[@jameshawotte6829]

I feel you... I need to pick up the drums

[@chipmcdip8629]

You should check out the deftones then!

[@aeskeets]

I caught a guitar pick he threw into the crowd once and it had "Got Any Weed? -Stef" printed on it.

[@kuringmundo]

No doubt this guy is a genius in living.

[@barryostash2296]

LMFAO ❤

[@bjmcmahon722]

Mine was the Flat Earth map...

[@ricardojmestre]

@@bjmcmahon722 👌

[@MidnightRage7]

My lifelong goal is to get stoned with Stephen

[@Adam053ify1]

Ditto

[@michaelenochs4033]

I don't smoke but I'd definitely smoke with him.

[@X_Squared_X]

You won't believe this but I smoked with him after a concert. The next day he was traveling across the border into Mexico so he gave my friends and I a bag and a pipe. Then signed my shirt. So stoked!

[@defx6820]

Count Me In!

[@MrPooToob]

cold nights in the desert check, did with him and Chi in 1999 when they were writing white pony

[@runi5413]

"I would like to get into charity work and stuff"

[@jeff7764]

Runi 😂🤣😆

[@rylanlittle261]

Lmao

[@pickletarts8196]

Thank you Steftones, for the riffs that rocked my brain.. that got me through the pains, and the depressions. The sounds that tore through my spirit.

[@jeff7764]

pickle tarts cringe

[@diegob3608]

Same here... 👍

[@chakmak12]

🔥❤

[@TempestaRiggs]

Deftones was the first band I ever saw live, I'm talkin when Chi was alive. I was 22, I went alone I felt so good rockin out to them. Someone passed me the weed I hit that bitch and show got even better. People where buying me drinks because I was so gone in the music. A deftones concert to me is a vibe and experience. I'm 35 and I still love these guys. I hope my son will love them too when he gets to see them one day

[@chancewindham1718]

Demarcus Armstead Nice bro. I saw them when i was like 18 for the first time. I’m 32 now. It was a memorable show for sure.

[@dwoodard5717]

I've never been so squished against people as i was at their show. It was at the tabernacle in Atlanta, I wanna say it was 2003 or maybe even 2002. I stood with my arms stuck up by my face for their whole set. It was totally worth it cause I was 5 feet from the stage chino even stuck the mic in my face at some point. I've been to 100s of shows but that one sticks out and I'll probably always remember that moment

[@dwoodard5717]

I'm 35 too. Turn 36 on the 27th. I've been listening to them since 96, crazy to think it's been that long, I wanna say around the fur had just come out

[@nickspencer9018]

Yep im 40 and from and hour north of Sac in chico and mid 90s there was some amazing shows back then! Never realized they would be this huge back then, we were just having fun, skating, smoking and playin music!!

[@atravelerofbothtimespace4172]

Lol Chico,California !

[@corey_kuma]

I love how this band have remained themselves throughout life .

[@leestacey970]

i fucking love this guy turns the interview into a story about when he got stoned . Again ! lol classic

[@gustavomontoya2551]

yeah, he is such a nice guy, always so positive

[@TheTonedef76]

I smoked with Steph at the Boat House in Norfolk VA. It was during the Around the Fur tour. We were waiting at the entrance bonging beers when the tour bus pulled up and he jumped off the bus and hung out all day with us. Chino even kicked it with us for a little while. Cool guys down to earth 🌏

[@Tonedefdom]

Hey Tonedef brother. Also got to hang with them backstage in London for a little while pre show. All super friendly, it was magic

[@jeremyjordan8705]

Tonedef 76 cheers from Virginia Beach ! I bought chino Abe and frank beers at fm behind the norva back in 13.. they hung out for 20min we talked beers and Cadillac’s was pretty bad ass

[@lilithjade4363]

norfolk va?!?!?!? no fair i live close to there and i gotta go all the way to dc to see them. i wish i could smoke w them

[@lilithjade4363]

ayyy vb gang lol

[@Teach_EM]

I agree with him that weed isn't as bad as alcohol

[@MidnightRage7]

That's a fact

[@bangbangcabrera]

And alcohol causes you to be a bloated drunken lout prone to random outbursts of rage and self-pity, right?

