|
|
SOADFans: Down is Up |
Posted by JP on Thursday, August 11, 2005 - 10:06 AM
|
System of a Down is rock's least likely success story
Here's another headline: Armenian-American band survives death of nü-metal; critics now call them "prog-rock."
They used to call us nü-metal," System of a Down singer-guitarist Daron Malakian told the ecstatic crowd at a stop on his band's spring tour. "Now they call us prog-rock. I think they'll call us anything that's popular." Then, after a pause and the subtlest of grins, he announced, "But actually, we're just a bunch of mo-rons. "
Months later, as System headlines its biggest junket to date, Malakian is being touted as the mastermind of Mezmerize, which has been embraced by critics and fans alike. The CD debuted in May atop the Billboard album chart, further raising expectations for Hypnotize, a companion disc scheduled for a November release. Malakian isn't particularly comfortable with this attention, and he's just as wary of questions about his in-concert comments from earlier this year. "I never remember anything I say on stage," he warns. Upon having his statement repeated to him, however, he laughs with relief. "I can stand behind that," he declares.
No wonder, since his offhand remark effectively satirizes the media's continuing attempts to pigeonhole System. "Lately, we've been doing interviews, and people have been like, 'You guys are really leading the way for the new prog movement,' " he notes. "And I'm like, 'What?' Because a couple of years ago, these guys were comparing us to Limp Bizkit and Korn, and now that we're still here and those bands aren't, they're talking about prog. It's just kind of aggravating that people always have to have something to compare us to, or bunch us up with. I'm not saying we're the most original band in the world, but I don't really feel that we fall into a heavy-metal category or a pure rock category. There's a lot of stuff mixed up into one."
As for the humorously self-deprecating "mo-rons" remark, it hints at a truth about the group that's frequently overlooked. Although System is clearly one of the smartest acts in popular music, socially astute, hyper-articulate fare like "B.Y.O.B." is as popular among just plain folks as it is with left-wing activists and Mensa members, for reasons that the live show makes clear. Vocalist Serj Tankian's sweeping theatricality, bassist Shavo Odadjian's elastic head-bobbing, drummer John Dolmayan's hyperkinetic rhythms and Malakian's aggressive riffology suggest that they remain very much in touch with their inner mo-ron -- the part of them that loved sound and fury long before it signified anything.
"It's important not to take yourself too seriously," Malakian says, "and I think sometimes people take us a lot more seriously than we take ourselves, especially when it comes to politics. Politics, for me, is a reflection of the world I live in. But love is just as important as politics to me. They both exist in the world, you know? And if you don't reflect the entire world around you, then you're leaving something out."
System is all about inclusion. The music bears the mark of so many varied influences that, Malakian maintains, "I think you could call us anything you want and you'd be right." That's one reason numerous labels initially kept their distance from System, even though these "four Armenian guys from L.A.," as Malakian calls them, had built a sizable audience among habitués of the mid-'90s Hollywood club scene. Producer Rick Rubin eventually signed System to his imprint, American Records, but reviewers didn't quite know what to make of the quartet's 1998 self-titled debut.
"They'd say, 'It kind of sounds like this,' or 'It kind of sounds like that,' " Malakian recalls, "and by the time they were done, they'd named five bands that had nothing to do with one another." He wasn't bothered by Dead Kennedys references, since he acknowledges a certain commonality between Tankian's nasal wailing and that of DK leader Jello Biafra, but he felt nü-metal allusions constituted "guilt by association."
Still, this tag likely helped convince radio programmers to give System a chance, and the airplay lavished on strong cuts such as "Spiders" and "Sugar" -- not to mention the publicity garnered for its star-making turn during the 1998 edition of Ozzfest -- helped break the band nationally. Malakian and company responded with 2001's Toxicity, an even better recording than its first, albeit one whose appearance was awkwardly timed; the disc arrived in stores the week of 9/11. Shortly after the terrorist attacks, representatives of Clear Channel, the owner of more U.S. rock radio stations than any other company, placed the group's entire oeuvre, including the brilliant single "Chop Suey!," on a list of tunes that shouldn't be aired. This misguided, arguably racist move, which took place around the same time that Tankian posted criticism of American foreign policy on System's Web site, hardly stopped listeners from seeking out Toxicity. As Malakian points out, "We were being censored, but people were still going out and buying the record. And to be honest with you, radio was playing it like crazy." He adds that "the more they try to shut somebody's mouth, the more people are going to want to hear what the person has to say. It's a big mistake from the beginning."
