Deftones' Sergio Vega talks about tour life and family that is the Deftones

I just had the pleasure of speaking with Deftones’ bassist Sergio Vega today, one day prior to their show at The Pageant Tomorrow night. He is a very down to earth guy and very easy to talk to, aside form being a very accomplished bassist in a world-renowned Alt-metal band. Sergio graciously took time out of his busy preshow schedule in Kansas City where they are playing at Harrah’s Casino later tonight. This is how it went:

Hello Sergio, How are you doing? “Great! Thank you. Just getting ready for the sound check here in Kansas City. Should be a great show.”
Congrats on the tour’s success. “Thank you! That’s very kind”
You have played in large arenas (with Alice In Chains and Mastedon) and smaller venues on this tour, which do you prefer? “I think each has it’s own uniqueness about it. In the arenas you have that grandeur to it. It’s very exciting and the energy from that really hits home, like ‘Wow!’ You know? But the smaller venues has that personal vibe, that energy that springs from the connection you feel with the closeness of the fans. So I think they both have something to offer. So I prefer both. Hahaha”
You have been touring since last Spring, how do you personally keep yourself loose on the road? “Just hanging out really. There is a lot of time spent just sitting around waiting for the next show or soundcheck or traveling I just spend time with friends in the band or get involved with things like video games or the like.”
Is there a prankster in the band? What kind of pranks? “ No not really, just hanging out having natural fun. We don’t really get in to having someone feel uncomfortable waiting for something to happen to them. We do have fun though, but it’s subdued. Like recently we were walking around backstage getting food wearing Teletubbies masks like ti was no big deal, Hahaha.”
Do any members of Deftones have any ties to St. Louis? “No, not that I know of. Everyone , except me hails from California and that is where their family is from. Whereas I am from New York.”
Who do you listen to now in your free time? “I listen to a lot. Right now I am into electronic stuff. And bands like School of Seven Bells and Gold Panda, to Meshuggah. I can’t stay away from the hard stuff. Haha”
Who are your influences? “Growing up in The Bronx I listed to a lot of freestyle, Beatbox style. I got into Hardcore bands and punk, but I really dug the smaller bands, the ones I could meet and get to know. I also listened to the classics like Led Zeppelin, but I couldn’t meet them. Haha. But first and foremost it was Hardcore.”
Prior to your work with Deftones you toured with them in your previous band, Quicksand. Did you get to know the members of Deftones at that time or did you know them previously? “ I did get to meet them during the first Warped Tour. I learned pretty quickly that these guys stuck out from all the rest. They just wanted to be there. They were all about it and doing it. They didn’t get all wrapped up in a ‘Look at me I’m a big star’ type of thing. I respected that. I liked that seriousness about them.”
Following Chi’s terrible accident were you approached by anyone in the band in particular? Or did you have to audition? How did that process go? “It came about from a phone call really. I had placed a call to see how they were doing and they were like come on over. I went out to see if I could do anything for them and it just happened. I was shocked when it happened and just wanted to show my support.”
I think it shows great character and classiness by the band that they still list Chi as one of the Bassists. That being said, and being a part of the Deftones family for a couple years is it safe to say that they look at the members as family? “Yes it definitely does. They are very classy guys and very close. They definitely treat one another as family, very tight knit group. And you know they never ever made me feel like I was an outsider. They welcomed me in with open arms and there was no initiation period. It was very pleasant and I feel very lucky and fortunate.”
This is the 11thtime the band has played in St. Louis, and the first time at the Pageant since 2007. Anything special planned for the show tomorrow night? “The eleventh time in St. Louis? Really? Wow. I didn’t know that. That is very cool.Um, as for planning anything special afterwards or before, no just who we happen to meet up with and just kind of go with the flow. As far as on stage our stage set up will be different than last time. The core setup it different and it will definitely have a different look to it.”
Well Sergio, thank you for taking time to talk to me today, I appreciate it. Good luck tonight and we will see you tomorrow. “Thanks Sean, it was good talking to you.”

The Defotnes play Tuesday night, April 26 at The Pageant in St. Louis. It was just announced today that a few tickets were made available. Please visit the pageant’s website to get in on this concert that will, once again, sell out. Also please visit oneloveforchi.com which was set up after original Bassist Chi Weng suffered a horrifying car wreck that left him in a coma.