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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
StumbleInGirl
10.09.07, 19:03
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It's poetry when he speaks...pure poetry.... ::faints, wakes up, then faints again::
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deemed.warfare
12.09.07, 13:25
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lo
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d3erd4nc3
13.09.07, 01:26
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OMFG ROCK ON SYSTEM OF A DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LONG LIVE SYSTEM OF A DOWN!!!
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Berjisär
13.09.07, 07:26
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I always wondered, that SOAD were not banned, because of their drug-use... There is also no "Explicit Content" on the CDs although MTV censores alot of the words in the singles (woa, Sugar and BYOB became lousy with these censorship)
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deathgamer91
17.09.07, 17:48
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They will never get banned because of drug use. If they spilt up i am going to kill myself.
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froginatutu
07.10.07, 20:59
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i hate to be such a 'fan' but Serj tranforms mr into a dweeeb!!!
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shelly114
15.10.07, 22:52
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thats freakin cool!
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