Having gone 4x multi-platinum since its April 2000 release, Papa Roach‘s hit sophomore album “Infest” remains a staple from an era that thus far has served as the commercial peak of the nü-metal genre. The Californian outfit were rapidly catapulted to success by the album’s lead single “Last Resort“, which to this day continually racks up rock radio spins.
However, in line with the trappings of nü-metal culture at the time, nicknames and outlandish monikers were very much in fashion. From Korn‘s “Head” and “Munky” to Mudvayne‘s “Kud“, “Ryknow” and more, having an alter ego of sorts was all part of the fun.
When it came to Papa Roach, their frontman Jacoby Shaddix embraced the moniker of “Coby Dick“. In a bold proclamation, he went so far as to essentially open “Infest” with his formal introduction, infamously stating in the opening lyrics of the titular first track, “My name’s Coby Dick. Mr. Dick if you’re nasty.”
With the band once again out celebrating that album — this time for its 25th anniversary — Shaddix was recently asked by the Los Angeles Times about how he now feels about opening the record with those lyrics. He offered the following explanation:
“I crack up inside. My wife, she cosigned for our first touring van — it was a big old, white 15-passenger van. We called it Moby Dick. My name’s Jacoby, everybody called me Coby growing up. So then I was driving around Moby Dick, and they’re like, “What’s up, Coby Dick?” It was like a joke, right? Then it just became my moniker.
So we put out this record, and I’m like, “Mr. Dick if you’re nasty” — I ripped it from Janet Jackson. “Dr. Dick if you’re sick, Old Saint Dick on Christmas, Count Dick-ula on Halloween” — all these dumb -isms. I loved Wu-Tang Clan, where they had nine members and they each had three names, so I had AKAs. Then when I started to read articles about us, it was like, “Dick says…” I didn’t think that through. That’s why, when we came out with our next record, I was Jacoby Shaddix. It’s a way cooler name, and it’s my real name.”
Papa Roach‘s ongoing 25th anniversary run celebrating “Infest” finds them out with Rise Against and Underoath, and much like their peers in Deftones, also sees them playing arenas decades into their career. When asked by the above-mentioned publication about the band’s latest upgrade in venue sizes, Shaddix responded:
“It was always the goal, but the reality is surprising, you know what I’m saying? Actually living it, I’m like, “Holy f—, we’re here.” Because even at our hottest, we never did a headlining arena tour.”
He continued:
“At the height of our career, we just kept supporting — for Eminem or Korn or Limp Bizkit — instead of seizing that moment for our own selves. They were paying us great, but it was totally a mistake. We should have gone, “No, we’re not gonna support you — we’re gonna go headline the arena.”
When it was pointed out the band are at that point now, Shaddix replied:
“Everything happens for a reason. Maybe I wasn’t ready for it at that time in my life. I’m just so grateful that we never packed it in and said, ‘We’re out.’”
The dates for Papa Roach‘s “Infest” 25th annviersary tour include:
04/05 Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena
04/07 Denver, CO – Ball Arena
04/09 Kansas City, MO – 2 T-Mobile Center
04/10 Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center
04/12 Green Bay, WI – Resch Center
04/13 Saint Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
09/10 Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
09/11 Syracuse, NY – Empower FCU Amphitheater
09/13 Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
09/14 Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
09/16 Washington DC – The Anthem
09/17 Virginia Beach, VA – The Dome
09/19 Allentown, PA – PPL Center
09/20 Bangor, ME @ Maine Savings Amphitheater
09/23 Cincinnati, OH @ PNC Pavilion
09/24 Maryland Heights, MO – Saint Louis Music Park
09/26 Indianapolis, IN- Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
09/27 Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheater*
09/28 Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
09/30 Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
10/01 Franklin, TN – FirstBank Amphitheater
10/03 Charlotte, NC – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre
10/04 Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
10/05 West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
- Source: NEWHD MEDIA
