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Inside the mind of SERJ TANKIAN |
Posted by ZAk on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 12:29 PM
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 TRAVEL
“Travel teaches you a lot about the diversity of the world. When musicians talk
about politics we’re often given shit for it’ – and I understand that – but we
do get to travel, which gives us an insight into other cultures. There are
tonnes of places I’ve yet to visit - China, South East China, South America.
Hopefully I can go beyond the places I visited with System. Getting to see
somewhere like Moscow would be great.”
FAMILY
“Being Armenian is like being Italian – family is everything. It’s where you
come from and without knowing where you come from you’re never going to know
where the fuck you’re going. When I’m back home I make a point of going to visit
my parents every Sunday at the very least. The bonds between family members are
the bonds we need to built between each other, in order to make this world a
better place.”
FAITH
“I’ve read a lot about the indigenous lives of Native Americans, Aborigines and
Maoris - cultures that extend back beyond modern civilization. I respect modern
religions like Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism but they were
all created <i>after<i> civilization formed, so they don’t define the full scope
of belief in life. I’m very much into the belief that everything is one rather
than perceived concepts of good and evil.”
POETRY
“I tend to write poetry when I’m free from a schedule, on holiday or whatever.
Years ago I had a dream of hunkering down in Paris for six months and writing a
novel. But since music became a career instead of a hobby, foreign policy and
politics have become a hobby for me. I read up on it daily, and wonder whether
perhaps I could write something that politically defines society at the turn of
the century. Poetry is a much freer form than music, much more intimate and
personal.”
 DRUGS
“I’ve experimented with drugs at various points over time and enjoyed their
artistic input, the way they open certain doors. I don’t really partake in any
drug on a continuous basis now, except for coffee and some wine. I smoke weed
once in a while, but the danger with that is I only want to create music. I say
‘danger’ because when I smoke weed I can’t communicate or function well - all I
want to do is make more write music. But, hey, that’s cool if that’s what you
want to do that night! It’s a good relaxing tool.”
MONEY
“Money is an interesting concept, another product of ‘civilisation’. Instead of
swapping, say, cows for corn, we now all use paper. But money is only as good as
the government behind it. Years ago money had a commodity-based value, but
that’s no longer the case these days. What is ‘value’ anyway? Why is gold or
diamonds so expensive? Let me put it this way: at some point money may well
become worthless, while toilet paper may well become more valuable. I could
refer you to the song ‘Money’ on my new record: <i>“The causes of my servitude
can be traced to the tyranny of money…”<i>
SYSTEM OF A DOWN
“We’ve had a fantastic twelve years together. We’ve made some really interesting
music over five albums and said lots of interesting things – whether talking
about politics or talking out of our arses. It’s been a learning experience and
I feel extremely blessed we’ve been allowed to make music on a daily basis. To
work with the others has been a pleasure. I mean, those guys are my friends, my
brothers. The door is open for us to work again sometime.”
THE FUTURE
“I’m aware that neither the future nor the past really exist. All that exists is
the present – the everlasting present. The future only exists in terms of
visualisation in order to personal achieve goals. We all have a role within this
human drama and once we realize that I think we each have a chance of personal
happiness. But it can only really be achieved through the present. I think the
trick is to be nimble and flexible for anything that is thrown at you. So I
don’t worry about the future too much.”
Words: Ben Myers
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Comments
itsmeMRJACK
15.08.07, 14:34
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How recent is this? and first post.
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itsmeMRJACK
15.08.07, 14:39
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^nvm my other post, and i found a spelling error =D "The bonds between family members are the bonds we need to built between each other"
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flavia_tankian
15.08.07, 15:17
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Great interview
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Aciid_drop
15.08.07, 15:18
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Really nice n true stuff he said there,i too am wonderin when was this made??
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espio-blz
15.08.07, 15:59
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nice
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Crack||
15.08.07, 16:51
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''I mean, those guys are my friends, my brothers. The door is open for us to work again sometime.” :''') <3<3<3
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tiffanyevett
15.08.07, 19:20
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sweetness, that's a great interview, gota love serj, lol
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Moonette
15.08.07, 20:11
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Is it just me, or has Serj gotten more, um, "open", since he became a solo artist?
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Boozeclues
15.08.07, 22:27
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Serj always says how "the door is open for them if they want to make another album in the future", but nothing is certain. so basically hes saying if hes bored in 10 years they might make another album. then daron says somthing toatlly different, like they are just doing there own thing and theyll be back right after, so i think serj and daron have had some conflict with eachother, and unless they overcome it, Soad is over. Why would john and shavo join scars if they all wanted to do their own thing. the only reason daron made the new band is because him and serj werent getting along. daron was getting along with everyone else just fine. thats my theory.
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DARK_FATE
15.08.07, 22:48
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\m/ Awesome.
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dalin
15.08.07, 22:59
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Great interview. Thanks!
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redsoxmb545
15.08.07, 23:12
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Awesome
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Holysong
15.08.07, 23:38
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He is so cool; has made life more tolerable ! lol There's a reality : soad was better before daron took part in singing and perhaps mixing the songs and serj was more gentle to quarrel, then we have to face this situation. anyways i guess that it's better to hear serj's solo than mez/hyp, though i cannot annul daron's part and I really love john. (personal idea!)
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Commodore
16.08.07, 02:00
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Love this interview. Serj is my hero. :)
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PLUCKmyAERIALs
16.08.07, 04:48
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wow
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systemjunky
16.08.07, 06:06
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Awesome
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the_fighting_chicken
16.08.07, 08:12
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serj is so awsome hes also really smart too but at the same time really random and funny."at some point money may become worthless while toilet paper may become valuable". lol
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system_of_a_down_lover
16.08.07, 09:10
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"Why would john and shavo join scars if they all wanted to do their own thing. the only reason daron made the new band is because him and serj werent getting along. daron was getting along with everyone else just fine. thats my theory." Aaw don't put that through my mind :( I dont wanna think that Serj and Daron are having a conflict. They can't be. "They're brothers" :) Remember, Serj is obviously REALLY busy so maybe he doesnt have time to do Scars. I mean Daron is helping Serj ,maybe because he had the time? I dont think they're in a conflict right now. ..But I could be wrong...:( ....But I can also be right :D 50/50 chance... :P poo
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