[@HiredGoonage]

Hector Cabrera they are both unnecessary

[@bangbangcabrera]

I do both, but I agree with you in that they're both unnecessary

[@alextaramona3745]

DUHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

[@josephramirez557]

I always thought Carpenter was an awesome musician. Around The Fur sounded so ahead of its time and is such a bad ass album. Carpenter and Moreno always sounded so good together with their writing and melodys and Ive always thought Carpenter needed a guitar instructional Dvd for the longest time now.

[@kudegra1147]

I got stoned with Stephen and Chino in 97 !! But I love Deftones!!! Steph you are still inspiring guitar players

[@M4NA5]

I'm grateful for your music, it has helped me get through some tough times. ILY Steph.

[@SHx589]

Money doesn’t change people. Just shows who they really are.

[@justingreaves6769]

steph was why i started guitar back in 99. i was just all rap back then but my older bro played adrenaline and was a life changer

[@mostpeoplearebots]

funny- i hung out w stephen and b real at the rainbow in hollywood. stephen was supposedly trippin on mushrooms while trying to eat a steak while b real was laughing making fun of him etc. and they smoked me and a few friends out at their table. was a night cool night to remember. stephen couldn't have been a cooler more chill guy.

[@IceKoldKilla]

😂 That's hilarious! Stef on shrooms lol

[@krisikush5376]

channel-z we used to dose on the daily back then! Rainbow pizza. 🤤

[@barryostash2296]

Sounds similar to my experiences with them. Awesome guys.

[@noobioulusjohnson9080]

I know nothing of deftones but I'm learning about them because I got the sc207 guitar from my moms boss and they're pretty cool

[@dukefrog]

Alcoholic in recovery here, weed saved me too brother. Haters say what you want,but weed keeps me out of the bottle, no doubt. Rock on Stephen, love the Deftones🤘

[@133Nomad]

Jeff Panetta You need to do some research then.

[@8JFJK8]

Jeff Panetta You sound so fucking stupid tbh.

[@8JFJK8]

Jeff Panetta Yeah your dealing with an internet tough guy. Go away before i say something mean!

[@8JFJK8]

And ill be smoking a joint while thug life music plays as you cry in fetal position on the floor.

[@spacealienjesus709]

@@jeff7764 people have to be assholes man..congrats and stay off the bottle..

[@daviddrews6589]

"They all go together but they dont go together" damn steph

[@djabthrash]

07:24 that laugh tho' :)

[@Justpassingby204]

The hotel story was great

[@EvanSaltare]

bro

[@noobioulusjohnson9080]

Oh yeah yeah

[@133Nomad]

I met him when I was 16 back in 1998 when they were doing Warped Tour. It was at Vancouver’s PNE grounds and the Deftones were staying hotel we were. After the festival was done my friends and I change out of our sweaty clothes and wear our band shirts we got from the day. I only wanted to see Deftones and Rancid the most that day. The other bands were great. But I only wanted to see those two. So after Rancid ends, I take ten steps to my right and Deftones start. But I digress. Before my friends and I change, we are walking to the elevator and as the doors open, there’s Steph on his BMX with a roadie heading out. He see my sweaty Deftones shirt and gives me the thumbs up as he passes me. My friend freaks out in the elevator because he knew how much I loved Deftones at that time. We change and I put on my Deftones shirt I got that day. When we head out the hotel doors, there’s Steph again coming back with his munchies. He stops his bike because I guess he knew I wanted to talk to him. So I try to talk to him but I’m a 16 year old star struck kid meeting his one of his favourite guitarist. Finally I manage to say “great set” and “I came here for you guys and Rancid” in between my stuttering. He says that’s awesome and it’s always great to meet a fan. After we part, I put my hand in my pocket five minutes later and I remembered that I put the Adrenaline CD sleeve and a pen in my pocket. Totally missed the opportunity to get his autograph.

