Essay Sample: World Music
Publication Date:
San Diego Rockers P.O.D.
The local music atmosphere in San Diego is very diverse embracing groups from a wide variety of genres. The genre which I have personally come to appreciate, and which I will cover for this paper is rock. It seems to me as this as is a common theme all over San Diego, and a genre that you find in concerts in the park, at bars, in clubs, among buskers on the sidewalks and more. As I researched all the different group and individual artist, I noticed rock has a large presence in the San Diego area, with some local artists being more famous than others. For example, some of the most well-known artists from the area include Eddie Vedder, Tom Waits, and Blink 182. Although these artists are national icons, they are still representatives of the local Sand Diego, and represent the rest of the bands and single artist in San Diego, in terms of musical approach. The band I interviewed was P.O.D., who are a pretty new band in San Diego. They have made a great name for themselves, in part by doing something that is not traditional to the rock Genre. Rather, they have mixed together multiple musical styles, or influences, creating a different style of music that sounds really great.
More specifically, what sets P.O.D. apart from the other bands, and their rock music, is P.O.D’s unique fusion of punk and rock. As a result, you can hear the influences of those genres’ many roots, which is comprised of metal, rap, dub, and hardcore rock, making them an instant hit all over Southern California.
The band has put out multiple singles which became hits, and that have been at the top of the charts, not only in San Diego but all around the world the United States. Their most well known tracks include “Alive,” “Youth of the Nation,” “Southtown”, and “Rock the Party (off the Hook)”. Also, the singles off their newest album “Soundboy Killa” and “Rockin’ With the Best” have been well received. When asked about these tracks, and how they would prepare listeners for further singles released from their most recent album “Circles” the band replied that “These tracks are really representative of what we have tried to do with this album. I think it just really shows that we are going to be true to P.O.D., always. Our sound is unique. So our fans can expect us to keep giving it to them.” This demonstrates that the band has a firms sense of who they are as artists, and what they want to do musically, moving forward.
One of the things that I had noticed, when listening to their newer work, and comparing it to some of their older stuff, was that it is clear that, while they have always had their own unique sound, they have also evolved significantly over time. I wanted to know more about that evolution, so I asked them how this album compares to their previous work, and whether or not they would have put tracks, like these on their earliest albums. They responded that they would not have because: “we have been on a journey, both musically, and in terms of our lives, and experiences. I don’t think you can plan those journeys or where they will take you. We didn’t set out to make THIS record; we just wanted to make good music, and we had a feeling or a sound that we were trying to capture and what you are hearing here is what came from that.” Another band member noted that it is really just the result of the influences in their lives, and that he could not have been the same artist today, as he was in ’92, when the band started because “the music that we listen to has evolved, the experiences that lead us to write songs in a certain way has evolved, everything is just different.” This also means that their next album will be a continuation of that evolution, because they are still, and always, learning and growing as artists.
Speaking to them about their influences, I wanted to know who they would consider their biggest influences. They laughed when asked this question and said: “I remember in our earliest days, doing cover songs and covering Rage Against the Machine.” They then went on to say that they have a really long list of influences, starting with Bob Marley, and reaching forward to some of California’s most recent bands, including the 311.
Given this wide range of influences, it is not surprising to see the way that they have been doing compilations or collaborations with other Southern California talents. More specifically, they have been working with many other artists locally and in Los Angeles to collaborate to explore new opportunities and sounds. As such, I wanted to know to what degree they feel like the San Diego music scene, or their roots as San Diego artists, are still influencing them artistically. All of the band members began nodding their heads in agreement “OH yeah !” one said, another used the word “Always” to describe this local influence. “The art on the album covers, the lyrics, little riffs that we heard someone busking down town, you name it. It all comes back to the city. This is home. Where we live. If you listen to our song “Always Southern California in Our Head” it really describes the way that this place is always with us, and just so important to us, not just musically but also socially, and as a place where we can come back to and just be ourselves. San Diego will always be the place that we come back to, where we are grounded.”
This led me to consider the more social and political aspects of their work and their writing. Because they mentioned feeling moved by the sights and sounds that are important to the city, I thought that it was really relevant to consider the way that it has influenced their areas of concern. As such, I asked in what ways they were using their music “as a platform” More specifically, I wanted to know how the were aware of the social concerns and culture that surrounds the band, and asked if the music was “consciously attempting” to send a message. The band replied that “yes absolutely” they were trying to do that. “It’s always kind of been like that. I mean, if you go back to the lyrics on albums like ‘Satellite’, or ‘Youth of the Nation’ you can pick out songs that were super relevant to what the world was going through then. We are responsible for tuning in to the things that our fans are thinking about, and helping to give it a voice.”
Overall, meeting with P.O.D. was a rewarding experience. It is clear that they, as a band, have stayed true to their San Diego roots and influences, but have not been afraid to grow artistically, and have allowed their sound to evolve. They remain loyal to, and interested in the city where they go their start and return there often. What makes the bad so original is their one-of-a-kind sound, which has actively incorporated those favorite sounds, or influences, from other artists, and genres, both new and old, providing a rich and eclectic final sound. I am glad that working through this course has made me more aware of the local music culture and to P.O.D, and I look forward to listening to their next album, to see what influences have been added, and how the music has changed to voice the concerns of fans, and to remain relevant and embrace the change, and an ever evolving world.