Description

These Vacaville, CA boys first got together in high school, influenced by the likes of Rage Against the Machine and Faith No More, they constructed their own rap-metal hybrid. Papa Roach was no overnight success; they toured relentlessly, building up a loyal fanbase and releasing two independent albums and two EPs before finally signing to a major label for their 2000 release INFEST. The album soared into the top of the charts, and brought the band's hard-hitting nu-metal sound to a whole new audience. The group proved to be more than a one-shot, as the 2002 follow-up LOVEHATETRAGEDY was similarly successful.

Biography

Originating from Vacaville, Northern California, USA, Papa Roach established themselves alongside major nu-metal bands such as Korn and Limp Bizkit with the release of their major label debut, Infest. The band was formed in 1993 by high school friends Jacoby Shaddix aka Coby Dick (b. 1976, Vacaville, California, USA), Dave Buckner (b. 1976, Vacaville, California, USA; drums) and Will James (bass), with Jerry Horton (b. 1975, Vacaville, California, USA; guitar) joining shortly afterwards. The quartet named themselves after Shaddix's grandfather, and adopted the cockroach as an abiding symbol of resilience and longevity. Demonstrating the influence of Faith No More and Rage Against The Machine, Papa Roach became a popular attraction on the Northern Californian music scene, their powerful live shows and tortured lyrics attracting a loyal, young fanbase.
The band's debut long-player, Potatoes For Christmas, was released on their own label in 1994. In 1996 the band's roadie Tobin Esperance (b. 1980, Vacaville, California, USA) was brought in to replace James. Their second album, Old Friends From Young Years, established a prominent hip-hop influence, with Coby Dick often rapping entire verses of songs. The album was a local hit and led to support slots for bands such as Suicidal Tendencies and Incubus, which helped introduce the band to a wider audience. The 5 Tracks Deep and Let 'Em Know EPs were released before the band signed a major label contract with DreamWorks. Infest, which included re-recordings of several old songs, perfected the band's ferocious rap-metal hybrid. Dick's lyrics cover the usual concerns of a Generation Y band, including divorce ("Broken Home"), materialism ("Between Angels And Insects"), alcohol and drug abuse ("Binge" and "Thrown Away"), and suicide ("Last Resort"). The latter song hit an instant chord with many young Americans, helping Infest climb into the US Top 5.
DISCOGRAPHY: Potatoes For Christmas (Own Label 1994)**, Old Friends From Young Years (Own Label 1997)***, Infest (DreamWorks 2000)****, LoveHateTragedy (DreamWorks 2002)****, Getting Away With Murder (El Tonal/Geffen 2004)***.

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