Papa Roach is a four-piece hard rock band from Vacaville, California.[1] They have released six albums: Old Friends from Young Years (1997), Infest (2000), Lovehatetragedy (2002), Getting Away with Murder (2004), and The Paramour Sessions (2006), and Metamorphosis (2009). Papa Roach has sold more than 1 million albums worldwide.
Band history
Old Friends from Young Years (1993-1999)
The formation of Papa Roach began in January 1993, when Jacoby Shaddix (lead vocals) and Dave Buckner (drums) met on the Vacaville High School football field during an intense match, where the two ended up talking about music. They were later joined by Will James (bass guitar). They decided to enter the school's talent show, where they performed a cover version of Jimi Hendrix's famous song, Fire, but without a lead guitarist. They ultimately didn't win the contest. Shortly after, Jerry Horton (lead guitar) joined the band from nearby Vanden High School. By this time, Papa Roach were practicing everyday in Dave's garage and trying to secure local gigs. The band's name comes from Shaddix's step-grandfather, Howard William Roatch, who was nicknamed Papa Roach. Roatch committed suicide in 2006. The band pay homage to him with The Paramour Sessions and during live performances of the song "Roses On My Grave".[2]
In 1994, Papa Roach recorded their first 7 track EP titled Potatoes for Christmas. Dave Buckner was temporarily replaced by Ryan Brown, as Buckner was spending the year in Seattle studying art. One year later, they recorded a 2 track promo at Sound Farm Studios titled Caca Bonita. By this time Buckner was back. In 1996, they replaced original bassist Will James, who had become heavily involved in a church summer camp, by Tobin Esperance (bass guitar), because James' absence would limit the band's summer practicing and touring. As Esperance had been with the band as a roadie for a while, the transition was an easy one.
In 1997, the band produced their first full-length album titled Old Friends from Young Years. In 1998, they released a 5 track EP titled 5 Tracks Deep. It sold more than 1,000 copies in its first month of release.[citation needed] One year later, they produced another EP, which would end up being their last independent release, titled Let 'Em Know. This was seen to be Papa Roach's best independent effort as a band, highlighting their distinctive sound. Its success caught the attention of Warner Music Group, who financed the production of a 5 track promo/demo CD. The unreleased disc included the songs "Infest", "Last Resort", "Broken Home", "Dead Cell", and "She Loves Me Not" - the first four would later feature on their Infest album, and the last on Lovehatetragedy. In the end, Warner Brothers elected not to sign them, based on a perceived lack of talent presented in their earlier musical efforts. Soon after, Shaddix was contacted by DreamWorks Records offering the band a recording contract.
Infest (1999-2001)
After signing with DreamWorks Records in October 1999, they immediately hit the studio to record their debut major-label album titled Infest (2000). The album included old songs from their independent releases, these being "Infest", "Last Resort", "Broken Home", "Dead Cell" from the Warner Brothers demo CD; "Revenge In Japanese" as "Revenge" and "Thrown Away" from their 5 Tracks Deep EP; "Legacy", "Binge", "Snakes", and a softer version of the originally heavier "Tightrope" from the Let 'Em Know EP; which were re-recorded, and three additional newly written songs: "Between Angels and Insects", "Blood Brothers", and "Never Enough". Infest was released in the United States on April 25, 2000, and sold 30,000 copies in its first week of release. With their debut album released, and the music video for "Last Resort" recorded, they hit the Vans Warped Tour and numerous other large tours.
In late 2000, they even toured the United Kingdom, highlighting how quickly their popularity had spread worldwide. In 2001, the band toured Ozzfest, where they performed on the prestigious main stage, on both the United States and United Kingdom tours.
Lovehatetragedy (2002-2003)
After enormous amounts of touring worldwide, most notably in the United States, United Kingdom and Japan, the band hit the studio again to record their second major-label album which was to be titled Born to Rock, but was re-named to Lovehatetragedy (2002). The album was released in the United States on June 18, 2002, and though it didn't outsell Infest, it managed to chart higher in both the United States and United Kingdom album charts. The album has sold over 500,000 copies and has been certified gold. The album marked their first change in sound, morphing from nu metal to alternative rock, except on the album's first single, "She Loves Me Not". The music video for "Time and Time Again" was also featured on the Pepsi Blue commercial.
Getting Away with Murder (2003-2005)
In late 2003, Papa Roach hit the studio again to write and record their third major-label album, which was tentatively titled Dancing In the Ashes. However, the name was soon to be replaced by Getting Away with Murder (2004). The band worked with well-recognized producer Howard Benson, writing such songs as "Take Me" and "Scars". After completion, the band filmed the video for the title track, "Getting Away with Murder", and went on a small summer club tour to warm-up for the new album and tours to follow. Some long time fans of the band criticized Getting Away with Murder for its softer sound, compared to their previous albums. Regardless of the perceived backlash, Getting Away with Murder outsold Lovehatetragedy, mainly due to the enormous popularity of the album's second single, "Scars". Currently, the album has sold more than 1 million copies and has been certified platinum. On November 22, 2005 they released their first ever video, titled Papa Roach: Live & Murderous in Chicago. The video incudes songs from their first three major-label albums, including a photo gallery, a hidden easter egg, and all of the band's music videos from their career to date.
