This story is from the fall 2025 issue of VICE magazine, THE BE QUIET AND DRIVE ISSUE. You can subscribe to get 4 print issues of the mag each year here.
When I first met the Deftones, they were playing small clubs around Hollywood. At the time, I had a friend working at their record label who gave me a demo tape that only had two songs on it. When I finally got around to listening, I was like, ‘Wow, I really like how this band sounds.’ There was something about their music that connected with me, and it still does to this day.
Anytime they played a show in Southern California, I’d go see them performing live. Eventually, I got introduced to the band. I remember talking with them about BMX and skateboarding, realizing we had some of the same interests, which was cool. That’s when we slowly started building a friendship.
After the release of their debut album Adrenaline, and once they wrapped their worldwide tour, they began working on their second record, Around the Fur. I remember getting a phone call from the band, they said they’d like me to come hang out in the studio while they recorded. I thought, what a great opportunity. When the time came, they flew me up to Seattle.
One evening, we ended up at a pub for dinner, drinks, playing pool, taking photographs. One of the images, with the blurry pool balls flying across the table, ended up being used in the album layout. Later that night, we all went back to the house the band was staying at during their time in Seattle. Everyone was swimming, hanging out in the jacuzzi, just having fun.
What people should know about the cover art is that it was taken spontaneously, despite some criticism I’ve heard. Looking back, I think it works perfectly. It has a certain vibe that captures everything about that time. I’ve heard some people call the Around the Fur cover iconic. I’m not one to critique myself like that, and I’m not going to start now. I’m just grateful to have been part of the process. What I will say is, I’m proud of how successful this album has been 27 years later. It still comes up in conversations. I feel like this image helped introduce a whole new generation of Deftones fans to explore their back catalog.
One night, at the house, we were snapping photos. I didn’t really know what was going to happen or if any of it would even get used. I just went for it.
Lisa Hughes was sitting on the edge of the jacuzzi, and I happened to take a few shots of her using a fisheye lens. One of those images ended up being the album cover.
And yes, the Fred Flintstone-looking feet you see gripping the edge of the jacuzzi in that photo? Those belong to me, Rick Kosick.
I shot it on film, no digital cameras back then, so there were no do-overs, no retouching. I’ve heard people speculate for years about whose feet those were on the cover. Well, mystery solved. They’re mine. I’m the guy who took the photo. And as a young photographer, I couldn’t have been happier.
This story is by the cover star of Around the Fur, Rick Kosick, and appears in the the fall 2025 issue of VICE magazine, THE BE QUIET AND DRIVE ISSUE. You can subscribe to get 4 print issues of the mag each year here.
The post How I Became the Accidental Cover Star of a Deftones Album appeared first on VICE.
