Sunday, June 7, 2009
Video of the Week : They Say
Enjoy. Ok. You can watch it now.
Ok. It's over. Goodbye. See you next time. Ok, you can go now. Really.
Ok. It's over. Goodbye. See you next time. Ok, you can go now. Really.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
System of a Down, a Hiatus
Rumors have been spread that SOAD was never gonna get back together. Well, thanks to Wikipedia , I did a little research on that situation. Take a look :
In May 2006, the band announced they were going on hiatus. Malakian has confirmed the break will probably last a few years, which Odadjian specified as a minimum of three years in an interview with Guitar magazine. He told MTV, "We're not breaking up. If that was the case, we wouldn't be doing this Ozzfest. We're going to take a very long break after Ozzfest and do our own things. We've done System for over ten years, and I think it's healthy to take a rest."
During their performance in Houston, Texas, Malakian also took a moment to say, "There's been a lot of rumors about us breaking up. Well, don't listen to them. Us four right here, we will always be System of a Down!" However, Malakian announced he was forming a band called Scars on Broadway, which was joined by Dolmayan. Their debut self-titled album was released on July 29, 2008. Odadjian will be working on a project with RZA of Wu-Tang Clan named AcHoZeN as well as his urSESSION website/record label. Tankian plans to keep recording as a solo artist/producer. Empty Walls is his first single off his debut solo album Elect the Dead, which was released on October 23, 2007. Dolmayan, as well working with Scars on Broadway, planned to open a comic book store online by November 2007.
System of a Down's final performance before their hiatus took place on August 13, 2006 in West Palm Beach, Florida. "Tonight will be the last show we play for a long time together," Malakian told the crowd during Sunday's last performance. "We'll be back. We just don't know when."
Shavo Odadjian recently told Launch Radio Networks that System of a Down is "alive and well", but just aren't working together
In an April 2008 interview with Kerrang magazine, guitarist Daron Malakian and drummer John Dolmayan gave their takes on the band's future. When told that many people are going to wonder what the future of the band is, Malakian responded by stating that "We'll all know when the time is right." Dolmayan added, "It'll just happen." Malakian went on to say:
Yeah. It'll feel good and happy. I can respect this situation [System's hiatus] more than I can respect the situation where two people are like, 'The lead singer fucked my girlfriend!' and that kind of bullshit. Nah, man. The lead singer is a special person to me and I am to him. And that's how we ended off. Same with Shavo, same with John. And it will always be. It was a big part of my life. We were onstage together for a long time, man. We went through shit as a band and friends -- we slept in RV's together!
In an interview with Tankian about Big Day Out 2009, a show involving playing his Elect the Dead album live with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra, and his upcoming second studio album, Serj mentioned that System of a Down was on "permanent hiatus" and nothing had happened to change that. "Every few months I am honored to hear interesting rumors about whether the band is going to tour or break up permanently. I find them all to be very entertaining."
~Isaiah
In May 2006, the band announced they were going on hiatus. Malakian has confirmed the break will probably last a few years, which Odadjian specified as a minimum of three years in an interview with Guitar magazine. He told MTV, "We're not breaking up. If that was the case, we wouldn't be doing this Ozzfest. We're going to take a very long break after Ozzfest and do our own things. We've done System for over ten years, and I think it's healthy to take a rest."
During their performance in Houston, Texas, Malakian also took a moment to say, "There's been a lot of rumors about us breaking up. Well, don't listen to them. Us four right here, we will always be System of a Down!" However, Malakian announced he was forming a band called Scars on Broadway, which was joined by Dolmayan. Their debut self-titled album was released on July 29, 2008. Odadjian will be working on a project with RZA of Wu-Tang Clan named AcHoZeN as well as his urSESSION website/record label. Tankian plans to keep recording as a solo artist/producer. Empty Walls is his first single off his debut solo album Elect the Dead, which was released on October 23, 2007. Dolmayan, as well working with Scars on Broadway, planned to open a comic book store online by November 2007.
System of a Down's final performance before their hiatus took place on August 13, 2006 in West Palm Beach, Florida. "Tonight will be the last show we play for a long time together," Malakian told the crowd during Sunday's last performance. "We'll be back. We just don't know when."
Shavo Odadjian recently told Launch Radio Networks that System of a Down is "alive and well", but just aren't working together
In an April 2008 interview with Kerrang magazine, guitarist Daron Malakian and drummer John Dolmayan gave their takes on the band's future. When told that many people are going to wonder what the future of the band is, Malakian responded by stating that "We'll all know when the time is right." Dolmayan added, "It'll just happen." Malakian went on to say:
Yeah. It'll feel good and happy. I can respect this situation [System's hiatus] more than I can respect the situation where two people are like, 'The lead singer fucked my girlfriend!' and that kind of bullshit. Nah, man. The lead singer is a special person to me and I am to him. And that's how we ended off. Same with Shavo, same with John. And it will always be. It was a big part of my life. We were onstage together for a long time, man. We went through shit as a band and friends -- we slept in RV's together!
