deftones all started back around 1989 thanks to a drunk driver who hit guitarist stephen carpenter while carpenter was skateboarding. with the settlement money from the accident, stephen and his friend, vocalist chino moreno, were able to buy equipment for themselves and added their friend abe cunningham on drums. their bass lineup was constantly undergoing changes, but they eventually found chi cheng to complete the puzzle. they began playing every chance and living from demo to demo until they got signed onto madonna's independent label, maverick. they then released their debut album adrenaline and toured constantly with any band that wanted to take them along. in september of '97 they released their sophomore album around the fur which boosted their popularity and they continued to tour nonstop. they recently finished the ozzfest 99 tour and are working on their third album to be released sometime in late this year or early '00.