| Daron was born in 1975 as an only
child for Vartan
and Zepur Malakian, an Armenian family who was living in Iraq. His parents moved to Hollywood from Iraq
in 1975. His father, Vartan, is a Painter and Choreographer, his
mother was a teacher for sculptures at the college (in Iraq).
According to Daron himself, he always wanted to be a Drummer but his
parents got him guitar instead so, they can turn it off when its
possible. Daron went to 'Rose & Alex Pilibosl' school, the same
school his band mates Serj and Shavo went to, then he attended
'Roosevelt' Middle School and 'Glendale' High School later, When he
was 16, he joined his first band ever (unknown name, probably school
stuff), in the beginning of 90s, Daron met Serj, and created
together their new band "Soil" and made a few songs before eventually renamed to System of a Down which based on a
poem's name Daron wrote called 'Victims of a Down'.
Rich Culture
Daron is effected strongly with being Armenian, obvious influence
of Armenian genocide and other Armenian influences was clearly found
in his lyrics with System of A Down Songs. He's also effected with
Arabic culture; some songs like Scars on Broadway's 'Babylon' was
about Iraq; Daron was reported speaking and saying some arabic
phrases in his live shows.
Malakian now lives in Glendale, California in a home by himself,
he likes to collect candles, eastern rugs, instruments, and skulls.
Daron smokes cannabis, and has stated that if he was the President
of the USA, he would "Legalize Weed". Daron has been voted 4th best
guitarist of the year 2005 by Metal Edge Magazine. Daron has stated in an
interview that he hates the Nu-Metal label more than anything.
Malakian co-produced System of a Down's albums with Rick Rubin, as
well as The Ambulance and Bad Acid Trip (a band on fellow member
Serj Tankian's Serjical Strike Records). He started his own
label, EatUrMusic, on which Amen was the first signed band; he did
drop the label later, saying in one of the interviews he's not into
label works, he's more musician than anything. Malakian has also
started new band called Scars on Broadway.
In
2003 Daron Malakian played in the Celebrity Baseball Game in
Hollywood, where a variety of celebrities played a baseball game. He
wrote a song about the experience, "Old School Hollywood", which
appears on Disc 1 of System of a Down's recent double album, Mezmerize/Hypnotize.
Daron first picked up a guitar at age 12, saying in an interview,
"For the first year and a half, I learned how to play by ear, and
did alright. After a few years I gained a reputation as being a
guitar player in high school. And by 16 or 17 I actually realized it
was a good songwriting instrument, and, over anything, that's what I
feel like. I don't pretend to be Mr. Guitar Virtuoso".
Daron is well
known for playing his Ibanez baritone (between a guitar and a bass)
Iceman IC300, with custom graphics done by his father, Vartan
Malakian. His father also did custom graphics on the 1978 Iceman, as
well as making the horned bridge replacing the stopbar. The guitar
was popular in the 1970's and 1980's, and he is fronting its
comeback. All of the guitars that he plays on stage have a
one-of-a-kind finish and cannot be found in retail, although there
was a limited edition Iceman with graphics by 'Vartan Malakian' sold
on eBay. He plays through Marshall Amplifiers, uses Jim Dunlop Delrin 2.0mm plectrums and Ernie Ball "Skinny Bottom Heavy Top"
guitar strings. Daron now uses a Gibson SG onstage in most of System
of a Down's recent live shows. He can be seen with his Gibson SG 61'
Reissue in the music videos for System of a Down's B.Y.O.B and
Question! and he is seen playing his cream-colored SG in the video
for "Hypnotize". From System of a Down's formation, up until their
third album, Steal This Album!, Daron used Drop C Tuning on his
guitars. On the band's double album "Mezmerize/Hypnotize", Daron
changed to Drop Db Tuning, a step up from Drop C. He gave the reason
for the change in tuning as to give the new songs "more kick".
Scars on Broadway Project
In December of 2005, Daron said in an interview that he "could
release ten solo records tomorrow.". He also said, "I have tons of
material laying around. After these albums," (Mezmerize and
Hypnotize) "I'm gonna go off and do something on my own, just like
Serj. And no, System of a Down are not breaking up. We're just gonna
do like KISS and put out our own solo records or something like
that." On what direction his album will take, Malakian states: "It
will probably be something electronic. Not dance music, but
something more experimental. When, or even if, the music comes out
it will still be structured, just like System of a Down's music is."
Scars on Broadway performed live in the Whisky on April 11, 2008
before the release of their debut album which was later released on
July 29 2007
Personal Issues and putting Scars on hold
in October 07 2008, Daron surprisingly sent a message announcing
cancellation of all live activities of the band due to personal
issues; without clarifying exactly the nature of the issues he's
facing, rumors was calming that the band broke up already especially
with involving the other members in new side projects and no
official confirmation that they will be back - check more details in
Scars on
Broadway Page.
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