In an interview with Tankian about Big Day Out 2009, a show involving playing his Elect the Dead album live with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra, and his upcoming second studio album, Serj mentioned that System of a Down was on "permanent hiatus" and nothing had happened to change that. "Every few months I am honored to hear interesting rumors about whether the band is going to tour or break up permanently. I find them all to be very entertaining."
~Isaiah
Friday, June 5, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Biography of the Day : Daron Malakian
From Wikipedia :
Daron Vartan Malakian (born July 18, 1975) is the lead guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist in System of a Down. The band has been on a hiatus since 2006. He is currently the lead singer and guitarist in Scars on Broadway. Like the rest of the Hollywood-based band System of a Down, he is of Armenian ancestry, but is the only member to actually have been born inside the U.S. (Los Angeles). He placed 30th in Guitar World's List of The 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time.
Early Life
Daron was born on July 18, 1975 in U.S. as an only child to an Iraqi-Armenian father Vartan Malakian and Iranian-Armenian mother Zepur Malakian. At a very early age, Daron got into heavy metal music; his distant cousin played him a KISS record when he was four years old and he was hooked. Daron wanted to play the drums , but his parents got him a guitar instead because they said "You can't turn the drums off." By the time Daron was a teenager, he got into heavier metal bands such as Slayer, Venom, Metallica, Pantera, Sepultura and Cannibal Corpse. At around 17 he started getting into The Beatles and Peter, Paul and Mary as two of his biggest influences on him as a songwriter. Daron went to Rose & Alex Pilibos Armenian school in Little Armenia, Hollywood, which bandmates Serj Tankian and Shavo Odadjian also attended. Daron is still a big Slayer fan, as is band member Shavo Odadjian who sometimes wears Slayer t-shirts to shows. In his childhood, he also became a fan of the Los Angeles Kings Hockey Team, which can be seen in the video of 'Toxicity' and the booklet of the album with the same title.
~Isaiah
Daron Vartan Malakian (born July 18, 1975) is the lead guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist in System of a Down. The band has been on a hiatus since 2006. He is currently the lead singer and guitarist in Scars on Broadway. Like the rest of the Hollywood-based band System of a Down, he is of Armenian ancestry, but is the only member to actually have been born inside the U.S. (Los Angeles). He placed 30th in Guitar World's List of The 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time.
Early Life
Daron was born on July 18, 1975 in U.S. as an only child to an Iraqi-Armenian father Vartan Malakian and Iranian-Armenian mother Zepur Malakian. At a very early age, Daron got into heavy metal music; his distant cousin played him a KISS record when he was four years old and he was hooked. Daron wanted to play the drums , but his parents got him a guitar instead because they said "You can't turn the drums off." By the time Daron was a teenager, he got into heavier metal bands such as Slayer, Venom, Metallica, Pantera, Sepultura and Cannibal Corpse. At around 17 he started getting into The Beatles and Peter, Paul and Mary as two of his biggest influences on him as a songwriter. Daron went to Rose & Alex Pilibos Armenian school in Little Armenia, Hollywood, which bandmates Serj Tankian and Shavo Odadjian also attended. Daron is still a big Slayer fan, as is band member Shavo Odadjian who sometimes wears Slayer t-shirts to shows. In his childhood, he also became a fan of the Los Angeles Kings Hockey Team, which can be seen in the video of 'Toxicity' and the booklet of the album with the same title.
~Isaiah
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Biography of the Day : Serj Tankian
From Wikipedia:
Serj Tankian (born August 21, 1967) is a Lebanese-American singer, songwriter, poet, activist, and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known as the lead vocalist, keyboardist, and occasionally live rhythm guitarist of the Grammy Award-winning rock band System of a Down. In 2002, Tankian and Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello co-founded a non-profit political activist organization, Axis of Justice. During his musical career, he has released five albums with System of a Down, one with Arto Tunçboyacıyan (Serart), as well as debut solo album Elect the Dead. He was named the 26th-greatest heavy metal vocalist of all time by Hit Parader magazine.
Early Life
Tankian was born on August 21, 1967, in Beirut, Lebanon. He and his family emigrated to Los Angeles in 1975. Although Tankian disliked school, he nonetheless maintained a 4.0 grade average. When Tankian got older he started his own software company before beginning his music career; he began performing music in 1992.
Next posts I will be putting up Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian, John Dolmayan, and Casey Chaos. Thanks for listening.
~Isaiah
Serj Tankian (born August 21, 1967) is a Lebanese-American singer, songwriter, poet, activist, and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known as the lead vocalist, keyboardist, and occasionally live rhythm guitarist of the Grammy Award-winning rock band System of a Down. In 2002, Tankian and Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello co-founded a non-profit political activist organization, Axis of Justice. During his musical career, he has released five albums with System of a Down, one with Arto Tunçboyacıyan (Serart), as well as debut solo album Elect the Dead. He was named the 26th-greatest heavy metal vocalist of all time by Hit Parader magazine.
