Foreclosures, bad economy inspires Papa Roach

NEW YORK — Papa Roach’s frontman says the sagging economy was the inspiration behind the band’s latest record, “Metamorphosis.”

“Going home and seeing foreclosure signs popping up all over my neighborhood where I was living … and seeing people get laid off and then people living off of credit cards and going in debt — that hopelessness and that desperation fueled the lyrics,” said lead singer Jacoby Shaddix, of Sacramento, Calif.

That’s also the plot behind the music video for the album’s single, “Lifeline.” The song hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, but the milestone was not an entirely happy one for the band because of what the tune represents.

“It’s really tough so right now the success behind it is a little bit bittersweet,” Shaddix said.

The song not only represents those struggling in today’s economy, but channels Shaddix’s life. He recalls earlier days when he grew up homeless.

“I can relate with those people because for the first years of my life, I was homeless and so to see that happening with people, it’s really tough,” he said.

To help out fans, Papa Roach, which wrapped up a tour with Buckcherry and Avenge Sevenfold last month, offered cheaper ticket prices so that music lovers wouldn’t have to miss out despite the troubling economy.

“It (was) a $40 ticket and it’s pretty much three headliners. I mean we can go headline on our own but we put together a package that works for the economy and we’re packing houses,” he said.

In July, the hard rock band will tour with Nickelback. Shaddix says he hopes to lessen ticket prices in the future.

“We know money ain’t falling from the sky at all … we want to provide something for people to get down and have fun, because that’s what people need to do, especially in hard times,” he said.

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