Woman featured on Deftones’ “Around The Fur” album cover reminisces in new video segment

Deftones’ renowned 1997 album “Around The Fur” is experiencing a revival, with numerous tracks achieving gold and platinum statuses recently in the United States. This resurgence is not only a result of the band’s enduring appeal but also thanks to their increased popularity among younger audiences through viral trends on platforms like TikTok.

“As of the writing of this piece, ‘Around The Fur’ has ascended to the 3rd spot on the Billboard Hard Rock Albums chart, following its debut at number 24 on the Top Rock Albums chart the previous December. Amidst the continued admiration for hits like ‘My Own Summer (Shove It)’ and ‘Be Quiet And Drive (Far Away)’, the album cover itself has garnered significant attention.

Chino Moreno, Deftones’ frontman and guitarist, provided insights into the genesis of the cover image in a recent interview, recounting the spontaneous nature of the photo session during the band’s recording sessions in Seattle. The now-iconic photo was snapped during one of the band’s vibrant gatherings, with a hot tub at their rented house serving as the backdrop for the shot.

Contrary to popular belief, the woman featured prominently on the cover was not a close associate of the band. Despite her lasting presence in the band’s visual identity over almost three decades, Moreno clarified that she was simply a friend the band had made in Seattle during their time there. Reflecting on the unexpected fame the photo brought her, Moreno mentioned seeing recent images of her, now in her late 40s or early 50s, proudly showing the album cover.

The decision to select this seemingly random photo as the album cover baffled Moreno at the time, especially considering its current popularity in the band’s merchandise. He expressed his surprise at the image being a top-selling design on their merchandise, musing on its enduring appeal despite its seemingly arbitrary nature.

A newly released video feature by Jenkem delves into the backstory behind the album cover, speaking with the original photographer, Rick Kosick, and the album’s art director, Kevin Reagan. Lisa Hughes, the cover star herself, also features in the video, sharing her perspective on the enduring legacy of the image.

Kosick recounted the spontaneity of the photo op during the recording sessions in Seattle, emphasizing that there was no grand plan behind the shot. Hughes, on the other hand, revealed how the recognition she gained from being on the cover opened doors for her, securing her entry into exclusive clubs and venues due to her newfound fame.

Despite her unexpected leap into notoriety, Hughes still maintained sporadic contact with Deftones’ guitarist Stephen Carpenter in the years following the shoot. Through these accounts, a vivid picture emerges of the serendipitous origins and the lasting impact of the iconic “Around The Fur” album cover.”