Early Life
Tankian was born on August 21, 1967, in Beirut, Lebanon. He and his family emigrated to Los Angeles in 1975. Although Tankian disliked school, he nonetheless maintained a 4.0 grade average. When Tankian got older he started his own software company before beginning his music career; he began performing music in 1992.
Next posts I will be putting up Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian, John Dolmayan, and Casey Chaos. Thanks for listening.
~Isaiah
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Tankians Elect the Dead Symphony
From SOAD Fans :
Serj Tankian’s iconic voice has always polarised my feelings about System Of A Down. Wavering between deep-throated Metal gargling and comedic faux-operatic, Tankian’s tones are unmissable, even when layered on top of industrial-grade guitar riffs.More recently Tankian has experimented with a debut solo album - Elect the Dead - that has polarised fans and critics. Some see it as a lyrical, artistic take on SOAD’s standard flavour, while others see it as devoid of the SOAD energy and nothing but a protest platform for Tankian. Personally I see it somewhere in between. I enjoyed the progression of Baby, but Saving Us just annoyed me.When I heard that Serj Tankian was teaming up with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra to perform songs from Elect The Dead, I was intrigued. Would it be a Metallica-esque effort, with a rock band fronting the orchestra, or a more “pure” orchestral arrangement? Tankian went for the latter, with the single concession being acoustic guitar and backing vocals from Dan Monti, a member of “The FCC”, his backing band for live solo performances. photo credits: stuff.co.nz" align=right src="http://www.soadfans.com/gallery/serjtankian/ST_tour/serjlive2009/APO/thumb/2269653.jpg" width=156 height=95>The result was mind-bending. The vibe was amazing, from the moment Serj walked on stage, a dapper apparition in white suit against the black orchestra. Dare I say that Tankian’s dramatic, almost operatic vocals were a better fit with the orchestra than they ever were fronting a metal band? Opening with Empty Walls, the full orchestra lent buckets of gravitas to what was previously a basic backing-track for Serj’s protest vocals. Tankian’s stage presence helped him prance, stomp, and generally over-act his way through Lie, Lie, Lie - the crowd laughed as he marched in place like so many stage show performers have done.Some tracks were a more difficult fit for the orchestra, with Money’s speed-metal-noise breaks resulting in a wall of messy noise when translated to an orchestral arrangement. It just didn’t work. A better arrangement was used in Baby, with the cello and double-bass belting out the metal riffs with such force that even I was forced to throw up my horns.The juxtaposition of yoof metallers with the orchestra community resulted in the inevitable brilliance. Among the best moments was the roar of the crowd when the tuba player displayed a very tentative pair of horns (a closed fist with forefinger and pinkie raised) as he took his seat. The enthusiasm of one young long-haired fellow in the well-mannered moshpit was boundless: he emulated the conductor throughout the entire concert, with the exception being firmly clasped horns with both fists.In what seemed to be enforced education, Tankian left the stage and allowed the orchestra to play their own genre of music several times throughout the show. The crowd tolerated this well, although most seemed to take these breaks as an opportunity to use the bathroom or chat amongst themselves. I felt like a scowling old man as I wondered why these kids couldn’t sit quietly through a 3 minute concerto.The only major cognitive dissonance was produced when the concert stopped after 5 or 6 songs, the house lights came up, and the experienced members in the crowd wandered off for intermission drinks. The moshpit didn’t know whether to bay for blood at such a short concert, or start chanting and stomping for an encore. Eventually a voice came over the PA announcing an intermission.Tankian’s enthusiasm was obvious. He praised the setting, the orchestra, and the home-away-from-home crowd several times. Overall the concert was hugely entertaining. I’m not sure how well it will translate to album or DVD, but for a one-off live event, I’m glad I was there.
