Serj Tankian in the Studio
Market Wire Incorporated
Published: Jul 13, 2007
Serj Tankian, the visionary frontman for multi-platinum rock band
System Of A Down, is currently in the studio mixing his debut solo
album, entitled "Elect The Dead," which will be released on Serjical
Strike/Reprise Records this fall.
Known for his work with hard-rock agitators SOAD, Tankian says he had
no clue he was about to make a rock record when he began to record at
his home studio in Los Angeles last summer. "I was writing more
traditional type songs on my piano and acoustic guitar, with a
classical, almost operatic flavor; and lo and behold, it ended up being
a rock record. Funny what happens when you add distorted guitars and
drums," he says. "There are political songs, funny songs, love songs,
songs about painful experiences, vanity, and the environment. It has a
deep melancholy that runs from the personal to the global, with a
glimmer of hope in the solidarity of spirit."
Tankian produced "Elect The Dead" himself and played most of the
instruments, though the album does feature guest drummers John Dolmayan
(SOAD) and Brian "Brain" Mantia (Guns n’ Roses, Primus). "The
singularity of vision is strong when you work alone," he says. "I was a
bit skeptical about producing it myself, but I knew how I wanted it to
sound. And as I kept going, I realized it was coming together really
well so I just finished it on my own. But I had to be careful to push
myself like an outside producer would until it was great. I had the
same energy and enthusiasm making this album as I did making the first
System record."
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, to Armenian parents, Tankian is known as an
outspoken political activist who puts his money where his mouth is. In
2006, he and Dolmayan met with members of Congress in Washington, D.C.,
to campaign for support for the Armenian Genocide Recognition Bill.
Tankian is also the co-founder, along with Rage Against the Machine
guitarist Tom Morello, of Axis Of Justice, a non-profit dedicated to
uniting musicians, music fans, and grassroots political organizations
to fight for social justice.
With System Of A Down, which has released five best-selling albums,
including two Number Ones in 2005 — the critically acclaimed
"Mezmerize" and "Hypnotize" — Tankian helped the band earn a
reputation for musically innovative, politically uncompromising rock.
Through it all, Tankian, who has also published a collection of his
poetry, has written his own songs, amassing an archive of material from
many different genres. "I write all the time for no reason but to
write," he says. "I’m just doing what I’m told to do by my heart and
nothing more. I just follow my vision and end up where it takes me."
For further information, please contact Warner Bros. Records Publicity:
Brian Bumbery [email protected] 818-953-3203 Renee Harrison
[email protected] 818-953-3311 For management information, please
contact 3D Management: Dave Holmes [email protected] 310-314-1390
Lauren Valencia [email protected] 310-314-1390
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
