Chino Moreno (born Camillo Wong Moreno June 20, 1973) is an American musician. He is the lead singer and guitarist in Deftones and Team Sleep.
Biography
Moreno was born in Sacramento, California to a Mexican father and a Mexican/Irish/Native American/Chinese mother; the latter being the origin of his Spanish nickname Chino, which means "Chinese" in Spanish. He was the third of five children. Deftones were quite close with Dana Wells, the stepson of Max Cavalera of Sepultura and Soulfly, and when he died, Chino was one of the pallbearers at his funeral.
In relation to his often ambiguous yet image-heavy poetic lyrics, Moreno quotes: "[Sometimes] my lyrics don't deal with specific topics. I write down on paper the feelings of the moment, it's not easy to explain the contents of the lyrics or give a logical sense to the words. What I write is also a reaction to the music we make, so the Deftones' sound is not pop, it doesn't communicate happy feelings. Paradoxically my favorite songs of the album talk about love, in a clearly different view." Despite this, Chino has been known to write songs about social issues such as racism, prostitution, urban violence, and drugs. However, even these songs can be rather vague and cryptic.
Vocal Damage
In 2001 Moreno developed a throat injury and was forced to miss at least four shows. He suffered inflammation on his right vocal cord and partial paralysis of the left vocal cord. During the rest of their supporting tour, Chi Cheng took over vocal duties that required screaming while Chino sang the softer melodies of the lyrics, despite recommendations by doctors to hold off from singing to allow time for recovery as well as rumors that the band would be cancelling the remaining stretch of the tour with Godsmack and Puddle of Mudd.
Music
During the making of Deftones' White Pony, Chino began work on a side project, Team Sleep. Chino's influences range from such bands as The Cure, Bad Brains, The Smiths, Duran Duran, The Smashing Pumpkins, Depeche Mode, Glassjaw, Helmet, Ugly Kid Joe, Jawbox, Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Hum, Kool Keith, and Weezer, and claims that Deftones' 2006 album, Saturday Night Wrist, is more of a compromise between all of the members' influences, ranging from their brutal and brooding heavy signature seen on Adrenaline and Around the Fur to the more experimental sound heard on White Pony and Deftones. Chino recently worked with post-hardcore band Norma Jean, on their album The Anti Mother. Chino has also worked with the band Dance Gavin Dance in the song titled "Caviar."
Deftones Official Website
