Living Through The End Of 'The Age Of Decadence'

As far as introductions to Australian live audiences are concerned, Papa Roach's stadium support slot alongside Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2002 was a sizeable leg-up. And then… no follow-up, as the American heavy rockers failed to capitalise, not returning Down Under until Soundwave 2015. An overdue Australian headlining run will kick off their 2018 itinerary. "Oh, man," vocalist Jacoby Shaddix sighs from his Sacramento home. "I have no idea why we didn't double-back and come back to Australia. One of the dumb moves in our career, I believe, was not coming back after doing stadium shows with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

"I think part of it too was we really had to tend to our fanbase in America, 'cause we kinda, after the second and into the third album of Papa Roach's career with (2002's) Lovehatetragedy and (2004's) Getting Away With Murder, we had a big backlash. Our fanbase just quit on us," he laughs. "It was kind of like a back to square one moment for the band. We've had a few highs and lows in our career, but to be able to work through those moments and continue, to carry on and create music that connects with people and build a career back from almost nothing, it's been a great thing for the band."

Papa Roach were perhaps among that last gasp generation of heavy artists who could potentially enjoy multi-platinum certifications and ensuing free-wheeling major label budgets for lavish videos, radio campaigns and marketing. "It was like an age of decadence, to be honest," the former MTV host says. "There was no shortage of funds for the videos, or promotion. It was just like, 'Wow, this is amazing, we made it in the music business,'" he chuckles.

"We sold millions of records and… Fortunately, we got to experience that. Then we experienced the transition into the digital age, which was like a re-learning for a lot of people in the industry, not only the bands, but the record companies, booking agents, record stores and record creators. I'm definitely grateful that we were part of the era that was able to sell millions of fucking records. That was a fun time."

They were able to parlay that profile and momentum established under the former industry infrastructure into a lengthy career. After breaking through via the mega-selling rap/metal angst of 2000's Infest - the hip hop elements of which were revisited on latest effort Crooked Teeth, proving that trends really do come full-circle - Papa Roach effectively reinvented themselves as an alternative/rock-radio staple Stateside. The frontman also enthuses that the group is hitting another level of success in Europe.

Although his outfit's future is somewhat assured, Shaddix believes bands overall need to be more creative nowadays when promoting their music, and also regarding the methods by which they make a living from their art. "I think fortunately for us, we've managed to, like, maintain a pretty good fanbase over the years, and it just seems very tough for the younger bands to cut through and maintain relevance. I'm grateful that we kind of entered into that age with a core of people that were into us. But yeah, being creative and crafty with how we get our music to people… We've found that content is a motivator. It keeps people engaged in what you're doing as artists, as creators. When you're making records you can really let people into the inside world of what you're doing.

"And with like Spotify and stuff like that… My boy sent me this," he says, looking it up for The Music's benefit. "It says '2017 Wrapped' for Papa Roach - 61 countries, 20 million fans and 15 million hours of people listening to our music. When you think about that, I'm like, 'Fuck man, that's a lot,'" he laughs. "Twenty million fans, that's awesome. That many people listening to our music and engaging in what we're doing. I definitely feel grateful and blessed that we're still making an impact… The cream rises to the top, and I guess the other shit just settles at the bottom. We're somewhere in the middle," he laughs again.

"It's an interesting fucking time that we're living in right now. Mother Earth is pissed off, politics are a shit show and I'm just trying to do something positive in this world through music, you know?"