This is not a CD review or a TV series review … or even a band endorsement. This is not a plug for a video, though the setting for this interview was on the set of the video shoot for the song “We Are One”, a song which features Serj Tankian [System of a Down] on vocals and Buckethead on guitars. The song is from Buckethead’s new release Buckethead & Friends [Serjical Strike Records] and was selected for the soundtrack quite appropriately.

I was asked if I would like to come up to a cabin up in the San Bernardino Mountains, about 3 hours outside Los Angeles, to meet Buckethead and Tankian, get some photographs, and interview them. My answer to the friendly publicist was: "Is a frog’s ass watertight?"

Now, how was I going to ask Buckethead questions? The guy doesn’t talk to the media, directly anyway, but responds by using a puppet or writing his answers down on paper. How do you approach an artist with those kinds of challenges? How was I going to keep up with Serj if we got into a political discussion? I was already told that he would not answer any questions pertaining to his band, System of a Down.

"Vegas doesn't resonate well with me. I don't enjoy it much," says System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian in the plush backstage areas of the hard rock hotel/venue amid the bright lights of the desert town otherwise known as Sin City. "I have had some good times here," he continues, "but I'm not a big fan of the extra oxygen that's hot at you in casinos."

its no wonder System of A Down cant wait to get out of here, particularly since this is the last night of a 2 month tour, with all the anticipation of finally getting home for some much needed downtime. Later there will be a poolside after show party that will continue into the early hours in bassist Shavo Odadjian's large hotel suite, before all but drummer John Dolmayan( who lives in Vegas) head back to LA.


Before this however, Serj and Daron, have one last interview to do featuring questions ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous. Daron is in good cheer with his bong ever present, Serj is more wary - he's never been fond of trivial questions. But he soon gets into the spirit of it, and by the end he's laughing and joking, clearly relishing the chance to talk about something other than the new system album ...

They are Avant-garde and intelligent. They are all great individuals, very serious and at the same time wild.

All four members of the famous American rock group “System of a Down” are of Armenian descent. They play aggressive neo-metal music on stage, but in real life they are very subtle and openhearted philosophers. It is impossible to connect their music with any other style. It is an incredible mixture which attracts everyone. People either love them or don’t accept them. There are more people that love the group. Recently, the Netherlands authorities closed down the airport upon their arrival because there were too many fans. Usually, unexpected fame and fortune turn people into egoistic rock stars. This was not the case for the boys of “System of a Down”. In just a matter of time, Serj Tankian, Shavo Odadjian, Daron Malakian and John Dolmayan were able to reach fame and become the most famous alternative rock group in the world. “We don’t play and sing to be liked by the people,” they say.

The group creates interesting musical combinations, writes clever and impressive lyrics where there are sounds of revolt. “We are like a cake. Everyone tries to find something in us, someone wants the sweet part, the other wants the biscuit,” says Serj Tankian an. The aggressiveness in their rock music is beautifully compiled with Eastern melodies and the political lyrics add rhythm to it all. The album entitled “Toxity” which was released in 2001 broke the music chain in America.

System of a down's Daron Malakian has spoken exclusively to Kerrang! about the band's forthcoming Release 'Hypnotize', part two of system's promised 2005 two album set.

System of a down's Daron Malakian Reveals his private worries as the band prepare for the release 'Hypnotize'

The band's guitarist/singer has revealed that these new songs are among the best he's ever written, but claims that critical acclaim following "Mezmerize', the first album of the set, has left him feeling exposed and separated from his band mates ...

We got into this small venue just off Regents Street and had to hand over all mobile phones, MP3 players, camras... and anything else electrical.

We went upstrairs and there was a small lounge with a small stage area set up with 2 chairs behind a table. Soon, the Hypnotize album started playing while camra crews were going around filming us. The album is Amazing. kinda heavier like their older stuff but still touching new ground and still very unique.

After the album played, Shavo and John came out. Fudge and myself stood up and stood right at the front in the middle. there was a Q&A session with a lot of banter and talk back with the audience. Shavo is such a funny guy and told a secret story about John being a Gay Icon!

After this session, we all queued up and was able to get 2 items signed, first went to Shavo and shook his hand. Next was John. Like Shavo, he was so laid back and the most easiest guy to talk to in the world.