SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE 6/17/04

 

CENTERPIECE

In the family of rock

For P.O.D., the goal remains the same: 'When we perform, we give people everything we have' 



By George Varga

POP MUSIC CRITIC 



June 17, 2004 



Getting on P.O.D.'s tour bus in the backstage parking lot at SDSU's Cox Arena is easy, so long as you don't trip over 

the three skateboards or the pink Barbie tricycle just in front of the door. 



Getting to the TV-equipped lounge at the rear is easy, too, if you don't trip over any of the rambunctious youngsters 

scurrying to and fro at the front of the bus. They are happily crawling on and under the bunk beds, clicking away on 

GameBoys, and generally treating the bus as a playground on wheels. 



"Watch your step!" said Paul "Sonny" Sandoval, the dreadlocked lead singer of P.O.D., San Diego's nationally acclaimed 

rap-metal band, as he led a visitor to the lounge for a band interview. 



Clearly, these are not the doomed kids Sandoval sang about on "Youth of the Nation," one of two Grammy Award-nominated 

songs from "Satellite," P.O.D.'s 4-million-selling 2001 album. 



Rather, these are the unaffected children of P.O.D.'s three San Diego-based members – Sandoval, bassist Mark "Traa" 

Daniels and drummer Noah "Wuv" Bernardo. 





They had gathered, along with other family members and dozens of friends, for a barbecue-cum-welcome-home party. P.O.D. 

would perform at Cox a few hours later on this mild February night, appearing in between Hoobastank and Linkin Park. 



It was the South Bay band's first area show since Arkansas guitarist Jason Truby, a former member of Christian metal band 

Living Sacrifice, replaced original P.O.D. guitarist Marcos Curiel last year. (P.O.D. returns to town Sunday to perform at 

the all-ages SOMA, adjacent to the San Diego Sports Arena.) 



The fans pressing up against a nearby fence at Cox on this February night were eager to get into this amiable parking lot 

bash, which began that afternoon and exuded the festive air of a multi-generational hometown reunion. 



"It's all about family and faith," said Bernardo's mother, Agnes, who helped raise Sandoval's younger sisters after their 

father died. 



Nearby, David Hakola, Bernardo's cousin, beamed with pride. 





"My daughter, Samantha, is 12 and goes to La Mesa Middle School," Hakola said. "When she tells her friends she's cousins 

with Wuv, they can't believe it. She loves the band and she's really disappointed she couldn't come tonight and be here 

with everyone." 



But the excitement of being backstage seemed lost on P.O.D.'s young offspring (Sandoval, Daniels and Bernardo have one, 

two, and three children, respectively; Sandoval and his wife are expecting a second this summer). 



The kids seemed far more interested in playing with each other than soaking up any rock 'n' roll glamour, not that this 

band of proudly unconventional Christian rockers covets the glitzy trappings of stardom. They were happy to join their 

famous fathers on stage mid-concert during "Youth of The Nation," though, which found Bernardo's son energetticaly joining 

in on drums. 



"We're just dads, number one," Sandoval said, as Truby, himself a father of two, nodded in agreement. 



"Number two, as far as our kids are concerned – oh, yeah – we happen to be in P.O.D. The band has been around since before 

they were born. They've always known us being in P.O.D., and they've seen us have nothing, and they've seen where we're at 

now. And they see us always loving them the same way." 



Daniels smiled. 



"Christmas just keeps getting better every year," the soft-spoken bassist said. 



"That's all they know," Sandoval continued, "and they appreciate it." 



So do P.O.D.'s fans, who have embraced the band's potent combination of rap, metal and reggae with existential lyrics that 

are alternately uplifting and cautionary. The band's four members, who call their work "positive music," don't like being 

lumped under the Christian-rock banner, a tag they believe can be misleading and confining. 





P.O.D. is currently on tour to promote its third major label album for Atlantic Records, "Payable On Death." Released 

last November, the dozen-song release finds the band ably expanding its stylistic range. 



