The Verdict
These rock-metal-rap fusionists broke out of Sac and onto the national scene with a mellower sound and MTV exposure.

Tip Sheet One of Sacramento's Best Nominated for putting Sac on the map with hard-hitting hard rock. Talk to Me Read the full interview with Deftones drummer Abe Cunningham. With a Bullet ''White Pony'' was still in Billboard's Top 50 six weeks after its release—pretty good for a small-town rock-rap crew.

Historically Speaking
The Deftones started off in 1988 as a group of guys who had gone to school and grown up together in Sacramento. Looking back, it seems that all they ever wanted was to play. Over time and tours, they've kept the same goal—to make music in front of live audiences, surrounded by their best friends—each other.

The Skills
Although drummer Abe Cunningham came from a musical family, most of the band learned to play their instruments together, with a few lessons here and there.

The Influences
''There's so much different music, so much different musical styles and tastes in the band,'' says Cunningham. ''We've been influenced by everything we've heard, from Bad Brains to Depeche Mode. It runs the gamut. There's little hints of everything in our music.'' —Holly Glasen

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