P.O.D.

P.O.D.

Traa Daniels, Wuv Bernardo, Marcos Curiel, Sonny Sandoval
Background information
Origin Southtown, San Diego, California, United States
Genres Alternative metal[1]
Christian metal[1]
Nu metal[1][2]
Rap metal[3]
Years active 1992-Present
Labels Rescue (1992–1998)
Atlantic (1999–2006)
Columbia/INO (2007–2009)
Associated acts The Accident Experiment, Living Sacrifice, StillWell, Daylight Division, Southtown Generals
Website www.payableondeath.com
Members
Sonny Sandoval
Wuv Bernardo
Traa Daniels
Marcos Curiel
Past members
Jason Truby
Gabe Portillo

P.O.D. is an American Christian metal band formed in 1992. The band's line-up consists of vocalist Sonny Sandoval, drummer Wuv Bernardo, guitarist Marcos Curiel, and bassist Traa Daniels. They are born-again Christians[4] and their faith takes a central place in the band's music.[5]

They have released seven studio albums and have sold over 10 million records worldwide. Over the course of their career, the band have also received three Grammy Award nominations, contributed to numerous motion picture soundtracks and toured internationally. With their third studio album, The Fundamental Elements of Southtown, they achieved their initial mainstream success; the album was certified Platinum by the RIAA in 2000.[6][7] Their following studio album, Satellite, continued the band's success with the hit singles, "Alive" and "Youth of the Nation", pushing it to go triple platinum.[7][8]

Contents

Other uses

The term P.O.D. (or POD) also refers to field offices of service firms. Usually in the context of a central/home office and field offices offering full corporate services with the exception of administrative functions.

Band history

Early years (1991–1998)

In 1991, friends Marcos Curiel and Wuv Bernardo engaged in jam sessions, with Marcos covering guitar and Wuv playing the drums with no vocalist.[9] Calling themselves Eschatos, they started playing at keg parties doing Metallica and Slayer cover songs. After his mother's fatal illness, Sonny Sandoval converted to Christianity and was asked by his cousin, Wuv Bernardo, to join the band as a way to keep his mind straight as mentioned on their DVD, Still Payin' Dues. They got a bass player, Gabe Portillo, and eventually changed their name to P.O.D. After recording a demo tape, Traa Daniels joined the band in 1994 when they needed a bassist for some shows to replace Gabe. P.O.D. signed with Rescue Records, a label created by Wuv's father. Between 1994 and 1997, they released three albums under the label, Snuff the Punk, Brown and Payable on Death Live.[6]

Shortly after the release of Payable on Death Live, Essential Records offered P.O.D. a $100,000 recording contract, but Sonny Sandoval spoke for them all when he politely but firmly told band manager Tim Cook to decline the offer because, “God has a bigger plan for P.O.D.”[10] In 1998, A&R rep John Rubeli from Atlantic Records caught a show at The Roxy on the Sunset Strip, and the band was quickly signed to a major-label deal.[10] P.O.D. soon released The Warriors EP, a tribute EP to their loyal fans as a transitional album from Rescue Records to Atlantic Records.

Mainstream success (1999–2002)

P.O.D.'s third studio album, 1999's The Fundamental Elements of Southtown, spawned the hits "Southtown" and Total Request Live favorite "Rock the Party (Off the Hook)", which became their first video to reach #1 on MTV's TRL (Total Request Live).[11] At a time after the 1999 album, "School of Hard Knocks" was featured on the soundtrack for Little Nicky while both "Southtown" and "Rock the Party (Off the Hook)" appeared in the movie. All three music videos endured heavy play on MTV2 and the songs were rock radio hits. The album went on to become RIAA certified platinum.[6]

On the 11th September 2001 P.O.D. released their fourth studio album, Satellite. The album's first single, "Alive", went on to become one of MTV's and MTV2's top played videos of the year. The video's popularity, as well as the song's positive message, helped the song become a huge modern rock radio hit and it was Grammy nominated for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2002.

