P.O.D. stops by Vancouver, Canada
Mr. Fury-(which
is his Frozen Warrior name)
Well, fellow warriors, Nick here - 1 of 2 Canadian street reps from
BC -
I thought I'd give an official run down of how the last two days have
gone
First of all, God is good...dear me, with out him I don't think I
would
have gotten to the show in Vancouver on Sunday.
Day 1: the concert
I worked until 4pm and
had to catch the 5pm ferry (a 45 min drive from
where I work...and it was raining and slow traffic) but we made it
to
the show, even after a 30minute ferry delay and got in about 15 mintues
before the boys went on
The crowd was packed in at about 400, small venue, and excellent views
from everywhere. My friend and I worked out way up to about 1 row
from
the front...spectacular set.
The guys rocked out - intensely - Revolotion and Change the World
were
my two faves...Sonny would come down into the pit soooo much and it
was
like we were all just chillin, at times he was inches from my face
as I
helped hold him above the crowds - Tatoo Mike was always there making
sure SOnny wasn't gettin in too deep - it was a rock show and I worship,
God was there man, in a pub, speaking through 4 hardcore guys from
SD...rad rad rad
Yeah, so time and time again, I'd see Sonny point into the crowd and
sometimes it felt he was listening to ME sing, at least he saw me
singing - my own dreads flailing as I burst - I'd see the smile on
his
face and he scream lyrics full of passion and enegery, the guys were
on
this night. Then it happened...Wuv burst in with the tribal beat of
YOTN and the
crowd began to sway, chant and sing in unison as Sonny began the
unfortunate story...when the chorus came he pointed down into the
crowd
and threw the mic from the stage, it seemed as tho the few people
in
front of me parted like th red sea and the mic fell into my hands
- i
couldn't believe it -
I began to sing the chorus, myself tight on the mic for but a second,
then realizing, this wasn't my song, it was OUR song and held the
mic
out as my brothers and sisters in the pit pulled out the chorus...Sonny
got the mic back and kept the song rolling in the verse and again
chucked the mic out to another fan for another chorus....good times
To top it off, Wuvvy threw out his sticks at the end of the show,
and I
got hold of one, it was blessings upon blessings...
The show ended and i was still in awe...such an intimate venue, I
felt
like we were just chillin with SOnny, he was so close, and I know
he
felt what I felt, that God was moving in the crowd, people worshiped
there...
Day 2: mtv Canada
I showed up at the the
studios early, to hang with my friends at MTV (I
was an intern there in the summer) I chilled with Brian Adler, the
host,
talked with him about POD and the show - he was there too - we talked
about the interview and I helped him brainstorm on his questions he'd
ask. He also asked me to think of an 'audience question' I'd ask from
the crowd, what an honour!
After meeting with Brian I began tatooing the studio with POD posters
-
then handed some out to the MTV street team to put up down town, with
ads for POD's appearance in studio alter that day.
I hooked up with Mark outside, the other BC street teamer who I'd
met
(along with his wife) at the show the night before.
We went back up to the MTV studios and were officially introduced
to the
band, how sweet man, we hung out and chatted with the boys for a bit
- I
told them I lived on an island, I believe Sonny said something like
"Dude, there's an island?!" hehe, and we talked about island
surfing for
a bit...we just chilled for about 10 minutes, then left them after
getting some pics for the website.
I hooked up everyone in the audience with some POD gear, just some
stickers and bookmarks and stuff, and they were all stoked to see
the
band - we even gave out some autographed posters during the taping
-
The show went off great; POD are a rad interview, great, humble guys.
Brian talked with them for about 4 minutes, I asked Sonny my question
about over coming your nerves on stage (sonny used to sing with his
back
to the crowd) and everyone on set was happy...
