Papa Roach

June 27, 2010

Papa Roach says its Time for Annihilation at Ground Zero
By Kristi Kates
Papa Roach, the nu-metal/rock band from Vacaville, California perhaps
best known for their hit singles “Last Resort,” “Scars,” and
“Lifeline” and their tours with Guns N’ Roses and Deftones, are
nothing if not aggressively energetic in the promotion of their band.
When asked what audiences should expect at their upcoming show at
Ground Zero in Traverse City, singer Jacoby Shaddix’ answer is quick
and direct.
“Expect to have your f’ing socks rocked off,” Shaddix practically
shouts, “and go buy our new album, Time for Annihilation, on August
31st!”
   Well, alrighty then.

SIXTH SET
Papa Roach’s new album, which will serve as their sixth, is something
of a “hybrid record,” as Shaddix explains it.
“When we decided to do a live record, we wanted to do something
different, so we decided to also put five new tracks on the album,” he
says, “we recorded the live portion during the end of December when we
were on tour with our good friends Shinedown, and then recorded the
studio tracks in March with a producer named David Bendeth in New
Jersey.”
Shaddix, who rocks along with his trio of bandmates Jerry Horton on
guitar and backing vocals, Tobin Esperance on bass and backing vocals,
and Tony Palermo on drums and percussion, also says that the band has
played a couple of the new tracks live already, keeping the fans
placated with the unexpected new material until they can get back into
the studio for another full-length set.
“We have played “Kick in the Teeth” and “Burn” live,” Shaddix says,
“so far the reaction has been great. We’re not sure when we will do
another album, as right now we are pretty busy.”
Another surprise to fans might be the loss of some of the musical
elements that the band first became known for, namely Shaddix’
pseudo-rapping throughout many of their songs, and the more funky
elements that seeped into their early albums, all the way up to their
two major label releases.

TRANSFORMATION
While Papa Roach’s Infest and Lovehatetragedy albums leaned more
towards the metal camp, The Paramour Sessions (2006) was a turnaround.
Recorded in L.A. just east of Hollywood at the Paramour mansion (hence
the album’s name), TPS veered almost into modern rock territory, with
its peppy hooks and radio-friendly arrangements. But this is a band
that’s always evolving, says Shaddix, which explains this latest
transformation as well.
“With “Last Resort” (from their second album Infest), we had a huge
hit, so we thought, where do you go from there?” he questions, “we
didn’t want to be a parody of ourselves, so we changed it up. If you
go back and listen to every Papa Roach record, we’ve always changed it
up.”
Shaddix says that Papa Roach are a very “in-the-moment” kind of band,
and that making their own trends is part of what’s secured their
success in the rock community.
“Whatever we feel right then and there is what comes out in our
music,” he explains, “and it has helped us stay relevant over the past
ten years.”
Papa Roach has spent much of the past decade touring, as well; and
the current trek, Shaddix says, is mostly focused on headline concerts
and radio shows, all fodder for their fast-growing list of
rock-band-on-the-road tour bus stories.
“So far... it’s been good,” Shaddix laughs, “but it would take me days
to explain all of the funny crap that goes on.”

Papa Roach will be playing live at Ground Zero in Traverse City on
Wednesday, June 30; doors open at 7 p.m., show begins at 8:00 p.m. For
ticket info, go to groundzeroonline.com.