Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond Chino Moreno
Oct 7, 2025
Chino Moreno, the lead singer of Deftones, shares insights into the band's journey and their new album, Private Music. He discusses stepping up on guitar during a health crisis among band members and how sobriety has transformed his creative clarity. Chino reminisces about the band’s early days, living with late bassist Chi Cheng, and the story behind the iconic Around the Fur album cover. He also reflects on the balance of parenting with his music career and his newfound love for rom-coms after shows.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Sequence Albums Intentionally
- Chino sequences albums with narrative intent and sometimes tracks the record in the intended sequence to preserve flow.
- He considers the opening seconds crucial to set familiarity and power for listeners.
Early Band Household
- Chino lived with bassist Chi Cheng in a messy one-bedroom apartment on campus and they shared mattresses while they chased the band dream.
- Their apartment became the group's hangout with cheap beer, dubbed cassettes, and constant friends coming over.
Risky Left Turn Paid Off
- After a modest first record, Deftones used label backing to make a bolder second record and then took a major left turn with White Pony.
- The risky stylistic shift wasn't initially loved by the label but paid off for the band's longevity.