POD was leaving the studio and were getting pictures with the fans
and
hangin out - Wuv and I even exchanged handshakes, though his was waaaaay
cooler than my 'salmon shake' hahaha...yes...I had to get some dorkness
in at some time - he got a kick outta it tho
all in all, POD at the crew were represented in full force, and I
think
Vancouver now knows that POD are a major force in the industry
Mark and I had a wicked time, thanks to POD, Dean our street team
co-ordinator and of course, with out God, none of this would have
been
possible.
806-(Long way to
14 is his Frozen Warrior name(8+0+6))
We found out on friday that we were going to the show.My wife and
I were
REALLY EXCITED.We arrived at the show on sunday at 6:00 two hours
before
show time, so we could put up some posters.We met two of the Warnrer
bro
reps and told them we were part of the street team.My wife and I put
up
posters all around the venue,and as people were coming in we handed
out
bookmarks,stickers and window clings.
Finally it was show time.This was by far the best concert I've ever
seen(and I've seen alot of great bands)the guys sounded so tight,they
did'nt miss a beat,Truby ROCKS on guitar!!!!!!.My favs live were I
and
Identify, revolution and freedom fighters.
On Monday I was in Vancouver most of the day putting up posters around
town.I met up with Nick and we went in the MTV studios.When we walked
in
P.O.D.were in a room in the studio,I couldn't believe it.We hung out
with them for a while,talking and watching MTV,they signed my cd,and
we
were able to take some pics of us with the band.
P.O.D. are some of the nicest guys I've ever met.
Thank you so much Dean for getting us the tickets,it was an experience
I'll never forget,and thanks to my bro Nick,you rock dude.
Nick Fury, MTV Canada DJ Brian Adler, and Mark (outkast806)
Nick and Mark hangin' with their homeboys P.O.D.
Mark & Nick with MTV Canada peeps
Mark, Nick, & P.O.D.
Nick, DJ Adler, and Mark
DC Warrior & Co. attack Last Call with Carson Daly
so, my bud, Jones, and I leave from DC at 6:00am and get to NYC right around 10:00am. No real traffic problems, woo hooo. WE find a parking garage about 2 blocks from the NBC studios for $33 for the day, we'll take it.
We walk around the studios and Rockefellar plaza a bit and figure out exactly where we have to go for the show later. so, now off to do some sight seeing.
after a while trying to figure the subway system out, we take the number1 train to the south end to where the Statue of Liberty is. we pay the $10 to ride the ferry to the island even though you still cant go up in the statue. it's been closed since 9/11. it was still worth getting up close to the statue, it really is remarkable.
It's trying to rain while we're taking the ferry back to Manhattan, but we're within wakling distance of ground zero, so we take the hike. words can't describe being here so I won't even try to do it justice. just two notes, i got pretty ticked off with the people selling pictures of the attack on the street. it was just very tasteless to me. the other thing was the cross made from the I beams, that was really cool to see that it is still up there. so, here's a pic of that:
by this time, its getting to be just a couple hours from when we gotta be at the studios, so we take the train back up to Times Square area, walk around there a little, eat at the Sbarro and then head to the studios.
we're there around 3:30pm, we go sit in an already forming line in the hallway and wait.
Finally, Juan gets there later, ahaha. He has our names on a list to get taken into the studio first and for a meet and greet after the show taping. we get our wristbands and tickets and are ushered into the studio. for the interview part, we're in the 4th row. they tell us when its time for the music, we'll all get up and go over and stand.
the show starts taping, we see the "dreamy" Carson for the first tims, ahahaha First guest, Brendan Fraser, then Kathy Griffin. now its music time!!!!!!!
they move the cameras to the music stage then start moving the crowd over. this is where things got a little messed up. we were told since we're the street team we'd be up front for the show, we were seated in the 4th row for the interview time, then when they moved the audience over, they did it row by row, so we had 3 rows of people ahead of us. in a normal concert setting, that is no problem for my to get up front, and i think this will be no problem cuz they're telling us they want us to go crazy during the performance.
well once we're all moved, I see a mid 50's to 60 something year old man front row center standing. then, literally right in front of me is a probably 60 year old woman who, right after they once again tell us to go crazy, she literally turns around to me and my buddy and says "will you be careful not to bump me, I just had neck surgery."
