P.O.S. isn't a typical rapper, as demonstrated by his first live album — a mix of punk rock and metal.
"My main musical influences are Guns N' Roses, Black Flag and Minor Threat," P.O.S. said by phone from New Orleans. "I started rapping when I first discovered music, when I was maybe 13, but I liked to listen to all the metal and punk bands."
P.O.S. was born Stefon Alexander in 1971. The initials stand for different things, including Promise of Skill and Product of Society.
He said that rapping is just another way to communicate with people. And though people are sometimes hard to reach, it doesn't bother him. "There are a lot of people who think I should be someone other than who I am," he said with a laugh. "That's not as much of a challenge to me as it is funny. I mean, I have been actively pursuing a music career since my teens and it didn't matter what type of music I was doing, as long as it was music. So to be where I am now is nothing to complain about."
Back in 2004, P.O.S. released his first full-length album "Ipecac Neat." That album caught the attention of Rhymesayers Entertainment, which signed P.O.S. as the lead singer for the group Doomtree and rereleased the album.
After touring throughout the country, P.O.S. started thinking about a new album. "I knew I had to start making a new album because I had one ready, but it wasn't my best work. So I started working out some new songs."
Earlier this year, the rapper released "Audition." "I went into the studio a smarter man. It's been a couple of years since the last album, and I knew what I wanted to do. I also had more experience because I had been in a studio before.
"The approach wasn't much different than the first album, but I was more comfortable. And when I released the new album, I was ready. I liked it."
Experience has taught P.O.S. to reach for his goals but also to keep a realistic state of mind. "I've been all over the country," he said, laughing. "And I know I can go to any state and perform and know that there will at least be 10 people there. When I got into the business, I wanted to make tapes and tour. And I'm doing that right now. And for the most part, there have been a lot of people coming to my shows. But I need to be prepared for those 10-people audience shows."
While rapping is his major focus, P.O.S. said he would love to become a producer. "When the time comes and my days of rapping end, I would feel just as comfortable going into the studio to do some production work. I think that would rank up there with the happiest moments of my life."
If you go
What: P.O.S., Turbo Nemesis, Mac Lethal, Sims
Where: In the Venue, 579 W. 200 South
When: Monday, 7 p.m.
How much: $8
Phone: 467-8499 or 800-888-8499
Web: www.smithstix.com
E-mail: scott@desnews.com