Papa Roach

Biography

Papa Roach is an American rock band from Vacaville, California, formed in 1993. After a few early shifts, the band initially stabilized in 1996 with the lineup of lead vocalist Jacoby Shaddix, drummer Dave Buckner, guitarist Jerry Horton, and bassist Tobin Esperance. This lineup remained consistent for slightly over a decade.
Papa Roach released a few demo EPs and their full-length debut album, Old Friends from Young Years×Old Friends From Young Years4 December 1997 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1intro0:282Orange Drive Palms4:533Liquid Diet4:194GrrBrr4:145iSEDuFuknDie4:166DIRTYcutFREAK2:457Living Room4:1488294:359PEEWAGON4:4310hedake5:2011Shut Up N Die (reprise)2:3312Thanx5:5013Happy Birthday1:54 (1997), before signing with DreamWorks Records in 1999, subsequently releasing the triple-platinum album Infest×Infest25 April 2000 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Infest4:102Last Resort3:203Broken Home3:424Dead Cell3:065Between Angels and Insects3:546Blood Brothers3:347Revenge3:428Snakes3:309Never Enough3:3510Binge3:4811Thrown Away / Tightrope9:3812Legacy3:0513Dead Cell (live)3:53 in 2000. Infest contained the band's first hit, "Last Resort×Last Resort18 September 2000 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Last Resort (LP version)3:202Legacy (clean album version)3:053Dead Cell (live)3:514Infest (LP version)4:09", which peaked at No. 1 on the Alternative Songs chart and was certified 6× platinum by the RIAA. Papa Roach followed up with the gold album Lovehatetragedy×Lovehatetragedy31 May 2002 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1M-80 (Explosive Energy Movement)2:292Life Is a Bullet4:053Time and Time Again2:594Walking Thru Barbed Wire3:055Decompression Period3:596Born With Nothing, Die With Everything3:507She Loves Me Not3:308Singular Indestructible Droid3:499Black Clouds4:0210Code of Energy4:0411Lovehatetragedy3:1312Gouge Away2:07 in 2002 and the platinum album Getting Away with Murder×Getting Away With Murder30 August 2004 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 15 tracks1Blood (Empty Promises)2:562Not Listening3:103Stop Looking Start Seeing3:084Take Me3:265Getting Away With Murder3:126Be Free3:187Done With You2:528Scars3:289Sometimes3:0810Blanket of Fear3:2211Tyranny of Normality2:4012Do or Die3:2813Harder Than a Coffin Nail3:2814Caught Dead3:0415The Making of Getting Away With Murder11:00 in 2004. Getting Away with Murder's second single, "Scars×Scars29 April 2004 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Scars (radio edit)3:282Scars (acoustic)3:083Getting Away With Murder3:264Scars3:26", became the band's most successful mainstream hit as it peaked at No. 15 on the Hot 100 chart. Following the release of The Paramour Sessions in 2006, Buckner left the band in 2007 and was succeeded by Tony Palermo. Papa Roach then released Metamorphosis (2009), the live album Time for Annihilation (2010), The Connection×The Connection1 October 2012 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 21 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Engage0:522Still Swingin3:233Where Did the Angels Go3:104Silence Is the Enemy2:535Before I Die4:256Wish You Never Met Me4:067Give Me Back My Life3:598Breathe You In3:089Leader of the Broken Hearts4:1310Not That Beautiful3:1811Walking Dead3:1812Won’t Let Up4:0013As Far as I Remember3:4314What’s Left of Me2:59159th Life3:13Disc 21Still Swingin3:222Behind the Scenes: Making of Still Swingin2:113Constructing the Connection3:164Burn3:385No Matter What3:576Kick in the Teeth3:13 (2012), F.E.A.R.×F.E.A.R.23 January 2015 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 10 tracks1Face Everything and Rise3:112Skeletons3:553Broken as Me3:384Falling Apart3:095Love Me Till It Hurts3:446Never Have to Say Goodbye3:477Gravity4:048War Over Me3:589Devil3:2810Warriors2:56 (2015), Crooked Teeth (2017), and Who Do You Trust? (2019). The group's eleventh studio album, Ego Trip×Ego Trip8 April 2022 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 14 tracks1Kill the Noise3:082Stand Up3:483Swerve2:484Bloodline2:265Liar2:586Ego Trip2:557Unglued3:008Dying to Believe3:029Killing Time3:2310Leave a Light On3:0811Always Wandering2:4612No Apologies3:0813Cut the Line3:3014I Surrender2:54, was released in 2022.

Early years (1993–1995)

