Papa Roach
Biography
Papa Roach is an American rock band that formed in Vacaville, California in 1993. The original members were lead vocalist Jacoby Shaddix, guitarist Jerry Horton, drummer Dave Buckner, and bassist Will James. The band's name was inspired by Shaddix's step-grandfather. Early on, they played numerous gigs in their local area, building a following with their unique blend of hip-hop, groove-funk, and hardcore.
Early Years and Independent Releases
In their early years, Papa Roach underwent some lineup changes. Bassist Will James was replaced by Tobin Esperance in 1996. The band independently released their first EP, "Potatoes for Christmas," in 1994, followed by a demo called "Caca Bonita" in 1995. Their first full-length album, "Old Friends from Young Years," was released in 1997. This period saw them supporting prominent bands like Incubus, Suicidal Tendencies, and Static-X.
Mainstream Breakthrough with "Infest"
Papa Roach signed with DreamWorks Records in 1999 and released their major-label debut, "Infest," in April 2000. The album was a massive success, eventually being certified triple-platinum in the U.S. It featured the hit single "Last Resort," which propelled the band to international fame. Other singles from the album included "Broken Home" and "Between Angels and Insects". The musical style of "Infest" is primarily considered nu-metal and rap-metal.
Musical Evolution and Later Albums
Following the success of "Infest," Papa Roach began to move away from their rap-metal roots. Their subsequent albums explored a more alternative rock and hard rock sound. "Lovehatetragedy" was released in 2002 and was certified gold, while 2004's "Getting Away with Murder" went platinum. In 2007, founding drummer Dave Buckner departed from the band and was replaced by Tony Palermo.
Studio Albums include:
- Infest (2000)
- Lovehatetragedy (2002)
- Getting Away with Murder (2004)
- The Paramour Sessions (2006)
- Metamorphosis (2009)
- The Connection (2012)
- F.E.A.R. (2015)
- Crooked Teeth (2017)
- Who Do You Trust? (2019)
- Ego Trip (2022)
Recent Years
Papa Roach continues to tour and release new music. They have sold over 20 million albums worldwide. Their eleventh studio album, "Ego Trip," was released in 2022. The band has been recognized for their longevity and ability to evolve their sound over the decades, incorporating elements of pop, electronic, and hip hop into their rock foundation.