The album's second single, "Youth of the Nation", was influenced in part by the school shootings at Santana High School, Columbine High School, and Granite Hills High School. It was Grammy nominated for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2003. The 2002 singles, "Boom" and "Satellite", also became quite popular. An addition, the concluding track of the album, "Portrait," was Grammy nominated for Best Metal Performance in 2003. Satellite went on to become RIAA-certified triple platinum.[8] The author of Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music has described P.O.D. as "One of the biggest success stories in recent Christian music."[12]

Marcos leaves the band; Payable on Death (2003–2005)

On February 19, 2003, guitarist Marcos Curiel left the band due to his side project, The Accident Experiment and "spiritual differences." However, Marcos argued that he was actually kicked out of the band.[13][14] Sonny, Wuv and Traa were devastated about Curiel leaving, they considered breaking up the band, but decided to stay together and recruit another guitarist.[15] Curiel was replaced by Jason Truby, former member of Christian metal band Living Sacrifice, and assisted with the recording of "Sleeping Awake", from The Matrix Reloaded soundtrack. In an interview with Yahoo! Music, Sonny stated that Jason is the reason why the group is still together,

“ He did us a favor by helping us out with this song, and then once it was all said and done it kind of confirmed that maybe we should keep doing what we loved... and that's making music. So now he's helping us do that.[16] ”

On November 4, 2003, P.O.D. released their fifth studio album, Payable on Death, which saw the group shift from their well known rapcore sound to a darker, more melodic metal sound.[17] The album was hit with controversy due to its "occult" cover, which led as many as 85% of Christian bookstores across the United States to ban the album.[18] With the help of the album's hit single "Will You" and "Change the World", it went on to sell over 520,000 copies and was certified Gold.[19] Sometime after the tsunami in Asia, many singers, musicians, and actors/actresses, including Sonny and Wuv, participated in the recording of, "Forever in Our Hearts", with all proceeds going to benefit the tsunami relief.[20]

Testify (2006)

P.O.D.'s sixth studio album Testify was slated for a December 2005 release, but was pushed back to January 24, 2006. On November 15, 2005, P.O.D. released The Warriors EP, Volume 2, which featured demos from the upcoming album, to help build up the fans' anticipation for the pending January release. The album's first single, "Goodbye for Now" (with a vocal tag by a then-unknown Katy Perry) went on to become a #1 video on MTV's TRL, along with having a solid radio presence, it also became the band's unprecedented 4th number one video on Total Request Live.[21] The second single off the album, "Lights Out" was a minor hit, but was featured as the "official theme song" to WWE's Survivor Series on November 27, 2005. In another contribution to WWE, they performed fellow San Diego native Rey Mysterio's theme song "Booyaka 619" at WrestleMania 22.[21] To promote their latest album, P.O.D. went on a nationwide tour called the "Warriors Tour 2: Guilty by Association", which began in April, and included the bands Pillar, The Chariot and Maylene and the Sons of Disaster.[22]

P.O.D. leaves Atlantic Records; Marcos returns

On August 11, 2006, P.O.D. announced in their online newsletter that they had left Atlantic Records.[7][19] The newsletter stated: "P.O.D. have left Atlantic Records. We’ve been proud to be Atlantic Recording Artists, but it’s not the same place anymore. For most of our stay, we were blessed by a staff that was gracious towards our vision, faith, and love of music..... resulting in more than 7 million records sold. It’s time to dream again with a new staff, and we leave with grateful hearts. By the people, FOR the people - P.O.D. - Aug. 2006"[19]

On September 16, 2006, P.O.D. announced that they have teamed up with Rhino Records to release a greatest hits record simply titled, Greatest Hits: The Atlantic Years, which was released on November 21, 2006. They shot a music video for their single "Going In Blind", one of the two new songs they included in the tenth album, and they have been taking meetings with various record labels to begin working on new material for an album they hoped to release in mid 2007.[7]

In a statement made by the band's manager on their MySpace page, it was officially announced, on December 30, 2006, that Jason Truby had left the band. They had said "God worked it out because Jason decided to leave the band the same day Marcos asked to rejoin." Marcos performed for the first time since his departure on the 2006 New Year's Eve episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[7]

INO Records, When Angels & Serpents Dance, Hiatus, and Return (2007–present)

On February 2, 2007 the band made a new record deal with INO Records.[23]

POD in San Diego in 2008.