Papa Roach's formation began in January 1993 when lead singer Jacoby Shaddix and drummer Dave Buckner met on the Vacaville High School football field. They were later joined by lead guitarist Jerry Horton from nearby Vanden High School, rhythm guitarist Anne Mikolajcik, trombonist Ben Luther, and bassist Will James. They entered the school's talent show, performing a rendition of Jimi Hendrix's song "Fire". Ultimately, they did not win the talent show. In March 1993, Ben Luther left the band, followed by Anne Mikolajcik. During this period, Papa Roach practiced daily and toured extensively, playing every gig they could secure. The band's first tour van was named Moby Dick, which inspired Shaddix to adopt his initial stage name, "Coby Dick." Initially, the band was called "Papa Gato," as suggested by Buckner, but Shaddix changed it to Papa Roach, combining the nickname of his maternal grandfather, Herbert Fischer "Papa," with "Roach," derived from his paternal grandfather, John "Grandpa" Roatch. Both grandparents were musicians.
In 1994, Papa Roach released their first EP, Potatoes for Christmas×Potatoes for Christmas1994 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 7 tracks1Coffee Thoughts4:082Mama's Dress3:023Lenny's4:104Lulu Espidachi3:025Cheez-z-Fux3:506I Love Babies4:017Dendrilopis1:08. Drummer Dave Buckner was temporarily replaced by Ryan Brown while he spent the year in Seattle, studying art. In 1995, the band released a demo at Sound Farm Studios titled Caca Bonita. By this time, Buckner had returned. In 1996, the group replaced original bassist Will James with Tobin Esperance, as James' involvement in a church summer camp limited the band's summer rehearsals and touring.

Old Friends from Young Years and record deal (1996–1999)

On February 4, 1997, the band's debut studio album, Old Friends from Young Years×Old Friends From Young Years4 December 1997 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1intro0:282Orange Drive Palms4:533Liquid Diet4:194GrrBrr4:145iSEDuFuknDie4:166DIRTYcutFREAK2:457Living Room4:1488294:359PEEWAGON4:4310hedake5:2011Shut Up N Die (reprise)2:3312Thanx5:5013Happy Birthday1:54, was released. At this time, the group was actively touring, supporting bands such as Incubus, Powerman 5000, Hed PE, Snot, Far, and Static-X.
In 1998, Papa Roach released an EP titled 5 Tracks Deep×5 Tracks Deep1998 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Revenge in Japanese3:562My Bad Side3:433July3:534Tambienemy3:475Thrown Away4:24, which sold more than 1,000 copies within its first month of release. In 1999, the band produced another EP, their final independent release, titled Let 'Em Know. Its success attracted the attention of Warner Music Group, which, as part of a development deal, provided a modest amount of funding for the production of a five-track promotional demo CD. The band sought out influential rock producer Jay Baumgardner to produce the record. In an interview with HitQuarters, Baumgardner stated, "At first, I wasn't really convinced it would work out, but then I saw a video of them performing at a club – I saw all these kids going wild, knowing the songs by heart – and that's when I realized that they definitely had potential."
Warner Bros. was unimpressed with the demo and chose not to sign the group. The unreleased disc included the tracks "Infest×Infest25 April 2000 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Infest4:102Last Resort3:203Broken Home3:424Dead Cell3:065Between Angels and Insects3:546Blood Brothers3:347Revenge3:428Snakes3:309Never Enough3:3510Binge3:4811Thrown Away / Tightrope9:3812Legacy3:0513Dead Cell (live)3:53," "Last Resort×Last Resort18 September 2000 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Last Resort (LP version)3:202Legacy (clean album version)3:053Dead Cell (live)3:514Infest (LP version)4:09," "Broken Home×Broken Home2000 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Broken Home (album version)3:442Broken Home (revised edit)3:283Last Resort (album version) (EX)3:20," "Dead Cell," and "She Loves Me Not×She Loves Me Not10 June 2002 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1She Loves Me Not3:332Naked in Front of the Computer2:143Tightrope (Rock version)3:364Blood Brothers (live)3:10".
Shortly thereafter, DreamWorks Records offered the band a recording contract.

Mainstream success, Infest, Lovehatetragedy and Getting Away with Murder (2000–2005)

