story by Luis Arroyave
photo by Soren McCarty / www.musicimagery.com
"There should be a 'Rock 'n' Roll Survivor'. I'd love to see
rock star sissies out there," says Sonny Sandoval, front man
of P.O.D. An admitted 'Survivor' fan, Sonny feels he could compete
with the best of them if left on an island to fend for himself. And
who would he want to compete with in this competitive game of backstabbing
and survival?
"I would take Ozzie…Puff Daddy and…Marilyn Manson,"
Sonny tells Chicago Innerview while on tour promoting the group's
latest album, Payable On Death. Seeing how none of those mentioned
have the cleverness of Richard Hatch or the brute strength of Rupert
Boneham, I couldn't help but wonder who would win.
"They'd all leave the first hour. I love the water. I would
be fishing," Sonny says, backing up his advantage by saying,
"I'm ghetto." And while Richard Hatch may have had to eat
live beetle larvae to win the title of "Survivor," P.O.D.
earned it by succeeding in an always changing industry while, at the
same time, overcoming the departure of a founding member.
From Southtown San Diego, P.O.D. (short for Payable On Death) developed
a following in their hometown with their fusion of metal, aggressive
hip-hop, Latin flavor and relaxed reggae melodies. Guitarist Marcos
and drummer Wuv formed the band, adding Sonny and bassist Traa. Soon,
the sounds of P.O.D. caught the attention of numerous major labels
leading the group to sign with Atlantic Records.
|
SONNY'S INNER VIEW
|
|
"If our faith bothers you, too bad
for you. You don't ask about the painter's beliefs when
buying a painting."
|
|
 |
Their first major label album, 1999's The Fundamental Elements of
Southtown, introduced P.O.D. to the mainstream while paving the way
for an invitation on the Ozzfest tour. (One can only wish P.O.D. had
discovered Kelly Osbourne's musical potential on this very tour.)
It was the group's second Atlantic recording, 2001's Satellite, that
truly took them to new grounds and into the stereos of the nation's
youth. Songs like the thunderous "Alive" and hypnotic "Youth
of the Nation" connected with a society still reeling from the
attacks of 9/11. With positive and uplifting lyrics, P.O.D. was able
to help a mourning nation stand up and enjoy life again.
But life has not always been so positive and uplifting for the members
of the group, raised in the troublesome areas of San Diego. Whether
it was a drug dealing father or losing a mother to cancer, the group's
four members seem to have been through it all. Life once again took
an unexpected turn when founding member Marcos split from the group
to pursue other projects - a split that seemed unimaginable for a
group coming off the immense success of Satellite.
The remaining members found a replacement in former Living Sacrifice
guitarist Jason Truby and went to work on "Sleeping Awake"
for the Matrix Reloaded soundtrack. Sonny, Traa, Wuv, and newly added
Truby went on to record Payable On Death - the group's third Atlantic
release and its first without Marcos. Sonny sees the album as a second
chapter for P.O.D.
"We're just getting out, having fun," he says. "Getting
back to when we were little playing in a garage." Although never
directly pointing a finger, it is apparent that Sonny felt some relief
in this latest project compared to previous recording sessions. "We
were getting together and listening to each other speak. It was a
group effort. If one person wanted to lead with an idea we'd say 'dude,
just start playing, we'll follow'."
When asked if "Reasons," a song on the new album about people's
selfish excuses, is based on their former band member, Sonny laughed
- although never admitting nor denying the assumption.
Like the change in guitarist, the band also goes through a change
in sound, moving away from the soaring rap vocals of Satellite to
a more melodic vibe - a move Sonny admits was a "direction the
guitar was leading to. There are less rap vocals. But at the same
time, there is the opportunity to lean to melodies."
One of these melodies is the album's single "Will You,"
the group's first love song, or as Sonny describes it, "more
of a love-on-the-rocks song." In an industry where even 50 Cent
has a love song or two, it is quite amazing that it has taken the
group so long to approach the subject.
"Everyone goes through it. We wanted to mix it in there."
