Album Info
The Fundamental Elements of Southtown is the third studio album and major label debut by American nu metal band P.O.D., released on August 24, 1999, by Atlantic Records. The song "Southtown" was re-recorded from The Warriors EP (1998), a transitional EP from Rescue Records to Atlantic Records. The album includes a cover of U2's 1987 single "Bullet the Blue Sky".
The Fundamental Elements of Southtown went on to become the band's first platinum album, peaking at No. 51 on the Billboard 200 chart in April 2000. It was the 143rd best-selling album of 2000 in the United States. "Southtown" and "Rock the Party (Off the Hook)" became the album's singles in 2000, both of which were accompanied by music videos.
An EP, Limited Edition Bonus CD, was given away for free with the purchase of the album and contains six songs.
The Fundamental Elements of Southtown was recorded at three studios in California. The album was mixed at Image Recordings in Los Angeles and The Gallery in Sherman Oaks. According to bassist Traa Daniels during an interview in February 2000, the album was recorded in "about three months". In December 2012, vocalist Sonny Sandoval said the following about working with producer Howard Benson and being signed to a major record label:
"He allowed us not only to be ourselves but at the same time we were so stoked to have somebody that actually cared about our music. He gave us this advice and we took it and obviously you're in a real studio and have real instruments. I remember Atlantic Records gave us a budget and we all went out and bought guitars and cabinets just because all our stuff was ghetto. This was big for us."
When The Fundamental Elements of Southtown was sold in Christian stores, a censored version of the artwork was used for the album's front cover. Retailers complained about the depiction of a cigar and argued that the artwork featured "pagan" imagery according to a Deseret News article from September 2002.
Marcos Curiel – Guitar
Traa Daniels – Bass
Noah "Wuvy" Bernardo – Drums
Lisa Papineau – Background Vocals
Santos – Percussion
Darren "DJ Circa" Tanzella – Turntables
The Fundamental Elements of Southtown went on to become the band's first platinum album, peaking at No. 51 on the Billboard 200 chart in April 2000. It was the 143rd best-selling album of 2000 in the United States. "Southtown" and "Rock the Party (Off the Hook)" became the album's singles in 2000, both of which were accompanied by music videos.
An EP, Limited Edition Bonus CD, was given away for free with the purchase of the album and contains six songs.
The Fundamental Elements of Southtown was recorded at three studios in California. The album was mixed at Image Recordings in Los Angeles and The Gallery in Sherman Oaks. According to bassist Traa Daniels during an interview in February 2000, the album was recorded in "about three months". In December 2012, vocalist Sonny Sandoval said the following about working with producer Howard Benson and being signed to a major record label:
"He allowed us not only to be ourselves but at the same time we were so stoked to have somebody that actually cared about our music. He gave us this advice and we took it and obviously you're in a real studio and have real instruments. I remember Atlantic Records gave us a budget and we all went out and bought guitars and cabinets just because all our stuff was ghetto. This was big for us."
When The Fundamental Elements of Southtown was sold in Christian stores, a censored version of the artwork was used for the album's front cover. Retailers complained about the depiction of a cigar and argued that the artwork featured "pagan" imagery according to a Deseret News article from September 2002.
Lineup
Sonny Sandoval – VocalsMarcos Curiel – Guitar
Traa Daniels – Bass
Noah "Wuvy" Bernardo – Drums
Guest Artists
Howard Benson – KeyboardsLisa Papineau – Background Vocals
Santos – Percussion
Darren "DJ Circa" Tanzella – Turntables
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