~Isaiah
Serj Tankian’s iconic voice has always polarised my feelings about System Of A Down. Wavering between deep-throated Metal gargling and comedic faux-operatic, Tankian’s tones are unmissable, even when layered on top of industrial-grade guitar riffs.More recently Tankian has experimented with a debut solo album - Elect the Dead - that has polarised fans and critics. Some see it as a lyrical, artistic take on SOAD’s standard flavour, while others see it as devoid of the SOAD energy and nothing but a protest platform for Tankian. Personally I see it somewhere in between. I enjoyed the progression of Baby, but Saving Us just annoyed me.When I heard that Serj Tankian was teaming up with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra to perform songs from Elect The Dead, I was intrigued. Would it be a Metallica-esque effort, with a rock band fronting the orchestra, or a more “pure” orchestral arrangement? Tankian went for the latter, with the single concession being acoustic guitar and backing vocals from Dan Monti, a member of “The FCC”, his backing band for live solo performances. photo credits: stuff.co.nz" align=right src="http://www.soadfans.com/gallery/serjtankian/ST_tour/serjlive2009/APO/thumb/2269653.jpg" width=156 height=95>The result was mind-bending. The vibe was amazing, from the moment Serj walked on stage, a dapper apparition in white suit against the black orchestra. Dare I say that Tankian’s dramatic, almost operatic vocals were a better fit with the orchestra than they ever were fronting a metal band? Opening with Empty Walls, the full orchestra lent buckets of gravitas to what was previously a basic backing-track for Serj’s protest vocals. Tankian’s stage presence helped him prance, stomp, and generally over-act his way through Lie, Lie, Lie - the crowd laughed as he marched in place like so many stage show performers have done.Some tracks were a more difficult fit for the orchestra, with Money’s speed-metal-noise breaks resulting in a wall of messy noise when translated to an orchestral arrangement. It just didn’t work. A better arrangement was used in Baby, with the cello and double-bass belting out the metal riffs with such force that even I was forced to throw up my horns.The juxtaposition of yoof metallers with the orchestra community resulted in the inevitable brilliance. Among the best moments was the roar of the crowd when the tuba player displayed a very tentative pair of horns (a closed fist with forefinger and pinkie raised) as he took his seat. The enthusiasm of one young long-haired fellow in the well-mannered moshpit was boundless: he emulated the conductor throughout the entire concert, with the exception being firmly clasped horns with both fists.In what seemed to be enforced education, Tankian left the stage and allowed the orchestra to play their own genre of music several times throughout the show. The crowd tolerated this well, although most seemed to take these breaks as an opportunity to use the bathroom or chat amongst themselves. I felt like a scowling old man as I wondered why these kids couldn’t sit quietly through a 3 minute concerto.The only major cognitive dissonance was produced when the concert stopped after 5 or 6 songs, the house lights came up, and the experienced members in the crowd wandered off for intermission drinks. The moshpit didn’t know whether to bay for blood at such a short concert, or start chanting and stomping for an encore. Eventually a voice came over the PA announcing an intermission.Tankian’s enthusiasm was obvious. He praised the setting, the orchestra, and the home-away-from-home crowd several times. Overall the concert was hugely entertaining. I’m not sure how well it will translate to album or DVD, but for a one-off live event, I’m glad I was there.
~Isaiah
Serj Tankians Latest Album
Serj Tankian will be re-releasing the joint project between him and Armenian awarded musician, Arto Tuncboyaciyan, entitled "Serart" later this month, April 21st.
Originally produced by Serj and Arto, SERART – DELUXE EDITION now includes two previously unreleased remixes by Bill Laswell and Jimmy Urine (Mindless Self Indulgence). An eclectic array of textured tracks, SERART – DELUXE EDITION mixes Middle Eastern melodies with Pan-African rhythms while shifting from classical motifs to bursts of percussion.
~Isaiah Spelldust
Originally produced by Serj and Arto, SERART – DELUXE EDITION now includes two previously unreleased remixes by Bill Laswell and Jimmy Urine (Mindless Self Indulgence). An eclectic array of textured tracks, SERART – DELUXE EDITION mixes Middle Eastern melodies with Pan-African rhythms while shifting from classical motifs to bursts of percussion.
~Isaiah Spelldust
Monday, June 1, 2009
Interview With John Dolmayan : From SOAD Fans
From SoadFans :
Couple of months ago, Andrew Lindsay (LookOn) gathered questions from SOADFans members [read the topic on the forum] to make an interview with John Dolmayan drummer of Grammy award winner band, System of a Down.
Here's what John had to say in answering the interview questions:
Like System of a Down/Scars on Broadway drummer John Dolmayan, I don’t have too much to say, so I’ll dispense with the obligatory opening paragraph and let you get on with reading our long-awaited email interview with the man.
Stereokill: As a musician, who are your key influences?JD: My dad has always been a huge influence on me; he introduced me to jazz at an early age and has always supported my choices in life. Other then that, there’s about twenty bands who were my key influences including: The Who, Rush, Led Zeppellin, The Rolling Stones, Billy Idol, Maynard Furgeson, Fishbone, Pink Floyd, The Police, Daft Punk, Slayer, Iron Maiden, Muse, The Beatles and countless others.
Stereokill: It’s been twelve years since you first joined System of a Down. What do you consider high-points in your career so far?JD: There are many, but I’d say that my favorite moment was playing a nearly-cancelled show in Spain, at four in the morning. The stage fell apart due to wind, and it was the ten year anniversary of System of a Down.
Stereokill: With the release of Toxicity in 2001, System became a hugely successful band. How did it feel, for you personally, to experience such growing interest in the band from the public/press?JD: It wasn’t all that noticable for us; it was very much a whirlwind. Looking out from within, we just didn’t feel the impact of what was happening until much later.
Stereokill: Is there a System album that you are particularly proud of?JD: I’m proud of everything we’ve done, but Steal This Album! is my personal favourite.
