::TRAGEDY DAYS:: Striking When You Least Expect It....

Papa Roach Band Members

Coby Dick Vocals Dave Buckner Drums Jerry Horton Guitar Tobin Esperance Bass Four high school friends in the small Northern California town of Vacaville decided to form a music band in 1993. A band whose influences included prominent Bay Area acts such as Faith No More and Primus. Jacoby Shaddix aka Coby Dick, Dave Buckner, Jerry Horton, and Will James came together to form a band that would later raid the nation. The name came from Coby's grandfather (Papa Roatch), and the cockroach was chosen to symbolize resilence and longevity. Papa Roach was born. They quickley became a popular attraction on the Northern California music scene. After a couple of years of playing coffeehouses, pizza joints, and keg-parties, they were headlining such places as the Cactus Club in San Jose, the Cattle Club in Sacramento, and the Berkeley Square in Berkeley. Putting on powerful live shows and an onslot of tortured lyrics help attracked a young loyal fan base. A fan base that would attend all of Papa Roach's shows. In these early years, Papa Roach was able to support the Deftones on two shows, and have bands such as Incubus, Snot, Far, Human Waste Project, Downset and Fu Manchu open for them. Their debut album, Potatoes for Christmas was released in 1994. In the summer of 1996, while realizing athat they had something special, Papa Roach decided to make changes necessary to reach the next level. First, the band replaced bass player Will James because his commitment to church summer camp that would have prevented the band from practicing and playing any shows over the summer. Papa Roach did not have to go far to find their new bass player Later in 1996, the band roadie Tobin Esperance came in to replace Will James. Second, the band hired a manager, Bret Bair, to help them with bookings, promotions, and merchandising. With a new bass player and management in place, Papa Roach decided to enter the studio to record a full-length CD. The band's second album, Old Friends From Young Years was a local hit. This CD had a hip-hop influence to it. With Coby rapping intirer verses. The CD help spread Papa Roach to a wider audience. 5 Tracks Deep and Let 'Em Know were released before the band signed a major music lable contract. Later Papa Roach signed with Dream Works and released their smash album Infest. This CD has a few re-recorded old songs that have been perfected by the bands ferocious rap-metal hybrid mix. Coby's style of lyrics covers the average "Generation Y" concerns of life. Haveing songs about divorce (Broken Home), materialism (Between Angels and Insects), alcohol and drug abuse (Binge and Thrown Away), and suicide (Last Resort). These songs and hit singles struck a chord with the nation's youth. This along with the Papa Roach style has caused the growth of many fans. And this has helped Papa Roaches latest album, Infest climb to the US Top 5!