The album, which has yet to ignite commercially, was banned by many Christian bookstores because of its cover art, which 

has an illustration of a seminude female angel, her arms crossed over her bare chest. 



Controversy aside, P.O.D.'s members are more determined than ever to create meaningful music that can make a difference, 

for them and their listener "Nothing's changed from when we started the band 12, 13 years ago," Sandoval said. 



"But we're not the same kids out of high school that we were," Daniels noted. "We all have families. We're older, wiser, 

and we've experienced a lot in the last few years with each other. When we perform, we give people everything we have." 



"We give them honesty and passion," Sandoval interjected. "We put that love into it. We love what we do and we feel that 

we're blessed in what we do, and we're going to ride the wave as long as it's rolling." 



"Honesty is important," Bernardo stressed. "It means being ourselves and not trying to be what somebody expects us to be." 



Guitarist Truby, who was working as a landscaper before he joined P.O.D., agreed. 



"When I jumped into the band with these guys, I felt something in my life that was real to me, whether it was in my faith 

or just coming from our upbringing in the streets," he said. "It was an outlet to maybe give a little hope to people, and 

say: 'I found something that's real to me.' You can get that out of a song." 



It's too soon to tell how many of the sons and daughters of P.O.D.'s members will also pursue music. But at least one band 

member, Bernardo, is following in the footsteps of his father, former Teaser/Batallion of Saints drummer Noah Bernardo Sr. 



"My dad's been playing drums since I was a baby," the younger Bernardo said. "I watched his bands play in our garage. 

I thought it was cool to hop up and pound around on my dad's drum set. And I just bought my son a drum set." 



"It was in his blood," said a beaming Noah Sr. "I gave him the baton and he went with it. I just always encouraged him 

to play from his heart. And he has." 







HOWARD LIPIN / Union-Tribune 



"These guys make music that speaks for itself, without words," says P.O.D. singer Paul "Sonny" Sandoval (center) with 

(from left) bandmates Noah "Wuv" Bernardo, Mark "Traa" Daniels and Jason Truby.



 +

+++

 +



Tuning in with the band 



The members of P.O.D. are all devoted music fans with widely varied tastes. Here's what the band's four members like to 

listening to on their tour bus or when they're chilling at home: 



 Bassist Mark "Traa" Daniels: "I've been to Miles Davis and Duke Ellington, Miles' 'Kind of Blue' (album), definitely. I 

like Coldplay a lot, and the Fugees; I've been popping a lot of that. I've also been listen to Toni Braxton." 



 Lead singer Paul "Sonny" Sandoval: "I listen to music that makes me feel good; I don't listen to music that's angry. 

If I'm sitting in my room by myself, it's going to be something mellow, reggae music or some old school R&B. I just bought 

an old Isley Brothers album, 'Between the Sheets.' There are certain songs that always put a smile on your face." 



 Guitarist Jason Truby: "I'm a big jazz guy, so I'll put on John Coltrane, Pat Metheny, Miles Davis or some Thelonious 

Monk. I throw in AC/DC once in a while, to get fired up. I think Sonny said it best: 'My misery doesn't want company.' 

I want something to make me feel better. The best disc I've heard so far this year is this Pink Floyd/reggae combo mix,

'Dub Side of the Moon.' It's so cool, man." 



 Drummer Noah"Wuv" Bernardo: "I'm like these guys, I like to feel good. So I think 90 percent of what I listen to is 

mostly reggae stuff. I like the old-school rock 'n' roll, too. My parents are old-school rock 'n' rollers, so I grew up on 

old-school – AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, the Cars, Cheap Trick." 



– GEORGE VARGA 



 +

+++

 +







HOWARD LIPIN / Union-Tribune 



"Music is life, passion, honesty, and - for P.O.D. - integrity," says Sonny, shown in concert with his band in February 

at SDSU's Cox Arena.







HOWARD LIPIN / Union-Tribune 



P.O.D. drummer Wuv signs autographs for friends and relatives in the Cox Arena parking lot. 

