Deftones : Le groupe a viré son bassiste Sergio Vega

Une histoire pas très très belle semble avoir eu lieu chez Deftones puisqu’ils auraient remercié Sergio Vega qui assurait la basse depuis 2009. La raison ? Il semblerait que ce fou ait eu l’outrecuidance de demander à devenir un membre « officiel » et donc, d’avoir des parts équivalentes au sein du groupe. Le groupe ne l’aurait donc pas entendu de cette oreille et l’aurait ignoré au moment de re-discuter de ses bons et loyaux services. La rumeur avait enflé entretemps car Sergio s’était résigné à vendre beaucoup de son matériel pendant que le groupe claquait une nouvelle photo promo sans lui.

Sergio a fini par s’exprimer, non sans une certaine peine, ce que l’on peut comprendre :

“Hi everybody, I hope this finds you well. I didn’t want to have to make a video about this, but after the recent band photo posted on Deftones‘, Spotify, I feel the need to clear the air. I’m not very good at this. So I wrote out a statement and I will read it to you now.

To give a brief history about me and my friendship with Deftones. We met in 1995. I filled in for Chi—rest in peace—in 1999 and was asked to work with the band after his tragedy in 2009. Because of the love they have for Quicksand, I was asked to bring the same approach as a songwriter and arranger to them as well.

I was also told that similarly to Frank I will be brought in over time to become an official member. I had worked with the band for 12 years, and at the start of every album cycle, I asked about becoming an official member, but the contract would be improved instead.

COVID was a breaking point for a lot of people. And I started to question my place In the band, and the future that I wanted for my career. I really started to need something stable, because at that point, my contract with them was canceled. One day I got a call from the guys about an internal band situation, and they asked me if I was solid, and that I would have to fly out to LA to help work it out. Right away.

I said, Of course, I was all in, and we can handle my situation later. But I can’t go back to my old contract. Our respective management had a conversation to discuss a new contract, and they offered me the same deal. At that point. It was clear there was no opportunity for growth for me. So I declined the offer. And then I call the guys immediately to see where the miscommunication was to resolve it. But there was no response.

A couple of days later, I received an email from their lawyer that their offer was withdrawn, and that they wished me the best. So I left the band in early last year, and since then, I’ve been focused on my band Quicksand, as well as working as a producer and writer for other artists and projects. And I’m mentioning this because there was some speculation about me selling my gear and quitting music altogether.

Out of respect for the people who have held tickets for this tour, the past couple of years and everyone who supports the band, I felt it important to bring some clarity to the situation. Lots of love and thanks to Deftones‘ amazing fan base for always being engaged and supportive of the band through good times and bad.

I appreciate every single one of you. All my love to the fans that have become friends, the people that have supported my other projects. It brought me so much joy to see Deftones shirts at Quicksand shows land I will cherish this forever. Lastly, thanks so much to the ‘Tones. I wish they had the chance to tell you this in person.

I want you to know that I appreciate all the years we spent together, writing performing being taken into your worlds. I learned a lot from each one of you, when you brought me in, you created a new sense of passion for music that I will always cherish and carry with me. You truly changed my life.”

Surtout que dans le même temps, quand les fans se posaient des questions à son propos, un compte au nom de Chino Moreno serait intervenu sur Reddit indiquant :

« btw, vega didn’t quit. that fool was outta pocket. he gone fh. »

Alors, oui mais ça pourrait être un compte bidon sauf que les enquêteurs des internets ont pu trouver des preuves laissant entendre qu’il s’agirait bien d’un commentaire du chanteur. Et si comme moi, vous vous demandez ce que veut dire « fh », on peut supposer qu’il s’agit bien de « fuck him ».

Un communiqué de presse ne devrait pas tarder puisque le groupe doit entamer prochainement une tournée US avec Gojira.

Moche.

J’espère que le nouveau bassiste ne se fera pas d’illusions sur ses prochains contrats parce que ça ressemble sacrément à un CDI déguisé en CDD ! C’est beau la startup nation !

Source : ThePRP