They are Avant-garde and intelligent. They are all great individuals, very serious and at the same time wild.

All four members of the famous American rock group “System of a Down” are of Armenian descent. They play aggressive neo-metal music on stage, but in real life they are very subtle and openhearted philosophers. It is impossible to connect their music with any other style. It is an incredible mixture which attracts everyone. People either love them or don’t accept them. There are more people that love the group. Recently, the Netherlands authorities closed down the airport upon their arrival because there were too many fans. Usually, unexpected fame and fortune turn people into egoistic rock stars. This was not the case for the boys of “System of a Down”. In just a matter of time, Serj Tankian, Shavo Odadjian, Daron Malakian and John Dolmayan were able to reach fame and become the most famous alternative rock group in the world. “We don’t play and sing to be liked by the people,” they say.

The group creates interesting musical combinations, writes clever and impressive lyrics where there are sounds of revolt. “We are like a cake. Everyone tries to find something in us, someone wants the sweet part, the other wants the biscuit,” says Serj Tankian an. The aggressiveness in their rock music is beautifully compiled with Eastern melodies and the political lyrics add rhythm to it all. The album entitled “Toxity” which was released in 2001 broke the music chain in America.

The song “Boom” released in September was aimed towards the war in Iraq and was an anti-war call to all. Daron’s family lives in Iraq and the invasion of U.S. troops blew him away. “Why don’t presidents go to war? Why do they send others to do the job?” are some of the lyrics of “Boom”. The video clip was filmed by famous documental writer, Oscar winner and Grand Prize winner at the “Kanni” festival Michael Moore. Then came the famous albums “Steal this Album” and “Mesmerize”.

Fans wait for the new album “Hypnotize” which will hit stores on November 22. “Hypnotize” includes songs with Eastern and Asian melodies. The rock group was also invited to perform in Lisbon for the Europe Music Awards. Besides live performances, each member of the group is planning out his own career. They like to mix music and politics. “I can not rest assured knowing that there is one bit of injustice out there,” says Serj Tankian who founded the “Axis of Justice” active NGO which draws the attention to injustice around the world. They especially emphasize on the first criminal act against humanity of the century-the Armenian Genocide. “People must know about the Armenian Genocide. Today, politics is not just politics.

We can no longer separate economy from the activities of the World Bank,” says Serj. Thirty eight year old Serj Tankian was born in Beirut and moved to the U.S. at an early age. He leaves the impression of someone who understands the meaning of life and is relatively calm. Serj Tankian has already published his book of poems entitled “Cool Garden” and loves to make musical combinations. His latest achievement is the “Serart” concert in New York where he performed with ethno-jazz musician Arto Tunchboyadjyan. “ “Serart” was not a rock concert, but rather improvisations of Armenian, Chinese and Japanese music. The first two syllables of “Serart” are my name and Arto’s; there are also two important words: ser (love) and art,” says Serj Tankian. By the way, he speaks Armenian very well. “Why are you amazed to hear me speaking Armenian?” asked Serj at the beginning of our interview. Serj Tankian paid a visit to Armenia with his 21 year old girlfriend to whom he is also engaged to, however, he did not give an interview to any journalist. He has been in Yerevan and Vanadzor. His fiancée was born in Vanadzor and moved to the U.S. a couple of years ago. This interview is exclusive and was set up with difficulty. Since Serj Tankian recently met with Foreign Minister of Armenia Vartan Oskanyan and the minister had thanked him for his work led towards recognition of the Armenian Genocide, we did not start off from music.

- Our music and concerts had nothing to do with the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. We don’t talk about Armenians on stage, but we always talk about Armenians during all interviews. Many people have already started to recognize-recently half a million people have sent letters to the U.S. Congress. I don’t like propagandists and don’t spread propaganda myself. I don’t think that you can achieve anything through propaganda. Work needs to be done delicately and not make a big fuss about it. Then you can do something. I think that by working delicately, we can have positive effects in politics. We just make speeches and we consider that important.

“How was Armenia?”

-You live here and you should know how life is here. I am here for the second time and I have no right to criticize how life is here or suggest anything.

“Is Yerevan a happy city?”

-I think that the life in any city is more boring than the life in the village. People living in the city are more busy and don’t have time for anything, they are away from nature. Based on what I saw, both Yerevan and Kirovakan are nice cities. They are both small but nice cities.

“What can be considered as development for Armenia? We don’t have the strength and power that America has. What do we need to grow?”

- Constructing big buildings has nothing to do with growth and development. You don’t make a city bigger by building casinos and hotels. Growth has to do with culture and the spirit. I would like to see that the next time I visit Yerevan. New things must be in the heart of the people, not manifested in the buildings.

“What is wrong in Armenia?”

-The country must be aware of international organizations-they are not just giving the money; they have other goals. It is better to rely on the organization that makes promises that it can keep and does good things for the country. The government wants to increase money transfers, but that is not enough.

“Does the Armenian Diaspora play a major role in Armenia’s development?”

- We have a strong Diaspora and we can do many things if we just work together. But we must work diligently and honestly. By cooperating, we will be able to strengthen Armenia quickly, rather than let others accomplish what they want and that is to put Armenia under the influence of the U.S.

“Do you feel Armenian?”

- I am Armenian, whether or not I want to be, I feel that way. But I would like to be Armenian, Russian, Serb, a Turk and many other nationalities through my work, my life and my music. We don’t need to find Armenian melodies in the music that we play. It is already Armenian because the members are Armenian. We never mix our work with music.

“Do you agree that nowadays people no longer have the desire to change something?”

- People are so bored of their lives that they need to see how others are living. You have to simply go out to the street, stop watching television and meet real people, talk with them, try to understand them. You have to live your life. We as a group are against closed people who have started to live not in the real world, but rather the virtual one. Many people are living a dull life.

“Your fiancée is Armenian. Is getting married to an Armenian woman some kind of inner voice or nationality has nothing to do with it?”

- We shouldn’t even discuss that. We don’t have to be like the paparazzi of other countries. They always ask me personal questions but I never answer them. I can only say one thing: love doesn’t have boundaries and doesn’t ask what color your flag is-the same with music. Our group worked hard for five months, we gave concerts in Europe, South America and our new CD hits stores on November 22. I came to Armenia to relax and see my friends.

“Do you have any relatives in Armenia?”

- I don’t, but my friends do. But you’re asking me personal questions again.

“How was it that everyone around the world loved your music and now you have many fans and even fan clubs?”

- All fine arts represent some richness. Man has feelings and his feelings are shared with everyone. The power to work with art comes from above. People who can use that power are lucky. I consider myself lucky because I can share my art and happiness with others.

“Is Armenian youth proud that the members of “System of a Down” are of Armenian descent?”

- Yes, and I am also proud of Armenian youth.

“Can we expect to see “System of a Down” in Armenia?”

- We are thinking about coming to Armenia in 2006 for concert tours.
 

Nune HAKHVERDYAN | November 6, 2005

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