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Category: SOADFansThe news items published under this category are as follows.
SOADFans: System involved in Armenian Documentary Film
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| Posted by norkzakarian on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 08:26 PM |
"Armenia, a Country under Blockade," a powerful documentary film on the impact of Turkey's blockade of Armenia was featured at the recently concluded Myrtle Beach International Film Festival, and has officially been selected for the upcoming "Golden Apricots," Yerevan's International film festival, which will take place between July 12-17.
Narrated by System of a Down lead vocalist, Serj Tankian and directed by Diran Noubar, the 52-minute documentary film describes, in compelling images and through first-hand accounts, the human impact of Turkey's decade-long, illegal blockade of Armenia. |
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SOADFans: System of a Down Contribute Over $20,000 For Genocide Awareness
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| Posted by JP on Wednesday, July 06, 2005 - 05:47 AM |
Toronto - Los Angeles based multi-platinum-selling heavy metal band, System of a Down, again confirmed their steadfast support of organization’s seeking to promote genocide awareness by their recent donation to the Zoryan Institute. In the last two years System of a Down has contributed over $20,000 to the Zoryan Institute to help further its mission of Genocide research, education and awareness as part of System’s ongoing activism with regards to genocide recognition and general awareness. The contribution comes from their third annual benefit concert “Souls 2005” held in Los Angeles, California, which they named “Souls” because "There are all these souls that aren't at rest. Their deaths have been overlooked" said the band.
System of a Down
(From left to right: Daron Malakian,Serj Tankian,John Dolmayan and Shavo Odadjian )
The members of System of a Down, who are of Armenian descent, all lost family members and family history to the Armenian Genocide. The band feels compelled to support and promote organizations such as the Zoryan Institute, which conducts historical research, produces publications and promotes education in the field "Because so much of [our] family history was lost in the Armenian Genocide," said guitarist Daron Malakian, "my grandfather, who was very young at the time, doesn't know his true age. How many people can say they don't know how old they are?". As such, System of a Down’s annual benefit concert, which they headline, gives proceeds to worthy non-profit organizations that work toward prevention of future genocide or recognition of past genocides either through educational awareness, such as the Zoryan Institute or through political action as taken by others.
During the first genocide of the 20th century, perpetrated by Ottoman Turkey during World War I against its Armenian population, over 1.5 million Armenians were annihilated and hundreds of thousands deported from their ancient homeland. April 24th was chosen as the date for the “Souls 2005” concert as this year, it commemorated the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Why should System of a Down fans be concerned about the Armenian Genocide, something that happened nearly one-hundred years ago and far away from the US and Canada is what many ask.
"It's important for people to be aware of the Armenian Genocide," explained lead singer Serj Tankian, "Had the Armenian Genocide been acknowledged as a Crime Against Humanity as it was, Hitler might not have thought he could get away with the Jewish Holocaust. History does and will repeat itself, unless we stop that cycle.” Zoryan Institute Director George Shirinian said “We share System of a Down’s intellectual concern about the consequences of impunity and appreciate their continued interest and support in the work that we do. We also appreciate the fact that System is using its celebrity status to elevate awareness of a universal cause, which could entice individuals to get active. Only through such understanding and awareness about the heinous crime of genocide and gross violation of human rights may we have a chance to make a difference. System of a Down plays a major role in this endeavor.”
The Zoryan Institute is the first non-profit, international center devoted to the research and documentation of contemporary issues related to Armenian social, political and cultural life. To this end, the Institute conducts multidisciplinary research, publication, and educational programs dealing with Armenia, the Armenian Genocide, and Diaspora, within a universal context.
Source: <A HREF=>http://www.zoryaninstitute.org/
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SOADFans: Serj fails to buy NZ beach property!
