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Papa Roach

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Papa Roach

Papa Roach is a four-piece rock band from Vacaville, California.[1] Their first major-label release was the triple-platinum debut album Infest (2000), and 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 album copies worldwide.

Band history

Formation and early years: 1993–1999

Main article: Old Friends from Young Years

The formation of the Grammy nominated band 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. In March 1993, trombonist Ben Luther was replaced by lead guitarist Jerry Horton from nearby Vanden High School. Jerry was introduced to the band through his girlfriend, who was a fan. However, Jerry was at first apprehensive about joining the band because Jacoby, Dave, and Will all went to a different high school. At this point, Papa Roach were practicing everyday and touring on every gig they could get. Their first tour van was called Moby Dick. 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 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.

Papa Roach formed a friendship with Alien Ant Farm, a band from Southern California. The two bands shared their fans with each other, Papa Roach's being from North Cal while AAF's from South Cal.

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.

The song "Blood Brothers" was also featured on the majorly popular video game 'Tony Hawks Pro Skater 2'.

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 straight-forward 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 wrote and recorded their third major-label album with the working title Dancing In the Ashes, but released as 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 alternative rock 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 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

Main article: The Paramour Sessions

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". Jacoby Shaddix stated on a fan board that the album was likely to be titled Days of War, Nights of Love, which is a lyrical quote from the song "No More Secrets" on the album. Other tentative titles for the album were "Redemption", and "Forever", the title of the album's sencond single. The band hadn't picked their first single but had narrowed it down to "Crash", "What Do You Do", and "Forever". However, "...To Be Loved" ended up being the first single for the album, and was the official theme song for WWE Raw from 2006 to 2009 until being changed to "Burn It to the Ground" by Nickelback. 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 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.[3]

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 a later date. In an interview with billboard.com, Jacoby Shaddix, has stated that he doesn't think his fans are quite ready for the acoustic direction.[4]

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 [5] 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" was announced as the album's third single in mid/late 2007.

On January 28, 2008 Jacoby announced on Papa Roach's MySpace page 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: 2008–2010

Main article: Metamorphosis (Papa Roach album)

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, like The Paramour Sessions, was to be titled Days of War, Nights of Love, which is a lyrical quote from the song "No More Secrets" and the titles of two songs from the album: "Days of War" and "Nights of Love". However, the album was renamed Metamorphosis to mark the band's ten years since their signing with DreamWorks Records in 1999 and to mark all of the changes the band has gone through in the past ten years.

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.[6] The release date for the album was confirmed as August 26, 2008 during Crüe Fest. Also during Crüe Fest, 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 and James Michael programmed all the drums on The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack.

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, 2009. 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 Crüe 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 through the Zune Marketplace, iTunes, and Rhapsody.

Papa Roach was recently 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 fourth single, before playing the song itself. Online, Papa Roach asked fans what they've "Had Enough" of and showed a fan-made video of "Had Enough" in a bulletin on MySpace.

"Lifeline" was nominated for Fuse TV's Best Video of 2009 contest, beating Metallica's "All Nightmare Long", Daughtry's "No Surprise", Shinedown's "Sound of Madness", and Paramore's "Ignorance", before finishing 2nd to Britney Spears for her song "Circus" in the final round.

First live album: 2010–present

On January 8, Shaddix posted on Papa Roach's official Twitter account that the band was "About to start working on new songs!! Very excited.... Jacoby." On February 8th, Jerry Horton posted this on his personal twitter account; "At the studio starting to write. Look out bitches!" Papa Roach had also announced on their website that they would be releasing 'Big News' in the next couple of weeks. Jacoby continued to add to rumors of a new album, posting on the Papa Roach twitter page; "3rd day of writing. Got a great one in the bag tonight!!! Stoked!!!".

On February 23, Jerry Horton officially announced that the 'Big News' that Papa Roach fans were waiting for was the announcement of the band's first live album. He said that they recorded it on the last run of their 2009 co-headlining tour with Shinedown at the Binghamton, New York show and were recording five new songs in the studio for it.[7]

Papa Roach announced March 14th via Twitter, that they were recording vocals for a new song called "Nemesis".[8] Jacoby Shaddix also announced earlier that week that he was also recording vocals for a new song called "No Matter What".[9] On March 15, Papa Roach released the offical teaser for the live album and confirmed that the release date would be in the summer of 2010.[10] On Nikki Sixx's new radio show, Sixx Sense, Jacoby confirmed that one of the new songs that they were working on for the live album is called "One of These Days".[11]

Musical style

In their first two albums, Old Friends from Young Years and Infest, Papa Roach tended to incorporate influences from nu metal.[12] Since Lovehatetragedy, their music has morphed into rock.[1] 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",[13] 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".[14]

Band members

Current members

Former members

  • Will James - bass guitar, backing vocals (1993–1996)
  • Dave Buckner - drums, percussion (1993–2008)

Former session members

  • Ben Luther - trombone (1993)
  • Ryan Brown - drums, percussion (1994)
  • Mike Doherty - rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2002)

Discography

Main article: Papa Roach discography

References

  1. ^ a b Phares, Heather. "Papa Roach Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
  2. ^ "Papa Roach overruns rock with Infest". pauseandplay.com. Retrieved 2010-03-05.
  3. ^ "Strung out on a Papa Roach: A string quartet tribute". vitaminrecords.com. Retrieved 2010-03-05.
  4. ^ "Papa Roach Going Acoustic, Just Not Yet". billboard.com. Retrieved 2010-03-05.
  5. ^ Papa Roach Forever Video. music.aol.com. Retrieved 2010-03-05.
  6. ^ "Concert Announcement: Cruefest with Motley Crue". stl-today.com. Retrieved 2010-03-05.
  7. ^ "Papa Roach : In the studio". paparoach.com. Retrieved 2010-03-05.
  8. ^ http://twitter.com/paparoach
  9. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6RH5YvYLdA
  10. ^ http://paparoach.com/media/videos/1408/1811
  11. ^ http://www.sixxsense.com/pages/mediavault/mediaplayer.html?uri=channels/386387/835310
  12. ^ Berelian, Essi. Rough Guide to Heavy Metal. p. 271. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  13. ^ "Papa Roach : New Video Interview". ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved 2010-03-05.
  14. ^ "Papa Roach : Biography". paparoach.com. Retrieved 2010-03-05.
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