After signing with DreamWorks Records in October 1999, Papa Roach promptly entered the studio to record their major-label debut album, Infest×Infest25 April 2000 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Infest4:102Last Resort3:203Broken Home3:424Dead Cell3:065Between Angels and Insects3:546Blood Brothers3:347Revenge3:428Snakes3:309Never Enough3:3510Binge3:4811Thrown Away / Tightrope9:3812Legacy3:0513Dead Cell (live)3:53. The album featured songs from their earlier independent releases, including "Infest," "Last Resort×Last Resort18 September 2000 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Last Resort (LP version)3:202Legacy (clean album version)3:053Dead Cell (live)3:514Infest (LP version)4:09," "Broken Home×Broken Home2000 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Broken Home (album version)3:442Broken Home (revised edit)3:283Last Resort (album version) (EX)3:20," and "Dead Cell" from the Warner Bros. demo CD; "Revenge In Japanese" as "Revenge" and "Thrown Away" from their 5 Tracks Deep EP; and "Legacy," "Binge," "Snakes," and a softer version of the originally heavier "Tightrope" from the Let 'Em Know EP. These tracks were re-recorded, along with three additional newly written songs: "Obsession" (later known as "Between Angels and Insects"), "Blood Brothers," and "Never Enough." Infest was released on April 25, 2000, and sold 30,001 copies in its first week.
With the release of their second album and the recording of the music video for "Last Resort," Papa Roach embarked on the Vans Warped Tour and several other major tours, including the Anger Management Tour alongside Limp Bizkit and rap acts such as Eminem, Xzibit, D12, Ludacris, and X-Ecutioners. In 2000, they launched their headlining "Master Bay" tour, supported by Linkin Park and Hed PE. The band received a nomination for "Best New Artist in a Video" at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards for "Last Resort."
In late 2000, the band toured the United Kingdom, demonstrating the rapid expansion of their global popularity. On Saint Patrick's Day in 2001, Papa Roach began the "Raid The Nation" tour in the U.S, which included Alien Ant Farm and Orgy as opening acts. During that year, the band also participated in Ozzfest, where they performed on the prestigious main stage during both the United States and United Kingdom tours. The song "Blood Brothers" was also featured in the popular video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2.
After touring worldwide, the band returned to the studio to record their third album, initially titled Born to Rock, but later renamed Lovehatetragedy×Lovehatetragedy31 May 2002 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1M-80 (Explosive Energy Movement)2:292Life Is a Bullet4:053Time and Time Again2:594Walking Thru Barbed Wire3:055Decompression Period3:596Born With Nothing, Die With Everything3:507She Loves Me Not3:308Singular Indestructible Droid3:499Black Clouds4:0210Code of Energy4:0411Lovehatetragedy3:1312Gouge Away2:07. The album was released in the United States on June 18, 2002. Although it did not outsell Infest, it achieved higher chart positions 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 featured a greater emphasis on singing rather than rapping, while the band retained their nu metal sound. It produced two singles: "She Loves Me Not×She Loves Me Not10 June 2002 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1She Loves Me Not3:332Naked in Front of the Computer2:143Tightrope (Rock version)3:364Blood Brothers (live)3:10" and "Time and Time Again×Time and Time Again21 October 2002 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Time and Time Again3:012Singular Indestructible Droid (live at the Mean Fiddler)3:503Time and Time Again (live at the Mean Fiddler)3:244Time and Time Again (video)", both of which included elements of rapping along with the rap metal sound characteristic of Infest. The music video for "Time and Time Again" was featured in a Pepsi Blue commercial. That same year, the band embarked on a tour to support Lovehatetragedy, which included performances on the second Anger Management Tour. This tour was co-headlined by Eminem and Papa Roach, alongside Ludacris, Xzibit, X-Ecutioners, and Bionic Jive.

In late 2003, Papa Roach wrote and recorded their third album, initially titled Dancing In the Ashes, which was released as Getting Away with Murder×Getting Away With Murder30 August 2004 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 15 tracks1Blood (Empty Promises)2:562Not Listening3:103Stop Looking Start Seeing3:084Take Me3:265Getting Away With Murder3:126Be Free3:187Done With You2:528Scars3:289Sometimes3:0810Blanket of Fear3:2211Tyranny of Normality2:4012Do or Die3:2813Harder Than a Coffin Nail3:2814Caught Dead3:0415The Making of Getting Away With Murder11:00. The band collaborated with well-known producer Howard Benson. After completing the album, the band filmed a music video for the title track, "Getting Away with Murder", and went on a brief summer club tour to prepare for the subsequent tours. The album marked a departure for the band, as it was their first album not to incorporate the nu metal style of their previous works. Additionally, it was the band's first album that did not feature rapping. Getting Away with Murder outsold Lovehatetragedy, primarily due to the success of the album's second single, "Scars×Scars29 April 2004 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Scars (radio edit)3:282Scars (acoustic)3:083Getting Away With Murder3:264Scars3:26". To date, the album has sold over one million copies and has been certified Platinum. On November 9, 2004, the band released their fifth EP, Rolling Stone Original×Rolling Stone Original9 November 2004 · EP · LiveSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1She Loves Me Not (Live)3:432Last Resort (Live)3:263Getting Away with Murder (Live)3:14, which was only available digitally. On November 22, 2005, they released their first live album, Papa Roach: Live & Murderous in Chicago.
In 2005, the band spent a significant amount of time on tour, which included a full United States and European tour alongside bands such as Dead Poetic, Trust Company, Chronic Future, Skindred, 311, and Unwritten Law.

The Paramour Sessions and Buckner's departure (2006–2008)