On May 13, 2007 the band appeared on Carlos Mencia's show on Comedy Central, Mind of Mencia, when Carlos premiered his new music video for the song "Beaner Man". The band played the instruments and screamed the chorus, while Carlos rapped the lyrics and wore dreadlocks in parody of frontman Sonny Sandoval.[24][25]

On June 1, 2007, at the Rockbox in San Diego, the band performed and revealed a new song entitled "Condescending", along with another new song performed on June 16, 2007, at the Journeys Backyard BBQ tour entitled "Addicted". They also revealed the title of their new album to be When Angels & Serpents Dance.

On August 4, 2007, the band played at Angel Stadium of Anaheim's annual Harvest Crusade where they revealed a new song entitled "I'll Be Ready", originally thought to be entitled "When Babylon Come For I," for a crowd of 42,000, the largest number in attendance for the three day event.[26]

The album cover was officially revealed on December 10, 2007.[27] The title track was released for free download on their site in January 2008. The first single "Addicted" was released on February 19 and did well on the Mainstream Rock chart peaking at number 30. The album was released on April 8, 2008 entitled When Angels & Serpents Dance. On July 28, 2008, the group played a free public performance at the Orange County Choppers headquarters in Newburgh, NY, with OCC The Band opening. The band also played on August 16, 2008 at the Angel Stadium of Anaheim's annual Harvest Crusade. During September 2008 P.O.D played alongside Redline, Behind Crimson Eyes, Alter Bridge and Disturbed as part of the Music As A Weapon tour 2008 in Australia. In November 2008, P.O.D. started their first tour in South America with five shows in Brazil, one in Chile and one in Colombia. P.O.D. then went on hiatus after touring in South America. This was confirmed when they canceled the 2009 European tour with Filter.

However, in February 2009, Disney announced that P.O.D. would be making an appearance, its first for the year, at 'Disney's Night Of Joy' on September 11–12. P.O.D. performed alongside MercyMe, newsboys, Flyleaf, Skillet, Jars of Clay, Kutless, Leeland and more. Singer Sandoval said of the event: “In the past year we’ve been blessed to play all around the globe but performing at Disney World excites me most of all.”[28]

On 19 November 2009, P.O.D. played a small set of songs at the benefit concert for Chi Cheng, the bass player for the Deftones. The concert took place in Avalaon, Hollywood.

P.O.D. played an 11-date South America tour, running from March through April 2010.

On December 16, 2009 Wuv posted a video of him and Marcos Curiel stating that P.O.D. is now in the process of recording their next album due to come out sometime in 2010.[29]

P.O.D. will be doing a show on August 14, 2010 for chi Deftones.

Style and influences

P.O.D.'s style has evolved over the years, from the rap metal sound on their early albums to the nu metal and Reggae infused alternative metal styles that they're most well known for. Their latest album, When Angels & Serpents Dance, is a combination of Alternative rock, reggae rock and Latin influenced metal with almost none of the rap metal or nu metal sound of their older releases. P.O.D.'s influences include; Santana, Bad Brains, Bob Marley, Korn, The Police, Metallica, Rage Against the Machine, Slipknot and Black Sabbath.