But don't count on seeing any duets with Ashanti any time soon, an
idea Sonny emphatically guarantees "will never happen."
I, for one, will hold him to it.
The album also takes risks with the song "Eternal," a six-minute
instrumental. The risks and changes in the group's sound can partly
be attributed to the addition of their newest member. When asked about
Truby, Sonny raves, claiming he brings "classical roots, a lot
of beauty and a mix of different types of music."
Depending on who you ask, one wonders whether the risks taken on
the new album have paid off. Although there is a revival in the group's
spirit, the record sales of Payable On Death are nowhere near those
of Billboard juggernaut Satellite. Nevertheless, it is apparent Sonny
and the boys are finally at peace with their music and the product
they put out. Sonny is, however, vocal about the downfalls of the
music industry and its constant labeling of the group.
On being placed in the rap/metal category, Sonny attributes it to
the "corniness of the industry. We've been together 13 years.
We've been mixing hip-hop, metal, and reggae together. People ask
'what the heck is that?' Anything comes out that's big we get compared
to. Limp Bizkit comes out and we get put in that category."
Sonny does, however, admit that combining the two different genres
is "such a great combo," naming Rage Against The Machine
as a personal favorite. "I always like their style, their groove."
A fan of old-skool hip-hop, Sonny admits he has not bought a rap
CD in years. One can only assume he is unaware the Baja Men put out
another album. "Old skool hip-hop, that's when it was real. Now
it's handmade. MTV tells us who to listen to and who to like."
One other label the group has constantly been tagged with is the
Christian title - a title Sonny is clearly uncomfortable with. Although
the four members admit they are of strong Christian faith, they want
to be seen for their music and not just their beliefs. While few,
if any, bands labeled as "Christian" have had great mainstream
success, Sonny believes P.O.D.'s music has carried them this far.
"We've proved it 13 years and going. The music stands for itself.
We've rocked with the best of 'em. If our faith bothers you, too bad
for you. You don't ask about the painter's beliefs when buying a painting."
Although the group's beliefs are made visible by the media, it is
not as apparent in their music. "We've never been about 'look
at us'…we've done it in a way people can respect."
Aside from P.O.D., Kanye West recently opened up about his faith
also with "Jesus Walks." Yet Sonny doesn't see this becoming
a trend among mainstream artists. "It doesn't help your career
unless you do gospel," he notes.
After over a decade of making music with P.O.D., one would suspect
Sonny has contemplated the idea of a solo career. Although Sonny denies
the idea, he does admit a curiosity to branch out a bit. "I like
messing with stuff. I like to make music on the computer...one day
I'd like to do some hip-hop, reggae stuff, drop some rhymes on a reggae
beat."
One project the group has taken on is Swedish rockers Blindside,
the first signing on P.O.D.'s new label 3 Points and the opening act
on their current tour.
"They're on the same page. We've toured together for years.
We've got a connection…they watch our backs." He goes on
to describe them as having a "European-Swedish vibe." Although
one may associate the Swedish sound with Ace of Base, Sonny clears
up such career-ending confusion by comparing Blindside's sound to
"more of a Deftones feel."
With their latest release About a Burning Fire released only months
ago, Blindside is sure to rock the Chicago audience at the Vic. "Blindside
tears it up," says Sonny, praising the sing-a-longs often seen
at their concerts. "The underground crowd knows them. I'm always
surprised how many kids sing their songs."
As for P.O.D.'s performance, Sonny describes it as "intimate
and in your face - sweaty." Sonny is known for interacting with
the crowd, at times tossing the mic to a fan to sing a verse. Also
expect to see Sonny jump into the crowd and partake in crowd surfing,
although he did hurt himself doing so a few weeks ago. For those fans
turned off by mosh pits, you can feel safe knowing that Sonny is looking
after your safety. "I've stopped shows to help people getting
trampled."
So bring your Christian youth group, hip-hop dance club, metal band,
and that white Rastafarian guy at the record store - because when
it comes to P.O.D., there's something for everyone.
P.O.D. will play with Blindside and Lacuna Coil at the Vic June 2.