THE SYSTEM FIGHTS BACK: ARMENIAN ROCKERS EDUCATE POLITICIANS ABOUT GENOCIDE
by Sandra Sperounes, CanWest News Service
The Calgary Herald (Alberta)
June 26, 2006 Monday
Final Edition
Spotlight
System of a Down performs with Hatebreed tonight at the Saddledome.
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Photos rarely capture the true essence of a band — but this portrait
of System of a Down comes awfully close to representing the four
faces of the Armenian-American metal acrobats.
Goofy. Devilish. Aloof. Brooding.
There’s vocalist Serj Tankian, the curly haired Rasputin figure with
a silly grin.
His lyrics on System’s last two albums, Mezmerize and Hypnotize,
are just as loopy. Interspersed with biting condemnations about war,
politics and Hollywood are unexpected bursts of nonsense. "Banana
banana banana terra cotta!" he sings on Vicinity of Obscenity.
Then there’s guitarist Daron Malakian, the wide-eyed scamp who looks
like he’s trying to conjure up a halo over his head.
His bratty vocals on Lost In Hollywood and B.Y.O.B. provide a
counterpoint to Tankian’s deeper, richer tones.
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.
Then, there’s drummer John Dolmayan, who admits he never smiles in
snapshots or onstage. His menacing look mirrors the group’s heavier,
darker side. It also comes in handy when he visits his favourite 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 member of System who
doesn’t reside in the Los Angeles area.
"I don’t know if I’m good . . . yet," he says via his cellphone, on
his way to a poker game. "Let’s just say that I’ve only been playing
for 10 years."
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 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 to do so.
"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 neighbours, we helped each other.
Our ancestors were really close."
Dolmayan believes his words were taken seriously by politicians,
but he doesn’t think his pleas 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. Each step brings you closer
to the end of your journey. We’re just doing our part and hopefully
there will be a positive outcome. 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 the end of the year, Dolmayan will have a lot more time to lobby
politicians.
After 11 years and five albums, the members of System want to take
a bit of a breather and work on other projects.
He’ll also be hanging out in his warehouse, where he keeps his
collection of old-school arcade games — including Tempest, Donkey
Kong, Tron — and four million comics. His favourite title? Fantastic
Four.
"It’s a great hobby," he says. "It fulfils my nerd credentials."
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System of a Down
Formed: In 1995 in Los Angeles.
Members: Serj Tankian (vocals-guitar), Daron Malakian (guitar-vocals),
Shavo Odadjian (bass), John Dolmayan (drums).
Heritage: 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.
Discography: System of a Down (1998), Toxicity (2001), Steal This
Album! (2002), Mezmerize (2005), Hypnotize (2005).
Quote: "A lot of people look at System and see us as very serious and
political or however they want to look at us," says Dolmayan. "We
are. We have that side, but each of us have another side to us. We
enjoy being fans of other things and being kids in a lot of ways.
Believe me, if you want to get into other aspects of my life, I’m
very serious about bringing to light the Armenian genocide issue.
There’s a lot of things wrong with the planet that I’d like to see
righted. But you can’t be that all the time, otherwise it just gets
boring. I like to enjoy things, too, I don’t want to sit in my room
and sulk all day."