Deftones drummer Abe Cunningham recently discussed the band’s unprecedented growth in popularity over the past 15 years. He shared insights about this phenomenon in an interview with Moshpit Passion.
When asked about how Deftones became bigger than ever during the last 15 years, Cunningham reflected on the band’s journey and the factors contributing to their current success.
“No, I mean it’s had its ups and downs like life,” Cunningham said. “I mean, we’ve been around quite some time, and within that time, there’s been a lot of living, a lot of learning, you know, living life. But there’s been great highs and really, really, really low lows.”
The drummer attributed much of their recent success to new audiences discovering the band through digital platforms and their extensive catalog.
“There’s a new energy around this band that’s just we’re like just blown away,” he continued. “There’s a new people discovering us on the internet, and the fact that you can have everything here, and we have a discography, we have a history, so there’s a lot. If you’re interested in us and you look it up, there’s a lot to see, you know what I mean? And a lot to take in, which is probably a good thing. I’m sure there’s a bit of TikTok, that whole boom to that thing.”
Cunningham emphasized that the band never stopped creating music during this period.
“But at the same time, we’ve been we never left and went away,” he said. “We’ve been trying to put out hopefully solid records this whole time. So it’s a really exciting energy that’s around us. It’s pretty special, man. It’s like it doesn’t often happen like that. So, we were definitely taken aback by it and just like kind of trying to soak it up and be good and play well.”
Cunningham’s observations about the band’s enduring appeal reflect a remarkable journey that spans over three decades of musical evolution and resilience.
Wikipedia reported that Deftones formed in Sacramento, California, in 1988. The lineup solidified through the early ’90s to include frontman Chino Moreno and guitarist Stephen Carpenter alongside Cunningham. The band’s longevity has allowed them to build the extensive discography that Cunningham references. This gives new fans a rich catalog to explore when they discover the group through modern digital platforms.
The band’s sound underwent a significant transformation over the years, particularly with the release of their breakthrough album. Wikipedia’s Deftones discography page noted that their 2000 album White Pony achieved platinum status and included their most successful single, “Change (In the House of Flies).” This marked their transition from early raw alternative metal to more experimental and complex compositions. This evolution demonstrates the continuous creative growth that Cunningham mentioned in his interview.
However, the band’s journey has not been without significant challenges that have tested their resilience. Last.fm documented that Deftones faced the tragic accident and eventual passing of longtime bassist Chi Cheng. These events profoundly shaped their creative output and strengthened their bond as a group over recent decades. These experiences likely contributed to the “really, really, really low lows” that Cunningham referenced when discussing the band’s ups and downs.
Despite facing such hardships, the band maintained their commitment to creating music. This has been crucial to their recent surge in popularity. Their consistent output over the years, combined with the accessibility of their entire catalog through streaming platforms and social media discovery, has created the perfect storm for their current renaissance. The “new energy” that Cunningham describes appears to be the result of both their persistent dedication to their craft and the modern digital landscape that allows new generations to easily access and share their extensive musical legacy.