On September 12, 2006, Papa Roach released their fourth album, The Paramour Sessions×The Paramour Sessions8 September 2006 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1…To Be Loved3:022Alive (N' Out of Control)3:223Crash3:224The World Around You4:355Forever4:066I Devise My Own Demise3:367Time Is Running Out3:238What Do You Do?4:229My Heart Is a Fist4:5910No More Secrets3:1511Reckless3:3412The Fire3:3313Roses on My Grave3:1314Scars (Spanish version)3:28. The band named the album after the recording location, the Paramour Mansion. The idea for an album recorded in a mansion emerged while the band was working on Getting Away with Murder×Getting Away With Murder30 August 2004 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 15 tracks1Blood (Empty Promises)2:562Not Listening3:103Stop Looking Start Seeing3:084Take Me3:265Getting Away With Murder3:126Be Free3:187Done With You2:528Scars3:289Sometimes3:0810Blanket of Fear3:2211Tyranny of Normality2:4012Do or Die3:2813Harder Than a Coffin Nail3:2814Caught Dead3:0415The Making of Getting Away With Murder11:00. "...To Be Loved×To Be Loved2006 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksA... To Be Loved3:01BGetting Away With Murder (live and Murderous in Chicago)4:20" was the first single released from the album and served as the official theme song for WWE Raw from 2006 to 2009. The album debuted at No. 16 on the Billboard 200 chart.
The band began touring in support of the album in August 2006, starting with an American tour followed by a European leg. In October 2006, Papa Roach toured with Guns N' Roses during their Chinese Democracy tour. They also served as the special guest band during the Zippo Hot Tour, alongside Hed PE and Stealing December.
On October 10, 2006, a String Quartet tribute album titled Perfect Murder: Strung Out on Papa Roach was released by Vitamin Records.
The band initially planned to release a compilation of acoustic recordings of their songs, including "Forever," "Scars×Scars29 April 2004 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Scars (radio edit)3:282Scars (acoustic)3:083Getting Away With Murder3:264Scars3:26," and "Not Coming Home," which was recorded for KROQ-FM's charity Christmas album, Kevin and Bean's Super Christmas. However, the acoustic compilation was later shelved. In an interview with Billboard, Shaddix expressed his belief that fans were not yet ready for an acoustic direction from the band.
On April 25, 2007, it was announced that drummer Dave Buckner would be sitting out the band's touring schedule due to personal matters, with expectations for him to rejoin the group shortly thereafter. Shaddix later confirmed in an interview with Launch Radio Networks that Dave had entered rehab to "go clean his act up 'cause he was out of his mind." Unwritten Law drummer Tony Palermo filled in on drums.
In the summer of 2007, the band went on the Bad Boys of Rock tour, supporting Hinder. During this tour, frontman Shaddix and Hinder lead singer Austin Winkler developed a strong friendship, leading to the band touring with Hinder on multiple occasions in subsequent years. It was revealed in 2015 that Shaddix and Austin wrote and recorded a song together for part of Winkler's solo project, although both expressed uncertainty about whether the song would ever be released.
In 2008, it was announced that the band would officially part ways with drummer Dave Buckner. It was also revealed that Buckner had sued the band, claiming he wasn't "receiving his fair share of the group's earnings."

Metamorphosis and Tours (2008–2010)

In an interview in February 2008 with 99.7 The Blitz, Shaddix stated that the band was working on their next album, initially titled Days of War, Nights of Love. However, the album was later renamed to Metamorphosis×Metamorphosis20 March 2009 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Days of War1:252Change or Die3:193Hollywood Whore3:544I Almost Told You That I Loved You3:125Lifeline4:186Had Enough4:027Live This Down3:368March Out of the Darkness4:229Into the Light3:2810Carry Me4:2611Nights of Love5:1612State of Emergency5:07 to commemorate the band's tenth anniversary of signing with DreamWorks Records in 1999 and to reflect the various changes the band had experienced during that time.
On April 15, Papa Roach announced they would be touring as part of Mötley Crüe's Crüe Fest, alongside Buckcherry, Sixx:A.M., and Trapt. The tour commenced on July 1 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The release date for the album was confirmed as August 26 during Crüe Fest.
Later in the year, the band also toured with Seether, Staind, and Red. During this tour, the release date for Metamorphosis was changed to March 24, 2009.
On October 26, Papa Roach released the music video for the song "Hollywood Whore×Hollywood Whore28 October 2008 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Hollywood Whore3:572Getting Away With Murder (live in Chicago)4:043Scars (live in Chicago)3:394... To Be Loved (Closed Caption video)3:075Forever (Meiert Avis version video)4:07", which was also released as an EP in Canada and as a digital single on October 28. The album's first official single, "Lifeline×Lifeline10 February 2009 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Lifeline4:092Getting Away With Murder (Live In Chicago)4:03", was made available on the band's MySpace profile on January 9, 2009. Additionally, the band toured with Buckcherry, Avenged Sevenfold, and Burn Halo in early 2009. The Crüe Fest DVD was released on March 24, coinciding with the release of Metamorphosis. The second single, "I Almost Told You That I Loved You×I Almost Told You That I Loved You2009 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1I Almost Told You That I Loved You3:08", was released on June 1. On June 23, they released their ninth EP, Naked and Fearless: Acoustic EP×Naked and Fearless: Acoustic EP1 January 2009 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Lifeline3:412Had Enough4:153Carry Me4:11, which became available through the Zune Marketplace, iTunes, and Rhapsody.
"Metamorphosis" reached the top 10 on the Billboard 200, peaking at number 8, marking the band's first top ten album since 2002.
Papa Roach toured with Nickelback on their Dark Horse Tour, performing at Live Nation outdoor amphitheaters alongside Hinder and Saving Abel during the summer, as well as with Breaking Benjamin.
"Lifeline" was nominated for Fuse TV's Best Video of 2009 contest, surpassing Metallica's "All Nightmare Long", Daughtry's "No Surprise", Shinedown's "Sound of Madness", and Paramore's "Ignorance". Ultimately, it finished 2nd to Britney Spears for her song "Circus" in the final round.

