Marcos Curiel
The lead guitarist whose riffs fused metal, rap, and reggae, powering P.O.D.'s spiritual anthems to global rock stardom.
Born 1974 (age 52)·American guitarist·Birthday: September 9·Generation X
Biography
Marcos Curiel provided the sonic backbone for one of rock's most unexpected success stories. Growing up in the diverse San Diego neighborhood of San Ysidro, his Mexican heritage and the area's cultural mix seeped into his musical DNA. In 1992, he co-founded P.O.D. (Payable On Death) with childhood friend Wuv Bernardo, building a fierce local following through relentless touring and a positive, faith-informed message that stood out in the metal scene. Curiel's guitar work was central to their breakthrough, blending chunky metal riffs with reggae and Latin-inflected grooves. His playing on albums like 'The Fundamental Elements of Southtown' and the multi-platinum 'Satellite' gave an aggressive yet melodic punch to hits like "Alive" and "Youth of the Nation," songs that brought their blend of spirituality and social commentary to arenas worldwide. After a brief departure in the mid-2000s, his return to the band was heralded by fans as a restoration of their core sound. Curiel's journey reflects the band's ethos: a grounded musician from a tight-knit community who helped craft a unique and enduring voice in alternative rock.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Marcos was born in 1974, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Marcos Was Born
The biggest hits of 1974
#1 Movie
The Towering Inferno
Best Picture
The Godfather Part II
#1 TV Show
All in the Family
Marcos's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1974Born
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1979Started school
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1987Became a teenager
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1990Could drive
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1992Could vote
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Turned 21
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2004Turned 30
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2014Turned 40
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 50
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 52 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Co-founded the multi-platinum rock band P.O.D., which has sold over 12 million albums worldwide.
- His guitar work was central to the band's breakthrough album 'Satellite', which reached triple-platinum status in the US.
- Co-wrote and performed on the global hits "Alive" and "Youth of the Nation," both of which topped rock charts.
- The album 'Satellite' was nominated for three Grammy Awards, including Best Hard Rock Performance.
Did You Know?
He is of Mexican descent and grew up in San Ysidro, California, right on the border with Tijuana.
He left P.O.D. in 2003 to pursue other projects but rejoined the band permanently in 2007.
He formed a side project called The Accident Experiment during his time away from P.O.D.
He is known for using a custom Fernandes Vertigo guitar, often with a distinctive monkey graphic.
“Our sound is a mix of everything we grew up with in San Ysidro.”
