Highwire Daze: Introduce yourself and tell me what you do in P.O.D.

Sonny: My name is Sonny and I am the throat for P.O.D.

HD: Where is the band from and how long have you guys been together?

Sonny: We are from the South Town San Diego, California. We have been together for almost seven years now.

HD: Describe the music of P.O.D. to someone who has never heard it before.

Sonny: Our music is a colaboration of four diferent characteristics. Each one of us adds a different element to our sound. We like heavy, melodic guitars with phat soulfull grooves topped with aggressive rap vocals. Basically, whatever we write that we feel sounds good, we're going to play. I don't think we have too many boundaries on our music. We just play what we feel.

HD: You refer to your band as a ministry. Do you feel like a minister?

Sonny: I feel like I have something to share with whoever might listen.

HD: What are some of the subjects you tend to write about in the songs?

Sonny: We try to stay away from issues as much as possible, but sometimes if we feel really compelled to lay it down then we'll do so. We write about our experiences as Christians. We write about the power of God in our lives. And then sometimes just about the love and goodness of God.

HD: The last song on your E.P. seems to talk about questioning ones belief in God. Is that accurate and have you ever questioned your beliefs?

Sonny: I never questioned my belief, but I questioned whether or not I have what it takes to walk in this world as a believer. It's not easy to be one who tries to follow the examples of Christ. But the bible says that God will give me the strength to do so in a world that hates me. I wasn't raised in the church or grew up a Christian in any way, but recognized myself and how I was living. That last song is actually a testimony of when I became a Christian. I watched my mother pass away of cancer at the age of 37 and she was a Christian the last years of her life. And her example to me as a Christian made me think about life and the world around me. It's easy to follow the world and live life with no conviction. I had been doing that since I learned the word," No." But it takes power to walk and talk like Christ did. To love and serve those around me. To walk in humility. It's not easy at all, but I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

HD: Do you feel that with being signed to Atlantic, that you'll get the opportunity to reach more people?

Sonny: Sure enough, Atlantic Records has a history, (they are) one of the largest labels out there. So if they do their half of the deal and sell records, then people will first listen to the music and then what we have to say.

8. What do you think of the Black Metal scene that is getting popular with it's Satanic imagery?

Sonny: I guess it depends on who's doing it. I know a lot of it is fake and some do it for the attention. But then again there are others who really do believe, and live thier lives accordingly. But I guess you could say the same for the Christian music scene. My heart's desire as a Christian is to love everyone and hopefully show a new light of God. Most of the world's outlook on Christians and God today just flat out suck. The sad thing is, that example was set by those who call themselves Christians, but we as individuals hope to change that.

HD: When one thinks about certain forms of Christianity, one thinks of narrow minded, opinionated people. What are your views on people who preach the gospel for profit, who spew out hate (aka racism, homophobia)instead of love?

Sonny: It makes me sick to be honest with you. That is exactly what I was saying about examples. Most of the world claims to be Christian, but their lives don't reflect that of Christ in any way. Seems to me like Jesus got a bum rap. All these people claim to follow him but wouldn't even recognize him at a P.O.D. show. (ha ha)

HD: If an Athiest kid came up to you and said he really dug your music but not the message, what would you say to him?

Sonny: I would thank him for just liking our music. At least he didn't hate us or throw away our CD because we're Christians. It's not our responsibility to live other peoples lives. That is a choice that God freely gives every single one of us to make. We only hope that this kid might see a difference in us.

HD: What are P.O.D.'s future plans? Any chance for L.A. dates soon?

Sonny: We fly to New York tomorrow to write music for the upcoming Oliver Stone movie, ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, with Al Pacino, Jamie Fox, Cameron Diaz, etc. We hope to play L.A. any chance we can. As for P.O.D., we take it one day at a time. We're blessed to be alive and to have made it this far.

HD: If there was one thing you'd like to leave someone with after hearing P.O.D.'s music, what would it be?