In the lead-up to Dia De Los Deftones 2025, Revolver reached out to some of the heaviest hitters from Dias past — including Gojira’s Joe Duplantier —to reflect on Deftones and their annual music celebration.
What was it like playing Dia De Los Deftones?
Joe Duplantier It was an honor being invited by a band that we appreciate so much. When you do your own festival, you invite the bands that you really like, so that says something about them. They’re very open-minded. They’re into hip-hop, they’re into dirty, lo-fi electro, or a death-metal band like us.
What do Deftones mean to you?
Deftones is this UFO/unicorn in the music industry. Since day one, they have really had their own sound. They have something really unique in the melody — it’s very powerful and catchy as hell. When Adrenaline came out, me and my brother [Gojira drummer Mario Duplantier] were completely stunned. What is this energy? It’s a lot about the energy and the attitude in the music.
Fun fact: Often when we write songs, we have working titles. Several times, we had songs called “Deftones.” Every time we get that vibe that there’s something dissonant and awesome-sounding, or a groove that makes you want to move, we often call it “Deftones.” My point here is that Deftones is so powerful and intelligent, musically, that a lot of bands are very influenced by them.
How do you see Deftones’ influence on music?
The way I see Deftones is [like the] Fountain of Youth. That’s what I feel from the music — youth, groove. It’s so generous. Deftones seem like they’re only getting started. They’re still offering new stuff every time they release music.