Inside Look @ P.O.D.

by

Mike & Amy Nappa

FAST LOOK:

P.O.D. (Payable on Death) can be seen and heard at popular Christian festivals like Cornerstone and Inside Out Soul Fest. But they’re also comfortable playing with clearly mainstream artists like Ozzy Osbourne, Korn or Kid Rock. Are they a Christian band—or not?

INSIDE SCOOP:

They’re clearly on the top of the heap. P.O.D. was among Rolling Stone’s People of the Year, their albums are regularly on the Billboard charts, they’ve been featured in magazines as diverse as Christianity Today and Teen People, and the popularity of their song “Rock the Party” made them the third rock band ever to reach number one on MTV’s Total Request Live.

The dreadlock wearing, heavily tattooed and pierced band members include drummer Noah, “Wuv” Bernardo Jr., his cousin Sonny Sandoval as vocalist, and Traa Daniels on bass. Jason Truby replaced long-time P.O.D. guitarist Marcos Curiel this year. The band was initially blatant about their faith through their music and their concerts. But when secular clubs started closing their doors, P.O.D. members decided to tone down the message in order to play in venues where they believe God wants them to be. So they play alongside popular secular bands and hope their love for God shines through their actions and more subtle lyrics. So far their tactics haven’t hurt their popularity—their most recent album, Satellite, has spent plenty of time on the charts.

Christians give P.O.D. mixed reviews. Some feel the band members should be obvious about their faith and include more lyrics mentioning God. Some can’t stomach the power rock-rap blast that mixes reggae, hip-hop, and hardcore rock. And parents aren’t sure they want their kids going to P.O.D. concerts as the band generally shares billings with bands that have parental warning labels affixed to their CD’s.

Band members don’t want to offend, but they also don’t want to back down when they have opportunities to mingle with those who need to hear about God the most. They tell kids to obey their parents—even if it means not coming to P.O.D. concerts—while they do their best to minister to the hurting. Explains Wuv, “It’s because of our love for God. God has been so real in our lives that we are enabled to do that. There is no way any band is going to rub off on P.O.D. more than P.O.D. is going to rub off on another band because, dude, we’ve already been there.”

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT P.O.D.

“They planted a seed in my heart…They showed love for the kids.”

—Chris Diaz, a former drug user who turned to God after a P.O.D concert

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“Too edgy for many homes, P.O.D. provides a godly alternative for teens already attracted to hardcore.”

—Plugged In

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“Hopefully more bands in the Christain market can follow P.O.D’s example of high quality and creativity, rather than trying to save the world with lyrics of hope set to music of second-rate quality.”

—Andy Argyrakis in Christianity Today.com

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“ Wow. They have what I want, inside. I find their music very inspirational, not in the old, hokey evangelical sense but in something that I can relate to.”

—Rick Sudakoff of Atlantic Records

LOOKING INSIDE…:      

Use these questions to spark family discussion about P.O.D.:

---Fans of P.O.D. are called “Warriors” because they’re fighting the good fight for Christ (1 Timothy 6:12). How do you think Christians should fight for Christ in our culture?

---If a group of Christians form a band, should they only sing about God? Why or why not?

---C.T. Studd, a famous missionary, said, “Some wish to live within the sound of church and chapel bell. I wish to run a rescue mission within a yard of hell.” How do think this quote relates to P.O.D.? How does this quote relate to your own life?

[SIDEBAR]

If members of your family like P.O.D. then you may want to check out:

---Turn the Tides. 38^th Parallel (Squint Entertainment)

Like P.O.D., 38^th Parallel combines hard rock intensity with creative musical influences to deliver thoughtful songs on Christian themes. Moving easily from rock choruses to rap-metal effects, they address issues from forgiveness to questions about God to AIDS.  Though not obviously Christian in their lyrics, they still provide a positive alternative to mainstream metal bands.

Highlights on their Turn the Tides album include “Higher Ground”—a plea for a friend to live life from God’s perspective—and driving word picture-song, “Three Times Denied.”

---The Beautiful Letdown. Switchfoot (Sparrow Records)

Though the band is made up of surfer guys from Southern California, make no mistake: Switchfoot is nothing like the Beach Boys! Their inventive, mature rock stylings brim with a unique freshness that’s rare among Christian bands. Like P.O.D. and 38^th Parallel, they tend toward a softer lyrical approach in terms of overt references to Jesus. But for those who recognize the language, messages of faith abound as the group explores the “tensions of being human” with a positive outlook.

Ear-catching melodies from their third CD, The Beautiful Letdown, include the call to spiritual success, “Meant to Live,” and the punk-influenced “Adding to the Noise.”

[END]

[BIO LINE] Mike & Amy Nappa are renowned cultural commentators, best-selling and award-winning authors, and creators of the Internet magazine for families, www.FamilyFans.com