[@texasred4213]

I see people talk shit about Kiss so much, but so many great guitar musicians say that the moment they discovered Kiss it changed their life and inspired them to play music!

[@jakes3935]

I really appreciate this dude. Its always great to see a favorite artists be so humble and chill

[@saintmad.6913]

This guy is so down to flat earth.

[@tazkiyaseven4738]

His got the cutest laugh ever

[@davidrikersisland8657]

I'm forever grateful for my brother putting me on Deftones and sharing his music and telling me about the music behind Deftones and how they come out etc \m/

[@VIVIENDOENTEJAS1]

When your feeling down, just know y'alls music helps people through depression and some of their worse days. Deftones have been on my playlist every single day and will always make my day better.

[@catmeifyoucan4649]

Ok, even "privileged" people get depressed, we're all human FIRST.

[@trismurray]

I met him at a show on the Diamond Eyes tour, was so nice and down to earth. Riff king!

[@pjg8831]

REAL ROCKSTAR SHIZZZ ! BLAZE OUT A HOTEL LOBBY !NOT A DAMN COMPLAINT WHEN YOUR THE DEFTONES !

[@thechetearly]

Dude seems so nice.

[@suburbansymbolism]

Stephen is the man! Is that a flat earth shirt?

[@HangingOnHisWords]

bean trees it’s a biblical creation model shirt!

[@suburbansymbolism]

@@HangingOnHisWords So good!

[@dvanaken89]

That’s great story telling, and sick it is

[@pippobaudo3044]

Fucking legend.

[@alextaramona3745]

Stephen the golfer. Who knew??!!

[@reneegarcia6634]

His guitar Tone and Riffs on the Adrenaline album was so kick ass ...he seems like a cool dude

[@jeff7764]

Renee Garcia adrenaline is one of the most intense albums in existence

[@outsidethebox4949]

I skip songs on most of their albums except Adrenaline one. I love it.

[@MaartenBrinkerink]

Such a sweet and humble guy based on all the information.

[@CoboProdz]

To anyone who was having a hard time figuring out what the song at the very end of this video is… It is “doomed user” from the Gore album. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@jbcholbi]

oh shit! The RAT's song "Round and Round" going down riff is the "MY OWN SUMMER" riff. ....more or less

[@kotsaja6280]

And that song from kill bill 2 "about her" reminds a lot like mascara. Never knew the original song but every time watching the movie I felt like there was something ab...shiit.

[@elon_bust]

jbcholbi Are you crazy bro?

[@ThePancakeJedi]

Here's your charity philosophy: supply mexico with free weed. World peace.

[@Agostoic]

Gotta love Steph!

[@dclarkmusic]

Eros!

[@davidleiva940]

He's the coolness of the band :)

[@lucasargandona4658]

Chino is!

[@dimetilldeath]

@@lucasargandona4658 chino is a dick

[@moket808]

that laugh :) hu hu hu

[@lilithjade4363]

i feel like stephen should know there’s a tiny stoner girl out there (me) that luvs him 🖤

[@joelbennett9014]

This guy is the coolest human in the game rn

[@jasonmusic9938]

"the money comes if you've got a great attitude, and got a great philosophy"

[@brettleasure3235]

dude, steph.... are you a flat-earther?

[@theCoffinSeller]

Brett Leasure This guy's been everywhere around the world. Even if he's high af he definitely looked outside the plane.

