Stephen Carpenter

Stephen Carpenter, (born August 3, 1973) is a US musician, the lead guitarist in Deftones.

Related Topics:
August 3 - 1973 - US - Musician - Deftones

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When he was younger, he was hit by drunk driver that broke both his legs and was confined to a wheel chair until he recovered. During that time, he obtained a guitar, as he said he needed something to do. In that time he learned to play and aquired money, which allowed him to purchase band equipment for him and his friends, who would later be his bandmates. The first song he learned to play was "Round And Round" by RATT.

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He has stated his two favorite heavy metal bands are Meshuggah and Fear Factory. Some of this can be heard in the Deftones more agressive songs. Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, Faith No More are some more of his metal influences but he also draws influence from Depeche Mode and Led Zeppelin, which can be heard on more subdued tracks. His first record was from Black Sabbath and the first live performance he assisted was Corrosion of Conformity.

Related Topics:
Heavy metal - Meshuggah - Fear Factory - Metallica - Slayer - Anthrax - Faith No More - Depeche Mode - Led Zeppelin - Black Sabbath - Corrosion of Conformity

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Carpenter has a side project called Kush, featuring Christian and Raymond from Fear Factory and B Real from Cypress Hill.

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Carpenter is currently endorsed by ESP guitars, Marshall Amplifiers, and Line 6. He has a number of ESP/LTD signature models in production, both in Six and Seven String models. His guitar technique makes use of both ringing open strings and dissonant chord voicings and stock power chords. This approach, along with fusing his metal and new-wave influences, sets him apart from his peers.

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