Deftones’ ‘Around The Fur’ Cover Star Reflects On The Album’s Enduring Legacy In New Video

Much like everything surrounding Deftones these days, their 1997 sophomore release Around The Fur is experiencing a renewed surge in attention. Over the summer, multiple tracks from the album were officially certified gold and platinum in the U.S., a long-overdue milestone fueled in part by the band’s continued resonance with younger listeners through viral TikTok exposure.

That momentum has translated to the charts as well. At the time of publication, Around The Fur has climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard Hard Rock Albums chart, following a No. 24 debut on the Top Rock Albums chart in December. While staples like “My Own Summer (Shove It)” and “Be Quiet And Drive (Far Away)” remain entry points for new fans, the album’s instantly recognizable cover image has taken on a life of its own nearly three decades later.

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Chino Moreno On The Accidental Birth Of An Icon

Frontman Chino Moreno previously reflected on the origins of the now-legendary cover image during an appearance on the Broken Record Podcast last fall, explaining that the photo was never intended to be anything more than a candid moment.

“We were just like wild, out every night, partying, driving around, listening to the roughs from the day. And that album cover was, we had a Jacuzzi at our apartment… There was a hot tub downstairs. So every night, at the end of the night, after all our bar hopping, we’d go with everybody we’d meet from the bar, ‘let’s go back to our place. We’re gonna go the hot tub.’”

Moreno explained that the image was taken during one of those late-night gatherings at the Seattle rental where the band was recording the album.

“And that photo was just from a random night there, whatever. And it got mixed in with all the other photos from the thing. So when they came and started spreading all the photos out for the album cover, that picture was there. And it was literally just like everybody pointed at that one. I mean, it’s very ’90s too. So ’90s. It really represents that time.”

Despite how closely the image has become associated with the band’s identity, Moreno clarified that the woman featured on the cover wasn’t a longtime friend or part of the group’s inner circle.

“She was a friend who we befriended while we were there in Seattle. And I saw a thing the other day where they showed her then and now. She’s holding up the album cover, smiling like, ‘This is me.’ Who knew that 30-something years later it would be on t-shirts and teenagers would still be wearing it?”

Moreno also admitted that even now, the image’s popularity still catches him off guard.

“It’s so weird that as far as our merchandise goes, that t-shirt with that album cover on it is one of the biggest sellers. It’s such a random photo — it makes no sense at all.”

A New Deep Dive Into The Cover’s Origins

A newly released video feature from Jenkem takes a deep dive into the history behind the album’s artwork, speaking with photographer Rick Kosick, art director Kevin Reagan, and — most notably — the woman on the cover herself, Lisa Hughes.

Kosick, who would later go on to find fame through Jackass, recalled how casually the iconic photo came together.

“They invited me to come shoot photos during the recording of ‘Around The Fur’ in Seattle. I had no idea this would make it to the album cover at all. Maybe that’s why it worked — there was no intention. I was just there to hang out and shoot photos.”

He described snapping just two quick photos during a party at the band’s rented condo.

“There was this girl hanging out in the jacuzzi. I just went up and took a couple photos. That’s it. Walked away.”

Weeks later, Kosick was stunned when the label called him in to see the finalized artwork.

“I was blown away. After all the mockups, this one just felt right. It looked incredible.”

Lisa Hughes On Fame, Misconceptions, And Owning The Moment

Hughes revealed that while she never expected to gain notoriety from the image, it did come with unexpected perks — including being recognized and granted entry into clubs thanks to her familiar face. She also stayed loosely in touch with guitarist Stephen Carpenter, who invited her to attend future Deftones shows.

However, Hughes was clear about dispelling long-standing rumors surrounding the image.

“I found articles saying I was a groupie, and that wasn’t true. I’m just Lisa — an awesome chick from Auburn who liked to have fun. There was no groupie action going on here.”

She also addressed criticism of the image itself with refreshing honesty.

“People point out everything — ‘Oh, you have a pimple,’ whatever. Who gives a sh*t? I’m a human being. I’m not a model. It’s just a cool-looking shot, and that’s all it ever was.”

Additional Details Revealed In The Feature

The Jenkem video also shared several lesser-known facts about the album cover:

• The original jacuzzi still exists and was revisited for the feature
• Hughes has been asked to sign copies of Around The Fur for her daughter’s friends
• The feet visible in the image belong to Rick Kosick himself
• The drink on the cover was Hughes’ go-to cocktail at the time — a “silk panties” (vodka, peach schnapps, peach bitters)
• This remains the only album cover Kosick ever shot

The full video feature dives even deeper into the history behind one of alternative metal’s most enduring images and can be viewed below.

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