Time for Annihilation (2010–2012)

On January 8, 2010, Shaddix announced on Papa Roach's official Twitter account that the band was about to begin working on new material. On February 8, 2010, Jerry Horton mentioned that he was in the studio beginning to write.
On February 23, 2010, Jerry Horton officially announced that the band would be releasing a new album, which was recorded during the last leg of their 2009 co-headlining tour with Shinedown in Binghamton, New York.
In April, the band performed two new songs: "Burn" at the Chili Cook Off in Richmond, Virginia on April 17, 2010, and "Kick In the Teeth×Kick in the Teeth15 June 2010 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Kick in the Teeth - (album cut)3:162Kick in the Teeth - (alternative cut)3:11Disc 21Kick in the Teeth3:13" on April 30, 2010. In May, Jerry Horton stated in an interview that the album would be titled Time for Annihilation and would feature nine live tracks alongside five new songs, making it a combined live album and EP. He also mentioned that the first single would be "Kick In the Teeth" and that the band had switched labels to Eleven Seven Music. Later, Shaddix added that the album would be released on August 31. "Kick In the Teeth" was released as a single on June 22, 2010.
On June 29, 2010, the band's former label, Geffen Records, released a greatest hits compilation titled ...To Be Loved: The Best of Papa Roach×To Be Loved: The Best of Papa Roach29 June 2010 · Album · CompilationSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 14 tracks1Broken Home3:422Last Resort3:203Time and Time Again2:594She Loves Me Not3:315Scars3:286Getting Away With Murder3:117Just Go (Never Look Back)2:568…To Be Loved3:019Reckless3:3310Had Enough (acoustic)4:1411Forever (live)3:3812Hollywood Whore3:5613Lifeline4:2814Scars (acoustic)3:11, featuring the band's biggest hits. However, the band advised fans against purchasing it, stating that they were not profiting from the album's sales and that the label had released it against their wishes. The masters and/or copyrights of Papa Roach's music are represented by Downtown Music Publishing. Although the band no longer owns the rights to their songs, they continue to perform them live.
Time for Annihilation was released on August 31, 2010. The band announced that the next singles from the album would be "Burn" and "No Matter What×No Matter What31 August 2010 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1No Matter What3:33." They also expressed interest in releasing another live DVD but wanted to wait until they had a headlining show in Europe.
In October 2010, Papa Roach kicked off the "Monsters of Annihilation" tour with Skillet. From November 15, 2010, to December 13, 2010, the band toured with Disturbed, Buckcherry, and Halestorm on the Taste of Chaos tour. From March 1 to March 18, 2011, Papa Roach co-headlined the Canada leg of the Jägermeister Music Tour with Buckcherry, featuring special guests My Darkest Days and Bleeker Ridge.
In an interview, guitarist Jerry Horton mentioned that the band was planning to release a new album in 2012, indicating that Papa Roach would explore "electronic sounds" for this upcoming release.
In a separate interview with Upvenue, bassist Tobin Esperance commented on Time for Annihilation, stating, "We put out five major label, full-length records, and we were transitioning from a major label to going independent. We wanted to do something different [...] we'd always talked about doing a live record, and it turned into 'let's add a couple of bonus songs' [...] and now it's half live, half new songs and it's kind of the past and present of Papa Roach. I think it's a good representation and a good reminder of what this band's about, [...] and it gives you a look at where our sound can go."
Starting April 25, 2011, Papa Roach headlined the Raid The Nation tour, with the first leg featuring Finger Eleven. The second leg featured Escape the Fate, with both legs of the tour also including special guests Pop Evil. On June 23 and 25, the band co-headlined the Sonisphere Festival alongside Linkin Park.
In July 2011, Papa Roach performed two intimate shows in London and Sheffield with the band Yashin. They also co-headlined the Rock Allegiance Tour from August 24 to September 25, 2011, alongside Buckcherry. The tour also featured performances by Puddle of Mudd, P.O.D., Red, Crossfade, and Drive A.

The Connection (2012–2013)

Papa Roach entered the studio in November 2011 to begin work on their next album, aiming for a mid-2012 release. While in the studio, the band released the single "Even If I Could," which was featured on the Avengers soundtrack.
On June 15, 2012, the band announced during a live chat with fans on YouTube that their next album would be released on October 2. The album was subsequently titled "The Connection×The Connection1 October 2012 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 21 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Engage0:522Still Swingin3:233Where Did the Angels Go3:104Silence Is the Enemy2:535Before I Die4:256Wish You Never Met Me4:067Give Me Back My Life3:598Breathe You In3:089Leader of the Broken Hearts4:1310Not That Beautiful3:1811Walking Dead3:1812Won’t Let Up4:0013As Far as I Remember3:4314What’s Left of Me2:59159th Life3:13Disc 21Still Swingin3:222Behind the Scenes: Making of Still Swingin2:113Constructing the Connection3:164Burn3:385No Matter What3:576Kick in the Teeth3:13."
Papa Roach began touring in 2012 with co-headlining dates alongside Shinedown, supported by acts such as Adelitas Way and In This Moment. Following the brief co-headlining tour, Papa Roach embarked on a short headlining tour, featuring bands like In This Moment, Art of Dying, and Mindset Evolution. Additionally, Papa Roach participated on the main stage of the 2012 Uproar Festival, performing alongside Shinedown, Godsmack, Staind, and Adelitas Way.
The band released their first music video for the album on August 30, 2012. The concept for the "Still Swingin'" video originated from Jacoby's eight-year-old son.
On September 8, 2012, Papa Roach announced dates for a European tour that would include performances in Belarus, Russia, Poland, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the UK. They performed two co-headlining dates with Stone Sour in London on December 10 and 11, part of Stone Sour's UK tour. Following these shows, they toured the United States with Stone Sour, starting on January 20, 2013, and performed on the main stage at the 2013 Download Festival at Donington Park, UK, on Friday, June 14. In September, the band was joined by original drummer Dave Buckner for a one-off performance of "Last Resort×Last Resort18 September 2000 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Last Resort (LP version)3:202Legacy (clean album version)3:053Dead Cell (live)3:514Infest (LP version)4:09." In October 2013, the band performed across Canada and the U.S. in support of The Connection, with Pop Evil and Age of Days also on the bill.

