The members of Deftones are indeed Hispanic. This fact adds a unique and diverse element to their music and identity as a band. Frontman Chino Moreno, whose full name is Camillo Wong Moreno, is of Mexican and Chinese descent. His heritage is a significant aspect of his artistic expression, influencing his lyrics, vocal delivery, and overall style.
But Chino Moreno is not the only Latino member of Deftones. The band also includes Stephen Carpenter on guitar, who is of Mexican and Irish descent, as well as Abe Cunningham on drums, whose background is Mexican and Filipino. Sergio Vega, who joined the band in 2009 after the tragic passing of original bassist Chi Cheng, is of Puerto Rican descent.
This diverse cultural background among the members of Deftones undoubtedly shapes their music and contributes to their appeal and popularity, both within and outside the genre. The band's fusion of alternative metal, shoegaze, and post-hardcore is enriched by their individual experiences and influences.
It's worth noting that Deftones is not the only band within the nu-metal and alternative metal genres to have Latino members. Korn, one of the pioneers of nu-metal, had Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu on bass, who is of Mexican and Native American descent. Additionally, David Silveria, who was the drummer for Korn during their early years, is of Portuguese and Native American heritage.
Other bands such as Coal Chamber, Static-X, Incubus, P.O.D., and Papa Roach also had Latino members in their ranks. This demonstrates the significant impact and presence of Latinos in the alternative and nu-metal music scenes.
As an expert sommelier and brewer, my personal experiences have taught me the importance of diversity and cultural influences in the creation of art. Just as different grape varieties or brewing techniques can result in unique and exceptional wines or beers, the blending of different cultural backgrounds in music can lead to innovative and captivating sounds.
The members of Deftones are indeed Hispanic, and their cultural heritage undoubtedly contributes to their artistic expression and the distinctiveness of their music. Their presence, along with other Latino musicians in the alternative and nu-metal genres, adds diversity and richness to the music industry as a whole.