Stereokill: You crafted a rather gnarly looking skull for your limited edition version of that album. Any reason why?JD: Thought it looked cool, and I cant draw much else.
Stereokill: Out of the many songs you’ve recorded, which are your favourites?JD: “Holy Mountains”, “Nüguns” and “Soldier Side”.
Stereokill: The band recorded Mezmerize/Hypnotize in Rick Rubin’s famed Mansion. Other bands that have recorded there [Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Mars Volta] have claimed that the building is haunted. Did you encounter any spirits when recording there?JD: Sounds like a bunch of bullshit.
Stereokill: Following Daron’s tour cancellation in October, many fans have been in the dark as to whether Scars on Broadway are still together. Can you shed any light on this matter - will Scars ever record/tour again?JD: I’m not sure, but I do miss it.
Stereokill: Have you heard from [Scars frontman and System bandmate] Daron [Malakian]? Can you discuss why he decided to cancel the tour?JD: That's a personal matter, but he’s well.
Stereokill: Scars on Broadway was often portrayed by the media as a band that consisted of only Daron and yourself. Did you consider Franky [Perez], Danny [Shamoun] and Dominic [Cifarelli] “official” members of the band, or “touring” members?JD: I consider them as members, as well as family.
Stereokill: I recall reading that [System bassist] Shavo [Odajian] was originally linked to Scars. Is this true? If so, why did his involvement with the band never come to fruition?JD: That’s a question that would be better directed at Shavo.
Stereokill: What have you been up to since Scars went on hiatus? Have you been involved in any music-based projects?JD: I’ve been playing, but nothing I’m ready to share.
Stereokill: What are your plans for the rest of the year?JD: Working on Torpedo Comics, and playing for personal satisfaction.
Stereokill: How is Torpedo Comics?JD: It’s tough to make a new venture profitable, but I believe in my vision for it and I’m giving it my full attention.
Stereokill: Will you release your “superhero-based” comic one day?JD: I’m working on it now.
Stereokill: What’s your take on the music industry these days?JD: It’s in serious trouble.
Stereokill: Do you think you’ll remain within the industry until you’re old and grey?JD: I’m not in the music industry; I play music.
Stereokill: Are there any up-and-coming bands that you recommend?JD: I’m sure there are tons of bands that are great, but I’m not exactly the pulse of the next great thing. I prefer bands that have at least three albums so I can follow their growth and grow with them.
Stereokill: What are your favourite albums of all time?JD: I can’t answer that.
Stereokill: A hard task, but can you list your top five musical artists of all time?JD: I’d prefer not to try.
Stereokill: If you be could any drum/cymbal piece, which one would you be?JD: I am a drum/cymbal piece already.
Stereokill: Have you ever given drum lessons?JD: A handful.
Stereokill: A lot of fans are curious as to whether you’ve read Switch!, the continuation to the Schnibbel series [fan-fiction about John and Daron's genitalia]?JD: I read some of it - very creative. People have a lot of time on their hands.
Stereokill: I’ve read that you have a sandwich named after you, have you ever tried it?JD: Not yet, is it tasty?
Stereokill: Finally, a question I’m sure you’re tired of hearing, but is there any news regarding the future of System of a Down?JD: System of a Down is dead: I killed all the members for my sandwich.
Couple of months ago, Andrew Lindsay (LookOn) gathered questions from SOADFans members [read the topic on the forum] to make an interview with John Dolmayan drummer of Grammy award winner band, System of a Down.
Here's what John had to say in answering the interview questions:
Like System of a Down/Scars on Broadway drummer John Dolmayan, I don’t have too much to say, so I’ll dispense with the obligatory opening paragraph and let you get on with reading our long-awaited email interview with the man.
Stereokill: As a musician, who are your key influences?JD: My dad has always been a huge influence on me; he introduced me to jazz at an early age and has always supported my choices in life. Other then that, there’s about twenty bands who were my key influences including: The Who, Rush, Led Zeppellin, The Rolling Stones, Billy Idol, Maynard Furgeson, Fishbone, Pink Floyd, The Police, Daft Punk, Slayer, Iron Maiden, Muse, The Beatles and countless others.
Stereokill: It’s been twelve years since you first joined System of a Down. What do you consider high-points in your career so far?JD: There are many, but I’d say that my favorite moment was playing a nearly-cancelled show in Spain, at four in the morning. The stage fell apart due to wind, and it was the ten year anniversary of System of a Down.
Stereokill: With the release of Toxicity in 2001, System became a hugely successful band. How did it feel, for you personally, to experience such growing interest in the band from the public/press?JD: It wasn’t all that noticable for us; it was very much a whirlwind. Looking out from within, we just didn’t feel the impact of what was happening until much later.
Stereokill: Is there a System album that you are particularly proud of?JD: I’m proud of everything we’ve done, but Steal This Album! is my personal favourite.
Stereokill: You crafted a rather gnarly looking skull for your limited edition version of that album. Any reason why?JD: Thought it looked cool, and I cant draw much else.