F.E.A.R. (2014–2016)

On February 3, 2014, the band announced they would be entering the studio to record a new album. On February 18, 2014, Jerry Horton tweeted that the first single was expected to be released "somewhere around July." They held a live studio chat on YouTube on February 25, 2014. During the chat, they mentioned that they had already written four songs and revealed the titles of three tracks: "Just as Broken as Me," "Gravity×Gravity1 June 2015 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Gravity4:04," and "War Over Me."
On April 24, 2014, in an interview with Loudwire, Jacoby Shaddix disclosed additional song titles from the upcoming album, including "Never Have to Say Goodbye×Never Have to Say Goodbye13 January 2015 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Never Have to Say Goodbye3:47" and "Face Everything and Rise×Face Everything and Rise4 November 2014 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Face Everything and Rise3:10."
On July 10, 2014, it was announced that the band would release their new album, F.E.A.R.×F.E.A.R.23 January 2015 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 10 tracks1Face Everything and Rise3:112Skeletons3:553Broken as Me3:384Falling Apart3:095Love Me Till It Hurts3:446Never Have to Say Goodbye3:477Gravity4:048War Over Me3:589Devil3:2810Warriors2:56, in early 2015. On October 9, 2014, it was confirmed that the new album would be released on January 27, 2015, via Eleven Seven Music. In an interview, bassist Tobin Esperance admitted that the new release was heavier than previous albums and described how F.E.A.R. marked the first time they allowed other artists to feature on their records.
On May 19, 2015, the band announced a co-headlining North American tour with longtime friends Five Finger Death Punch. They will be joined by In This Moment as special guests, with support from From Ashes to New for the tour.

Crooked Teeth (2016–2018)

On January 26, 2016, Papa Roach announced that they would begin writing their new album the following week. In July, they performed live at the Alternative Press Music Awards. In an interview, they stated that the new record would be released in early 2017, with the first single anticipated to drop later that year. The recording of the album was supported through the crowdfunding service PledgeMusic.
On November 1, 2016, "Crooked Teeth×Crooked Teeth19 May 2017 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Break the Fall3:112Crooked Teeth3:043My Medication3:154Born for Greatness3:485American Dreams3:236Periscope3:377Help3:358Sunrise Trailer Park3:489Traumatic2:4810None of the Above3:34" became the first song released from the upcoming record. The first official single, titled "Help", was released on February 17, 2017. On March 24, 2017, the band announced that their new album, Crooked Teeth, would be released on May 19, 2017. A second single, "American Dreams×American DreamsApril 2017 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1American Dreams3:23", was released in April 2017, followed by a third single, "Born for Greatness×Born for Greatness31 March 2017 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Born for Greatness3:47", released towards the end of the year. "Born for Greatness" was selected as the official main theme for WWE Raw in February 2018, replacing "Enemies" by Shinedown. Both "Help" and "Born for Greatness" reached number 1 on the Mainstream Rock Charts, marking the first time the band had two songs from a single album achieve this feat.

Who Do You Trust? (2018–2020)

In October 2017, the band revealed they had already written six songs for the follow-up to Crooked Teeth, with plans to begin recording the album in June 2018. On October 5, 2018, Papa Roach released two singles, "Renegade Music×Renegade Music2018 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Renegade Music3:29" and "Who Do You Trust?×Who Do You Trust?18 January 2019 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1The Ending3:302Renegade Music3:303Not the Only One3:254Who Do You Trust?3:165Elevate3:106Come Around3:317Feel Like Home3:088Problems3:039Top of the World3:5410I Suffer Well1:2111Maniac3:2012Better Than Life3:21", with the latter accompanied by a music video featuring frontman and vocalist Jacoby Shaddix as news reporter Larry Dickman. Subsequently, it was leaked that the new album would be titled Who Do You Trust?, which was released on January 19, 2019. An interview with Papa Roach on November 9 confirmed this information. On November 16, 2018, the band released the new song "Not the Only One×Not the Only One2018 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Not the Only One3:25". A third single, "Come Around", was released in September 2019. In November 2020, the fourth single, "The Ending×The Ending13 November 2020 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1The Ending3:29", was released.
On December 25, 2020, the band released a compilation titled 20/20, which included the Infest×Infest25 April 2000 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Infest4:102Last Resort3:203Broken Home3:424Dead Cell3:065Between Angels and Insects3:546Blood Brothers3:347Revenge3:428Snakes3:309Never Enough3:3510Binge3:4811Thrown Away / Tightrope9:3812Legacy3:0513Dead Cell (live)3:53 studio recordings they had previously uploaded to YouTube, as well as re-recordings of "Tightrope," "Last Resort×Last Resort18 September 2000 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Last Resort (LP version)3:202Legacy (clean album version)3:053Dead Cell (live)3:514Infest (LP version)4:09," "Scars×Scars29 April 2004 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Scars (radio edit)3:282Scars (acoustic)3:083Getting Away With Murder3:264Scars3:26," "Getting Away with Murder×Getting Away With Murder30 August 2004 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 15 tracks1Blood (Empty Promises)2:562Not Listening3:103Stop Looking Start Seeing3:084Take Me3:265Getting Away With Murder3:126Be Free3:187Done With You2:528Scars3:289Sometimes3:0810Blanket of Fear3:2211Tyranny of Normality2:4012Do or Die3:2813Harder Than a Coffin Nail3:2814Caught Dead3:0415The Making of Getting Away With Murder11:00," and "Between Angels and Insects×Between Angels and Insects5 April 2001 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Between Angels and Insects3:572Tightrope (live)5:143Barbed Wire (live)3:46." On March 19, 2021, the band released their second greatest hits compilation, Greatest Hits Vol. 2: The Better Noise Years.

