Deftones Pay Tribute to Late Bass Player Chi Cheng with 'Eros' Track 'Smile'

Deftones Pay Tribute to Late Bass Player Chi Cheng with ‘Eros’ Track ‘Smile’

2014-04-20

Story by Anne Erickson

Deftones are honoring late bass player Chi Cheng with a ‘Eros’ era song

Deftones recently posted a never-before-heard song called “Smile” from their shelved “Eros” album, which the guys were recording in 2008 up until bass player Chi Cheng got in a tragic car collision in November of that year. The song is a tribute to Cheng and marks the first anniversary of his passing in April of 2013.

Deftones have performed the song “Melanie” off “Eros” at various live performances but have never formally released or streamed anything else from the “Eros” album, out of respect to Cheng. Even though the recording of “Smile” was posted by singer Chino Moreno, the original upload has been taken down by the group’s label, Warner Bros. Records. Still, the song is streaming at various YouTube channels.

Following Cheng’s death last year, Deftones singer Chino Moreno said he had been listening to the “Eros” album and felt it would be appropriate, at some point, to release those unheard tracks.

“I think it should be released, but we don’t have any definite plans,” he told MTV’s Hive. “There’s some work to do on it. Deftones have been moving forward in a strong, positive motion, so for us to stop and reflect on something five years ago, I don’t know if we’re ready for that. It is a special thing for us: it’s the last thing Chi played on. It will see the light of day. I just don’t know when.”

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Anne Erickson

Meet the expert - Author, writer and editor Anne Erickson is a Detroit-based music reporter and radio host. She has written for the USA Today Network, Consequence.net, Blabbermouth.net, Loudwire.com and many more. Anne holds a master's degree from Michigan State University. Contact Anne at anne@audioinkradio.com.