WHAT!! i dont know if this is hilarious or upsetting.
when the guys come out, i try to move around her some, but she's standing solid, and I sure don't want to even touch her. I move tot eh side a bit and there are 2 mid 20 years old females. so the music starts and I try to get into it and they two girls turn around, look at me, laugh some and duck. but they were real cool about it all, so I didnt go tooo crazy.
anyway, the guys break out with "Execute the Sounds" woo hooo! I was so into it and so excitied, I don't really know how everything sounded. I was just trying to have a blast, cuz I knew it was gonna be short.
The song ends, Carson comes out and asks a couple questions to the guys and its over. everyone leaves except us few for the meet and greet. the guys come back out and we all hang out and talk and get autographs and pics for a short time. but it was a good time. we had to clear the studio kinda quck cuz they were gonna be taping another show. so, here's my pic with the guys in the back of the studio:
Here's my buddy Jones with them, too:
so we leave the studio area and get some pics with all the Warriors/street teamers that were there:
Here's my buds, Jones and Juan, and myself, before we depart:
so we go outside and catch a quick pic of the skating rinkk in Rockefellar plaza before we head home.
so, i take my pic of the rink first, then Jones is taking his and I see some guy with a blonde mohawk. as I look a little closer I see a familiar face. It turns out to be Puck from the Real World San Francisco. We say, hey Puck, and he walks over to us. we ask to get a picture with him and he's all about it.
when him and I are posing, he's all into it and says, alright you look at the camera and I'm gonna look at you so you get a good shot of my mohawk. this dude is just like he acted on the show. he was a trip, he was soooo into us taking pics with him, we would take the pics and he would say, "HEY, let me see how that turned out" I think he was real proud of his hair too, he was telling us to touch it and "see, how it bounces back like that" it was a trip.
so we hit the car and drove home with no traffic problems. it was such a fun full day!
peace and many
blessings.
Brian
Sarah (sasasasatellite) At Last Call
It is a such a blessing to be part of this warrior family. P.O.D. has had such an impact on me, so you can just guess what it felt like knowing I was going to meet them in just a few days at Last Call with Carson Daly. I heard about it on a Saturday and the show was Tuesday. Tuesday, I went to school for half of the day. I have a hard enough time concentrating in class, and I have to say it was much harder knowing I was gonna see P.O.D. in just a matter of hours. I thought that last bell was never going to ring, but it did and I was out of there in a second.
I'm in northern
NJ, only about 45 minutes from New York City,..I love NYC, I always
have an awesome time when I'm there. At NBC studios I met some other
warriors/street teamers and before I knew it, I was in the audience
of Last Call (ok so it wasn't that quick). NYC + the warriors + P.O.D...what
could be better, right? The show seemed to go by pretty fast, the
whole time P.O.D. was on my mind. Finally it was time. We were told
we were going to be right in the front for the performance, but they
brought us in by rows so that didn't really work. but once I caught
sight of the guys, I didn't care I was just ready to rock out.
I was expecting them to play Will You, being the lead single, but
right when Jason started playing I was surprised to hear the song
off the new album that I wanted to see them play live the most - Execute
the Sounds. The guys played awesome (of course), I didn't want the
song to end. I couldn't believe I was watching them make that music
that means so much to me, right before my eyes. Now everytime I listen
to that song, I feel like I'm there again.
When the song was over, Carson asked them a few questions..about Jason,
the San Diego fires..and then it was time to meet the band. You have
no idea how much I was looking forward to that moment. One day before
I heard about the whole thing, my mom told me she was praying for
something like this to happen to me since I was really struggling
with something. God has really showed me His amazing love and grace.
Jason, Traa, Wuv, and Sonny came out to meet us warriors, I couldn't
believe they were standing in front of me. I have no idea how I stayed
calm haha. We shook hands and we passed around stuff to get signed.