Ego Trip (2021–2024)

On August 1, 2021, the band released a new single titled "Swerve×Swerve1 August 2021 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Swerve2:48," featuring Jason Aalon Butler of Fever 333 and American rapper Sueco. On September 9, 2021, Papa Roach released the first radio single, "Kill the Noise×Kill the Noise9 September 2021 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Kill the Noise3:08", from their upcoming eleventh studio album, set for release in 2022. On October 29, 2021, the band released a new song, "Dying to Believe×Dying to Believe29 October 2021 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Dying to Believe3:01." On January 21, 2022, "Stand Up×Stand Up20 January 2022 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Stand Up3:48" was released as the album's fourth single. A fifth single, "Cut the Line×Cut the Line1 March 2022 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Cut the Line3:30," was released on March 1, 2022. The album Ego Trip×Ego Trip8 April 2022 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 14 tracks1Kill the Noise3:082Stand Up3:483Swerve2:484Bloodline2:265Liar2:586Ego Trip2:557Unglued3:008Dying to Believe3:029Killing Time3:2310Leave a Light On3:0811Always Wandering2:4612No Apologies3:0813Cut the Line3:3014I Surrender2:54 was announced on the same day and released on April 8, 2022; it is the band's first independent release on their own New Noize imprint. The day of the album's release, the band performed at a Shakey's Pizza, and reportedly incited a wall of death. On April 4, 2022, the band released the sixth single, "No Apologies," accompanied by a music video on June 14, 2022.

Upcoming twelfth studio album (2025–present)

On January 22, 2025, the band released "Even If It Kills Me×Even If It Kills Me22 January 2025 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Even If It Kills Me3:32" as the lead single from their upcoming untitled twelfth studio album. It was released on the same day as the band kicked off their European Tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of Infest in Berlin, Germany, that concluded in Liverpool, England on February 9 at the M&S Bank Arena. "Even If It Kills Me" was used at WWE's Royal Rumble event as the theme song for Cody Rhodes vs Kevin Owens's ladder match promo package. The music video was eventually released on YouTube on February 27. Throughout March and April, the band co-headlined the Rise of the Roach North American Tour alongside American punk rock band Rise Against that was supported by Underoath. The album's second single "Braindead×BRAINDEAD25 June 2025 · SingleSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 3 tracks1BRAINDEAD3:112Even If It Kills Me3:323Even If It Kills Me (Reimagined)2:55", featuring H2O frontman Toby Morse was unveiled on June 25, with its music video later following on August 1. During an interview with SNSMix in June 2025, frontman Jacoby Shaddix revealed that the band were constantly writing and recording in the studio outside of touring, but maintained that they didn't have a release date for their new album yet. In August 2025, the band were confirmed to be performing at the Hellfest music festival being held in Clisson in June 2026. On January 19, 2026, the band played an unannounced acoustic performance at the Whiskey Jam in Nashville, Tennessee where they surprisingly debuted their new song "Wake Up Calling×Wake Up Calling28 January 2026 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Wake Up Calling3:502Even If It Kills Me3:323BRAINDEAD3:11" for the first time; it was later dropped as the album's third single on January 28. The following month, the band was announced as part of the lineup for the Louder Than Life music festival in Louisville, scheduled to take place on September 19. However, a day before the event, the band announced that they have pulled out of the festival due to bassist Tobin Esperance experiencing an unexpected medical emergency. The band is also scheduled to make an appearance on the 2026 Vans Warped Tour. In April 2026, it was announced that the band would contribute an original song for the season 2 of the Netflix Devil May Cry animated series entitled "See U in Hell" with Hanumankind, with the single set for release on May 7th that same year.

