Sonny Sandoval (left)—along with Marcos, Wuv, and Traa—are ready to reconnect with fans through their new album.

For some, it might seem like P.O.D. is keeping a low profile these days. After all, it's been nearly 10 years since they rose to prominence on MTV and the mainstream rock charts. But the band members have been anything but inactive, and their core fan base of "Warriors" remains strongly dedicated. Having switched from Atlantic to a partnership with Christian label INO and mainstream label Columbia, P.O.D. is pumped to start a new chapter of their career with the release of When Angels and Serpents Dance, an album that finds them taking their hard rock sound into newly eclectic territory. And just as exciting for the band is the reuniting with their original guitarist Marcos Curiel. Lead singer Sonny Sandoval chatted with Christian Music Today from a charity tour with Hard Rock Café to discuss P.O.D's changes in band roster, record label, and sound as they continue to relate with sacred and secular culture alike.

How did you get hooked up with the Hard Rock chain and what type of buzz has those dates built for your new CD?

Sandoval: Hard Rock approached us to help with [their charity] Musicians on Call and it was kind of a no-brainer—"Of course we'll do it!" It also gives us a chance to get out on the road, and we've been eager to play. We've just been doing a few fly out dates over the past year because most of the time was spent in the studio. We just played in San Diego and talked with [some Hard Rock executives] who said the shows raised more money in two weeks than any of their other bands or events they've done, which was an awesome thing. And we've gotten nothing but awesome feedback from reviews and from playing five of the new songs live. People are digging it, even though they go off a little more on the songs they already know. But with the new ones, they're just listening and trying figure out the lyrics and the groove.

As you've returned to the road, who do you see as the band's fan base?

Sandoval: It's so funny because we've been going on 16 years and this whole promo run has been filled with a lot of old-school friends. They're just like us—all married with kids now—and they're bringing their families out. When Satellite came out and we entered the whole MTV "TRL" world, we definitely gained a lot of the radio crowd, but the radio crowd comes and goes. Radio has been a blessing, but we've also built up such a loyal following—people that came out when we first started, who were brought by their parents or grandparents. It's cool that those same parents and grandparents are still coming out with them, saying how grateful they are for a band with such a good message. It may not be their style, but they appreciate the heart and soul.

At this point, do you find the audience to be more familiar with your underground Christian beginnings or the secular scene?

Sandoval: It's definitely split, but there's always been a loyalty of Warriors that get it completely. Those are the fans that love us for what we're about more than just the music. If we do a huge radio show with 50,000 people, the whole crowd sings along to the radio songs, so P.O.D.'s definitely known and recognized. Believers continue to come out and support us, and they keep doing so after such a long time, which we continue to be grateful for.

Does P.O.D. ever find a hard time fitting in with either audience?

Sandoval: We're fortunate that believers come out and support us even when we play secular venues. We've also been asked to do more conservative Christian events, like a Billy Graham crusade. We'll pray about it, but generally haven't really done them because we know people are going to come whether we're there or not and it also doesn't really seem the right fit as far as our music goes. When we're playing [more mainstream minded venues], hopefully people understand where we're coming from and see our hearts.

Do you miss the days of being the most requested band on MTV or alternative rock radio?

Sandoval: You know, bro, I 110% honestly don't. That kind of stuff doesn't do it for me and it's not my thing. Obviously it was cool for us at that point, and it put us in a position to impact more people. That was exciting, but I'm not a real camera friendly guy and am not a big show-off—I like the back of the room! These days we still have our core fan base, and that's what matters most. Having adults my age coming up and saying "I gave my life to the Lord because of your band" never gets old for me. That's just confirmation that God is using you. It's never been about fortune or fame, but rather people knowing what we're about and feeling where we're coming from. Of course, I want to put my kids through college, so success doesn't hurt, but I don't care if I'm known at all.

It's great to see you guys back on the road, but last time you toured supporting Testify, record label support from Atlantic didn't seem as strong.

Sandoval: Of course with all things, God in control and that goes for a P.O.D. record as well. That record was built during a time when everyone we had a relationship with at the label feared for their jobs—no one was really doing their jobs, just sitting in their offices waiting to be fired. We had done a video, but it was never serviced and there was no single, even though we were on the biggest tour of that year with Linkin Park. It was a little frustrating, but we didn't want to complain because there were people with 20 to 30 years of work [at Atlantic] losing their jobs, which was a really sad thing to see. After Testify, we still had one more record on our contract, and fought for a year and half to get off the label, [and they eventually did]. Luckily enough, we've since teamed up with INO/Columbia and we're stoked!

Congrats on the new deal. What led you to choose INO, a label that's more overtly Christian in scope than Tooth & Nail or Atlantic?