Toxicity created such a big noise that System promptly issued 2002's Steal This Album!, a first-rate collection of random tracks from throughout its existence that spawned another hit, the appropriately explosive "Boom!" The period of relative quiet that followed was broken in a major way by Mezmerize, and many admirers characterized it as a coming-out party for Malakian. Granted, Malakian's voice is more prominent than before, and "Old School Hollywood," a wry recapitulation of a celebrity baseball game that mentions Tony Danza and Frankie Avalon, finds him employing the first person in an extremely direct manner. Yet he sees the theory that he's suddenly taken control of System as being fatally flawed.
"Yeah, I'm singing more, and yeah, I sing just as much on Hypnotize," he confirms. "But that's the only difference. I've always written and produced and put down the path for System when it comes down to the songs: first record, second record, third record, these records. Almost every chorus -- about 80 percent of every System of a Down chorus that you sing -- is a vocal line that I wrote, with words that I wrote. I just didn't sing them. And this time, the songs called for more of an interaction between me and Serj, so suddenly people think I'm doing more. People get very focused on the vocalist, and end up thinking the vocalist is doing everything in the band, which isn't necessarily the case."
It's unusual for Malakian to trumpet his role in System, primary though it is. He'd much rather talk about people he respects -- an honor roll that runs the gamut from Mahatma Gandhi to Charles Manson. Malakian tweaked political correctness on Toxicity via "ATWA," a track inspired by some of Manson's environmental musings, and Mezmerize's liner sports an epigram from the "Helter Skelter" man: "In your world you can take a pen and write on a piece of paper and destroy 200,000 people or more and it's ok because you don't have to see it."
"I have no interest in murder, and I have no interest in people dying," Malakian stresses. "But I'm interested in people's minds, and sometimes Manson puts thoughts together that I find really interesting. Have you ever seen his unedited videos? He starts making a lot of sense. I'm sure people are scared of that, but to me, it's scarier to watch George Bush try to make sense."
Even so, Malakian's rhapsodic waxings about another hero -- former Los Angeles Laker Kareem Abdul-Jabbar -- reveal more about him than does his Manson jones. Malakian often saw Abdul-Jabbar play during the Lakers' '80s heyday, and he says, "I like that he was the captain of his team, and he wasn't so much of a showboater. You just don't see players like him anymore -- players who keep quiet, play their fuckin' game and don't act like a rock star."
Malakian takes the same approach to System of a Down. "When people come to our shows, I don't want it to only be serious moments about politics," he allows. "I want them to have a good time. That's what it comes down to for me." System of a Down appears Saturday, August 13, at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2025 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, 281-363-3300. The Mars Volta and Bad Acid Trip are also on the bill.
source: www.houstonpress.com
|
Comments
ninja_
11.08.05, 12:55
|
it's hard to believe that Daron wrote 80% of the choruses and let Serj sing 'em... i mean, Serj is the real genious when it comes to singing and lyrics. 'vocal lines' wtf... i cant believe Serj would let Daron write HIS vocal lines. you can tell that Serj wrote them, there is this Serj vibe all over the place (it has a very unique feel to it). System would be nothing without Serj, Daron knows that. oh, and im sure Serj pretty much wrote ALL the lyrics for S/T. Daron singing leads in Old School Hollywood and Lost in Hollywood is nice, but honestly it sounds nothing like Revenga, Violent Pornography or anything (vocal wise i mean)
|
AwE
11.08.05, 13:53
|
I don't think that's true. many lyrics are written by Serj and we all know that. I thknk he maybe is just rying to stop us from saying he is taking over. But yeah He wrote some lyricsw before. But, anyway, you can see the difference between Serj's and Daron's (im not saying one of em is better than the other, both are great.) I mean look at Spiders and look at Violent Pornography. There's a difference. But I love it, no matter who or what.