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| Posted by ZAk on Sunday, July 03, 2005 - 02:52 PM |
The singer of American band System of a Down has failed in his bid to buy a west coast beach property and develop a recording studio. Serj Tankian planned to pay $890,000 for the 13.6ha property at Bethells Beach but his application was refused by the Overseas Investment Commission. The metal band played at New Zealand's Big Day Out in 2002 and their latest album, Mesmerize, entered the charts at number one here last month. The Kokako Rd property is mostly bush covered but has an existing home where Tankian proposed to incorporate an acoustic recording studio. He would have lived in New Zealand "in the medium term", according to a proposal to the commission. Tankian, the owner of Serjical Strike Records, wanted to identify local musicians to record demos, and then seek recording deals for them in the US, the commission said. He intended to rent out the studio but also use it for personal projects. The plan was rejected because it was not considered to be in the national interest.
Update by JP:
Serj Tankian told the Herald he was "pretty disappointed" the Overseas Investment Commission rejected his proposal to buy a mainly bush-covered 13.69ha site in Bethells Beach.
"I have learned an important lesson. I cannot place myself in any situation where someone else's decisions will affect my home," he said.
Tankian wanted to build an acoustic recording studio in an existing home on the Kokako Rd property. He proposed to identify local talent to record song demos and seek record deals for them in America.
Tankian said the commission wanted annual reports on his activities in New Zealand.
"I was cool with the first three years, but they wanted to be able to renew their ability to get reports from me and decide if I was compliant with the application.
"I couldn't agree to a governmental body checking up on me yearly and applying scientific methods to finding good music, making records, and distributing them internationally, just so I can be able to live in that house."
Tankian, who played at the Big Day Out this year, said he had fallen in love with the spirit of New Zealand, "political neutrality, cultural awareness, and environmental respect among [the attractions]".
SYSTEM OF A DOWN has been on a world tour and promoting a new critically acclaimed album, "Mezmerize", which entered charts around the world at No 1 in May.
"I would like to spend some time there after my touring cycle and find another place, one that won't need OIC approval, hopefully," said Tankian.
He commended New Zealand officials for protecting the country's land and resources.
Neil Finn, who provided a character reference to the commission, said it seemed incredible the application was rejected.
"Having talked with Serj myself it's obvious that he had the best intentions for the preservation of the land in its natural state.
"His band sells millions of records and he is a principled and charming man."
By Louisa Cleave from <A href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=6&ObjectID=10334076" target=_blank>nzherald.co.nz |
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SOADFans: Gomidas Institute Interview with Serj Tankian
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| Posted by JP on Sunday, July 03, 2005 - 01:38 PM |
As part of the GI (UK)’s System of Down project, it was felt appropriate to try to gain an interview with lead singer of SOAD, Serj Tankian, perhaps the most vocal proponent of the band’s wish for recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The management and Serj himself were very amenable to this, and so it was that we made our way to the Download Festival at Donnington Park on 12th June 2005.
Gregory Topalian of the GI (UK) with lead singer of SOAD, Serj Tankian |
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SOADFans: SOAD Name New Single 'Question!'
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| Posted by blair88 on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - 04:56 AM |
<SPAN class=pn-normal><SPAN class=genCopy>As abstract as System of a Down's music is, the band believes all 11 tracks on the new Mezmerize would fit on rock radio.
"I don't really think about singles too much, but everything is written very much with a song structure," <SPAN class=genCopy>guitarist/singer Daron Malakian said.
"There is something very poppy about almost every one of those songs."
So when it came to choosing the follow-up to 'B.Y.O.B.', System looked to others, including radio programmers who were, conveniently, already playing 'Question!' The song, the only one on Mezmerize with lyrics solely written by singer Serj Tankian, is a haunting, Tool-esque metal track that contrasts big screams and an ever bigger guitar solo with quiet acoustic-guitar parts and Tankian's spoken word."Are you dreaming?" Tankian sings. "Dreaming the night/ Dreaming all right/ Do we, do we know/ When we fly/ When we, when we go/ Do we die."
As with most System material, the bandmembers would rather let listeners determine what the song's about than say it themselves.
"It's kind of cool to not fully know because then you can take a fresh approach and just feel the emotions rather then the logic of what is going on," Tankian explained. "And that's really powerful."
There's no word yet on "Question!" video plans or whether System will release a third single from Mezmerize or wait until the album's second part, Hypnotize, hits stores in late fall.Although fans have to wait for it, Hypnotize is recorded, mastered and ready for release.
