Chi Cheng Floats Freely (1970-2013)

Cheng, up in the air. Photo from blowthescene.com

    One of the details I most remember from my first Deftones concert was that cut-up, rugged, barking holler bassist Chi Cheng threw in behind Chino Moreno's wails. It sounded so deranged and at first it wasn't clear where it was coming from. I can remember coming up from the mushed pit of people for air and spotting the long, dirty dreadlocks of Cheng as they whipped and whirled in the blue and purple lights. That was 2001 and the band were touring their masterpiece, White Pony, and from that moment forward I was a lifelong fan.

     Cheng was such a force on that stage, slightly crouched in stance, head flipping up and down, his expression hidden by that cage of hair. His bass could beef up the thrashing of Stephen Carpenter's guitar or swirl in ghostly constancy when the beat dropped out. Beyond the abrasiveness of their music, there was something alleviating about seeing Deftones live. There was a real sense of camaraderie on the stage. Moreno and Cheng would often banter back and forth with each other between songs and the audience always felt in on the joke. We all laughed, even if we never clearly heard what they were saying. Those moments will bring a crowd closer to its band and eliminate the physical and mental barriers. With music we're all in this swarm together. 

     In the early morning of Sunday, April 14, Cheng succumbed to the coma that had kept him down since being flung from the passenger seat of a car in 2008. Over these last few years Cheng showed limited progress and with unfortunate circumstances like this it is difficult to see his passing as a loss or a blessing. Either way, he has left his body behind and now floats freely.

     The foundation he started with Deftones in 1988 will always be relevant to a growing cluster of rock and roll fans. As each new admirer reaches back into their discography it'll be his territorial barking heard on the first five albums and his bass will be the last moment of calm before all hell breaks loose. As Deftones continue to make exciting records and tour the world, Cheng's presence will always be felt, in the crowd, on the stage, and in the music forever.