Deftones guitarist Stephen Carpenter recently revealed why he is no longer touring with the band.
The guitarist hasn’t been touring internationally for over two years now. While it might be because of his anti-vaccine views, the guitarist explained his decision during a recent interview with Rock Feed. He said:
“Every single one of us wrangles with getting on a plane in some way. For me, that anxiety [started] right around the time of the pandemic. I had already just made that decision [to stop touring overseas.] At minimum, in this country, I could walk myself home if I had to… it might take a long time, but I’m gonna get there.”
He mentioned the one ‘crazy’ thing about visiting another country for a show:
“If I go all that way and then get stuck out there and then they want to jab me with something… I was like, ‘there’s no way I’m going to do that… I mean, that’s crazy.”
The guitarist also reflected on his decision to stop touring internationally, saying it was a bummer:
“It’s a bummer. Obviously I want to go out there and I want to perform… it’s not easy… But I’m very grateful that we have our friend Lance [Jackman, guitarist], who steps in.”
Chino Moreno’s Comments On Carpenter’s Views
Carpenter shared a statement about his absence from touring two years ago. He said:
“As much as I would love to be on the road with my brothers right now, playing for all of our incredible international fans, I have chosen to remain playing domestically for now. With everything going on in the world, I’m just not ready to leave home or the country yet. But for now, our great friend from Sacramento, Lance, will be fulfilling my duties. Give him some love, have a great time. I wish I could see every one of you — thanks for understanding.”
The news wasn’t surprising for fans given Carpenter’s history with unusual beliefs. Besides his anti-vaccine and COVID theories, he has also suggested the Earth is flat and that 9/11 didn’t happen.
Deftones frontman Chino Moreno thinks these ideas might come from too much ‘weed’ and ‘paranoia.’ He said:
“It was actually tough for a minute, because obviously I’ve been friends with him since I was 10 years old… the weed probably has a ‘lil bit to do with his conspiracies.”
He added:
“I’ll listen for two minutes and then I just can’t. ‘Cause he’ll just go off into no man’s land.”
You can watch the rest of the interview below.