Malakian recently sequenced the songs himself, which like Mezmerize, he said was the hardest part. "I try to think about it like if I was either mixing this for some friends to listen to and they will never hear it again or what's going to keep people interested and what's going to keep me interested," he said. "Sometimes it works to have a song that ends on a certain note and then go into another song that begins with a similar note, but at the end of the day, it's just about flow."Think about records that you listen to, and say that band put their best song towards the end or something," .
He added. "I think you want to get a good impression right off the bat, but you also want it to flow. You don't want to listen to two songs and say, 'I don't like it.' That's why sequence is so important."
Malakian hopes fans will come up with story lines for the two albums, although he insists there's not really one.
Mezmerize ends with "Old School Hollywood" and "Lost in Hollywood" back-to-back "just so people will ask," he said."The records do kind of bookend each other [though]," Malakian said. "Once you hear the second record you will hear how both of these records come together as one record, and I think four or five years down the line ... people are going to look back on this System record and see it as one record, and that has something to do with the way it begins and the way it ends."
Although Rick Rubin co-produced the albums with Malakian, he is not involved in the sequencing, the guitarist said."He is more involved in me and Serj vocally and with individual songs," Malakian said. "He is like the song doctor. You walk into a doctor and you say, 'Well I got this and that wrong with me,' and he says, 'Well, take this and that and in a week you will start feeling a little better.' It's kind of the same thing with Rick. We play a song and he says, 'It needs more dynamics here or the chorus isn't as great as it can be or something needs to be better.' ... That's mainly what he does with System of a Down is give that objective opinion and we go back and we make those things happen in our songs."
System of a Down are currently wrapping up their European tour and will return to the States for a trek with the Mars Volta that kicks off August 4. Check complete Review of that gig <FONT color=#ffffff>Here
This is an article from MTV News. |
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SOADFans: System Of A Down: Norway (Oslo), June 17, 2005
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| Posted by JP on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 12:43 AM |
Well this revew is taken form the web www.ultimate-guitar.com
REVIEW:
Sound: Serj really proved his skills as a singer by using all kinds of voices. I one moment he would be singing calm and harmonically and in the next he would grav 2 mics and start screaming with his monster voice. He really did great. What amazed me (since I've never seen them live before) is that Serj picked up a guitar at some of the songs. Like Aerials, where he did a backup electric guitar, and on Question where he played an acoustic one. I really didn't expect this, but it was a great add-on to the sound. The sound was really good, and the instruments were all possible to hear well as the sound also was very balanced. The only thing about the sound, was that the bass at some points was a bit loud, and we kind of lost the other instruments in the loud bass. But this only happened a couple of time, and didn't ruin my overall impression, or the appearance of the show.
Perfomance: We (me and all the other people in the audience) loved them! Everyone was singing along and screaming like maniacs whenever a part we all knew well came along. I could really see the band enjoying the crowd and the way they got us going was the best part of the show. They played some songs from "Mezmerize," but mostly from "Toxicity" and "System Of A Down."The light effects were cool, but those were the only effects. The band was very alive though, and had their own show up there.
Overall Impression: Norway, Oslo, Frognerbadet, 17th of June. This was a part of the 4 day Norwegian Wood festival. There were no spesific warmup bands but the 3 other bands that played that day were: Wednesday 13 (horror-metal kind of thing. Decent, but the sound wasn't balanced). Stonegard (Norwegian underground metal/hard rock band. At least they got the crowd going). Gĺte (folk metal from Norway, they were great live and did a very good show). I loved the show, the rain was heavy at times and the atmosphere was so great. Nothing to hate about it. I payed about 400 Nok which is the same as about 58$, it was worth the money. I would have payed that much to see System Of A Down alone too. I always enjoy the moshing, and when bands get the crowd going. Those were the best moments. I would go to their next gig if I could. If they ever return to Norway, I will go the gig. Overall: excellent! The ones of you who are going to a gig with System Of A Down close to you, you've got something to look forward to.
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