|
ninja_
11.08.05, 15:05
|
Daron had his bits and pieces like the one in Needles, maybe the chorus of Prison Song or Chop Suey, but thats hardly 80% (not to mention S/T where Serj did almost everything). yes, Daron is great too, but it'd be nothing without Serj's crazy, sometimes Jello Biafra-ish, sometimes completely bizarre and rediculous/nonsense lyrics and vocal style. if Daron's the 'engine' of the band, then Serj is the fuel for sure. it's all about the amazing chemistry of them.
|
kapono
11.08.05, 15:51
|
if you listen to soad for certain amount of time you know almost every verse if it is written by serj or daron. i know that daron is the main songwriter for the last albums, not 80% , this should't be an issue . it's a band they share there succes togheter, their inspiration, if one guy has a great idea you can intervine by seeing " it's my time to do the song" if serj didn't agree with daron lyrics i don't think he would have sing them and we should respect their decision as a band P.S: serj still is my favourite system of a downer :)
|
WidoWmakeR
11.08.05, 17:16
|
look people.... Serj-singer , Daron -guitarist......yeah, Daron could do some choruses too but Serj.....SERJ!!!!! HE IS SINGER WITH onE OF THE BEAUTIFULEST VOICES on EARTH TO ME!!!!! Somethink like James Hetfiald from Metallica, when you hear Nothing else matters you could hear his beautiful voice, and so did Serj, just listen to toxicity wery welll or lost in hollywood.......that voice, Daron is just a little piece of shit before Serj!!! (Oh, forgive me God and Daron but it's true) or just listen to all songs from SOAD, Daron wanna be a great superstar...he already is!!!!!!! But let Serj do his job!!! He got beautiful voice and beautilful smile ;-) I just love him, I loved Daron too but it's like he fuck off Serj and Mezmerize looks like a Daron's album and that makes me angry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Daron, you are good guitarist(not the best) but realy cool, Serj you are one of the greatest singers in the world and Daron knows it!!!!!!! But i think Daron wanna show he can sing too, BUT!!! Serj is better!!! lokk at toxicity album...it's perfect because eweryone done his job!!!!! Mezmerize it's perfect too but Daron realy pissed me off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He took's guitarist job what is normal but he took Serjs job too from a part!!!!! MORE SERJ!!!! MORE SERJ!!!!!!
|
ninja_
11.08.05, 17:17
|
there IS a difference between writing the MUSIC and writing the lyrics/vocal lines. i can't imagine Daron writing the exact words AND the vocal lines for Serj. it wouldn't bother me otherwise, but seeing Daron getting more and more cocky (sorry, that's my opinion), it does make sense. he's jealous of Serj i know. i don't think SOAD would be half as tempting as it is now if Serj wouldn't be a member anyways...
|
serjripsass
11.08.05, 17:23
|
Somebody is a little jealous of Serj and his overall work, don't you think? And somebody would like a bigger part of glory... Just saying... ...And imagine that Serj isn't even reacting at Daron's want-to-take-over-and-be-the-ultimate-singer-composer-guitarist-ever tendencies at all!
|
WidoWmakeR
11.08.05, 17:30
|
now I starting hate Daron for this.....!!!! If there will be no Serj in band, I would not listen to them!!!!! I'l tell you this, without Serj System of a down is nothing!!!! Daron is medium guitar player, not perfect riffs(but fucking cool!!-Arieals, Chop-suey,Sugar,War,Innervision....) not perfect solos, not fast solos like Kirk Hammet or Zakk Wylde or "DEVIL!" Hanneman! and not perfect voice either! sorry Daron but this is realy truth and you all knows that there is more better guitarist's like Daron....Shavo-mmm, not perfect bassist either, just copied riffs from songs and modified it for bass....John-diferent coffe! Fucking cool and fast drummer{ but still not best but one of the best!(to all of my friends/drummers)} Serj-fucking diferent coffe!!!!!!! One of the best (in first 5 on the world) to millions of people!!!(and to my friends-singers)! Just thing, without Serj , System of a down will be another nu-metal group just like others just with music that sounds revolutional to someone BUT!!! just music like other!
