Papa Roach is a four-piece nu metal band from Vacaville, California. They broke into the mainstream with their three times platinum major-label debut album Infest (2000). The group's success continued with later releases Lovehatetragedy (2002) and Getting Away with Murder (2004). The group's fourth major album, The Paramour Sessions, was released on September 12, 2006. Their new album, Metamorphosis, will be released in March 2009. Papa Roach has sold more than 10 million copies worldwide.

The formation of Papa Roach began in January of 1993, when Jacoby Shaddix (vocals) and Dave Buckner (drums) met on the Vacaville High School football field during an intense match, where the two ended up talking about music. They were later joined by Will James (bass) and Ben Luther (trombone) completing Papa Roach’s first ever line-up. They decided to enter the school's talent show, where they performed a cover version of Jimi Hendrix's famous song, Fire. They ultimately didn't win the contest. The band's name comes from Shaddix's step-grandfather, Howard William Roatch, who was nicknamed Papa Roach. Roatch committed suicide in 2006. The band pay homage to him with The Paramour Sessions and during live performances of the song "Roses On My Grave". Ben Luther was replaced by Robert Delorenzi (guitar) from nearby Vanden High School. Jerry was introduced to the band through his girlfriend, who was a fan. By this time, Papa Roach were practicing everyday in Dave's garage and trying to secure local gigs.

In 1994, Papa Roach recorded their first 7 track EP titled Potatoes for Christmas. David Buckner was temporarily replaced by Ryan Brown, as Buckner was spending the year in Seattle studying art. One year later, they recorded a 2 track promo at Sound Farm Studios titled Caca Bonita. By this time Dave Buckner was back. To keep progressing as a band, they replaced Will James, who had become heavily involved in a church summer camp, by Tobin Esperance, because James' absence would limit the band's summer practicing and touring. As Esperance had been with the band as a roadie for a while, the transition was an easy one.

In 1997, the band produced their first full-length album, entitled Old Friends from Young Years. Still touring heavily, they supported bands such as Incubus, Powerman 5000, Hed PE, Snot, Far and Static-X.

In 1998, they released a 5 track EP titled 5 Tracks Deep. It sold more than 1,000 copies in its first month of release. One year later, they produced another EP, which would end up being their last independent release, titled Let 'Em Know. This was seen to be Papa Roach's best independent effort as a band, highlighting their distinctive sound. Its success caught the attention of Warner Brothers, who financed the production of a 5 track promo/demo CD. The unreleased disc included the songs "Infest", "Last Resort", "Broken Home", "Dead Cell", and "She Loves Me Not" - the first four would later feature on their Infest album, and the last on Lovehatetragedy. In the end, Warner Brothers elected not to sign them, based on a perceived lack of talent presented in their earlier musical efforts. Soon after, Shaddix was contacted by Dreamworks Records offering the band a recording contract. Papa Roach made it into the mainstream on the back of their major label debut album, Infest, and the hit single, "Last Resort".

After signing with Dreamworks Records in October 1999, they immediately hit the studio to record their debut major label album titled Infest. The album included old songs from their independent releases, these being "Infest", "Last Resort", "Broken Home", "Dead Cell" from the Warner Brothers promo/demo CD; "Revenge In Japanese" as "Revenge" and "Thrown Away" from their 5 Tracks Deep EP; and "Legacy", "Binge", "Snakes", and a softer version of the originally heavier "Tightrope" track from the Let 'Em Know EP; which were re-recorded, and three additional newly written songs: "Between Angels and Insects", "Blood Brothers", and "Never Enough". Infest was released in the United States on April 25, 2000, and sold 30,000 copies in its first week of release. With their debut album released, and the music video for "Last Resort" recorded, they hit the Vans Warped Tour and numerous other large tours.

In late 2000, they even toured the United Kingdom, highlighting how quickly their popularity had spread worldwide. In 2001, the band toured Ozzfest, where they performed on the prestigious main stage, on both the United States and United Kingdom tours.

After enormous amounts of touring worldwide, most notably in the United States, United Kingdom and Japan, the band hit the studio again to record their second album titled Lovehatetragedy. The album was released in the United States on June 18, 2002, and though it didn't outsell Infest, it managed to chart higher in both the United States and United Kingdom album charts. The album marked their first change in sound.

In late 2003, Papa Roach hit the studio again to write and record their third major album, which was tentatively titled Dancing In the Ashes. However, the name was soon to be replaced by Getting Away With Murder. The band worked with well-recognized producer Howard Benson, writing such songs as "Take Me" and "Scars". After completion, the band filmed the video for the title track, "Getting Away With Murder", and went on a small summer club tour to warm-up for the new album and tours to follow. Some long time fans of the band criticized Getting Away With Murder for its softer sound, compared to their previous albums. Regardless of the perceived backlash, Getting Away With Murder outsold Lovehatetragedy, mainly due to the enormous popularity of the album's second single, "Scars". Currently, the album has sold more than 1 million copies and has been certified platinum.

In 2005, the band spent a large proportion of the year on tour. This included a full United States and European tour alongside bands such as Slipknot, Dead Poetic, Trust Company, Chronic Future, Skindred, 311 and Unwritten Law.

In an interview in February 2008 with 99.7 The Blitz, a rock radio station in Columbus, OH, Jacoby Shaddix stated that the band is currently working on their new album, which was to be titled Days of War, Nights of Love, but for different reasons it was renamed Metamorphosis. On April 15, 2008, Papa Roach announced they would be touring as part of Mötley Crüe's Cruefest, along with Sixx:A.M., Buckcherry and Trapt. The tour began on July 1 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The release date for the album was confirmed as March 2009 during Cruefest. They also went on tour with Seether and Staind later in the year.They changed the date to March 2009 during that tour. Some songs that will be on the album are called "Lifeline","I Almost Told You That I Loved You", "Hollywood Whore", and "Change Or Die". They all have been played at concerts recently as well. On October 26th, Papa Roach released the music video for the single "Hollywood Whore".