07/07/2004 www.payableondeath.com





* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *





“Payable On Death” songbooks have JUST arrived... Learn how to play “Will 

You,” “Asthma,” “Revolution” and even their epic instrumental “Eternal.”



http://secure1.netbilling.com/cs/store.cgi?merchant_id=payable&store_id=176&

act=fp





* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *





Warriors -



The “Payable On Death” u.s./canadian tour has ended and the boys have just 

returned from an explosive headline set at the 2004 Cornerstone Festival.



 







During the “Payable On Death” tour, P.O.D. took on the massive mission of 

personally meeting over 4,000 of their front line Warriors through their 100 

person meet and greets.  This was such a priority to them that they even 

traveled with a full time meet and greet coordinator.  This unprecedented 

move allowed P.O.D. to get to know you better and to hear what is going on 

in your lives on a real level.



You are beautiful...



Much love to all of you for making this tour so special!









--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You have just THREE more chances to catch P.O.D. this summer!



Sun/Aug-08 hoi polloi fest, headlining denver colorado 9:00-10:30pm 

www.hoipolloifesst.com for tickets and information





Sat/Aug-21 rock the desert, crossroads ‘04, headlining midland, texas 



www.rockthedesert.com for tickets and information





Sat/Aug. 28 street scene - 20th anniversary san diego, ca 



www.street-scene.com for tickets and information













--------------------------------------------------------------------------------







“The Passion of the Christ - Songs of Inspiration” Soundtrack





It’s been rumored for months that P.O.D. have written an original song 

inspired by ‘The Passion.’  We are now able to confirm this!



Before anyone was involved or before the film went on to become a billion 

dollar film property, P.O.D. were invited to an early screening at Mel 

Gibson’s office in Los Angeles.



As more and more celebrities and major artists saw the film and were 

impacted by it, it led to the idea to do a unique, inspired by album... 

with ALL original songs, exclusively for this record.



"This is the real deal-brutal, honest, touching," said P.O.D. singer Sonny 

Sandoval. "This film made me check my own heart and my own faith. It's not 

the fairy tale story of Christ we're all used to.  So, even before anybody 

wanted to be involved, in the heat of the controversy, I wanted to give back 

and contribute to this..."



The multi-artist soundtrack comes out the SAME day as the dvd, Aug. 31st. 

The DVD is shipping 17+ million the first week.



More details soon.......





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



HM Magazine Live Review P.O.D./Linkin Park Tour



http://www.hmmagazine.com/exclusive/pod_live_recap_from_little_rock200404/in

dex.php

www.payableondeath.com

 

“Payable On Death” over 1 million worldwide...

 





------->  P.O.D. tattoos?

 

 P.O.D. have the most loyal fans of anyone... WE KNOW THIS.

 But throughout the “Payable On Death” u.s./canadian tour, 

 P.O.D. saw some crazy tattoos that took it to a new level.  

 

 So, alright boys and girls, here’s your chance to show off 

 your work...

 

 Take a picture of your tattoo and send it to:

bbaltimorebrown@gmail.com

 

The Subject of your email MUST be “P.O.D. Tattoo” or 

 we won’t get it.

 

 We will announce soon when they are up on the web site!

 

 



 

 



--------->  Truby 

featured chapter in guitar legend book.......

 

 Shortly after Jason Truby joined P.O.D. he quickly caught the

 attention of critics and guitar enthusiasts around the world.  

“Payable On Death” just cracks the surface of what is to come 

 from this amazing player and one or Rock’s biggest bands.

 



 

“BETWEEN THE STRINGS - The Secret Lives of Guitars”

by John August Schroeder

 

 With an introduction by BB King—hailed by Rolling Stone as the greatest 

 living guitarist—the world's best share their ultimate personal glimpses inside 

 these covers. From BB to P.O.D., Humble Pie to American Pie, from "boosters" 

 to "buskers," and concert halls to stairwells, more than a hundred artists tell 

 tales of larceny, love, and laughter. It's all about life with America's favorite 

 instrument, the guitar.

