From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Editing of this article by unregistered or newly registered users is currently disabled. If you are prevented from editing this article, and you wish to make a change, please discuss changes on the talk page, request unprotection, log in, or create an account.

‎
From left to right: Jerry Horton, Jacoby Shaddix, Dave Buckner, Tobin Esperance
Background information
Origin	Vacaville, California, USA
Genre(s)	Alternative Rock Post-Hardcore Pop-Punk Post-Grunge Nu metal Rapcore
Years active	1993 – Present
Label(s)	Geffen Records
Website	http://www.paparoach.com
Members
Jacoby Shaddix (Vocals/Lyrics) Jerry Horton (Guitar) Tobin Esperance (Bass) Dave Buckner (Drums)

Papa Roach is a four-piece alternative rock band from Vacaville, California.

They broke through in to the mainstream with their three times platinum major-label debut album Infest (2000). The group's success continued with later releases lovehatetragedy (2002) and Getting Away With Murder (2004). The group's fourth major album, The Paramour Sessions was released on September 12, 2006.

Contents 1 Band history 1.1 Papa Roach's early years 1.2 The breakthrough and mainstream success 1.3 The Paramour Sessions and the future 2 Music style 3 Band members 3.1 Current 3.2 Former 4 Discography 5 Videography 6 Trivia 7 References 8 See also 9 External links

Band history

Papa Roach's early years

The early formation of Papa Roach occurred in January of 1993, when Jacoby Shaddix (vocals) and Dave Buckner (drums) met on the Vacaville High School football field, where the two ended up talking about music. They were later joined by Will James (bass) and Ben Luther (trombone), completing Papa Roach’s first ever line-up. They decided to enter in the school's talent show, where they performed a cover version of Jimi Hendrix's famous song, Fire. However, the performance was most notable for the fact they played without a guitarist. They ultimately didn't win the contest.

In March 1993, Ben Luther was replaced by Jerry Horton (guitar) from nearby Vanden High School. Jerry was introduced to the band through his girlfriend, who was the biggest ever fan. At first, Jerry was apprehensive about joining because Jacoby, Dave and Will each went to a different high school. By this point in time, Papa Roach were practicing everyday in Dave's garage and pursuing the local scene trying to secure any gig they could come across.

In 1994, Papa Roach recorded their first 7 track EP titled Potatoes For Christmas. David 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 Dave Buckner was back on drums. In order to keep progressing as a band, further changes had to be made. Will James, who had become heavily involved in a church summer camp, was replaced by Tobin Esperance, due to the fact it would limit the band from practicing and touring over the summer. As Tobin had been with the band the whole time as a roadie, the transition was an easy one.

In 1997, the band produced their first full-length album titled Old Friends from Young Years. Still touring heavily, they supported bands such as Incubus, Powerman 5000, (həd) pe, Snot, Far and Static-X.

In 1998, they released another 5 track EP titled 5 Tracks Deep. It sold over 1,000 copies in its first month of release. Its success caught the attention of Warner Brothers, who financed the production of a 5 track promo/demo CD. The disc included the songs "Last Resort", "Broken Home" and "She Loves Me Not" - of which the first two would later feature on their Infest album, and the third on lovehatetragedy. In the end, Warner Brothers elected not to sign them. One year later, they produced another EP, which would end up being their last, titled Let 'Em Know. This was seen to be Papa Roach's best independent effort as a band, highlighting their improved and matured sound. Soon after, Shaddix was contacted by Dreamworks Records offering the band a recording contract. After this, Papa Roach would skyrocket in to the mainstream on the back of their major label debut album titled Infest and the hit single, "Last Resort".

The breakthrough and mainstream success

After signing with Dreamworks Records in October of 1999, they immediately hit the studio to record their debut major label album titled Infest. The album included four old songs, which were re-recorded and re-mastered, and an additional seven newly written songs. 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.

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 sophomore effort titled lovehatetragedy, in which a mere 60 days were spent to record it. 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 marked their first change in sound.

In late 2003, Papa Roach hit the studio again to write and record their 3rd major album, which was tentatively titled Dancing In the Ashes. However the name was soon to be replaced by Getting Away With Murder. 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.

In 2005, the band spent a large proportion of the year on tour. This included a full United States and European tour alongside bands such as Slipknot, Dead Poetic, Trust Company, Chronic Future, Skindred, 311 and Unwritten Law.

The Paramour Sessions and the future

On September 12, 2006 they released their 4th major-label album The Paramour Sessions. The band chose the title in respect to the recording location, the Paramour Mansion. The band were given the idea of doing an album in a mansion, while recording Getting Away With Murder, by Slipknot, who where 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" was the first single from the album. That album marked a more Hard Rock-based sound compared to earlier efforts but still contained the softer ballads akin to Getting Away With Murder. Although the album debuted at #16 on the Billboard 200 Charts, the total sales are considered disappointing by Papa Roach standards, with only 181,000 copies sold.

