Deftones frontman Chino Moreno has addressed the ongoing situation regarding guitarist Stephen Carpenter’s absence from overseas shows. He explained the band’s difficult position in a recent interview with Louder Sound.
Moreno expressed uncertainty about Carpenter’s reasons for not participating in international tours. He emphasized the band’s support for their longtime member.
“I don’t want to speak for him. And even if I could, I still don’t have an answer. Really, I don’t. It’s still something that I think he is figuring out,” Moreno said.
The frontman acknowledged the complexity of the situation. He maintained hope for clarity in the future.
“And if he does have an answer, I think it’d be great if one day he would share it. But yeah, we support him. We have to. He’s our friend. And his health, be it physically or mentally, always takes the forefront of anything,” he continued.
Moreno also revealed the band’s internal struggle between wanting Carpenter present and their desire to continue performing.
“It’s sad, I want him onstage with us at every show. If you ask me what I prefer, I want him there every day, every time we do anything, with the band. But it literally comes down to: there are two ways to deal with it. We accept what he can and will do, or we just don’t play. And we want to play,” he explained.
The situation with Carpenter has been developing over the past few years. This has created ongoing challenges for the band’s touring schedule and dynamics.
Guitar World reported that Carpenter co-founded the California nu metal-era band with Moreno in 1988. This makes his absence particularly significant for the group’s identity. The guitarist announced in 2022 that he would no longer play shows with Deftones outside North America. He cited personal reasons related to not feeling ready to leave home or travel abroad amid global uncertainties.
Since Carpenter’s decision to step back from international touring, the band has enlisted other guitarists like Lance Jackman and Shaun Lopez to fill in during overseas tours, as Louder Sound noted. This arrangement has allowed Deftones to maintain their international presence while respecting Carpenter’s personal boundaries.
Despite his absence from tours, Carpenter remains an official member of the band and continues to contribute to studio albums, Loaded Radio confirmed. He maintains his creative presence with Deftones. This distinction between touring and recording responsibilities has become a crucial aspect of how the band navigates the current situation.
The comments highlight the band’s commitment to both supporting their bandmate and continuing their musical career despite the challenging circumstances. Moreno’s candid remarks reveal the delicate balance Deftones must maintain between personal loyalty and professional obligations as they move forward with their touring plans.