  

 Each of these stories reveals something of the human spirit, as well as something 

 of the supernatural that sometimes makes its way into our ordinary, everyday existence. 

 But in every case, the variety of experiences, settings, and remarkable outcomes are 

 linked by the common celebration of life with the guitar.

  

 To paraphrase Ann Petry, "Everything you ever had, everything you ever lost. It's 

 all there in the guitar—pain and hate and trouble and peace and quiet and love." 

 There is so much more to music than meets the ears. To discover that, one needs 

 only to read "between the strings."

 

 You can order from Amazon.com, etc.....

 

 





 Also, learn to play the songs from “Payable On Death.” 

 NEW songbooks that have just arrived.

 

 DIRECT LINK:

 

http://secure1.netbilling.com/cs/store.cgi?merchant_id=payable&store_id=176&act=fp  

07/16/04

www.payableondeath.com

 

(Hit the Forums and connect with 

 Warriors around the world!)

 



 

Warriors -

 

P.O.D. have only 3 more appearances this Summer..........

 

 There’s a really cool event in Denver, CO that we want to highlight.

 

 On Sunday, August 8th, 2004 it’s the 1st Annual “HOI POLLOI Festival” 

 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, CO. 

 

 This is P.O.D.’s only and final scheduled Denver appearance for the year.

 



 

Joining P.O.D. will be a few close friends.....

 

MxPx

blindside

Squad 5-0

Further Seems Forever

and more!

 



 

 This show is going to be insane.... do what it takes to get to Denver 

 and join us for this incredible night of music and friendship.

 



 

 For more information, visit:

http://www.hoipolloifest.com/ 

for a full schedule and ticket information.

 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

 		  

             

 “1904................        “Warrior” Hockey Jersey    The NEW “Payable On Death”

home to real hardcore”                                               songbooks are here!      

 

Get your official P.O.D. stuff at:

http://secure1.netbilling.com/cs/store.cgi?merchant_id=payable&store_id=176&act=fp

 

 GREAT service!  Fast orders and QUALITY products you expect from P.O.D.!

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

07/23/04www.payableondeath.com

“the passion of the christ -  songs of inspiration” (aug. 31st)

 



 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5431542/

 

 --------------------------------------------







http://money.cnn.com/2004/06/17/news/newsmakers/forbes_stars/index.htm 

08.09.2004

www.payableondeath.com

 



 

Warriors -

 

As many of you have been hearing P.O.D. took a bold step along with several

 other multi-platinum artists to contribute to this record.  P.O.D. were one of the

 first to see the film in it’s early stages at Mel Gibson’s office in Los Angeles.

 

 Mr. Gibson even followed up a phone call to Sonny and the boys went on to

 record what many are calling their best song since “Alive.”

 

 Over 150 artists were contacted.... some were afraid, and even a couple turned 

 in songs only to run from the project at the last minute fearing it would hurt their 

 careers.

 

 We are proud of P.O.D. for standing strong and not letting us down.

 

“Love, Truly Amazing.  

 Love for the fallen.  

 Heal the broken hearted”

- “Amazing”  (P.O.D.)

 

More info and to sign up for e-news:

http://www.passionsongs.com/

 



 

 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

 

----------->  MTV.com on “Passion of the Christ: SONGS”

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1490003/20040806/creed.jhtml?headlines=true

 

 "The thing that sets this record apart from other soundtracks and compilation albums," 

MxPx singer/bassist Mike Herrera said, "is that with most records, [the producers] just 

 grab a song or grab a band [and think], 'Who's the top seller? Who's doing well in the 

 market? Who's going to make us money?' This record isn't like that. This record is about 

 being inspired by this movie and this piece of art. And that's what sets it apart from 

 everything else."  (MxPx contributed “The Empire” feat. Mark Hoppus from blink 182)

 

------------>  USA Today

http://www.usatoday.com/life/2004-08-05-coming-attractions_x.htm

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

 

