Papa Roach!
Papa Fuckin' Roach!
Summer 2000, I was 16, and heavy metal was the only thing I cared about. I lived in Germany, where metal was huge. We had UK Satellite TV and I would tape music videos off MTV2 and Kerrang and then watch them over and over again. The only 2 videos I can 100% confirm were on that tape? 'Last Resort' and 'Between Angels and Insects' by Papa Roach. I had a CD wallet that I would carry around in my school bag, the first CD in that wallet? 'Infest' by Papa Roach. I got a white pair of Adidas Superstar trainers, because that's what Jacoby from Papa Roach had on in their videos. When I saw Fight Club for the first time, I remember saying "cool, this film has Papa Roach lyrics", it never occurred to me that it was the other way around. Safe to say, I was a huge fan. Why wouldn't I be? They took Nu-Metal and they perfected it!
Saturday the 25th of April 2020, and we are in a global lockdown. Things are completely different, I'm 36 now, I have a job (I think) and a wife, and I don't sit in skate parks, I don't live in Germany, I don't tape music videos off MTV2, I don't even know if MTV2 is still a thing, I don't have a CD wallet, but you know what? I still love that album. I had a listen yesterday, and the memories came flooding back, the day 'Infest' by Papa Roach turned 20.
So what do they mean to me today, as a grown up? I've seen them live twice, Blood Brothers is my ring tone, they find themselves on nearly every car playlist I make, and my best friend, Kris, insists on requesting 'Broken Home' every time there is a DJ playing rock music, and every time, we dance our asses off. So what do they mean to me today? Exactly the same! 
Here are my Top 10 Papa Roach songs from their amazing 20 year career. Join me in saying Happy Birthday to one of the coolest bands that ever graced our eardrums.
A return to the raw, aggressive, Papa Roach energy, later in the band's career.
Fast, fun, and the first Papa Roach song to be used as the theme tune for Raw.
The second single from their second album, a belter.
7. I Almost Told You That I Loved You
The best song from Metamorphosis, and proof that the band could adapt and change with the times, they didn't need to keep rapping (although I wish they would).
6. Face Everything And Rise
The title track off the F.E.A.R album, probably Papa Roach's most grown up work.
The title track off the F.E.A.R album, probably Papa Roach's most grown up work.
It's raw, it's real, the subject isn't nice but the song bloody kicks ass. And I dance to it every time I'm out with my boy!
The second single, great video, great tune. Did you know they used some of the lyrics in Fight Club?
Probably the most iconic Papa Roach song apart from "that one", and rightly so, an absolute epic.
This is a beast. It's always hard to follow a great first album, not many bands can do it. Throw out a tune like this and you're safe.
1. Last Resort
"That one", the obvious number one. The rock night dance floor filler for 20 glorious years. I've heard this in indie clubs, metal clubs, rap clubs, it's iconic, it's catchy, and it's never going anywhere.
Happy Birthday Papa Roach. I love you!
Absolute bangers! Cant believe it's been 20 years
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