[@MK-oz2lf]

I think he's patronizing or being sarcastic. Just like how he wore a Trump sweater at a Orange Amp video

[@_here_hear]

Lol i was gonna say. Two flat earth shirts haha Stephan is the man

[@vasquesdecarvalho92]

In reality we are all flat earthers. The earth is NOT a ball flying in a vacuum following another ball of fucking fire. Just UN-BELIEVE-A-BALL. It will take time but the truth will be revealed, there is no way it won't. GREAT FUCKING BAND

[@jayt7178]

@@vasquesdecarvalho92 I'm hoping you're a troll.

[@eastsidetillidie216]

I met Steph at the Norva in Virginia, drove all the way from Cleveland, when they were touring for The White Pony album. Steph is easily the coolest rockstar on the planet, super cool guy, beyond down to earth and had all the time in the world after the show to just bullshit about playing guitar. I started playing guitar years before that because of the Deftones and the simplistic genius of their music and the passion behind it. Nobody plays like this guy, he's a legend.

[@jamesbronze2477]

The GOD of the riffs steff,tones

[@Jansen33]

Met both chino and Stephen. Super cool people. Honest rockstars who always have time for their fans.

[@bigtruck2323]

How could you not love this guy , he just radiates goodness ..... ♥️💯😁😎

[@ted__ryan]

He never wears pants?? Anyways, he is the best guitarist I look up to. And I give 'Gore' 4 1/2 stars!! 👍

[@chugmarks]

Stephen Carpenter has made me feel proud to be Australian again!

[@BrianHam]

Please make a full length feature with Stephan I would buy instantly

[@Cygnus0lor]

Fucking legend. Love this guy and his way of thinking...

[@andrewyoko6957]

bucket list - get high and golf with Stephen Carpenter haha

[@Whiskey10209]

All I care about is that after five or ten, what you get to hear is fuckin' sick... Classic.

[@marley7777]

Is this still available on the website? It isn't showing up ?

[@SPACETRUCKIN215]

Oh shit is Stephen Carpenter a flat earther?? His shirts though... lol

[@MK-oz2lf]

I think he's patronizing or being sarcastic. Just like how he wore a Trump sweater at a Orange Amp video

[@vasquesdecarvalho92]

The Driver Copy paste

[@lelandlee5008]

WHAT AN AWESOME DUDE

[@pogijuice]

Stephen, it's been a privilege listening to you play the guitar in an awesome band. Whenever someone tells me who was it that inspired me to play the guitar, I'd always say it was you, Stephen Carpenter was the one who influenced me to play the guitar. You gave me that inspiration to play rhythm guitar, the style of groovy sounds of music and it greatly gave me an impact on my life. The music I made, i saved it on soundcloud. So thank you again Stephen, it's always been a privilege listening you play and keep up the great work.

[@noahromeo6451]

Steph your music has saved lives bro 🤘 hope u see this 🙏

[@satyajittarapdar6796]

Stef is my favourite guitarist... Deftones 🤘

[@mikem4496]

Great man. And he plays golf

[@ibanezrg320fm]

What the hell does he use on Around the Fur and self titled? like what makes his guitar sound so hollow and heavy? Please don't tell me it's the producer, that would kill me.

[@crenshaw7072]

For self titled they use a weird ass tuning, I think its G# Eb Ab Db Gb Bb.

[@theCoffinSeller]

michael enochs And if you watched some of his rig rundowns he loved to mix and match different styles of amplifiers. Tube Preamps with Solid State with Digital Modelling and everything in between.

[@ibanezrg320fm]

DACE It's not just his tuning. He's got some sort of hollow gritty sound coming from somewhere. Almost like two or even three amps mic at the same time with a tiny little phase off. It's very very odd. If you find any old videos of him let me know. I've watched like 100 videos of him, his equipment new but not old equipment.

[@ibanezrg320fm]

theCoffinSeller Find me a video of his old gear. I've watched all his new videos and can't find his old gear anywhere.