Official Press Release

 







 

 (New York, NY) --- Artists inspired by Mel Gibson's epic film The

 Passion of the Christ have banded together for Passion of the Christ:

 Songs.  The album features newly recorded original songs sparked by the

 experience of seeing the film, and features the diverse lineup which

 includes tracks by former Creed singer Scott Stapp; Lauryn Hill; P.O.D.;

 Kirk Franklin featuring Yolanda Adams; Brad Paisley & Sara Evans; Third

 Day - Steven Curtis Chapman - Mercy Me; MxPx featuring Mark Hoppus;

 Charlotte Church and others. The Stapp contribution is the album's lead

 single and marks his debut as a solo artist.  The collection will also

 serve as the inaugural release for Lost Keyword Records, an imprint

 which will be marketed and promoted by Wind-up Records.  Provident will

 handle marketing and distribution in the CBA marketplace and BMG through

 the secular market.  The album will be released on August 31st, the same

 day the film's much anticipated DVD arrives at retail.  

 

 The Passion of the Christ released February 25, 2004, creating a tsunami

 of media and public interest before and after it hit theatres. The film

 from Academy Award(r)-winning director Mel Gibson is a story of courage

 and sacrifice depicting the final twelve hours in the life of Jesus

 Christ. Featuring stunning cinematography and an inspired performance by

 Jim Caviezel as Jesus, The Passion of the Christ is considered a

 triumphant and uncompromising filmmaking achievement.  To date the drama

 is credited with over $370 million box office receipts in the United

 States alone, and over $600 million worldwide.  

 

 Gibson welcomed the artists' support. "My kids think these guys are

 cool, so they must be," joked Gibson. "It means a lot to me that this

 group of artists dug my film and all wanted to contribute a song. The

 project came about very organically.  Some of the artists on the album

 saw early screenings of the film and offered to create a song because

 they had been so moved by it.  When we got similar reactions from others, 

 we knew we had something special happening."

 

 Scott Stapp, who contributed his song "Relearn Love" shared, "Mel Gibson

 again shows his genius as an artist and director.  His passion for this

 film is obvious from beginning to end. He took on a very controversial

 historical event and, in my humble opinion, displayed it with

 extraordinary artistry. All of us who have different faiths could use

 some tolerance for one another. This film depicts a timeless story of

 betrayal, forgiveness and eternal atonement.  I am blessed to have the

 opportunity to contribute 'Relearn Love' to this project."  

 

"This is the real deal-brutal, honest, touching," P.O.D. lead singer

Sonny Sandoval said of the two-hour film. The San Diego band wrote and

 recorded its contribution "Amazing" after a showing at Gibson's

 offices in November. "This film made me check my own heart and my own

 faith," Sandoval continued. "It's not the fairy tale story of Christ

 we're all used to hearing. So, even before anybody wanted to be

 involved, in the heat of the controversy, I wanted to give back and

 contribute to this. The only way for us to truly give back and raise

 awareness is through our music."  

 

Lauryn Hill offered, "The film was a visual representation of what life is 

 supposed to be for the people of God - a sinless man willingly gave himself 

 up so that others might be saved.  I was inspired by the film and proud to 

 contribute a song to this collection."  

 

 The Passion of the Christ: Songs features twelve newly recorded original

 songs.  In running order they are:

 

Third Day - Steven Curtis Chapman - MercyMe "I See Love"

 

Scott Stapp "Relearn Love"

 

P.O.D. "Amazing"

 

Brad Paisley and Sara Evans "New Again"

 

Big Dismal "Rainy Day"

 

Lauryn Hill "The Passion"

 

Kirk Franklin (Featuring Yolanda Adams) "How Many Lashes"

 

MxPx (Featuring Mark Hoppus) "The Empire"

 

Charlotte Church "Finding My Own Way"

 

BeBe Winans and Angie Stone "Miracle of Love"

 

Dan Lavery "To Give Love"

 

Big Dismal "Reason I Live"

 

[END]