Sandoval: We had been approached by a bunch of different labels and were given the same old run around. But then I met [INO President] Jeff Mosley with no idea who they had on their label. We had dinner, he hung out with my family, and we were ultimately really moved by him and the heart of the label. We decided to go with them, not only because they stood on integrity and the word of God, but they were honest people who weren't trying to rip us off. They wanted to do a deal like every band where we're going in as partners—once we recoup the money [to make the album], we [split the profits fairly]. Plus they have an awesome relationship with Columbia, who's been on board with us since day one.

Outside of the new label, the big buzz is the return of Marcos to the band as guitarist. How did he re-enter the picture?

Sandoval: He had actually reached out to us when [Pantera's] Dimebag Darrell was murdered, which really struck a chord with him. Pantera broke up and Dimebag was with another band when he was shot on stage, which led Marcos to think, "Wow, that could've happened to anybody." He reached out to us two years ago—the first time we had all spoke since he left—because he missed his friends and wanted to put all our past stuff aside. He was the bigger man who did that. So we started hanging out again and at that time, none of us had any idea that Jason [Truby, Marcos' replacement,] was considering leaving to spend more time with his family. At first we concentrated on working on our friendship, but then once Jason decided to stay home, we said, "Here we are—let's hang out and jam!"

Just to set the record straight, why did Marcos leave the first time around?

Sandoval: [Success] was such a whirlwind for all of us, and things happened so fast. We were basically four ghetto kids from the streets who were touring non-stop and it became exhausting. Everything flairs in that situation and I know he wanted to do other things. It was the height of P.O.D. and we didn't want him to leave, but when it was all said and done, he went out on his own.

What's it like having him back both personally and professionally?

Sandoval: Again, we're still in the process of just getting to know each other again. As you get older and things change, you have different views and opinions. But the more time we spend with him, it just fits so naturally. Sometimes you don't always agree on everything, but at the same time, that's the reason why your love for each other is like brothers. We know each other's hearts and it's awesome because that rekindled friendship translated right into [our chemistry] in the studio.

What's behind the title When Angels and Serpents Dance?

Sandoval: Marcos brought the idea to the table and it initially started with the idea of not always seeing eye to eye. Obviously everybody knows we're getting back together and everyone knows [we've had] our differences, so that sparked it. Then I ran with the idea that it's also the every day dance you have with life. When you dance, only one half can lead and the other half can follow. What's in your life that pushes you in the direction that you're going in? That's of course open to interpretation, but it could be thought of as the inner struggle of good and evil, or this way and that way.

Now that nü-metal seems almost completely phased out, you seem to be intentional in incorporating a lot of diverse influences, like jazz and reggae. What's your take on the group's stylistic evolution?

Sandoval: Well, we never sit down and say that we're gonna write this way or that way, especially at this point in time when we're just having fun hanging out and playing music. We're still full of the same punk rock, hardcore attitude, but 16 years later, you've got guys who have matured in their playing. So they can't make the same record they did in 1994 or even 2000. We still love heavy music, but some of it is more mellow for us. When you listen back to the album at the end of the day, all the different elements keep every song from sounding the same. And people really seem to be feeling this record musically and digging in.

The Marley Sisters, Mike Muir (from the punk band Suicidal Tendencies), Page Hamilton (from hard rockers Helmet)—how did you score these guests for the album?

Sandoval: We've always brought in people we admire and respect. It's so easy to get whoever's hot on the radio, pay the right amount of money for them to come in, and then have it look like you're best friends when it's really a publicity stunt. For us, it was an honor and a privilege for them all to say yes to us. We've always vibed to Suicidal Tendencies—they come from very diverse backgrounds and Mike spoke to us about being from the streets like us. Helmet's three piece sound is undeniable and Page rarely does [an album guest slot] outside of David Bowie or Nine Inch Nails, so for him to say yes to P.O.D.—without even asking for money—says it all. The same with the Marley Sisters—they were fans and respected where our hearts were coming from, so once we asked, it was a no-brainer.

Where does P.O.D. fit within the modern music industry today?

Sandoval: Well I mean from the reviews and what not, everything is positive and awesome! We're a band who speaks about conviction and real things that are sometimes spiritual and sometimes about the streets we came from. We didn't know [back then] that we'd sell all those records and earn respect in the mainstream. But in going through that process, God opened up so many doors for us and the bands that have followed us. Today, when bands that are Christians sell records, people still ask them, "So, are you a Christian band?" But it's not asked in the same way. Now it's more, "Hey, these guys are awesome, they can hang with the best, and they have something to say as well."

For more information about P.O.D., visit our site's artist page. There you'll find past interviews and reviews, including our take on When Angels and Serpents Dance. Check out Christianbook.com for song clips and to buy P.O.D.'s music.

Copyright © Andy Argyrakis subject to licensing agreement with Christian Music Today. Click for reprint information.

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