Nearly three decades into their career, Deftones are experiencing something few bands ever achieve: a renewed wave of popularity that’s eclipsing anything they’ve seen before. In a recent interview on KROQ, frontman Chino Moreno spoke candidly about the band’s resurgence, attributing it to new audiences, social media momentum, and — most surprisingly — a generational rediscovery of their music.
“We’re literally bigger than we’ve ever been,” Moreno said, reflecting on the band’s current visibility. For a group that helped define alternative metal in the 1990s, that statement carries real weight.
TikTok and the New Generation of Fans
Moreno was quick to acknowledge the role of TikTok and Gen Z listeners in Deftones’ recent popularity spike. Tracks from the band’s catalog, both classic and newer cuts, have found fresh life on the platform, where snippets of music often become cultural moments overnight. Rather than resisting the current landscape, Moreno and his bandmates have watched as younger listeners — many born after the band first formed — adopt, reinterpret, and celebrate their music.
“That new energy — that’s what’s pushing us right now,” Moreno said. “Instead of looking at it as some weird retro revival, it feels like an evolution. People are discovering us for the first time and really feeling it.”
The result has been a wider audience at shows, bigger festival placements, and a heightened cultural conversation around Deftones that transcends the usual rock and metal circles.
Success as Motivation, Not Validation
Even as Deftones ride this wave, Moreno stressed that the band isn’t framing the moment as something to prove themselves — they’ve already proven they can endure. Instead, the renewed attention is fuel.
“It’s motivation, not validation,” Moreno said. “We don’t need confirmation that what we’re doing is legitimate. But seeing people connect with our music again — that does make you want to elevate everything: the live show, the writing, the recording.”
Moreno pointed specifically to the band’s latest album, Private Music, as a project that’s benefited from this environment. Released amid the surge, the record captures both the band’s signature atmosphere and a willingness to evolve. The response, Moreno believes, reflects not nostalgia but authentic connection.
Staying in the Moment
What’s notable in Moreno’s recounting is his emphasis on perspective. Rather than letting success become pressure, he and Deftones seem intent on being present. “We’re just in the moment and rolling with it,” he said. For a band that has weathered lineup changes, industry shifts, and the inevitable ebb and flow of public attention, that grounded approach reflects both maturity and clarity.
Moreno’s comments suggest Deftones aren’t chasing hype, even as the momentum builds. Instead, they’re treating the renewed spotlight as an opportunity to stay true to their creative instincts — something that has kept them relevant across three decades.
A Rare Second Act in Modern Rock
Deftones’ current trajectory puts them in rare company. Many artists from their era enjoy periodic nostalgia boosts, but few sustain meaningful engagement with younger generations in a way that feels organic rather than manufactured. With social media amplifying moments in real time, bands like Deftones are finding that legacy and immediacy can coexist.
Moreno’s reflections capture that balance: the exhilaration of reaching bigger audiences than ever before, coupled with the calm assurance of artists who know they don’t owe anyone proof of their worth. As Deftones continue touring, recording, and connecting with new fans, their approach — rooted in authenticity and perspective — may be as significant to their ongoing success as the renewed attention itself.
In Moreno’s words, the band isn’t chasing the moment — they’re embracing it.
