Sergio Vega Quits Deftones - Noise11.com
Deftones

Deftones

Sergio Vega Quits Deftones

by Paul Cashmere on March 10, 2022

in News

Deftones bassist Sergio Vega has quit the band.

Vega replaced the late Chi Cheng as bass player in 2009, and after a promo picture of the ‘Minerva’ rockers posted to Spotify didn’t feature Sergio, he has explained his decision to leave.

Sergio suggested there was a dispute with his contract and whether he should be classed as an “official member” of the group.

In a video posted on his Instagram page, he said: “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 [Delgado, Deftones keyboardist] 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.”

Sergio admitted the COVID-19 pandemic brought him to “breaking point” and claimed his original contract had been “cancelled” by the band.

He was then offered a new contract but turned it down as there was no room for “growth”.

He continued: “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 cancelled. 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.”

Sergio left the band “early last year” and has turned his attention to his band Quicksand and working with other artists.

He added: “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 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.”

He went on to thank Deftones fans for their support over the years.

Sergio concluded: “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.”

Be the first to see NOISE.com’s newest interviews and special features on YOUTUBE and updated regularly. See things first SUBSCRIBE here: Noise11 on YouTube SUBSCRIBE

Noise11.com

Follow Noise11 on Social Media

Noise11 on Instagram

You’ll discover music news first following Noise11 on Twitter

Comment on the news of the day, join Noise11 on Facebook

Related Posts

Jill Sobule Photo Credit Shervin Lainez
Singer Songwriter Jill Sobule Dies Suddenly Aged 66 in House Fire

Singer songwriter Jill Sobule, best known for the 1995 hit ‘I Kissed A Girl’ has died tragically in a house fire in Minneapolis.

2 days ago
Soundgarden, Chris Cornell - Photo By Ros O'Gorman
Soundgarden Plan Singer To Perform at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

Soundgarden have musicians in mind to take on late frontman Chris Cornell's duties at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction performance.

4 days ago
Cowboy Junkies
Cowboy Junkies To Tour Australia for Third Time

Cowboy Junkies will return for an encore tour of Australia after sellout show in 2023.

4 days ago
Oasis Some Might Say
Classic Oasis ‘Some Might Say’ Heads Back To Number One In The UK

Oasis’ 1995 classic 'Some Might Say' is in with a chance of getting to number one again in the UK.

5 days ago
The Living End at Red Hot Summer Bendigo photo by Winston Robinson
The Living End Premiere New Song ‘Alfie’ At Red Hot Summer Bendigo

The Living End treated punters at Red Hot Summer Bendigo on Saturday to the world premiere of a brand new song ‘Alfie’.

6 days ago
Chris Cheney with Baby Animals at Red Hot Summer Bendigo photo by Winston Robinson
Chris Cheney Joins Baby Animals For Motorhead Classic At Red Hot Summer

Baby Animals new single, their cover of Motorhead’s ‘Ace of Spades’, had its volume turned up to 11 when Chris Cheney of The Living End joined the band to perform the song as the last one of the Red Hot Summer set in Bendigo on Saturday.

6 days ago
The Cruel Sea photo by Tom Wilkinson
Mick Harvey Joins The Cruel Sea Tour As Keyboard Player

Mick Harvey will join The Cruel Sea on keyboards, percussion and backing vocals for the Straight Into The Sun theatre tour.

April 24, 2025