JACOBY SHADDIX Talks New PAPA ROACH Single With TOBY MORSE: 'It Felt Urgent, Honest, In Your Face'

Papa Roach is back with a new single, and they’ve brought along a longtime friend.

The California rock band just released “Braindead” (watch it below), a high-energy track featuring Toby Morse, the lead singer of punk band H2O. The song is now available on all major streaming platforms as of June 25.

The collaboration combines Papa Roach’s heavy rock sound with Morse’s raw punk edge. The result is a fast-paced anthem with lyrics like: “You’ve got one life, one chance, one shot, I don’t wanna waste it like I’m feeling braindead.”

A lyric video is already out, with a full music video planned for July.

Singer Jacoby Shaddix says the track is a wake-up call.

“We wanted something urgent and honest, and bringing Toby in took it to the next level.”

Morse, who’s known Shaddix for more than 20 years, says the message of the song matches how both bands live.

“They live by the ‘one life, one chance’ motto. It’s an honor to be part of this.”

New Album on the Way

“Braindead” is expected to appear on Papa Roach’s next album, which is still in the works. The band’s last album, Ego Trip, came out in 2022.

In a recent interview (via Skratch N’ Sniff and SNSMix.com), Shaddix said they’ve finished about five or six new songs but aren’t ready to announce a release date yet.

“We want to get this one perfect before we drop it,” he said.

The new project will include some guest features, though the band hasn’t revealed all the names yet.

Going Independent

Papa Roach is releasing music through their own label, New Noize Records, in partnership with ADA Worldwide.

Shaddix says the band has learned a lot since starting their label, and it’s paying off.

“We were scared to step into that role. But we’ve had some real wins,” he said.

One of those wins is “Ego Trip,” which produced four No. 1 hits on rock radio. Their song “Leave A Light On” also made it into the Top 5 on alternative charts, and “Even If It Kills Me” climbed into the Top 10.

Touring Success

The band recently finished a sold-out tour in the U.K., including their first-ever show at Wembley Arena. They also appeared on the covers of Kerrang! and Metal Hammer.

In the U.S. and Europe, their Rise of the Roach tour was one of the most successful of their career.

Shaddix says the band feels strong momentum going into their next phase.

“We’re deep into our career and still having these moments. It feels good.”

A Personal Song

The band also shared a more emotional side with the song “Even If It Kills Me”, inspired by a tough time in Shaddix’s family.

The track was born after his son went through a painful breakup. Shaddix says watching his son struggle led to the song’s lyrics.

“Sometimes people aren’t who you think they are,” he said. “But you get through it. My son got back up.”

In March, Papa Roach released a softer reimagined version of the song, produced with Joshua Landry.

A Career That Keeps Moving

Papa Roach has been making music since the late 1990s. The band has earned two Grammy nominations and several platinum records.

They first gained fame with the hit “Last Resort”, and they’ve continued speaking out on mental health ever since.

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