Deftones frontman Chino Moreno recently reflected on his band’s enduring appeal and catalog longevity in an interview with NME.
The vocalist addressed questions about what has made Deftones’ music resonate across generations. He offered candid thoughts on their songwriting approach and compared their work to iconic British band Oasis.
“Even if we thought about it that way – ‘Oh, we need to make something for everybody’ – I think we’d be fooling ourselves to think we had a formula to do that,” Moreno said. “The answer is that I don’t know. I would like to think that it is because we’ve written good songs that have stood the test of time and transcend generations.”
Moreno drew parallels between Deftones and Oasis when discussing what makes certain songs endure over time.
“I can say that without sounding arrogant about Oasis, too: that’s why their shows are what they are and why they have this broad demographic there,” he continued. “They write great songs. I’m not saying we write as great a song as they do, but I’m saying that if you go through a catalogue, there are a handful of songs that transcend time.”
These reflections come at a time when both bands continue to demonstrate remarkable staying power in the rock music landscape. Their respective catalogs span decades of influence.
Moreno’s admiration for Oasis extends beyond their songwriting prowess. The Deftones frontman has previously expressed respect for Liam Gallagher’s commanding stage presence and the impact such iconic figures have on the rock scene. This mutual appreciation between artists from different eras highlights the interconnected nature of rock music’s evolution. It shows how established acts continue to influence one another.
The comparison to Oasis is particularly relevant given both bands’ ability to maintain devoted fanbases across multiple generations. Deftones emerged from Sacramento’s alternative metal scene in the 1990s. They have consistently evolved their sound while retaining their core identity. This approach mirrors Oasis’s own trajectory. Despite lineup changes and industry shifts, their fundamental songwriting strength has remained constant.
Deftones’ longevity in the music industry spans over three decades. During this time, they have released nine studio albums and maintained a dedicated global following. Their ability to adapt and grow while staying true to their artistic vision exemplifies the kind of catalog durability that Moreno references in his Oasis comparison.
The band’s continued relevance in contemporary rock music demonstrates that authentic artistic expression, rather than calculated commercial appeal, often proves to be the most sustainable approach to building a lasting musical legacy. This philosophy aligns with Moreno’s assertion that attempting to create music for everybody would be counterproductive to their creative process.
