Back in late 1998, I was running one of the top πππππ¨π§ππ¬ fan websites called "ππ πππ’πππ‘ππ¬".
I was just a Sacramento kid, completely obsessed with Deftones, the hometown band who felt like they knew me πΈ
The site wasn't just some side projectβit was my heart and soul, a glowing tribute to the band I loved. It was my entire world.
I built scripts for the fan guestbook, built automated news feeds to keep the buzz alive, and even tweaked video downloads so everyone could share the magic (did I invent request throttling?!)
The site blew up, pulling in so many visitors it earned a shoutout on Deftonesβ official page.
It felt like Iβd won something bigger than I could explain.
By 2000, 15 Stitches was unstoppable, running side by side with DefJefβs fan site.
We were the heartbeat of the Deftones online community, and Maverick Records saw it.
Then came the email that flipped my world: an invite to a private White Pony CD release party for June 20, 2000, streamed live from a secret San Francisco spot.
Me, Jake, the guy who built a site out of pure love, was getting called up to party with the band I absolutely loved.
15 Stitches wasnβt just a webpage; it was proof that grit and passion could make a fan into something more.
Sorry, Swifties, but my Deftones love was on another level.
Even while overseas for 2 years, I had their mini-poster on my study room wall, got a Holland license plate with their name made, and would occasionally break out my Deftones windbreaker, still representing, while representing π
25 years later, and the Deftones still have a special place in my heart. I built something real back then, and Iβm proud of it.
And I'm still....... building............ today.....................
β€οΈ
Jake