Altitude TV [via Blabbermouth] has posted some footage of Deftones performing a new song called “Rocket Skates” at the MetalSucks co-sponsored Smokeout Festival a couple of weekends back. It’s pretty fuckin’ heavy and, not surprisingly, it’s a step forward for a band that’s always sought to push musical boundaries (though it still sounds distinctly Deftones). I mean it’s not as if the Deftones have suddenly gone prog, but… you get the point… as far as Deftones songs go, this one doesn’t sound like the band is trying to re-live or re-create the past so much as take the next step.

For those wondering, I believe that’s Quicksand bassist Sergio Vega stepping in for the still-ailing Chi Cheng. And hey doesn’t Chino look like he’s in awesome shape? For reasons that aren’t entirely clear, Deftones have shelved their completed but unreleased album Eros and are said to be working on something else. It’s never easy for those guys to release a record, is it?

-VN

We’ve got a pair of tickets for the two-day Smokeout Festival in California next weekend, featuring Slipknot and the Deftones, and we wanna give them away to you. The festival is a celebration of weed culture and music, featuring all sorts of seminars and informational sessions about Marijuana as well as band performances all weekend long. If we weren’t based out of NYC, we’d definitely be there.

Alls you gotta do to win our pair of tickets: tell us which member of Slipknot you’d most like to get high with, and why. Leave a comment below, and be sure you fill in a valid email address in the appropriate field. Winners will be contacted by email this Friday.

MetalSucks is sponsoring the return of the Smokeout Festival, which is being billed as “a two day mind-opening music festival and Cannabis Cup expo.” Sound interesting? Read on.

The event is taking place on October 23rd and 24th at the San Manuel Amphitheatre in San Bernadino, CA. Day one probably won’t be of much interest to most of our readers, headlined by Cypress Hill (the event’s curators) and featuring mostly hip-hop acts throughout the day; but day two is headlined by Slipknot with immediate support from The Deftones and also features Bad Brains, Pennywise and others interspersed throughout the day. Both days will feature all sorts of ganja-related madness; hemp industry exhibits, a glass art showcase, legal workshops and grow tip seminars, and a 4:20 movie night.

The best part: tickets start at only $29.50 for a two day ticket! Check back here soon, as we’ll be giving away a pair of tickets.