John Dolmayan (SOAD) is on board as the drummer, which Malakian is pleased about because of the history they share. But aside from that, everything else about Scars on Broadway is fresh and brand new. Malakian recently stated “Sometimes we tell people, We’re Scars on Broadway.” ‘And they’re like, ‘Oh I never heard of it.’ Which is fine with him.

In my interview with Daron, he talked about everything from his writing process, to System of A Down’s break-up or as Malakian likes to call a “separation”. He also sets the record straight on why the band decided to call it quits in the first place.

UG: After listening to this record, one of the first things that really struck me was all the different musical influences… Boy, I would love to see your record collection!

Daron Malakian: (laughs) I do have a pretty wide range.. My taste is everywhere…It’s what I really enjoy. I’m not trying to get into different stuff, I just truly enjoy the variety.

What guitarists inspired you growing up?

It wasn’t necessarily just guitar players…That’s the thing, I’m more impressed by songs than guitar playing. But drums were actually my favorite instrument growing up. I kind of played guitar by accident…

It’s what naturally comes out of me. I don’t put too much thought into writing music or playing music. I just do it. And whatever comes out of me, I try not to edit it. I don’t sit there and say you can’t mix metal with country. Or you can’t mix The Beatles and Slayer. I think you can, because it’s all music. And if it comes out honestly it will make sense. If it’s coming out like I’m trying to put a square into a triangle type of thing then it kind of comes off that way. I honestly enjoy everything from Hank Williams to Black Norwegian Metal to The Damned to Kraftwerk. And there are just so many bands out there… And I wanted to express some of those influences in Scars.

You also have an uncanny ability to combine melody with the heaviness. Do you think that has something to do with your Middle Eastern (Armenian) background?

To me that’s kind of like the root of who I am. For example, Carlos Santana plays rock n roll but while he’s playing rock n roll the Latin stuff comes out. And I bet he doesn’t think about it. It’s just natural. So, that’s kind of what Middle Eastern music is to me. It’s the music that was always there, even if I wasn’t listening to it myself, my family was listening to it. Or other people around me were.

There’s also a lot of intricate and difficult guitar work on this record. Do you think it might be a challenge to both play and sing this music live?

Hasn’t been so far… I’m pretty comfortable doing both. Some people have to learn how to play and sing. Playing and singing has always been what I’ve done. Even when I was writing with the System stuff, I pretty much wrote the songs playing and singing in my living room.

I only ask because I’ve seen you play with System of a Down and you were always pretty animated…

Well yes, there is a difference. When I was playing with System I could be a lot more loose because I’m singing less. It’s just different now. It’s not necessarily bad or good or worse… And I think at this point in my life, I want to be a little more laid back.

Rolling Stone was quoted as saying, “Scars are Broadway aren’t overtly political.” Were you trying to make a political record or hope that it’s perceived that way?

No. But I think there are political things mentioned there. But I’m trying to get a pulse on society, not just politics.

And sometimes politics and society go hand and hand…

Yes, exactly. And the whole world in general goes hand in hand. Everything that’s involved in the world, from the lion that’s in Africa to me and you talking on the phone… It’s all connected. And that’s what I try to get across with my songs lyrically. Sometimes it’s really hard for me to explain what a song is exactly about. Because it’s exactly about a lot of different things.

Is the writing process different now, as opposed to when you when you wrote with Serj Tankian (in System of a Down)?

I never wrote with a partner. That was always the assumption…

No, no don’t worry, it’s not just you. A lot of people assumed that Serj and I sat in a room together and wrote songs. I can’t think of one System song that was written that way.

Did you collaborate together?

I wrote the songs in my home by myself, and then I would bring the songs to the band. There were moments where I would have a chorus written and I would be tell them well I have verse here and this is what I think the melody should be but I don’t really have lyrics… So, about 90% of the time, System songs were written that way. Then they’re were occasions where Serj would bring in something and I would help structure that.

So, I guess the writing process hasn’t changed at all with Scars?

No, the writing process is exactly the same for me now, as it was the System. Where the difference is, like I said, Serj did have input in a lot of cases in songs, I definitely don’t want to disregard his influence on the songs. But the way that they were written, and the structure and everything was by myself. So, the collaboration would come more after I had kind of written and arranged the song. Then I would bring the song to the band and let everybody put their flavors into it.

How is it different at all, as far as where you’re coming from?

The difference is when I’m writing a song, I have different people in mind. While I was writing for System, I’d have Serj in mind. I’d try to write melodies or I’d try to write songs that revolved around topics that he would want to sing about. So, the style kind of comes out with him in mind. So, the difference now is, the topics that I bring in to my current band, and the vocal style for example in “They Say” is a very Johnny Rotten type of approach. I would never have asked Serj to sing that way. So, if I was writing that song for System maybe, it would of come out alittle different.

You mentioned in a previous interview that you and Serj will always share a bond. Have you been able to catch eachother’s shows?

I actually haven’t seen his. But he was actually watching us at Coachella. The only reason I didn’t see his, is because he played a day before, and we weren’t there yet. But it’s my birthday in 3 days, and he just paged me Happy Birthday. So, we really don’t have a bad relationship or anything.

I never thought that…

I know, but I’m just trying to make that clear because some people do.

Oh you mean all the rumors about why you broke up…

Yeah, and it was totally a creative thing. I call it a separation. And we separated. Some people separate and get divorced. And some separate and say one day maybe we’ll get back together. And that’s kind of where we left it off. I think our friendship is more important and us not hating eachother is more important to us than keeping a band together that might of ended us up in that situation.

One thing that I’m proud of is, if we wanted to we could have kept it going and really made a grip of money. I just see a lot of bands out there continuing, but they’re not really bands. And one thing is, when we felt that System was turning into that, we kind of stepped away from it.

Speaking of SOAD members you’ve got John Dolmayan on the drums… Does having him as your drummer give you some comfort and security as you start this new band?

It makes if feel like home. It almost feels like we’re continuing where we left off from. That’s what this album feels like to me. Because I did write a lot of that System material, for me this is just an evolution and continuation of my writing from there.

So, what will be happening next as far as a tour?

Well in about a month we’re headed out to Europe for around 3 weeks to do some club dates, and possibly a festival. Then we’re doing a US run in October. And then it’s the holidays, and so far there’s nothing planned after that.

Are you looking forward to playing smaller venues?

Yes, and so far that’s what we’ve been playing for the most part. It’s been fun. The whole thing that’s happening with this band and everything going on is just like a breath of fresh air. And it feels like we’re building from the ground up. I don’t know it’s just something I needed to experience, and it feels really good.

Daron, you have said that everything you do as an artist comes from your father (Vartan Malakian). Is that still true for you?

Yeah… The fact that he is doing all the art for this album… I feel that what I do and his art are intertwined. I wouldn’t be who I am if it wasn’t for him.

Thanks for your time and have a great birthday!

Ok thanks…

Interview by Argie Plakas - Ultimate-Guitar.Com

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