Three decades into their career, California rockers Papa Roach are consciously reinventing themselves as a positive force within the music industry. Frontman Jacoby Shaddix reflects on this transformation as the band prepares for their Canadian tour, including a highly anticipated performance at Calgary's Saddledome on November 28, 2025.
From Angsty Anthems to Mature Messaging
The band's breakthrough album Infest recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, a milestone that Shaddix acknowledges with both humor and pride. The album's iconic track Last Resort, alongside Broken Home, defined a generation of rock music with their raw exploration of troubled youth. Surprisingly, these quarter-century-old songs continue finding new audiences, particularly among Gen Z listeners who've made Last Resort a viral sensation on TikTok with over 1.5 billion streams on Spotify.
Shaddix recalls the band's early ambitions, noting their first full-length album was prophetically titled Old Friends from Young Years. "That was the goal," he explains. "We wanted to be old friends from young years and here we are. We are 25-plus years into a career and that's the reality."
The Turning Point: Learning from Legends
The vocalist points to a pivotal moment in 2000 when Papa Roach shared the stage with Stone Temple Pilots. Watching the veteran rockers command the stage left a lasting impression. "I saw this legacy rock act on stage just giving the people what they wanted," Shaddix remembers. "I saw that and was like, 'That's it. That's the goal, live in the flesh.' It was palpable. We just pressed through, and now we are at that point in our career."
Giving Back: Mental Health Advocacy
This maturity extends beyond musical longevity. Throughout their Canadian Rise of the Roach stadium tour, Papa Roach will donate $1 from every ticket sold to support 988 Canada, the national suicide prevention hotline. This initiative holds particular significance given the enduring popularity of Last Resort, a song whose narrator contemplates ending his life.
Shaddix has been vocal about his personal journey toward sobriety and healthy living, changes that have profoundly influenced both his artistry and role as a father of three sons. The band's evolution from purveyors of angst to advocates for mental health awareness represents a natural progression for musicians who've witnessed their music's impact across generations.
As Papa Roach brings their message of resilience to Canadian audiences, they demonstrate that rock legacies aren't just built on hit songs, but on the positive impact artists can make throughout their careers.
