P.O.D. – Payable On Death

P.O.D. – Payable On Death

March 28, 2014

Interview: Leslie Rae Terhorst

Photography: Derek Plank

e met up with POD at the Rock and Roll San Diego studio where they were rehearsing for up coming shows in Houston, Phoenix to perform at a NASCAR event, and the off to South America. Once they get back they are putting on a free concert here in San Diego on March 22nd at the new San Diego Harley Davidson for their Grand Opening.

It seems every time we get together with POD, it turns into a reminiscing session. Considering my husband (Brian) has known them for nearly 20 years. A good friend with their uncle Rob, Brian has spent a lot of time with the family. Dinners, BBQ’s, and they even got him to dress up in an authentic Batman costume for Wuv’s son’s b-day. He scared the crap out of the kids, but it is memories like this that still fuel conversations. Another topic that always pops up is when POD played at Brian’s bar he owned on El Cajon Blvd. called the Madhouse. Even though Marcos had to be escorted in, (he wasn’t 21,) you could tell back then that they were going somewhere. “When we started over 20 years ago we just played San Diego. Then somebody wanted us to play L.A. and other places, and we took it step by step. There were never any goals or dreams of signing to a major label or traveling the world or being a rock star. No one ever thought that way,” said Sonny Sandoval.

“When we started over 20 years ago we just played San Diego… There were never any goals or dreams of signing to a major label, traveling the world or being a rock star. No one ever thought that way,”

Over the last two decades, the group has sold over 10 million albums.

On September 11, 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. Their 8^th studio album Murdered Love’s lead single, "Lost in Forever (Scream)", charted at No. 12 on the mainstream rock charts, No. 1 on Active Rock, and No. 1 on Christian Rock. Music trends have come and gone, but P.O.D.’s fan base has seemingly only grown stronger. Wuv Bernardo − drums, percussion, rhythm guitar, backing vocals, Marcos Curiel − lead guitar, programming, backing vocals, Traa Daniels − bass guitar, backing vocals, and Sonny Sandoval − lead vocals, make up this amazing talented bunch of San Diego natives.

A few years ago POD teamed up with San Diego Harley Davidson (SDHD). Brought together by HD Executive Dino Bernacchi a huge fan of the band, he felt they were a perfect fit. Since then POD has been putting on free concerts at SDHD, in return each member of the band received a custom Harley they could customize themselves. “While we were waiting for our bikes to arrive from the factory, SDHD gave us full access to all the bikes,” states Wuv, he continues “we could take which ever bike we wanted, everyday if that’s what we chose. We tested all the different models, so when our bikes arrived we could have them tailored specifically for each of us.” This was definitely a well though-out process, these customs Harley’s are insane. SDHD has even built POD a rehearsal studio inside the new location. “They were cool enough to give us a spot to rehearse, so if we’re there, people can come by and check us out.” POD and Harley seem to be a match made in heaven.

If you didn’t get a chance to see them at the SDHD show, you can always catch one of their side project bands. Wuv’s been performing with Southtown Generals, which is an American Reggae Rock Band. Members include – lead vocals by Tim Pacheco, drums Wuv Bernardo, bassist Dante Thomas from the band Agua Dulce, guitarist Anders Pellmark^[2] and keyboardist Jimmy Kiy. Wuv also joined forces with Reginald Quincy "Fieldy" Arvizu of the band Korn to create the band Stillwell. Sonny created The Whosoever with Brian "Head" Welch (formerly of Korn) and Lacey Sturm of Flyleaf, “Bad Guys Doing Good,” according to Sonny. If you get a chance, check out these bands as well.

I can’t give enough praise to these guys, for their stand on faith, family, and music. These guys are the real deal. Thanks so much, and keep rockin’…….