Originating from Vacaville, Northern California, USA, Papa Roach established themselves alongside major nu metal bands such as Korn and Limp Bizkit with the release in 2000 of their major label debut, Infest. The band was formed in 1993 by high school friends Coby Dick (b. Jacoby Shaddix, 28 July 1976, Mariposa, California, USA; vocals), Dave Buckner (b. 29 May 1976, Los Angeles, California, USA; drums) and Will James (bass), with Jerry Horton (b. 19 March 1975, Dixon, 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 mini-album Potatoes For Christmas, was released on their own label in 1994. In 1996 the band’s roadie Tobin Esperance (b. 14 November 1979, Vacaville, California, USA) was brought in to replace James. Their first full-length 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 Records. Infest, which included re-recordings of several old songs, perfected the band’s ferocious rap/metal hybrid. Dick’s lyrics covered 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 and rack up sales of over three million in their homeland.
The quartet spent the next two years working on the highly anticipated follow-up to Infest. The ambitious LoveHateTragedy was the result of their labours, but despite praise from music critics the album was a commercial flop and led to the termination of their contract with DreamWorks. The majority of their next album, Getting Away With Murder, was written while touring to promote LoveHateTragedy. The album, which was released through Geffen Records, introduced a more rock-orientated direction with Shaddix eschewing his trademark rapping style. Despite a mixed reception from the band’s loyal fanbase, the album went on to achieve platinum status and spawned the major hit single ‘Scars’. The follow-up The Paramour Sessions took its unusual title from the mansion where the album was recorded.
