We headed into Hollywood on a postcard perfect Friday night last week to check out the Sacto legends, the Deftones on Jimmy Kimmel Live. As the sun set behind the Roosevelt Hotel, all fans who stood in the parking lot were able to watch via big screen. Fortunately for us, we were invited by some very rad friends to come enjoy the show from the comfort of the green room, and a nice lil nook area perfect for me to stand and enjoy the show feelin nice and tipsy…

Kimmel introduced the band from the middle of the crowd, who got things going with the title track from their new record “Diamond Eyes.”  The band sounded sharp and tight out the blocks.  Front man Chino Moreno is in top form both vocally and physically these days, guiding the band through the hard hitting number.

Via Kimmel Video

After a few choice crowd camera shots and another intro by Kimmel, the band dove right into their biggest hit “Change (In The House of Flies).”  Knowing the late shows typical format of new song followed by classic song (as well as hearing it at soundcheck) there was no doubt what would be played here.

As the cameras stopped rolling, Chino asked the crowd if they wanted some new songs.  With a thunderous applause the band kicked the energy level up several notches with “Rocket Skates.” The piercing “GUNS, RAZORS, KNIVES” lyrics are the perfect companion for guitarists Stephen Carpenter’s robust over-distorted riffs. As we listened to the brutal yet beautiful songs one after another, it wasn’t hard to realized that it has been almost a decade since the Deftones have sounded so ferocious.

“Sextape”, what a powerful song! I don’t see how this can’t be #1 on rock radio across the country?! Fans were able to feel the raw emotion in this song, one busty female felt it so much that she threw her bra on stage. Moreno tried to play it cool, but couldn’t help but smirk at this uber fan.

Special thanks to Rickie Castaneda, Rob Dorn, and Vanessa Carreras.