And like everyone says, they really are nice, down to earth guys.
There wasn't much time to talk with them since there was another show
soon to be taped, so we got pictures with them and my awesome day
was coming to an end (nooo!).
Everytime I think about that day, I pray for P.O.D. and that they
would continue to be a blessing to people like they are to me. P.O.D.
is so much more than a band. They are an inspiration to all the warriors
worldwide, they've opened my eyes and my heart to so much, I can't
even begin to express my thankfulness for them.
I'm so glad I could be part of the promotion for this new album, P.O.D.
means so much to me, I'd support them any way possible.
I am more excited than ever about this upcoming tour in January '04.
I can't wait to experience them live in concert, I wish I could just
stalk their tour bus and see them at all of the concerts haha.
much warrior love,
Sarah
pic courtesy of www.socalindie.com
pic courtesy of www.socalindie.com
“Truby,
Truby, Truby, Truby, Truby”………I couldn’t
help myself from smiling as all the warriors starting
chanting Jason’s name, showing our love, and gratitude for what
he has done for this band. I just want to
state right now I’ve seen people here there say the guys and sonny
aren’t good live…well let me tell you
right here, and now you are mistaken my friends the guys simply tear
the place up live, and sonny is
near perfect on vocal performance. I am and getting ahead of myself
now, let me start from the beginning
and get back on track. Outside the Jimmy Kimmel show building there
was a line of warriors waiting in
anticipation to be let into the building, and ready to rock out to the
boys. They let us in about 30 minutes
before the guys where set to perform, so the warriors just had a blast
catching up, and getting to know
each other. There was nothing but smiles across every warriors face
as we looked at Wuv’s awesome
new drum riser, which goes along with the art theme that is in the album
case. The jimmy Kimmel people
told us too go crazy and scream on camera but we were like, you goes
don’t even have to ask,
if only you know how the warriors are.
So finally it was
show time, and Jimmy Kimmel came out to announce P.O.D., and he said,
“okay here
is the multi-platinum rock band P.O.D., who are the nicest guys with
tattoo’s you’ll ever meet who are
going to be performing their hit single Will You”. Once he finished
saying this it just totally went nuts,
the guys began playing Will You, and all the warriors where singing
along to every lyric. The guys performed
Will You, Youth of The Nation, Execute the sounds, Wildfire, and finally
southtown. The guys said they were
going to play till the Kimmel people cut them off, and they did. They
had just finished Wildfire, when
someone came to sonny and said they could only play one more, sonny
was disappointed, he wanted to
keep rocking out! So he asked the crowd what they wanted to hear Revolution,
or Southtown, half the
crowd was yelling Revolution, and the other half Southtown but Southtown
eventually won. They tore into Southtown,
and that got the place really jumping. All the guys during the whole
5 song set never stopped smiling, they drew
so much energy off the warriors, You could tell on the guys faces they
were having the times of their lives like
us warriors! After the show was done everyone was talking how awesome
that performance was, even the people
who were not warriors watching were shocked how powerful this performance
was.
The two highlights
of the night were, when after they just finished up Execute the sounds,
all the
warriors started chant, “Truby, Truby, Truby, Truby”! Jason
was blushing, and looked embarrassed with
a big smile on his face, and could only say, “cut it out”
into his mic. A very funny moment that they
were supposed to get on air but never did was when all the guys traded
instruments, Jason on
vocals, Wuv on bass, Traa on drums, and Sonny on guitar. They were supposed
to show this right
before a commercial brake, but the cameramen made a mistake and it ended
up not showing during
the show, It was a great show by, in my opinion the best band in the
world.
Blessings
Josh
-----
The guys played Will You, Youth of the Nation, which I had two 'solos'
in ahaha that you guys didnt even see
on tv, Wildfire which by the way KILLS live, Execute the Sounds with
its smooth ragga vibes, and Southtown.