|
chopsuey292
11.08.05, 17:39
|
Please dont be retarded. People have been attackin him for writing more lyrics and shit and he's just saying that he's written in the past too...all hes doing now is singing those lines. Just because the lyrics for Violent Porno or Radio Video dont match up with songs like Spiders or Innervision doesnt mean that he cant write lyrics like Serj. Unless they say which parts of each song they wrote lyrics for you couldnt never tell if Daron wrote the lyrics or not. For all we know he could have written most or some of the lyrics for Sugar or Pluck. Plus just cuz someone writes a line of lyrics doesnt mean that they absolutely have to be the one singing them. John could write lyrics for a song but it doesnt mean he has to sing them.. obviously he would give them to serj or daron. I bet if serj wrote the lyrics for radio video and violent pornography and they were excatly the same, no one would care. But if daron wrote it...then its terrible!!
|
WidoWmakeR
11.08.05, 17:55
|
man that's not terrible!!!!! That's ok when Daron wrote lyrics, that is absolutely normal and fine!!!!! BUT!!!!!! It doesnt mean taht he has to sing whole song and Serj will just doing backround vocals!!!! Eweryone can wrote lyrics but they should be singed with a lead singer!!! Not guitarist , Daron plays on guitar and sings whole song and Serj can just fuck off!?!??! A loved them all but now, Daron.....i dont like you! I told it before...he steal Serj's job!!!! He can(must!) writ lyrics, he can sing them but if he thinks Serj is one of the backround vocalist...man, fuck you with job like this, then why is Serj still there??? If Daron can play on drums, bass and guitar at same time, there will be no system of a down but Darons down.....
|
WidoWmakeR
11.08.05, 17:57
|
Daron was a singer in his first group and i heard it was horrible, but he got nice voice but ......what i wrote upstairs
|
Pizzapie
11.08.05, 18:11
|
please stop saying shit about daron, i know that serj is better and i know that daron sing more than before but he almost write all mezmerize songs... and he didnt steal serj's job, so if your saying shit about him , its beacause you dont like system!!!
|
SystemofaDownisHot
11.08.05, 19:50
|
Everyone stop saying bullshit about Daron. Everyone's misunderstanding what he's saying, give him a break.
|
hrricanefan
12.08.05, 00:13
|
I actually remember an interview somewhere where Serj said he wrote most of the verses and Daron wrote most of the choruses in their songs.. wish I could remember which interview it was..
|
chopsuey292
12.08.05, 01:31
|
I think Daron bashing has officially become a trend
|
619dan
12.08.05, 02:51
|
yeah y all of a sudden do yall hate daron, hes tight serj is tight shavos tight john is tight, who cares who writes the music, as long as its good and original, it dosent matter to me
|
ninja_
12.08.05, 05:59
|
most of the music is still written by Daron and he's fucking good at it, i mean he's essential. who cares if he's an average guitar player if he writes 100 times more interesting riffs and all than every 'nu-metal' band out there... he's great at backing vocals too. i just think that Serj is so much more interesting when it comes to lyrics and vocals, not to mention that it's HIS job in the first place. as i've said, i think Daron is a bit cocky anyways (watch some festival videos, or an interview), he is kinda lying sometimes, and talks shit too much overall. like why the hell does he HAVE to comment on Serj's business ALL THE TIME ? i mean, it's a bit rude. and i'm not even the first one to mention this. if you don't believe me, comment this: http://soadfans.com/MeG-showpic-pid-1758-orderby-dateD.htm
|
seth_greven
12.08.05, 08:46
|
sry dudez, but dont u feel like dumbasses? who the fuck started to bring this whole thing yet again towards arguing about who is better n who should do what? man, ur not a true fan, if u say stuff like: daron fuck off, dont do this dont do that, daron ur just jealous... bullshit!! open your fuckin eyes! YOU guys piss me off, n not any of the band members. i love all of em the same, n for just a second i was starting to think who i like more, just cuz u always agrue about it. this doesnt make sense, u wanna diss, then do it wherever u wanna, but not on a fansite. see: FAN-site?? plus: u always mention just daron n serj... like shavo n john does nothing in the band... wtf... shavo directs videos... john is the best drummer ever... man, wtf u call urselves fans? duh, anyway, fuck it
|
|
|
|
Random Poll |
Rate Serj Tankian "Elect the Dead" Album...
|
|
