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Papa Roach
Papa Roach searching for a more committed fan base
Friday, March 30, 2001
By Kristi Singer, Morning Star Correspondent
Wilmington Morning Star
Copyright 1999 Wilmington Star-News, Inc.
Papa Roach is hoping that its first hit, Last Resort, wasn't the last.
"We're not trying to be one hit wonders," bassist Tobin Esperance of the punk/hip hop band said.
Vocalist Coby Dick, guitarist Jerry Horton, drummer Dave Buckner and Mr. Esperance were taken by surprise with the success of Last Resort, the first single released from its major label debut, Infest.
"You try not to expect anything when you're a new band. You hope for the best, and then sometimes the best is even better than you expected," Mr. Esperance said.
With networks like MTV on its side, longevity might not be an issue for Papa Roach. Mr. Esperance said the music television station helped the band when Last Resort was first released.
While the station opened kids' eyes to Papa Roach, it was only to the limited MTV audience. The viewers who watch the Top 10 video countdown show, Total Request Live, are fickle, Mr. Esperance said.
"It's like we could be on there one minute and gone the next," he said.
Instead of the fluctuating crowds, Papa Roach is striving for a dedicated fan base - not those who are into 'whatever's cool at the moment.'
"We want kids who are going to be down forever, who are willing to grow with us - like the way people are with punk. Punk kids follow their bands and they love them. And a lot of the MTV generation isn't like that," he said.
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