They were supposed to play Alive, but they told the guys they only had
one more song and Sonny was like what??
So he started saying ok you want old skool or new skool, half of us
were screaming for Revolution, the other half for
Southtown. Even though I was screaming for Revolution, once Southtown
started I was so happy that they did Southtown.
The intensness of
the performance was so dope. We all loved it. The guys were just so
full
of energy and definately vibing off the warriors. Everyone was singing
along and it felt good.
jj - Warrior Klan Set
STUDIO UPDATE
Hey
everybody, my name is Matthew and I recently got a chance to meet P.O.D
for the
very first time....while recording their new album nonetheless! But
before we get to that I
gotta backtrack a bit, cause it's just too awesome how this came together.
As you've no
doubt read by now in the first studio report, the great people at the
Warrior Klan were nice
enough to bring along the portrait I made for the guys as they headed
down to the studio
for a meeting one week. Thankfully the guys loved it, haha, and since
it was the first one
they've received that included Jason, It'll be on it's way home to Arkansas
with him where he's already thought of a spot to hang it :)
So
as you can imagine, I was stoked to hear the guys enjoyed my artwork!
I was actually
giddy for the first time in my life haha, and it didn't even get time
to sink in before the next
bombshell hit me the very next day. A rumor on TheSouthtown.com
forums which stated
that a certain legendary Christian guitar player in Nashville would
be making a guest appearance
on "Payable On Death".
The man Phil Keaggy himself,
or as the fam calls him "Uncle Pete".
My great uncle, whose music has surrounded me since I can remember,
might actually team
up with my favorite band on one of the most anticipated albums ever!
A few short paragraphs
via an e-mail later that night from my Uncle Pete confirmed that, indeed,
he had been asked to
take part on P.O.D's new album from the "new guy" in town
Jason Truby. Like countless other
guitar players out there today, Phil had a huge impact on Jason's life
as he started plucking
away at the strings, and now they were flying Phil and his son out to
the studio for a jam session.
As
with P.O.D, I painted a portrait of my uncle and sent him a pic so he
would be prepared
to take it back on the plane with him. So they arrived safely and ended
up staying with Jason
and his family at the hotel where he stumbled across a painting with
the same style as the
one I showed him before he left. "Does that say Matthew there?"
asked Phil to which Jason
recounted how he got it. "That's my nephew" said Phil to which
Jason replied "No way"....
"Yes way"........ "Dude"......... "Dude!".........
ok I completely made up those
quotes but you get the general idea. haha
Now
knowing how much I like P.O.D, Phil vouched for me and got the ok for
me and my
parents to come on down. Phil and Jason spent several hours in the studio
just playing
off each other and making it up as they went along. Sadly, the recording
was all over by the
time we arrived but that hardly tarnished the day. We pulled up and
there he was outside
the studio, classic beret and all. It was great to see him after so
many years, funnier than
ever of course :). After a few minutes he lead us into the building
and down a dark corridor
where P.O.D and Management were holding the tail ends of a meeting.
Phil introduced us
and I got to shake hands with the guys, I wish I could remember more
but it's sorta a blur
right now lol. The talk went to the custom figures I made, where I said
I would be starting
a Sleeping Awake set soon which set off a few ideas for Jason's pose,
such as breaking the
guitar on Traa's arm, jumping from high in the air, and spinning the
guitar.
Phil
then lead me into the production room so the guys could finish up the
meeting, where
he cued one of the pieces they recorder earlier. Let me just tell you,
if you've never heard
Phil Keaggy's music, or even
if you have, this is gonna blow you away! I have never heard
guitars sound so breathtaking, so beautiful......It's hard to explain,
and this was just a rough
cut! Everyone seemed to gravitate to the room as it played, and soon
it was packed. Sonny
said that's the winner for the best solo Instrumental Rock Grammy for
sure and everyone agreed.
We got to hear another great piece of music before heading out into
the daylight for some picture takin'.