The band started touring in August 2006, with an American tour followed by one in Europe. On October 2006, Papa Roach toured with bands such as Guns N' Roses, during the Chinese Democracy tour, and Deftones through-out the United States, having major success. They were also the special guest band during the Zippo Hot Tour.

"Forever" is the 2nd single from The Paramour Sessions and is currently on it's peak, climbing up the charts. A video was expected to be shot sometime in March. However, no word from the band on whether the video has already been shot or is currently in the works.

The band originally planned to release a compilation of acoustic recordings for their songs, such as "Forever," "Scars," and "Not Coming Home" (all 3 recorded in Scotland). "Not Coming Home" 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. [2]

Music style

In their first two albums, Old Friends From Young Years (1997) and Infest (2000), Papa Roach tended to incorporate influences from nu metal and rapcore. Since lovehatetragedy (2002), they moved to rap-devoid sounds like alternative rock (except for the songs "Anxiety", played along with Black Eyed Peas, and "She Loves Me Not").

Frontman Jacoby Shaddix said the following in an interview with the Dallas Music Guide regarding the band no longer using 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"^[1].

To many fans' surprise, "...To Be Loved" of their most recent album The Paramour Sessions features glimpses of the old nu metal sound, with what many would consider rapping in the beginning and end verses. "Roses On My Grave" is the only song featuring orchestral instruments, giving it a different flavour compared to the rest of The Paramour Sessions. The style for the rest of the album is primarily alternative rock,post-hardcore and pop-punk with some songs, like "Forever," having emocore influences.

Band members

Current

• Jacoby Shaddix – Lead vocals/Lyrics
• Jerry Horton – Guitar, backing vocals
• Tobin Esperance – Bass, guitar, backing vocals
• Dave Buckner – Drums, percussion, backing vocals

Former

• Ben Luther – trombonist who was replaced by Jerry Horton in 1993, whilst the band was still in its initial formation process.
• Will James – bassist who featured on the band's first record Potatoes for Christmas.
• Ryan Brown – drummer who temporarily filled in for Dave Buckner on the Potatoes for Christmas recording, who was studying art in Seattle.
• Mike Doherty - second guitarist during the lovehatetragedy tour in 2002.

Discography

Main article: Papa Roach discography

Year	Album	US	UK	Label	US Sales
1994	Potatoes for Christmas			Self-Released
1995	Caca Bonita			Self-Released
1997	Old Friends From Young Years			Self-Released
1998	5 Tracks Deep			Self-Released
1999	Let 'Em Know			Warner Bros. Records
2000	Infest	#5	#9	Dreamworks Records	3x Platinum
2002	lovehatetragedy	#2	#4	Dreamworks Records	Gold
2004	Getting Away With Murder	#17	#30	Geffen Records	Platinum
2006	The Paramour Sessions	#16	#61	Geffen Records	-

Videography

• Papa Roach: Live & Murderous In Chicago (2005)

Trivia

• The band's name comes from Shaddix's step-grandfather, Howard William Roatch, who was nicknamed Papa Roach. Roatch died in 2006 by suicide. The band pay homage to him with The Paramour Sessions and during live performances of the song Roses On My Grave. [3] [4]
• The band's first tour van was called "Moby Dick".
• Their first stand out tracks were two songs named "Papa Roach", and "Momma Wants".
• Lead singer Jacoby Shaddix used the pseudonym "Coby Dick" on the band's first LP, and has also used the name "Johnny Vodka". By "lovehatetragedy" he decided to go by his real name, which he still does to this day.
• Dave Buckner has said, in an interview with Popworld, that he dislikes Fall Out Boy's bassist Pete Wentz so much that he would like to "...mop the floor with his little ass." [5]
• The song "To Be Loved" is the current opening song for WWE Raw as of October 9, 2006. This is not the band's first appearance in the WWE, in 2004, Getting Away with Murder was the theme song for Tough Enough IV.
• On October 10, 2006 a String Quartet tribute album entitled Perfect Murder: Strung Out on Papa Roach was released by Vitamin Records. [6]

References

See also

• Fight the Sky

External links

• Official site
• BrokenH (Official Papa Roach Message Board)
• Infest World (Fansite)
• Papa Roach Online(Info Based Fansite)
• Official site RSS Feed
• Papa Roach at MySpace
• Geffen Records page
• Official street team
• Tour blog
• Papa Roach Lyrics

Papa Roach

Jacoby Shaddix - Jerry Horton - Tobin Esperance - David Buckner

Discography

Albums and extended plays: Potatoes for Christmas EP (1994) - Caca Bonita EP (1995) - Old Friends from Young Years (1997) - 5 Tracks Deep EP (1998) - Let 'Em Know EP (1999) - Infest (2000) - lovehatetragedy (2002) - Getting Away with Murder (2004) - The Paramour Sessions (2006)

Singles: "Last Resort" - "Broken Home" - "Between Angels and Insects" - "She Loves Me Not" - "Time and Time Again" - "Getting Away with Murder" - "Scars" - "Take Me" - "To Be Loved"

DVDs: "Papa Roach: Live & Murderous In Chicago" (2005)