BIO:
Papa Roach is a four-piece hard rock band from Vacaville, California. They broke into the mainstream with their triple-platinum major-label debut Infest (2000). The group's success continued with later releases Lovehatetragedy (2002), Getting Away with Murder (2004) and The Paramour Sessions (2006). Their latest album, Metamorphosis, was released on March 24, 2009. Papa Roach has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide.
Band history
Formation and early years: 1993-1999
The formation of Papa Roach began in January 1993, when lead singer Jacoby Shaddix and drummer Dave Buckner 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 trombonist Ben Luther and bass guitarist Will James. They decided to enter the school's talent show, where they performed a cover version of Jimi Hendrix's famous song, "Fire". They ultimately didn't win the contest. Later that year, they replaced trombonist Ben Luther with lead guitarist Jerry Horton from nearby Vanden High School. Jerry was introduced to the band through his girlfriend, who was a fan. By this time, Papa Roach was 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".
In 1994, Papa Roach released their first ever EP titled Potatoes for Christmas. Drummer Dave Buckner was temporarily replaced by Ryan Brown, as Buckner was spending the year in Seattle studying art. In 1995, they released a demo at Sound Farm Studios titled Caca Bonita. By this time Buckner was back. In 1996, they replaced original bass guitarist Will James, who had become heavily involved in a church summer camp, by Tobin Esperance, 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, entitled Old Friends from Young Years. Still touring heavily, they supported bands such as Incubus, Powerman 5000, Hed PE, Snot, Far and Static-X.
In 1998, they released an EP titled 5 Tracks Deep. It sold more than 1,000 copies in its first month of release. In 1999, 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.
Breakthrough and mainstream success: 1999-2005
After signing with DreamWorks Records in October 1999, they immediately hit the studio to record their debut major-label album titled Infest. 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 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 second major-label album which was to be titled Born to Rock, but was re-named to Lovehatetragedy. 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 a change in sound, morphing from nu metal to hard 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.
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. In 2004, the band released their fifth EP, Rolling Stone Original. The EP is available exclusively through Rhapsody. The band worked with well-recognized producer Howard Benson, writing such songs as "Scars" and "Take Me". 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 album, Papa Roach: Live & Murderous in Chicago.
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 departure of Dave Buckner: 2006-2008
On September 12, 2006 Papa Roach released their fourth major-label album The Paramour Sessions. 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 debuted at #16 on the Billboard 200 Charts.
The band started touring their new album 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 throughout the United States, having major success. They were also the special guest band during the Zippo Hot Tour with Hed PE and Eyes Set To Kill.
"Forever" is the second single from The Paramour Sessions and was in heavy rotation across America.
On October 10, 2006 a String Quartet tribute album entitled Perfect Murder: Strung Out on Papa Roach was released by Vitamin Records.
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.
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 Los Angeles, directed by Meiert Avis. Dave Buckner was in the video and had returned at that time. On June 15, 2007 the single was released and the video made its official debut on AOL.
On July 17, 2007 the band released their sixth EP, Live Session (iTunes Exclusive). On July 24, 2007, they released their seventh EP, Hit 3 Pack: Forever. Both EPs are available exclusively through iTunes.
Later, 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.
"Time Is Running Out" and "Reckless" were announced as the album's third and fourth singles in mid/late 2007.
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. 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. Tony Palermo would continue drumming with the band for their upcoming album and for their tour in support of the album.
Metamorphosis and Tours: 2008-present
In an interview in February 2008 with 99.7 The Blitz, 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.
On April 15, 2008, Papa Roach announced they would be touring as part of M?tley Cr?e's Cr?e Fest, along with Buckcherry, Sixx:A.M., and Trapt. The tour began on July 1 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The release date for the album was confirmed as August 26, 2008 during Cr?e Fest. During Cr?e Fest, drummer Tony Palermo served as a touring drummer for Sixx:A.M. as the band didn't have a drummer because the band never planned on touring.
The band also went on tour with Seether, Staind, and Red later in the year. They changed the date to March 24, 2009 during that tour. 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 band also went on tour with Buckcherry, Avenged Sevenfold, and Burn Halo. The third single, "I Almost Told You That I Loved You", was released on June 1. The video for Cr?e Fest was released on March 24, 2009. On June 23, 2009, they released their eighth EP, Naked and Fearless (Acoustic Version). The EP is available exclusively through iTunes.
Papa Roach is currently on tour with Nickelback on their Dark Horse Tour through Live Nation outdoor amphitheater's with Hinder and Saving Abel. On the last night of the tour, in The Woodlands, Texas, Jacoby Shaddix announced that "Had Enough" would be the next single, before playing the song itself.
Musical style
In their first two albums, Old Friends from Young Years and Infest, Papa Roach tended to incorporate influences from nu metal. Since Lovehatetragedy, their music has morphed into hard rock. An oddity, "...To Be Loved" from the 2006 album, The Paramour Sessions, features glimpses of the old nu metal sound, with what many would consider rapping in the beginning and end verses. Additionally, with their newest album, Metamorphosis, as the name expresses, the band feels that their music is going through a transformation to "stuff that's...harder and faster", 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 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". Shaddix has added this remark in a recent 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".
Band members
Current
Jacoby Shaddix - lead vocals
Jerry Horton - lead guitar, backing vocals
Tobin Esperance - bass guitar, backing vocals
Tony Palermo - drums, percussion
Former
Dave Buckner ? Drummer from 1993-2008 recording on all of the band's official releases with the exception of 1994's Potatoes for Christmas. According to a report on harddriveradio.com, Buckner left the band due to substance abuse issues that stemmed from his recently collapsed marriage. Dave is now in a new two-piece band called Last Angels. On December 12, 2008 it was reported that Buckner has filed a lawsuit claiming that Papa Roach cheated him out of royalties and other compensation due to him. The suit claims that his relationship with the band is "strained and antagonistic" and that he wants "to dissolve Papa Roach." As of March 12, 2009 the band members settled the suit outside of court. Jacoby Shaddix stated, "We're glad to be done with it. Dave has some serious issues he needs to work out and now we can focus on our record ."
Former Session Members
Ben Luther - Trombonist who was replaced by Jerry Horton in 1993, while 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.
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