Musical style, influences, and legacy

Papa Roach has been described as alternative rock, nu metal, alternative metal, rap metal, hard rock, rap rock, punk rock, pop rock, and rapcore. The band also incorporates elements of pop, electronic, and hip-hop.
The band began as a hardcore punk group, and evolved towards nu metal and rap metal styles on their early independent releases, and on their first two major label albums, Infest×Infest25 April 2000 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Infest4:102Last Resort3:203Broken Home3:424Dead Cell3:065Between Angels and Insects3:546Blood Brothers3:347Revenge3:428Snakes3:309Never Enough3:3510Binge3:4811Thrown Away / Tightrope9:3812Legacy3:0513Dead Cell (live)3:53 and Lovehatetragedy×Lovehatetragedy31 May 2002 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1M-80 (Explosive Energy Movement)2:292Life Is a Bullet4:053Time and Time Again2:594Walking Thru Barbed Wire3:055Decompression Period3:596Born With Nothing, Die With Everything3:507She Loves Me Not3:308Singular Indestructible Droid3:499Black Clouds4:0210Code of Energy4:0411Lovehatetragedy3:1312Gouge Away2:07. Before Papa Roach released their major label albums, Jacoby Shaddix's singing style was compared to Chino Moreno and Lynn Strait of Snot. Additionally, with their 2009 album, Metamorphosis×Metamorphosis20 March 2009 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Days of War1:252Change or Die3:193Hollywood Whore3:544I Almost Told You That I Loved You3:125Lifeline4:186Had Enough4:027Live This Down3:368March Out of the Darkness4:229Into the Light3:2810Carry Me4:2611Nights of Love5:1612State of Emergency5:07, the band felt their music was undergoing a transformation to "stuff that's...harder and faster." AllMusic has compared the band's recent work to 1980s glam metal, while Allmusic staff writer Stephen Thomas Erlewine noted that "at the close of the 2000s, the quartet has shed the rap and the angst, ditching all the alt-metal accoutrements to become a knowing update of an '80s Sunset Strip sleaze rock outfit." With the release of F.E.A.R., both MetalSucks and Metal Injection noted that the band had incorporated some djent influences.
In 2004, 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 another 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 cool".
Prior to the release of The Connection, guitarist Jerry Horton said in an interview by VerdamMnis Magazine that "It's kind of a natural thing for us, we've always been changing throughout the years. Of course, there are some things that stay the same in our sound but we do like to try new things to sort of stretch out a little bit our basis and therefore make it more interesting". He also said that the band was going to explore "electronic sounds for the next record".
The band's influences include Faith No More, Social Distortion, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Wu-Tang Clan, Fugees, Refused, Queen, and Led Zeppelin. Jacoby Shaddix cites Faith No More's Mike Patton and Social Distortion's Mike Ness as significant influences, stating, "The way that I sing, I definitely was inspired by Mike Patton, but I appreciate the storytelling that Mike Ness does. I kind of fused those two influences together at an early age, and it inspired me to become my own thing."
Initially, Papa Roach's most significant influence was the experimental band Mr. Bungle, fronted by Mike Patton of Faith No More. This influence is evident in the adventurous nature of their 1994 debut release, Potatoes for Christmas.
In a 2021 interview, Jacoby Shaddix reflected on the band's longstanding association with the nu metal genre, stating, "I love being one of the forefathers of nu metal, that's dope, but we've been able to outlive it and celebrate it at the same time." He has also expressed distaste for the nu metal label. In a 2022 interview with Metal Hammer, he said: "I hated it, I couldn’t stand it. Everyone was trying to compare me to Fred Durst and I was like, ‘I am so much more fucking punk rock than this dude. He’s on the hip-hop side.’ No disrespect to Fred. I think he’s fucking great at what he does, and I dig him. Of course, he now realizes that it was an important era for heavy music, as many other similar eras had been before it. It was a new interpretation of what metal music could be and we were pulling inspiration from all over the place. Ministry were an influence, Faith No More were an influence. They were like the OGs of nu metal. They hate to own it, but they are. Mike Patton, you fucking motherfucker, you started it."
Papa Roach is regarded as one of the bands that helped define the nu metal sound. Alternative Press stated: "Despite distancing themselves from their distinctive sound in recent years, Papa Roach's early output shaped the aspect of nü metal that the mainstream embraced with open arms—riff-laden, radio-friendly (at least, after a few bleeps) singles with dark, earworm lyrics designed to upset parents. Jacoby Shaddix's in-your-face tones introduced many teenagers to their nü-metal awakening, supported by completely singable and seductive guitar lines that made this outfit so instrumental in the genre. So much so that a feature from Shaddix serves as a seal of approval for any album." Metal Injection said: "Their cultural imprint is undeniable: a band synonymous with a specific moment in time that has refused to fade."
Regarding the band's album "Infest," Kerrang! magazine remarked: "Straining vocal cords and detonating dancefloors with 'Last Resort×Last Resort18 September 2000 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Last Resort (LP version)3:202Legacy (clean album version)3:053Dead Cell (live)3:514Infest (LP version)4:09,' tugging the heartstrings with 'Broken Home×Broken Home2000 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Broken Home (album version)3:442Broken Home (revised edit)3:283Last Resort (album version) (EX)3:20,' and embedding themselves under our skin with 'Between Angels And Insects×Between Angels and Insects5 April 2001 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Between Angels and Insects3:572Tightrope (live)5:143Barbed Wire (live)3:46,' Jacoby Shaddix's Californian group didn't just deliver an overload of angst—they unleashed every ounce of emotion through arguably the catchiest songwriting nu metal would ever see. Adolescence never truly ends, and even now, these are absolutely essential sounds."

Band members

Current members

Jacoby Shaddix – lead vocals, keyboards, programming, percussion (1993–present)
Jerry Horton – guitars, backing vocals (1993–present)
Tobin Esperance – bass, programming, backing vocals (1996–present)
Tony Palermo – drums (2007–present)
Current touring musicians

Anthony "Twan" Esperance – guitar, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals (2017–present)
Former members

Will James – bass, backing vocals (1993–1996)
Dave Buckner – drums (1993–1994, 1994–2007)
Ben Luther – trombone (1993)
Anne Mikolajcik – guitar (1993)
Ryan Brown – drums (1994)
Former touring musicians

Shawn Westmeister – drums (2001)
Mike Doherty – guitar (2002)
Wesley Geer – guitar (2006)