Stereokill: Out of the many songs you’ve recorded, which are your favourites?JD: “Holy Mountains”, “Nüguns” and “Soldier Side”.
Stereokill: The band recorded Mezmerize/Hypnotize in Rick Rubin’s famed Mansion. Other bands that have recorded there [Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Mars Volta] have claimed that the building is haunted. Did you encounter any spirits when recording there?JD: Sounds like a bunch of bullshit.
Stereokill: Following Daron’s tour cancellation in October, many fans have been in the dark as to whether Scars on Broadway are still together. Can you shed any light on this matter - will Scars ever record/tour again?JD: I’m not sure, but I do miss it.
Stereokill: Have you heard from [Scars frontman and System bandmate] Daron [Malakian]? Can you discuss why he decided to cancel the tour?JD: That's a personal matter, but he’s well.
Stereokill: Scars on Broadway was often portrayed by the media as a band that consisted of only Daron and yourself. Did you consider Franky [Perez], Danny [Shamoun] and Dominic [Cifarelli] “official” members of the band, or “touring” members?JD: I consider them as members, as well as family.
Stereokill: I recall reading that [System bassist] Shavo [Odajian] was originally linked to Scars. Is this true? If so, why did his involvement with the band never come to fruition?JD: That’s a question that would be better directed at Shavo.
Stereokill: What have you been up to since Scars went on hiatus? Have you been involved in any music-based projects?JD: I’ve been playing, but nothing I’m ready to share.
Stereokill: What are your plans for the rest of the year?JD: Working on Torpedo Comics, and playing for personal satisfaction.
Stereokill: How is Torpedo Comics?JD: It’s tough to make a new venture profitable, but I believe in my vision for it and I’m giving it my full attention.
Stereokill: Will you release your “superhero-based” comic one day?JD: I’m working on it now.
Stereokill: What’s your take on the music industry these days?JD: It’s in serious trouble.
Stereokill: Do you think you’ll remain within the industry until you’re old and grey?JD: I’m not in the music industry; I play music.
Stereokill: Are there any up-and-coming bands that you recommend?JD: I’m sure there are tons of bands that are great, but I’m not exactly the pulse of the next great thing. I prefer bands that have at least three albums so I can follow their growth and grow with them.
Stereokill: What are your favourite albums of all time?JD: I can’t answer that.
Stereokill: A hard task, but can you list your top five musical artists of all time?JD: I’d prefer not to try.
Stereokill: If you be could any drum/cymbal piece, which one would you be?JD: I am a drum/cymbal piece already.
Stereokill: Have you ever given drum lessons?JD: A handful.
Stereokill: A lot of fans are curious as to whether you’ve read Switch!, the continuation to the Schnibbel series [fan-fiction about John and Daron's genitalia]?JD: I read some of it - very creative. People have a lot of time on their hands.
Stereokill: I’ve read that you have a sandwich named after you, have you ever tried it?JD: Not yet, is it tasty?
Stereokill: Finally, a question I’m sure you’re tired of hearing, but is there any news regarding the future of System of a Down?JD: System of a Down is dead: I killed all the members for my sandwich.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
System of a Down : News From Serj
From SOAD website :
An Important Message From Serj
Serj Tankian and the Axis of Justice are launching an Armenian Genocide Recognition campaign to commemorate the annual global day of remembrance for victims of the human rights atrocity on April 24th. With the support and participation of some fellow notable activists (Tom Morello, Boots Riley, Congressman Adam Schiff), Serj has put together a video that is posted on YouTube and Myspace that asks President Obama to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide. At the end of the video, viewers are encouraged to call (202) 456-1414 and urge President Obama to stick to his campaign promise to recognize the atrocities that took place during WWI as Genocide.Click here to watch the video and below please read a letter from Serj.