The Paramour Sessions (2006-2008)
On September 12, 2006 Papa Roach released their fourth major-label album The Paramour Sessions (2006). The band chose the title in respect to the recording location, the Paramour Mansion. The band was given the idea of doing an album in a mansion, while they were recording Getting Away with Murder, by Slipknot, who were recording their Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) album in the Houdini Mansion and told the band it was "the only way to make an album". "...To Be Loved" is the first single from the album and is currently being used as the theme song for WWE Raw. The album marked a more alternative rock-based sound compared to earlier efforts but still contained the softer ballads akin to Getting Away with Murder. The album debuted at #16 on the Billboard 200 Charts.
The band originally planned to release a compilation of acoustic recordings for their songs, such as "Forever", "Scars", and "Not Coming Home", which was recorded for KROQ's charity Christmas album, entitled Kevin and Bean's Super Christmas. The acoustic compilation has since been put on hold until the future. In an interview with billboard.com, Jacoby Shaddix has stated that he doesn't think his fans are quite ready for the acoustic direction.[3]
On May 23, 2007, more than four months after the album's second single, "Forever", had impacted radio, the band shot the official video for the song in the Los Angeles area, directed by Meiert Avis. On June 15, 2007 the single was released and the video made its official debut on AOL.
"Time Is Running Out" and "Reckless" were announced as the album's third and fourth singles in 2007. No music videos were made for either single.
On July 17, 2007 the band released their fifth EP, titled Live Session (iTunes Exclusive). On July 24, 2007, they released their sixth EP, titled Hit 3 Pack: Forever. Both EPs were released exclusivly to the iTunes Store.
On April 25, 2007 it was announced that drummer Dave Buckner would be sitting out the band's current tour. A statement issued by the group's record label said, "Buckner has taken time off from touring with the band due to personal matters." He was expected to rejoin the group at a later date. Jacoby Shaddix later confirmed in an interview with Launch Radio Networks that Dave had checked himself into rehab, stating "Dave, he went to rehab and went to go clean his act up 'cause he was out of his mind." Unwritten Law drummer Tony Palermo filled in on drums for touring duties. On January 28, 2008 Jacoby announced on Papa Roach's MySpace that Buckner would officially be parting ways with Papa Roach for good. He states that Dave is still trying to get his life back together. Unable to find a suitable replacement, the band then ask Tony Palermo if he would be the permanent drummer for them, and he accepted. Jacoby also mentioned that Papa Roach would be going back to the Paramour Mansion for the next month to begin work on their fifth studio album.
Metamorphosis (2008-present)
In an interview in February 2008 with WRKZ, a rock radio station in Columbus, Ohio, Jacoby Shaddix stated that the band is currently working on their new album, which was to be titled Days of War, Nights of Love, but for different reasons was renamed Metamorphosis (2009).
On April 15, 2008, Papa Roach announced they would be touring as part of Mötley Crüe's Crüe Fest, along with Buckcherry, Sixx:A.M., and Trapt. The tour began on July 1 in West Palm Beach, Florida.[4]
The release date for the album was confirmed as August 26, 2008 during Crüe Fest. The band also went on tour with Seether, Staind, Red, Buckcherry, Avenged Sevenfold, and Rev Theory. They changed the date to March 24, 2009 during those tours. On October 26, Papa Roach released the music video for the first single, "Hollywood Whore". The second single, "Lifeline", was released on the band's MySpace profile on January 9. The third single, "I Almost Told You That I Loved You", was released on June 1. The video for Crüe Fest was released on March 24, 2009. On June 23, 2009, they released their seventh EP, titled Naked and Fearless (Acoustic Version). The EP was released exclusivly to the iTunes Store.
Papa Roach is currently on tour with Nickelback on their Dark Horse Tour along with Hinder and Saving Abel.
Musical style
In their first two albums, Old Friends from Young Years (1997) and Infest (2000), Papa Roach tended to use nu metal. Since Lovehatetragedy (2002), their music has morphed into hard rock and alternative rock.[5] Additionally, with Metamorphosis (2009), the band feels that their music is going through a transformation to "stuff that's...harder and faster",[6] compared to the softer sound of their last few albums.
Frontman Jacoby Shaddix said the following in an interview with the Dallas Music Guide regarding the band no longer rapping in their music: "...the rapping's gone! I don't feel like rapping. I'm just over that...I just want to be a rocker. It's what I wanted to be when I was a kid".[7] Shaddix has added this remark in another interview: "We’re a band that tries to walk that line between metal, hardcore, punk rock and pop music, and we do our best at trying to make it all tasteful".[8]
Band members
Current
Former
Discography
References
External links
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Papa Roach |
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Jacoby Shaddix • Jerry Horton • Tobin Esperance • Tony Palermo
Will James • Dave Buckner |
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| Studio albums |
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| EPs |
Potatoes for Christmas • Caca Bonita • 5 Tracks Deep • Let 'Em Know • Live Session (iTunes Exclusive) • Hit 3 Pack: Forever • Naked and Fearless (Acoustic Version)
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| Singles |
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| Video albums |
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| Related Articles |
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