Alt-metal overlords Deftones are currently touring Australia as part of the Big Day Day Out 2014 lineup, making its way around the country this month.
Ahead of their visit with the one-day festival, Tone Deaf caught up with bassist Sergio Vega to discuss the band’s excitement at performing at the event, as well as catching Big Day Out sets from Tame Impala and The Naked And Famous, and what they get up to on their festival down-time.
Vega also talks about the band’s surprise addition to the bill – along with Beady Eye and The Hives – replacing Blur after the Britpop icons’ high-profile cancellation. The bassist surreptitiously revealing that it was their Thanksgiving plans that was the initial turkey promoter AJ Maddah blamed had got in the way of the delayed announcement.
The current Big Day Out is Deftones’ third time at the long-running Aussie festival, first playing in 2003, and Vega’s second overall. It also the heavy rock masters’ second Australian visit off the back of their latest album Koi No Yokan, following on from last year’s headline tour; a trip marred by the tragic news of former Deftones bassist Chi Cheng passing away following a lengthy uphill battle with his health.
Vega was open about discussing Cheng’s death, his role as the ‘quote-unquote new bassist’ (despite spending nearly six years in the lineup) and even touched on the long-shelved ‘lost’ 2008 album, Eros.
Stream the full Deftones interview below.
Deftones Big Day Out 2014 Sideshow
TUESDAY JANUARY 28 – SYDNEY, UNSW ROUNDHOUSE (Lic/AA)
Tickets available from www.ticketek.com.au
Big Day Out 2014 Dates, Tickets
View full Big Day Out 2014 timetables & maps here.
Friday 17th January ~ Western Springs, Auckland*
Sunday 19th January ~ Metricon Stadium & Carrara Parklands, Gold Coast
Friday 24th January ~ Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
Sunday 26th January ~ Sydney Showgrounds, Sydney
Friday 31st January ~ Bonython Park, Adelaide**
Sunday 2nd February ~ Arena Joondalup, Perth*
**Subject to council approval
Tickets and info at www.bigdayout.com
