Deftones August 30, the Joint.
Sergio Vega emerged first as Deftones prepared to start their encore late Tuesday night at the Joint, subtlety plucking his bass strings to summon his bandmates. In the seven years since Vega joined the band after original bassist Chi Cheng fell into a coma following a car wreck, he has become as much the heart of the alt-metal masters as the now-deceased Cheng.
Vega’s songwriting is more apparent than ever on this year’s Gore, his third album with the band, on which he experimented with a six-string bass to add texture to Deftones’ traditional sound. His influence extends to the live arena, something a near-capacity crowd experienced at the band's first Vegas stop since that record's April release.
Sergio Vega
From the moment Deftones stomped out with “Rocket Skates,” Vega whipped his body around with a violence befitting his background in the 1980s New York hardcore scene. Vocalist Chino Moreno seemed to feed off Vega's vibe, venturing down to the crowd along the barricade on virtually every song where he wasn’t playing guitar.
In terms of raucousness, the co-apexes of the 95-minute set came with Moreno screaming in fans’ faces during the breakdowns of “Diamond Eyes” and “Gore,” while Vega flung himself around in the background and guitarist Stephen Carpenter riffed semi-stoically.
The only downside to the show: Las Vegas missed out on legs of the tour featuring either hardcore legends Refused or malicious up-and-comers Code Orange. Instead, Alabama rapper Yelawolf served in direct support. He was flanked by a guitarist belting out twangy Southern-rock parts and an insipid DJ. The set felt like a throwback to the late '90s when Deftones were mixed up with the rap-rock phenomenon.
The band separated itself from that scene for good with 2000’s landmark White Pony, which accounted for four songs on Tuesday’s setlist. Gore feels similarly important by proving Deftones’ longevity and presenting a fresh feel. The most impactful of three new songs performed at the Joint was “(L)MIRL,” during which Vega closed his eyes and drifted along with an ethereal first verse.
He raised his eyelids after a few seconds, but the dream continued on. Vega remained at the center of a beloved band.