Band members

Current members
Former members
Live/Session members

Discography

Awards

American Music Awards
Echo Awards
San Diego Music Awards

Note: Album and single-specific awards and nominations are listed under their respective articles.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sharpe-Young, Garry. "POD". MusicMight accessdate=2009-12-21. http://www.musicmight.com/artist/united+states/california/san+diego/p+o+d+. 
  2. ↑ Udo, Tommy (2002). Brave Nu World. Sanctuary Publishing. pp. 10, 104. ISBN 186074415X. 
  3. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "The Fundamental Elements of Southtown > Overview". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:3pfixqykldse. Retrieved 2009-12-21. 
  4. ↑ Collar, Matt (2003-11-04). "((( Payable on Death > Overview )))". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:3cfexq8aldde. Retrieved 2010-08-05. 
  5. ↑ Allmusic.com
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 MacKenzie, Wilson. "P.O.D. Biography". Allmusic. http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:hjfrxqthld6e~T1. Retrieved 2007-12-04. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "P.O.D. leaves Atlantic Records and Curiel returns". Blabbermouth. Roadrunner Records. 2006-12-20. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=64125. Retrieved 2007-12-04. "P.O.D. was with Atlantic for four albums and two EPs. The band signed with Atlantic in 1998, after selling more than 40,000 copies of its independently released EPs. The group's Atlantic debut, "The Fundamental Elements of Southtown", came out in 1999 and went platinum, while 2001's "Satellite" was a multi-platinum success. But the group felt that personnel changes at Atlantic were responsible for recent sales dips — more than 500,000 copies of 2003's "Payable On Death" were sold, but less than 250,000 copies of the recent "Testify"." 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Jeckell, Barry A. (2002-09-19). "Satellite is certified triple-platinum". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1700062. Retrieved 2007-12-31. "The triple-platinum milestone was recently reached by hard rock act P.O.D.'s year-old "Satellite" (Atlantic)" 
  9. ↑ Anonymous. "P.O.D.". San Diego Reader. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/bands/pod/. Retrieved 11 December 2009. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Joseph, Mark. "Promotion Crew: P.O.D. Biography". Promotion Crew. http://promotionscrew.com/pod/ecard/. Retrieved 2008-01-04. 
  11. ↑ Absolute TRL staff. "Rock the Party hits #1". ATRL.net. http://www.atrl.net/trlarchive/?s=recap&y=2000&m=07. Retrieved 2008-01-04. 
  12. ↑ Powell, M. Allan (December 2002). "Jesus Climbs the Charts: The business of Contemporary Christian". The Christian Century (The Christian Century Foundation): 18–31. http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=2627. Retrieved 12 Dec. 2009. 
  13. ↑ Moss, Corey (2003-02-19). "Marcos leaves the group". Music Television. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1470028/20030219/pod.jhtml. Retrieved 2007-12-04. 
  14. ↑ Cohen, Jonathan (2003-02-19). "Guitarist Marcos exits P.O.D.". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1819256. Retrieved 2007-12-31. 
  15. ↑ Wiederhorn, Jon. "There's No Crying In Rock". Music Television. http://www.mtv.com/bands/p/pod/news_feature_031124/. Retrieved 2008-01-04. "Sandoval, drummer Wuv and bassist Traa were devastated and considered breaking up the band. But then they came to their senses. Though Curiel had been their friend for more than a decade, the remaining members realized they still wanted to make music together, and they had fans who wanted to hear it" 
  16. ↑ "P.O.D. Saved By 'Matrix Reloaded' Song". Yahoo! Music. 2003-05-05. http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12026944. Retrieved 2008-01-06. "P.O.D. was on the brink of breaking up after splitting with guitarist Marcos earlier this year. The band was saved, however, by their experience recording a new track for the Matrix Reloaded with a new member" 
  17. ↑ Collar, Matt. "Payable on Death Review". Allmusic. http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:3cfexq8aldde. Retrieved 2008-01-23. "A darker album than its predecessor, Payable is built largely around Truby's precise slabs of distorted guitar. More quintessentially "metal" in his approach — think Metallica — and more of a conscientious technician than Marcos, Truby unfortunately lacks some of the unexpected spark that Marcos brought to P.O.D." 
