Serj Tankian is a guy of quite a few talents. Aside from getting the lead singer of rock band System of a Down, he’s also a solo artist, composer, filmmaker and painter. This month he can incorporate writer to that list, as his memoir “Down With the System” comes out May 14.
Born in Beirut to Armenian mothers and fathers, Tankian and his household moved to Los Angeles when he was 7. His multiplatinum-selling band System of a Down is composed of four males of Armenian ancestry who grew up in L.A. While it is been practically 20 years since the band’s previous album “Hypnotize” came out in 2005, their impact in rock continues to be simple. Just lately the band was tapped to headline a display at Golden Gate Park accompanied by the Deftones, the Mars Volta, Viagra Boys and Vows on August 17.
“Down With the System” begins with Tankian, a longtime winner of Armenian triggers, staying grilled by Howard Stern in 2001 for an essay he wrote known as “Understanding Oil,” which he posted on the band’s internet site in the times following 9/11. He referred to as 9/11 “a response to current injustices all around the globe, commonly unseen to most People in america.” With The united states reeling from the attacks, the essay sparked substantial controversy. Stern advised listeners how Tankian “said the correct things” on the present, and Tankian phone calls it a missed option to converse his head on American international coverage.
He vowed to by no means let that happen all over again.
At any time outspoken, Tankian spoke with The Situations about his guide, why he’s optimistic about Armenia, and irrespective of whether we may well see a further album from Program of a Down.
Serj Tankian
(Travis Shinn Pictures)
What compelled you to choose on a memoir?
I experienced a get in touch with from a literary agent in London, who questioned if I’d be intrigued in a memoir. My 1st solution was, not seriously. I want to publish a ebook about the intersection of justice and spirituality [laughs], a philosophy reserve, and ultimately we recognized that equally can be performed in the same variety. So it turned a memoir of sorts.
Are you in a position to be optimistic about what is likely on in Armenia?
I’m an eternal optimist simply because I have to be, centered on my lifestyle. We have experienced these kinds of a tragic record that, with no optimism, you would not get out of mattress. The purpose that I’m optimistic is, Armenia has a extremely strong, expanding economy right now — in fact, one particular of the strongest in all of Europe, in phrases of GDP advancement. The 2018 Velvet Revolution, the peaceful revolution, definitely pivoted the region into a much more transparent, responsible governance. It changed a lot of matters and little by little bought rid of all the submit-Soviet corrupt insurance policies. The challenge was in 2020, when Azerbaijan, together with the aid of Turkey, attacked Nagorno-Karabakh in Armenia. It led to generally a mind drain, and the dying of 5,000 men — like a total era of young gentlemen.
For those that really do not know a lot about what is likely on in Armenia, can you point them toward a point-based mostly website, a guide, a movie?
There is a superb English news internet site from Armenia named Civil Net [civilnet.am] that they can check out out. The U.S.’s personal Radio Totally free Armenia is also a resource.
I know it is a query you get every working day, but will there be another Program of a Down history?
Time will explain to! I go into a whole lot of nitty-gritty facts with the system of understanding each and every other and laying out what everyone’s vision is, at least what my eyesight is for the band, and to move ahead. I’m very pleased to say that, in 2020, we have been able to impress and do two tunes [“Protect the Land” and “Genocidal Humanoidz”] that we devoted to our individuals in Nagorno-Karabakh in Armenia and to increase recognition and cash for all those people struggling.
Any concern about how your bandmates may well interpret some of what you have shared in the reserve?
Confident, positive. I was very truthful because which is who I am. I’m an activist, and devoid of being trustworthy, there is no activism. But at the same time, I have compassion and love for the guys. I have respect for the men. One particular of them is my brother-in-legislation! We’re a family. We’ve been together for 30 yrs. The explanation I even preferred to produce it was, some of it is presently public, but not actually perceived effectively. I required to place it to bed so we can transfer past this.
Is there a are living functionality of yours that sticks out in your thoughts a very little little bit a lot more than the rest?
I would say [System’s] demonstrate in 2015 in Yerevan, Armenia. It was the 100th commemoration of the Armenian genocide in Republic Square and it was streamed throughout the world, so we had thousands and thousands of folks observing. It felt like the major of the mountain for the band, like we experienced accomplished a thing increased than songs. It was becoming with our folks, our heritage, wherever we appear from, and actively playing for them and for our ancestors and our grandparents who were being survivors of the genocide. It was a experience unparalleled.
