Abe Cunningham - Deftones 'Another Chance, Another Opportunity To Do This'

Deftones are a phenomenon unlike any other in the rock and metal music world. Over 30 years and 10 studio albums in, they’ve managed to carve out their own unique lane that transcends genre and musical boundaries, creating an iconic catalogue that has set the bar for every act around them.

Speaking with powerhouse drummer Abe Cunningham, it’s clear that taking their time allowed them to create something electric and exciting on new release Private Music, while also helping them regain their focus.

“It’s been over a couple of years. This is the longest gap we’ve had between albums, five years, which is a really long time. We don’t live in the same town anymore, it used to be different when we all lived in Sacramento, we still have a studio here called The Spot and we would be there every day because it was our clubhouse, and we’d just be jamming and writing and hanging out.

This process was a trip. Stephen is always like ‘man, you guys never want to just kick it and hang back’. So, to make him happy and appease him, we tried to design the entire writing process around the idea of doing a week here and there.

We had a week in Joshua Tree, which was very fruitful. We took a month off, went home and lived, then we had another session in Malibu, some more time off and then a second session there. 

We were on tour and we needed some more time. Nick Raskulinecz, who did this record with us, lives in Nashville. We were coming between Florida and somewhere in Ohio for some festivals. Stephen doesn’t fly, so he was on the bus, and we just said, ‘can we kick it on the bus with you?’ We ended up writing a couple songs on that trip. 

This was spread out over time, which was nice because we knew we could and that’s a good place to be, because there was a goal to make a complete album, and hopefully a rad record, but not bash it out like we always have. We also got to make Stephen happy because we finally kicked it.”

Private Music doesn’t feel like simply another Deftones album to add to the pile. If anything, it sounds like the beginning of a brand new era for the band. While there are a number of cuts that deliver signature and familiar sounds, tracks like. ‘Infinite Source’, ‘Souvenir; and ‘Metal Dream’ bring a slew of exciting new ideas and territories to the table.

This isn’t the first time the band has turned to Nick Raskulinecz to helm a record during a turning point in the band. He stepped up to the plate to produce their now classic Diamond Eyes album, the first album in their catalogue to not feature founding member and original bassist Chi Cheng after his tragic accident. Cunningham notes that the combination of Raskulinecz, great locations and laser focus made Private Music a joy to bring to life.

“The goal was to make a third record with Nick. We were hoping to get another chance to make another one with him and it worked out this time. Everything was recorded really well, in rad places with great mics, killer old Neve’s in these old rooms. We were in Frank Sinatra’s room in EastWest, which is the huge room he’d have for his orchestras, and his podium is still there. The vibes of those rooms are so special because they’re disappearing, so we always hope to get a little bit of mojo in those room. 

The recording was amazing. We had time and options, and tonnes of trust with Nick. He’s so much fun to make records with.

It was a resurgence of focus, and a focus that has not been there for some time. Chino’s been sober for almost three years now and that’s a huge new thing for him. He’s singing amazing, his voice is strong, physically he’s strong and laser focused.

It’s another chance. Another opportunity to do this, which is huge. There was a time in the past where it was expected and of course we were going to make another record. Those were difficult times and some of those records were very tense, and you feel it. 

We were just very appreciative to have another chance to do another record. We’re still just goofballs, going in there and jamming. We know we can piss each other off in second and just destroy it all, but we really cherish each other’s company. It’s fun, and this was a good record to make. It made for a good output from us.”

Despite all of the ups and downs the band has faced, Deftones have stayed the course over the last three decades. They’ve delivered new albums on the regular, toured all over the world more than most, and continued to grow their fanbase to the point where an entire new generation of young listeners have come on board. Cunningham notes that this new excitement in the fanbase isn’t lost on the band.

“Believe me, it’s fucking wild.

There’s a lot of new action going on in our world right now as far as new ears, people listening and getting turned onto us for the first time. But it’s kind of funny because we never went anywhere and we’ve been releasing, I think, consistently solid records this whole time.

So, it’s a trip, even down to making setlists is really hard. There’s a lot of music now, you want to try and please everyone, you obviously can’t, but you certainly want to try. There’s just a lot of really amazing energy at the moment and we’re like ‘whoa’.”

Interview by Nicholas Simonsen @blackechomusic

Private Music is out now via Reprise / Warner Records. Stream it here

Deftones - private music tracklisting

1. my mind is a mountain
2. locked club
3. ecdysis
4. infinite source
5. souvenir
6. cXz
7. i think about you all the time
8. milk of the madonna
9. cut hands
10. ~metal dream
11. departing the body