[@jeffdubia]

7 string baritone tuned to G# standard. cut your mids crank lows and highs for the self titled. around the fur is the same but tuned to drop C#

[@komafibre]

All jokes aside The earth is flat I mean, you don’t ever hear of ex flat earthers, but def hear of plenty of ex globetards Also, water finds its level Genesis in the Bible should be enough, but if not, ask yourselves why so many ppl are believing it now more than ever?

[@cpnstbn1266]

I remember the opening riff for Root was one of the first things I ever learned on guitar and just practicing it over and over. Same with Be quiet and drive. One of the greatest riffs in rock history IMO.

[@jeandezert7713]

I love Deftones’ I love Steph.keep il up

[@calebkeegan3023]

Abe is def why I play drums and Steph ya guitar too and Chi bass and sing all I'm good at life I suck at

[@tlebrell]

The title suggests that there is something - anything mentioned about his sound (or any sound I guess). Nope, it was mostly about weed and depression.

[@BebehCookieIcecream]

This guy is fucking awesome

[@thisdeath]

yea bro shout out tostephen.. their riffs are so beautiful

[@JackTejada]

I feel the exact same way when I get high.

[@gonzalosicblanco7420]

larga vida steph!! sonido brutal!!

[@stevehamilton5430]

Stephen is awesome

[@ajcleary2543]

What a GC. Love you Steph!

[@Biel619]

stephen is so adorable 💜

[@amiramlan3119]

Drugs & alcohol kill the innocent. let's smoke some herb..

[@GolfYourself]

Corby Dinsburger yea.. sure it is..

[@ted__ryan]

Only dumb individuals kill people! Can't always blame alcohol or drugs.

[@bbyfpk]

this is amazing

[@johnme4443]

pure awsumness.

[@judgedoomentertainmentnetwork]

Stephen Carpenter looks like Christopher Nolan’s DP Hoyte Van Hoytema

[@nicholasnoah6529]

disxgolf

[@maxwellbrand]

love this dude

[@jasonhawkins7450]

i like this guy

[@TheLordGoat]

Ratt rules

[@radamtv4779]

My Own Summer was the first song I learnd on guitar. Thanks for everything Stephen😁💪

[@UseADamnCoaster]

I wanna hang out and smoke/drink with these motherfuckers I bet they're as chill and hilarious as they seem. Deftones forever 🍻🤘🏼🔥

[@jasonhuntley4203]

i hve loved the deftones since Around the Fur {1997} must of bought the cd like 12 times @ walmart lol but i hve always liked them indivudualy stephen is funny love his laugh chino best singr abe awesome drummr chi best bassist r.i.p my fallen bro god bless this was nice n funny i could listn to him talk for hrs bro ty from New Jersey...

[@mikewillspray9897]

Salute to the Strong one🤘🏼 SAMETEAM

[@villain3131]

I met Steph in Vancouver. Super chill . I wish I could show you how he signed his signature. 🤤 Take a guess

[@tovmusic]

He may have a privileged life by doing music for a living but that doesn't invalidate any of his depression, darkness, or loneliness that he's felt in his life. I understand what his friend was trying to say for him but it was misguided imo. I hope there is a more nuanced way of thinking about mental health and that we can use more critical thinking about it. Hope Steph is doing better these days (this video was about 4 years ago?).

[@riggsmurtah2788]

Smoking and playing golf is the best shit ever

[@musaa.7973]

power chords and palm muting ever since hahahah real as fuck

[@to-br7zm]

Beer charity? Hard kombucha

[@InheritTheField]

BMX-ing translated as being Mexican smh

[@spinach-colour-joey6776]

Smoking makes me paranoid as fuck but i love the idea of getting high and drunk like that. Shame the reality is never like that for me haha

[@davidhoxley9818]

ive always liked deftnes, listened to the odd track here and there, but only recently dived deep and realized the deep, connection. i mean these guys are practically a nu metal shoe gaze band. i can see the radiohead comparisons.

[@f1sk8mm]

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