Chino Moreno recently discussed Deftones’ decision to resist commercial pressures during the height of nu-metal’s popularity. He shared insights about their 2000 album White Pony in an interview with The Irish Times.
The frontman explained how the band chose artistic integrity over following market trends when nu-metal was dominating the music scene.
“We could have easily made another Around the Fur or Adrenaline. At that point, considering nu-metal was the biggest thing at the time, with the successes of Korn, Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach and other bands, our record label thought it would have been the smartest thing to do,” Moreno said. “People wanted us to cash in.”
The decision to pursue a different creative direction initially met with mixed reception from audiences.
“As much as people love that record now, when White Pony came out a lot of people didn’t understand it. In retrospect it is probably one of our most important records,” he continued. “We followed our instincts and did what we wanted to do, and that’s part of the reason why, almost 40 years on, we’re still able to have people be curious about our musical output.”
This approach has allowed Deftones to maintain relevance and artistic credibility throughout their decades-long career.
The band’s gamble on artistic integrity ultimately paid off both critically and commercially. Accio reported that White Pony became the band’s best-selling album, achieving double platinum status and selling more than 1.2 million units in the U.S. alone as of mid-2025. The album’s enduring appeal is exemplified by hits like “Change (In the House of Flies),” which itself earned 4× platinum certification.
Despite the eventual commercial success, the band faced significant pressure from their record label to compromise their vision. Ghost Cult Magazine noted that Maverick Records pushed for a rap-rock styled single to capitalize on the nu-metal trend. The label eventually convinced the band to release “Back to School (Mini Maggit),” a reworked version of the album’s closing track “Pink Maggit,” as an add-on single.
This radio-friendly track brought additional sales and airplay. However, it represented exactly the kind of commercial compromise Deftones had initially resisted. The band has reportedly refused to play “Back to School” live in subsequent years. They view it as a step back from their artistic vision and a reminder of the industry pressures they faced.
The decision to follow their creative instincts rather than commercial formulas enabled White Pony to stand out as a groundbreaking album that transcended genre boundaries. Louder Sound highlighted that the album’s genre-blurring approach and experimental nature have kept it influential and relevant more than two decades after its release. This validates the band’s commitment to artistic integrity over short-term commercial gains.
