There's bassist Shavo Odadjian, who looks more interested in what's beyond the camera's reach.

Similarly, you won't find any of System's members hamming it up for the paparazzi, hanging out with the likes of Paris Hilton or Tara Reid in the pages of Us or In Touch. Instead, the musicians would rather remain distant from the Hollywood machine -- or talk about issues that don't get a lot of media exposure, such as the Armenian genocide of 1915.

Finally, there's drummer John Dolmayan, who admits he never smiles in snapshots or on stage. His menacing look mirrors the group's heavier, darker side. It also comes in handy when he visits his favorite Las Vegas casinos.

What this photo doesn't reveal is Dolmayan's passion for poker. He even lives in Sin City, making him the only band member who doesn't reside in the Los Angeles area.

"I don't know if I'm good ... yet," he says via cellphone, on his way to a poker game.

"Let's just say that I've only been playing for 10 years. I was playing mostly home games and now I'm playing more at the casinos so I'm getting better, learning a lot more. You don't learn shit at the home games because everyone sucks just like you"

"For me, it's relaxing, it takes my mind off everyday life. I do it occasionally, but I play to win. I look at it as a game of chess. I'm pretty much even -- I haven't had great successes but I haven't had great failures either. I've got a great poker face."

True, but even Dolmayan wasn't willing to bet System could release two chart-topping metal masterpieces in less than a year -- 2005's Mezmerize and Hypnotize. Nor did he think he'd ever end up hobnobbing with U.S. politicians. But earlier this year, Dolmayan and Tankian flew to Washington, D.C., to talk to U.S. senators and congressmen about an issue close to their hearts.

In 1915, an estimated 1.5 million Armenians were evacuated and later killed by the Ottoman Empire, now known as Turkey, Dolmayan thinks it's about time for an official apology and wants the U.S. to lean on the Turkish government.

"We had families who were extinguished in this genocide and the people who perpetrated it have never been brought to justice," he says. "That's wrong. I can't live a happy life without making an effort to make that right. We don't necessarily blame the Turkish people because they're taught from birth it didn't happen. And during the genocide, a lot of Turkish people helped Armenians at great risk to themselves. We were neighbors; we helped each other. Our ancestors were really close."

Dolmayan believes his words were taken seriously by politicians, but he doesn't think it will lead to an instant solution.

"All efforts lead to something," he says. "It might not be this year, it might not be because of our trip, but if you're going to run a marathon, you have to take the first step. ... We're going to continue to fight for it. It should be important to other people, too. As you can see, genocides are still being committed. If we don't care what happened in the past, why should we care what's happening now?"

By year's end, Dolmayan will have a lot more time to lobby politicians. After 11 years and five albums, the band members want to take a bit of a breather and work on other projects.

Tankian will be busy with his label, Serjical Strike Records. Odadjian will channel his inner hip-hop homie while recording with members of Wu-Tang Clan. Malakian plans to start another group, Scars on Broadway.

Dolmayan says he'll take part in some of these extra-curricular recordings. "I'll be more than happy to help them out." You'll also find the drummer playing poker -- but don't expect him to turn up on one of those celebrity TV games. "Definitely not interested," he says. "They're godawful."

He'll also be hanging out in his warehouse, where he keeps his collection of old-school arcade games -- including Tempest, Donkey Kong and Tron -- and four million comic books. His favorite title? Fantastic Four. "It's a great hobby," he says. "It fulfils my nerd credentials."

His nerdiness was apparent as a kid.

"I treated (comics) pretty seriously right away," he says.

"Being a drummer, I'm kind of anal -- it's the truth; most drummers are. I wanted to take care of them, organize them; I was pretty meticulous. So I didn't just buy them and throw them away. They were a great introduction to reading novels. I think they're very healthy for kids -- they expand your mind, your imagination, your reading. It's a great way to achieve learning for kids who get sick of some of the more boring stuff they teach you in school. Which I hated."

Comics are also a great way to achieve your dreams. During System's hiatus, Dolmayan also plans to start up an Internet company based on comics. He doesn't want to reveal much, but he says it will be up and running within the next 18 months.

"Believe me, you'll find out about it," he says.

You can almost hear him smiling. Almost.

All four are Armenian. Dolmayan was born in Lebanon, then moved to Montreal, where he demolished his first drum set at the age of seven. After a few years, his family headed to Los Angeles.

By Sandra Sperounes, The Edmonton Journal
 

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