Papa Roach

Papa Roach is a nu-metal band from Vacaville, California, formed in 1993 and consisting of frontman Coby Dick (who since 2002 goes again by his given name Jacoby Shaddix, and afterwards, using the name

Papa Roach is a nu-metal band from Vacaville, California, formed in 1993 and consisting of frontman Coby Dick (who since 2002 goes again by his given name Jacoby Shaddix, and afterwards, using the name Johnny Vodka), together with Jerry Horton, Dave Buckner, and Tobin Esperance. The name "Papa Roach" comes from the cockroach and as Papa Roach says: "When a bomb explodes, what's going to survive? Cockroaches." The name comes from Coby's grandfather nicknamed "Papa" whose surname was Roatch. They had mostly regional success until their breakthrough with the hit single "Last Resort" from their first major label album, Infest.

Papa Roach was early on influenced by bands such as Nuclear rabbit, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Mr. Bungle. Indeed, their first demo, Potatoes for Christmas (1994), sounded very different from their current sound and was much more weird and funky. Indeed, the demo sounded similar in many ways to Nuclear rabbit. They eventually abandoned this style and the original bassist and drummer ended up leaving the band.