“We don’t understand why we don’t get the same respect as the bands that came later,” says POD’s Sonny Sandoval

Despite their pivotal role in the rise of rap rock and nu metal, POD frontman Sonny Sandoval feels his band hasn’t received the recognition it deserves compared to their contemporaries. In a recent interview with Classic Rock, Sandoval shared his thoughts on the band’s legacy and their ongoing struggle to gain respect from the music industry.

POD, short for Payable on Death, has been a mainstay of the nu metal scene since their major label debut in 1999 with The Fundamental Elements Of Southtown. This album, as well as its 2001 follow-up, Satellite, were certified platinum in the United States, while their 2003 self-titled album was certified gold. Despite this, POD has not achieved the same commercial success and recognition as some of its peers.

Sandoval addressed this disparity directly, expressing confusion as to why POD hasn’t gotten the same respect as bands like System Of A Down, Korn, and Limp Bizkit. “We are among the pioneers in this field!” Sandoval exclaims. “Every time we make a record or play a concert, we don’t understand why we don’t get the same respect as the bands that came later.”

Looking back on the group’s beginnings, Sandoval notes that POD has often been mischaracterized. “When we first started, people looked at us like, ‘They’re heavy, but they rap. They must be like Body Count’. The same thing happened with Rage Against The Machine. Then Limp Bizkit came along and we were compared to them.”

Despite the challenges, Sandoval and his bandmates remain dedicated to their craft and their fans. He points out that while other bands in the genre may have more lucrative opportunities, POD continues to demonstrate its resilience and passion. “People might think we have big hits so we’ve made a lot of money, but it turns out we missed the mark. Our friends play in arenas and have money to burn, but we are here to prove that we can make it.”

POD released their eleventh studio album, Veritas, on May 3, 2024 via Mascot Records. It is the band’s first album to not feature drummer Wuv Bernardo following his hiatus in 2021.