SNEAK PEEK: Don’t make this rock concert a 'last resort'

The band Papa Roach broke out into the mainstream in 2000 with its first album “Infest.” Now, almost a decade later, the Californian quartet is still at large, this time touring America in support of its latest album “Metamorphosis.” Recently, The Daily Aztec was able to chat with lead singer Jacoby Shaddix while he was on the tour bus headed to one of his shows. Papa Roach will be playing at 8 p.m. on Saturday at House of Blues.

The Daily Aztec: What is your favorite Papa Roach song and why?
Jacoby Shaddix: Right now it would have to be “Into the Light” because pretty much, the sound of it, the whole thing breaks through and lyrically to me it says a lot. It’s like I’m my own worst enemy. The song is about getting outside of yourself.

DA: Can you explain the name Papa Roach?
JS: Papa Roach came from my great-grandfather who passed away. For some odd reason, I named the band after my grandfather. It’s a weird, awkward name but it’s our name.

DA: Are you as wild and crazy in real life as you are on stage?
JS: At times, yes. But there’s a way you have to balance out your life — that’s the most important thing, is trying to find a balance. But I need the stage. I don’t know what the hell to do with myself when I’m away from it sometimes. When I take extended periods of time off from tour I get stir-crazy.

DA: What’s the craziest experience you’ve had with the band?
JS: One of them was almost dying on tour. In a van we went over a bridge and hit black ice … we were all asleep and we were sliding all over the road and crushed up against the wall. Luckily no one got hurt but it was one of those moments where I thought my life was going to end.

DA: If Papa Roach was in the circus, which role would each band member serve?
JS: I would obviously be the ringleader. Jerry (Horton) would be a trapeze artist. Tony (Palermo), our drummer, is actually a midget. And our bass player (Tobin Esperance) blows fire. I think it fits each person’s character. Tony (Palermo) is kind of goofy, Tobin (Esperance) is mysterious and f—-ing dangerous. Jerry Horton – well, he’s just kick-ass all the way around.
 
DA: What cheers you up on a bad day?
JS: It sounds kind of cliché, but if I’m having like a bummer day, getting on stage (makes me) walk away happy. It’s just one of those things. I connect with people while I’m up there and ultimately, I live in the moment. I think that’s one of the most important things in my life is trying to live in the moment. And when you’re playing music and performing, you’re in the moment.

DA: What are you most looking forward to about playing in San Diego?
JS: Oh, dude. Obviously the great weather, f—-ing fantastic Mexican food and a kick-ass rock ‘n’ roll show.

DA: What questions have you always wanted to be asked but you never have?
JS: Man, I’ve been asked everything. What would be your guilty pleasure, what would your fans not know about you?

DA: What’s the answer?
JS: Well, I like to watch bad, corny, cheesy romantic movies with my wife. Like really bad, corny, cheesy movies. And we watch really goofy shows like “So You Think You Can Dance?” and stuff like that.

DA: Any parting words?
JS: Anybody out there looking to go to a badass rock ‘n’ roll show come and see the real deal. We put our lives and our hearts and our souls into the music and we hope that our fans connect with that.
 

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