Known for their infectious blend of punk, heavy metal, reggae, rap and Latin rhythms, POD is also a common outlet for Christian musicians whose faith is central to their work.
Southern California natives POD (aka Payable on Death) rose to the top of the nu metal and rap rock scene in the early 90s with their third album, The Fundamental Elements of Southtown, their label debut.
The album gave listeners such hits as "Southtown" and "Rock the Party (Off the Hook)". Both singles received heavy airplay on MTV and helped make the album platinum.
The band's next work called "Satellite" was released in 2001. We can say that the album thundered throughout the rock industry and overtook its predecessor in popularity.
The album entered the Billboard 200 at number six.
Thanks to the album, the immortal hits “Alive” and “Youth of a Nation” appeared (this song is adored by young people and is considered the anthem of the younger generations). Both songs received a Grammy nomination.
Follow-up albums such as 2003's "Payable on Death", 2006's "Testify", 2008's "When Angels and Serpents Dance" and 2015's "The Awakening" have the traditional POD sound of the band distinguished by the mature and deep sound of musical instruments.
Also, the features of their style include devotion to hardcore roots and religious motives.
By the way, religion has left a visible imprint on all the work of the group. A lot of POD songs are moralizing in nature.
Team building POD
Hailing from San Diego's San Ysidro, or "Southtown" (a multi-ethnic working-class neighborhood), POD originally started out as a cover-oriented band.
They were previously known as Eschatos and Enoch with guitarist Marcos Curiel and drummer Vuv Bernardo who came together to perform songs from their favorite punk and metal bands including Bad Brains, Vandals, Slayer and Metallica.
The duo was also heavily influenced by their love of jazz, reggae, Latin music and hip hop, the sounds of which became more prominent after the arrival of Vuv's cousin Sonny Sandoval in 1992.
Sonny, being an MC, used recitative as a way to sing songs.
Throughout the 90s, POD toured constantly and without delay and sold over 40 copies of their three self-recorded EPs - "Brown", "Snuff the Punk" and "POD Live".
The musicians made all the recordings on their own label, Rescue Records.
Atlantic Records took notice of the industrious ethical outlook of young musicians.
The group was followed by an offer to sign a contract, which they unconditionally accepted.
Debut album
In 1999, POD released their debut album on The Fundamental Elements of Southtown.
The band also won multiple awards for Best Hard Rock or Metal Band, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year for "Rock the Party (Off the Hook)" at the 1999 San Diego Music Awards.
The following year, POD joined Ozzfest 2000 and performed with Crazy Town and Staind for the MTV Campus Invasion tour.
They also allowed several of their songs to be used on various soundtracks, including "School of Hard Knocks" for Adam Sandler's comedy Little Nicky in 2001.
In the same year, the band released their second album for Atlantic, called "Satellite".
The album, directed by Howard Benson, peaked at number six on the Billboard 200 and spawned the hit singles "Alive" and "Youth of the Nation", both of which hit the Hot Hot Rock Rock Billboard Top XNUMX.
"Alive" and "Youth of the Nation" also gained more industry attention, receiving Grammy nominations for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2002 and 2003 respectively.
«testify»
In 2003 founding guitarist Marcoso Curiel left the band. He was soon replaced by former Living Sacrifice guitarist Jason Truby, who had been in the works since the band's fourth album, Payable on Death.
The album hit number one on the Christian Albums Chart.
A heavy and lengthy tour followed, which continued until the end of 2004.
Early the following year, POD got back into the studio, this time with producer Glen Ballard, to record "Testify" (released in 2006), which topped the Christian Albums chart and exploded into the top ten on the Billboard 200.
Also in 2004, the band left their longtime Atlantic label and marked the end of that era with the release of Rhino Greatest Hits: The Atlantic Years.
Also in 2006, guitarist Jason Truby left the band, presumably the same day original guitarist Marcos Curiel asked to return.
Subsequently, Curiel participated in the 2008 When Angels and Serpents Dance, which also featured guest artists Mike Muir of Suicidal Tendencies, Helmet's Page Hamilton, and sisters Sedella and Sharon Marley.
After the release of the album, Sandoval decided to step away from the band in order to re-evaluate his career and spend time with his family. POD subsequently canceled their European tour with Filter and went on an indefinite hiatus.
Murdered Love
Sandoval eventually reunited with his bandmates, and in 2012 POD resurfaced with Murdered Love on Razor & Tie.
The album was recorded with Howard Benson returning to the producer's chair from his previous work with the band on Satellite.
The album reached the top 20 on the Billboard 200 and hit number one on the Top Christian Albums chart.
Benson also participated in the 2015 studio effort for Awakening, which featured guest frontmen Maria Brink of In This Moment and Lou Koller of Sou of It All.
The group's tenth studio album, "Circles", was released in 2018 and included the tracks "Rockin' with the Best" and "Soundboy Killa".
Facts about the team
The band's name stands for Payable On Death. This abbreviation comes from a banking term which means that when someone passes away, their property is transferred to their heir.
For the group, this means that our sins were already paid for when Jesus died. Our life is our heritage.
The POD collective refers to itself as a "Christian made band" rather than a Christian band. They write music for everyone and everyone - not just for believers.
They call their fans "Warriors" because their fans are so dedicated.
Some of the influences on the collective include U2, Run DMC, Bob Marley, Bad Brains and AC/DC.
POD's first guitarist, Marcos Curiel, left the band in early 2003. He was replaced by former Living Sacrifice guitarist Jason Truby.
The band also allows their songs to be used as movie soundtracks.
Sonny Sandoval (vocals), Marcos Curiel (guitar), Traa Daniels (bass) and Uv Bernardo (drums) are also active members of the close-knit music community that promotes more than just their own records.
They also collaborate with other artists including Katy Perry, HR (Bad Brains), Mike Muir (Suicidal Tendencies), Sen Dog (Cypress Hill) and many more.
