Chino Moreno Calls ‘Around The Fur’ His Favorite Deftones Record

Deftones frontman Chino Moreno recently reflected on the band’s celebrated catalog in a new, wide-ranging interview with Revolver, ultimately singling out their 1997 sophomore album as a high-water mark.

While discussing the band’s latest album, private music, Moreno contrasted its relaxed, multi-city recording process with the high-pressure sessions for Around The Fur. He revealed that the 1997 album remains his personal favorite.

“With Around The Fur, that was written and recorded in Seattle at Studio Litho, which is Stone [Gossard] from Pearl Jam’s studio. We did that really quick,” Moreno stated. “There was something about catching lightning in a bottle with that record. Still to this day, it’s one of my favorites — if not my favorite record — of ours.”

He continued, praising the album’s timeless feel: “It’s this unbridled energy that we captured in that moment. That record definitely stood the test of time. And I love it for that.”

Moreno explained that the band’s modern process, which saw private music recorded in different locations, is more comfortable for them today, even if it’s a different vibe. “I think we’re a little spoiled now. We all like to be home, so being in one place for four months would probably not be the most comfortable thing for any of us.”

He noted that the new approach directly inspired the music, citing a specific track from the new album.

“Some of the songs on the new record were literally inspired by a morning swim on Zuma Beach [in Malibu],” he said. “I came back from swimming and sat down with my guitar and came up with the song ‘i think about you all the time’. It was literally just a moment in time that wouldn’t have happened if I would’ve been locked away in a studio somewhere else.”

Elsewhere in the Revolver chat, Moreno shared an anecdote about the band’s 2003 self-titled album, revealing his preferred title was vetoed by guitarist Stephen Carpenter.

“The [2003] self-titled record I wanted to call Lovers,” Moreno admitted. “And Stephen [Carpenter] was like, ‘No way. That’s the dumbest name I ever heard.’ I ran out of ideas and we needed a name. So we just ended up with self-titled.”

Deftones have officially released their tenth studio album, private music, on August 22. The album is the band’s first full-length project since 2020’s Ohms and was preceded by two singles, “my mind ms a mountain” and “milk of the madonna.”

private music – Tracklist:

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”