Papa Roach‘s Rock of Rages

When high school buddies Jacoby Shaddix, Dave Buckner, Will James and Jerry Horton decided to start a band during their junior year they had a sound but needed a name.
“We came up with Papa Roach, after my grandfather, because everyone called him Papa,” said Shaddix, the band’s lead singer, who for years went by the stage name Colby Dick, but has since taken back his real name. “A roach symbolizes longevity and resilience so we felt it was a name that would work for us.”
So far it has and 12 years later the group has shown their ability to keep it together, and will make an appearance in Traverse City at Streeters Ground Zero Nightclub on Tuesday, March 15.
The band formed in 1993 making their first appearance at their high school talent show in northern California. Judges were heard to say after hearing the group’s nu-metal sound, “Hope they don’t quit their day jobs.” Considering they were high school kids, they didn’t have day jobs, so they forged on and in 1994 released an EP, “Potatoes for Christmas,” that caught on regionally.
In 1996 the band replaced bassist James with their 13-year-old roadie Tobin Esperance, who had learned to play the bass from his father. Their regional success led to several big gigs and a tour with Suicidal Tendencies and eventually a deal with Dreamworks. In 2000 they released their second album, “Infest,” that went triple platinum thanks to the single “Last Resort.”

SUPER HAPPY
So what else contributes to the band’s success?
“I’m super-flamboyant, super-happy, and super-pissed-off,” said Shaddix. “I’m off the hook at shows. I’ve done stupid things where our lawyer was going, ‘You can’t be doing that,’ but I’ve also hugged a million kids. How Nirvana was when they came out -- that new edge of giving kids a release of emotions -- that’s how I hope people connect with Papa Roach’s music. I want to cause every emotion in people. I want them to fight, to f*ck; I want to bring out their violence, their sadness, and their happiness.”
Wow. (Please note that most of that behavior is illegal at concerts in Michigan.) Don’t you think you have to be careful condoning bringing out violence in your fans?
“Well, violent, angry people listen to violent, angry music, ya know what I’m sayin’? I’ve never done something stupid personally because I’ve listened to violent music,” said Shaddix. “I’d like to give a shout to kids who do stuff like that. You’re all weak-minded bitches. I mean, don’t go out and f*ckin’ kill, kill, kill because I say it in a song, you know what I’m sayin’? I’m just puttin’ that shit out on the table. I think it’s pretty sad that people would go out and hurt someone just because they hear someone say it in a song. Like I say though, violent, angry people listen to violent, angry music.”

ON THE DARK SIDE
Papa Roach continues to explore violent undertones in society with their music and their current album, “Getting Away With Murder,” is no exception. So why pursue these darker sides of life?
“Look, I am not going to write some made up bullshit just to sell records,” said Shaddix. “I stay true to myself and the band with the lyrics.”
The band’s new album shows their lyrical maturity and their commitment to question the everyday emotions experienced in life and in relationships. Starting with the title track, “Getting Away With Murder,” Haddix and his bandmates explore life in a destructive relationship:

Somewhere beyond happiness and sadness
I need to calculate
What creates my own madness
And I’m addicted to your punishment
And you’re the master
And I am waiting for disaster

I feel irrational
So confrontational
To tell the truth I am
Getting away with murder
It isn’t possible
To ever tell the truth
But the reality is I’m getting away with murder

Papa Roach has an explosive stage show to go along with their volatile songs. The band will take the stage with their nu-metal power sound.
“Hey wait a minute, what kind of pussy description of our music is that?” asked Haddix. “We play rock and roll; it doesn’t need to be defined any other way. Just rock and roll man. I think to call it ‘rap rock’ is f*ckin’ gay, and I think to call it ‘pimp rock’ is gay, ya know what I’m sayin’? So we’re just like rock ‘n roll. You look for our CD and that’s what we’re gonna be under. Rock. So, f*ckin’ just put it right.”
Okay, I got it. For rock and roll Papa Roach style catch them March 15 at Streeters’ Ground Zero. Opening will be Atlantic/Lava recording artists Skindred supporting their new album, “Babylon and The F-Ups” with their hit singles, the cover song “All The Young Dudes,” and “Look At Your Son Now,” from their self titled debut. For tickets, purchase them online at
www.streetersonline.com or call the box office at (231) 932-1300.
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