OUR YEARLY BATTLE OVER THE G-WORDEvery year around this time in April a battle is waged in the White House and Congress; a unique battle because it is at its heart over one word, genocide.The roots of this struggle lie in the dying days of the Ottoman Empire in the midst of World War I. The rulers of this Turkish Empire, the Young Turk Party, set in motion a plan to, once and for all, rid their borders of their largest minority, the ancient Christian Armenian population of more than two million spread across the Anatolian landmass. In systematic fashion the Empire¹s armed forces killed over a million subjects, starting with intellectuals and able-bodied men, and then marched the rest to near certain death in the Syrian desert, resulting in the near annihilation of an entire people and the exile of a nation from its home of more than 3,000 years.These atrocities were widely reported at the time and are today one of the world¹s most thoroughly documented mass murders.To this day, against all evidence and in defiance of even the most basic human standards of morality, the Republic of Turkey denies this crime. They have also mastered Orwellian Newspeak by convincing generation after generation of Turkish citizens that the genocide never occurred.They spend millions of dollars each year, hiring expensive lobbying firms, creating university chairs that sponsor genocide deniers, buying into foreign policy think tanks here in the U.S. and around the world while at the same time threatening to close U.S. bases in Turkey, block access to our troops in Iraq, threaten trade, or retaliate against Armenia with blockades and economic pressure. They think that by erasing a word, genocide, they will somehow escape responsibility for the wholesale death and suffering, theft and dispossession they have caused. Turkey can no more evade either the verdict of history or the requirements of justice by imposing a gag-rule on the word genocide, any more than a killer can escape punishment by insisting the word murder does not exist.I'm personally very familiar with the word genocide. All 4 of my grandparents were survivors. In the case of my grandfather, Stepan Haytayan (whose life story is told in the documentary ³Screamers²), Turkish soldiers came to his village, took away his father and all the Armenian men never to be seen again. This was a standard practice by Turkish soldiers, who typically rounded up the men to take them off to ³labor camps² where they were to be executed, leaving the women and children unprotected and subject to forced marches, described by Henry Morgenthau, the U.S. Ambassador at the time, as a ³death warrant to a whole race.²The similarity between the treatment of the Armenians and the genocide today in Darfur was pointed out last year by Barack Obama, who noted that, ³tragically, we are witnessing in Sudan many of the same brutal tactics - displacement, starvation, and mass slaughter - that were used by the Ottoman authorities against defenseless Armenians back in 1915.² It¹s no coincidence that Turkey is one of only a handful of nations, along with China, that still sells arms to the genocidal Sudanese regime, or that Ankara is trying to shield its leader, Omar al-Bashir, from an International Criminal Court arrest warrant.Even before international lawyer Raphael Lemkin, a Pole of Jewish heritage, coined the term genocide, it was clear to the world that a systematic plan of race extermination had been executed by the Ottoman Turks. Lemkin¹s motivation in inventing this term and leading the charge for the Genocide Convention was, in great measure, his study of the Armenian Genocide, which he, with great foresight, saw as the blueprint for the coming destruction of Europe¹s Jews by Hitler and the brutal machinery of the Nazi German state.For many years, Turkey has leveraged its NATO membership, its former Cold War role, its lobbying power, and military-industrial alliances to buy, bully, or threaten other nations into silence on the Armenian Genocide. Far too many countries, the U.S. included, have been held hostage to Turkey¹s warnings of retribution, but more and more are standing up to this intimidation. Among these are Canada, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Russia and a growing list that includes 12 NATO allies. Here in the U.S.,41 states have recognized the Armenian Genocide.Today, as we approach April 24th, the global day of remembrance of the Armenian Genocide, we look to both the President and Congress to stand up for what¹s right; to speak against the Armenian Genocide and all genocides at the level of American values, and to never again allow the United States to be dragged down to the level of Turkey¹s threats.
This April, Turkey will again try to block both the White House and Congress from condemning and commemorating this crime, giving itself a vote that it does not deserve in our American democracy. A foreign government, particularly one that so violently suppresses free speech by its own citizens, should never be allowed to dictate U.S. human rights or genocide prevention policy.
We have, sadly, not learned our lesson. Here we are, nine decades after the Armenian Genocide and fully six years into the Darfur Genocide, and the international community has yet to forge a durable, effective response to genocide. Global leaders have proven themselves unwilling to intervene effectively to stop the ongoing slaughter in Sudan, and they¹ve been unable to summon the courage to end Turkey¹s denials. Why? Because, genocide remains a political issue, bartered like a commodity by the great powers, and not a moral imperative that all nations and all peoples must, at all costs, act to prevent.
President Obama is the best-positioned American president in generations to bring about real change to how America and the international community confront mass inhumanity, and our best hope to bring the peoples of the world together to end the cycle of genocide. He has said that, ³America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian Genocide and responds forcefully to all genocides.² He¹s right. That¹s the moral leader America and the world need and deserve. In the coming days he has the chance to be just that man.
An Important Message From Serj
Serj Tankian and the Axis of Justice are launching an Armenian Genocide Recognition campaign to commemorate the annual global day of remembrance for victims of the human rights atrocity on April 24th. With the support and participation of some fellow notable activists (Tom Morello, Boots Riley, Congressman Adam Schiff), Serj has put together a video that is posted on YouTube and Myspace that asks President Obama to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide. At the end of the video, viewers are encouraged to call (202) 456-1414 and urge President Obama to stick to his campaign promise to recognize the atrocities that took place during WWI as Genocide.Click here to watch the video and below please read a letter from Serj.