Just
when I think it's over, Sonny asks "Hey, wanna hear some of the
new stuff?"..............um.....yeah!
lol, He warned they were just rough mixes but my ears have no training
so I didn't notice at all.
They rolled down 3 AMAZING tracks with the volume so loud it had my
knees shakin'! I truly
know what the term "Beauty Heavy" means now. Man, Sonny is
really putting himself out there
vocally and everything is clicking in the right spots. The addition
of Jason's style of play has really
brought a whole new level of intensity to this band. Everyone is at
the top of their game. I know
you guys are craving for more detailed information on the new stuff
but
just hang in there, it's gonna be well worth the wait!
It
was just about time to go as Wuv pulled out the producer's chair and
called me over for a
photo :) Maybe I'll get some assistant producer credits on the album?
haha jk. I had a great
time there, followed by dinner with Phil and Jason at their hotel. A
huge thanks to P.O.D for
inviting me into the studio, you guys are truly a blessing. Another
huge thanks to my uncle
Pete, and of course the Warrior Klan for making me feel like part of
the famila. :)
November
4th 2003 is set in stone warriors, this album will not be delayed!
-Matthew Smith-
Sonny checking out the Warrior Klan Ask P.O.D. E-mail, taking some time answering some questions.
Howard Benson checking out the artwork.
As
usual, I got an instant message saying something was going down and
my presence was needed. Only unlike other times,
this one was informing me in advance. Traditionally, we find out about
P.O.D. events the day that they are going on or the night
before. This one was planned because we had some very specific things
to do for the Warrior Klan. So on Wednesday afternoon,
we headed down to the undisclosed location of the studio where P.O.D.
is recording their next album, ‘Payable On Death’. As we got
to our destination, we were notified that the guys were in vocal lessons.
We hung out in the lounge with John Rubeli, the A&R from
Atlantic that signed P.O.D. We discussed the latest developments of
which are being kept secret and caught up.After vocal lessons were
done, we were startled by Wuv, who made it a point to yell ‘Hey!’
when entering the room. We sat down and discussed everything that
we wanted to do with the fan club with P.O.D. putting their input in
and attempting to make everything top quality for all you Warriors.
Matthew
from Whittier had painted a fantastic portrait of the guys and it was
given to them. They were all smiling and laughing about
“how swoll” Traa's arms appeared in the painting. Wuv said,
“Jason looks like a homie!” and everyone started laughing.
Wuv took it to
show Jason and Howard Benson in the actual studio and brought it back
and they hung it up on the wall beneath Tribal advertisements.
Then there was talk of the figurines Matthew had made and everyone could
just sense that the new P.O.D. was a better and more relaxed P.O.D.
I
continued on to ask the questions posed by Warriors in the “Ask
P.O.D.” challenge. Jason had just stepped in the room when the
first
question was asked. “Do you like the movie ‘The Princess Bride’?”
That started a flurry of 14 questions, in which Sonny answered some
online and had sent to us to add to the site. The questions went relatively
smooth. Wuv left to record some new drum tracks, Jason
was working on a song, and Traa was playing Playstation 2. It was just
a very relaxed vibe. Howard Benson was walking around
in shorts and sandals. Anyone could just tell that this was going great
for the guys.
We
were then led into the studio and shown the track list by Traa. When
Wuv came in though, he wanted us to hear the new
songs and so they played three unmixed songs. However, even though they
weren’t mixed, these tracks were definitely the next
level beyond ‘Alive’ and ‘Youth of the Nation’,
the hit singles from 2001’s ‘Satellite’. Everyone was
feeling the music and even
without bass, you could hear where the bass would come in and Traa was
just grooving to the imaginable bass lines. The sound
was fresh and will definitely keep P.O.D. on the charts. We wrapped
up our evening and said our goodbyes as the guys left for
dinner. We then headed out for a great evening of fellowship and Mexican
food and reflected on the awesome new tracks by the guys.
Mucho amor y Dios bendiga - Mr.Wilson