For fans of the Deftones, the band’s iconography is almost as memorable as the music itself. While albums like White Pony and Diamond Eyes brought iconic imagery, one of the earliest and most persistent visuals in Deftones lore is the striking illustration of a yawning—or screaming—cat, famously linked to the title “(Like) Linus.” But what is the story behind this intense feline, and how did it become a lasting symbol of the band’s early identity?
The Name: “(Like) Linus”
Before signing with Maverick Records and releasing their 1995 debut album Adrenaline, the Sacramento band recorded numerous demos. The title “(Like) Linus” is a direct reference to a former guitar tech named Linus who worked with the group during their early years. The bootleg compilation of these recordings circulated widely among fans, and the unusual name only added to the mystique surrounding the cat image featured alongside it.
The Cat Origins
The black-and-white illustration of the cat was not original band artwork, but a repurposed stock photograph with an unexpectedly rich history. Known as the “Awakening Cat,” the picture was taken in the 1920s by H. Armstrong Roberts, a pioneer in professional stock photography. Maverick Records’ art department later licensed it in the mid-1990s, and the band immediately connected with its raw, expressive energy.
The Cat’s Role in Deftones History
The Awakening Cat quickly became one of the band’s earliest and most widely recognized pieces of visual branding:
- Early Merchandise & Posters: The image appeared on promotional posters for Adrenaline, early band shirts, and the “Bored” promo CD single.
- A Fan Favorite: Its gritty, emotional look matched the atmosphere of Deftones’ early sound, making it a standout piece of imagery.
- Enduring Legacy: Over the years, the cat has remained a beloved symbol among fans and collectors, still surfacing on reprints and unofficial merch due to its strong association with the band’s beginnings.
Conclusion
The “(Like) Linus Cat” may have started as a simple 1920s stock photograph, but it evolved into a defining symbol of Deftones’ early era. Its presence on merchandise, posters, and rare memorabilia shows how a single, striking image can become deeply connected to a band’s history—remaining meaningful to fans and collectors decades later.