  18. ↑ "P.O.D. Cover Artist Speaks Out On Christian Ban". Yahoo! Music. 2003-12-08. http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12052197. Retrieved 2008-01-23. "it's "ironic" that the album has been banned by 85 percent of Christian bookstores in the U.S., reportedly because the cover is "occult."" 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Cohen, Jonathan (2006-08-11). "P.O.D. parts way with Atlantic Records". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002985668. Retrieved 2007-12-31. "Hard rock act P.O.D. has parted ways with Atlantic Records, to which it has been signed since 1999. According to a statement sent to members of the group's email list, the group became disillusioned with changes at the label." 
  20. ↑ Jeckell, Barry A. (2005-01-26). "'Forever' Unites Artists For Tsunami Relief". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000777469. Retrieved 2008-01-02. "Recording artists from R&B crooner Brian McKnight to screamer Sonny Sandoval of rock act P.O.D. have lent their talents to a single that will raise funds for the tsunami relief effort in Eastern Africa and Southern Asia." 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 WWE staff report. "P.O.D. to play Mysterio to the ring at WrestleMania". WWE. http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/podmysterio. Retrieved 2008-01-25. "After the performance, P.O.D. will bring their unique sound to a new recording of Rey Mysterio’s “Booyaka 619” entrance theme. The band’s immense popularity is evidenced by its four No. 1 videos on MTV's program “Total Request Live,” which is an unprecedented achievement for a rock band." 
  22. ↑ MTV News staff report (2006-02-13). "P.O.D. on tour". VH1. http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1524248/20060213/pod.jhtml. Retrieved 2007-12-17. "P.O.D. will hit the road this spring with Pillar, the Chariot and Maylene and the Sons of Disaster as part of the Warriors Tour 2: Guilty by Association run." 
  23. ↑ "P.O.D. inked deal with Columbia Records". IGN Music. 2007-03-07. http://music.ign.com/articles/771/771027p1.html. Retrieved 2008-01-02. "The "classic" configuration of Sonny, Wuv, Traa, and returning original guitarist Marcos, who all last recorded together on 2001's Satellite, will begin working on a new album currently slated for a Summer 2007 release." 
  24. ↑ "P.O.D. appear in Mind of Mencia". Comedy Central. 2007-05-13. http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/mind_of_mencia/Episodes/season_3/307.jhtml. Retrieved 2008-01-02. "Episode #307. Originally Aired: 5/13/07. This week P.O.D. helps Carlos introduce the world to the first Latino Super-Hero...Beaner Man! Then Carlos talks with his buddies Joseph Cano, Brad Williams, and Josh Blue about the jobs they should never have." 
  25. ↑ "P.O.D. sing for 'Beaner Man'". Tv.com. http://www.tv.com/mind-of-mencia/episode-307/episode/1060302/summary.html?tag=ep_list;title;6. Retrieved 2008-01-02. 
  26. ↑ Laurie, Greg (2007-08-06). "Saturday had the largest crowd from the three days". Harvest Crusades. http://www.harvest.org/crusades/2007/anaheim/. Retrieved 2007-12-04. "Music lent support to the talks presented by Laurie each night at the Harvest Crusade, reinforcing the message of God's love. From raucous hip-hop and rock from multi-platinum band P.O.D., to lively pop-infused music and dance steps from tobyMac, to an audience sing-a-long with the David Crowder Band, the Christian music represented at the crusade kept audiences on their feet." 
  27. ↑ "P.O.D. To Release New Album In April". Blabbermouth. Roadrunner Records. 2008-01-02. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=87555. Retrieved 2008-01-02. "Spiritual rockers P.O.D. (a.k.a. Payable On Death) released their new album, "When Angels & Serpents Dance", on April 8 via INO/Columbia Records." 
  28. ↑ Laughingplace.com
  29. ↑ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/video/video.php?v=102915233063415&ref=mf
  30. ↑ “”. "‪P.O.D. win Echo Award 2003 (Germany) - 1st Major Music Award‬‎". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qQEoqlamjg. Retrieved 2010-08-05. 

External links

P.O.D.
Current members: Sonny Sandoval · Wuv Bernardo · Traa Daniels · Marcos Curiel
Former members: Jason Truby · Gabe Portillo
Studio albums
Snuff the Punk · Brown · The Fundamental Elements of Southtown · Satellite · Payable on Death · Testify · When Angels & Serpents Dance
Live albums
Payable on Death Live · Rhapsody Originals
Compilations
Greatest Hits: The Atlantic Years
EPs
The Warriors EP · Limited Edition Bonus EP · The Warriors EP, Volume 2
Demos
P.O.D. (demo tape)
DVD
Still Payin' Dues
Singles
"Southtown" · "Rock the Party (Off the Hook)" · "School of Hard Knocks" · "Alive" · "Youth of the Nation" · "Boom" · "Satellite" · "Sleeping Awake" · "Will You" · "Change the World" · "Goodbye for Now" · "Lights Out" · "Going in Blind" · "Addicted" · "Shine with Me"
Related articles
Discography · The Accident Experiment · Living Sacrifice · StillWell · Daylight Division