OUR YEARLY BATTLE OVER THE G-WORDEvery year around this time in April a battle is waged in the White House and Congress; a unique battle because it is at its heart over one word, genocide.The roots of this struggle lie in the dying days of the Ottoman Empire in the midst of World War I. The rulers of this Turkish Empire, the Young Turk Party, set in motion a plan to, once and for all, rid their borders of their largest minority, the ancient Christian Armenian population of more than two million spread across the Anatolian landmass. In systematic fashion the Empire¹s armed forces killed over a million subjects, starting with intellectuals and able-bodied men, and then marched the rest to near certain death in the Syrian desert, resulting in the near annihilation of an entire people and the exile of a nation from its home of more than 3,000 years.These atrocities were widely reported at the time and are today one of the world¹s most thoroughly documented mass murders.To this day, against all evidence and in defiance of even the most basic human standards of morality, the Republic of Turkey denies this crime. They have also mastered Orwellian Newspeak by convincing generation after generation of Turkish citizens that the genocide never occurred.They spend millions of dollars each year, hiring expensive lobbying firms, creating university chairs that sponsor genocide deniers, buying into foreign policy think tanks here in the U.S. and around the world while at the same time threatening to close U.S. bases in Turkey, block access to our troops in Iraq, threaten trade, or retaliate against Armenia with blockades and economic pressure. They think that by erasing a word, genocide, they will somehow escape responsibility for the wholesale death and suffering, theft and dispossession they have caused. Turkey can no more evade either the verdict of history or the requirements of justice by imposing a gag-rule on the word genocide, any more than a killer can escape punishment by insisting the word murder does not exist.I'm personally very familiar with the word genocide. All 4 of my grandparents were survivors. In the case of my grandfather, Stepan Haytayan (whose life story is told in the documentary ³Screamers²), Turkish soldiers came to his village, took away his father and all the Armenian men never to be seen again. This was a standard practice by Turkish soldiers, who typically rounded up the men to take them off to ³labor camps² where they were to be executed, leaving the women and children unprotected and subject to forced marches, described by Henry Morgenthau, the U.S. Ambassador at the time, as a ³death warrant to a whole race.²The similarity between the treatment of the Armenians and the genocide today in Darfur was pointed out last year by Barack Obama, who noted that, ³tragically, we are witnessing in Sudan many of the same brutal tactics - displacement, starvation, and mass slaughter - that were used by the Ottoman authorities against defenseless Armenians back in 1915.² It¹s no coincidence that Turkey is one of only a handful of nations, along with China, that still sells arms to the genocidal Sudanese regime, or that Ankara is trying to shield its leader, Omar al-Bashir, from an International Criminal Court arrest warrant.Even before international lawyer Raphael Lemkin, a Pole of Jewish heritage, coined the term genocide, it was clear to the world that a systematic plan of race extermination had been executed by the Ottoman Turks. Lemkin¹s motivation in inventing this term and leading the charge for the Genocide Convention was, in great measure, his study of the Armenian Genocide, which he, with great foresight, saw as the blueprint for the coming destruction of Europe¹s Jews by Hitler and the brutal machinery of the Nazi German state.For many years, Turkey has leveraged its NATO membership, its former Cold War role, its lobbying power, and military-industrial alliances to buy, bully, or threaten other nations into silence on the Armenian Genocide. Far too many countries, the U.S. included, have been held hostage to Turkey¹s warnings of retribution, but more and more are standing up to this intimidation. Among these are Canada, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Russia and a growing list that includes 12 NATO allies. Here in the U.S.,41 states have recognized the Armenian Genocide.Today, as we approach April 24th, the global day of remembrance of the Armenian Genocide, we look to both the President and Congress to stand up for what¹s right; to speak against the Armenian Genocide and all genocides at the level of American values, and to never again allow the United States to be dragged down to the level of Turkey¹s threats.
This April, Turkey will again try to block both the White House and Congress from condemning and commemorating this crime, giving itself a vote that it does not deserve in our American democracy. A foreign government, particularly one that so violently suppresses free speech by its own citizens, should never be allowed to dictate U.S. human rights or genocide prevention policy.
We have, sadly, not learned our lesson. Here we are, nine decades after the Armenian Genocide and fully six years into the Darfur Genocide, and the international community has yet to forge a durable, effective response to genocide. Global leaders have proven themselves unwilling to intervene effectively to stop the ongoing slaughter in Sudan, and they¹ve been unable to summon the courage to end Turkey¹s denials. Why? Because, genocide remains a political issue, bartered like a commodity by the great powers, and not a moral imperative that all nations and all peoples must, at all costs, act to prevent.
President Obama is the best-positioned American president in generations to bring about real change to how America and the international community confront mass inhumanity, and our best hope to bring the peoples of the world together to end the cycle of genocide. He has said that, ³America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian Genocide and responds forcefully to all genocides.² He¹s right. That¹s the moral leader America and the world need and deserve. In the coming days he has the chance to be just that man.
Sorry for not Posting!
Sorry SOAD fans for not posting recently, I have been jumbled up in my other blog, Defenders of the Spiral . Ill be posting on the latest and greatest!
~Isaiah
~Isaiah
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Welcome to my System of a Down blog
Hi, and welcome to one of the most official System of a Down blogs known to man. My purpose of this blog is to keep you entertained in the works of one of the most awesome Nu Metal bands since the early ninties to todays time.
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