This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 66.240.57.87 (talk) at 13:05, 11 July 2007 (→Genre dispute). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 13:05, 11 July 2007 by 66.240.57.87 (talk) (→Genre dispute)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) For the band's self-titled album, see System of a Down (album).| System of a Down |
|---|
System of a Down (also referred to as System or abbreviated as SOAD) is a four-piece, Grammy-award winning band, formed in 1995 in Los Angeles, California. All four members are of Armenian descent, grandsons of Armenian Genocide survivors, and are widely known for their outspoken views found in many of their songs. System of a Down has achieved commercial success over five albums, with singles such as "Chop Suey!" and "B.Y.O.B.". System of a Down is a part of the Axis of Justice, a non-profit organization formed by band member Serj Tankian (along with Tom Morello) that is dedicated to bringing together musicians, music fans, and grassroots political organizations to fight for social justice.
Music style and influences
System of a Down’s main influence is mostly from early alternative rock bands, as well as from heavy metal, punk rock, jazz fusion, Armenian folk music (Harout, Paul, Armik), classic rock, blues, industrial genres, and Middle Eastern music. The band has used a wide range of instruments, including electric mandolins, sitars, 12-string guitars and Middle Eastern ouds. They used drop C tuning exclusively in their first three albums. The latter two System albums used Drop Db tuning, except in the songs Question! and Dreaming in which they reverted to drop C tuning (With Question! having an acoustic guitar tuned in standard).
Daron has stated on several accounts that his songwriting is inspired heavily by The Beatles. Shavo's and Daron's first influences were Kiss. Shavo has also stated in a video interview at Big Day Out that he would not like to do any collaborations, because they don't want to use other people to make themselves famous. Then he quickly changed his answer and said "Mike Patton" and that they would love to do anything with him.
Band members
Current members
- Serj Tankian - lead vocals, keyboard, rhythm guitar (1995-present)
- Daron Malakian - vocals, lead guitar (1995-present)
- Shavo Odadjian - bass, backing vocals (1995-present)
- John Dolmayan - drums (1997-present)
Former members
- Ontronik Khachaturian - drums (1995-1997), vocals (For one show, Serj was ill so Andy filled in.)
Studio, guest, and extra members
- Harry Perry - rhythm guitar (Live on the Ozzfest 2006 Tour)
- Abe Cunningham - drums (Featured on "Science" Live in Sacramento, CA October 1st, 2005)
- Kirk Hammett - guitar (played guitar during a live performance of "Aerials" live at the Hollywood Palladium November 15, 2003)
- Arto Tunçboyacıyan - vocals, percussion (Toxicity and Steal This Album!)
- Joey Jordison - drums (Live on October 31, 2001)
- Rick Rubin - piano (Sugar E.P., System of a Down and Toxicity)
- Wu-Tang Clan - vocals (Featured on "Shame" on the Loud Rocks Compilation and Lonely Day (EP))
- Lynn Strait - vocals (Featured on "War?" Live @ The Roxy Los Angeles, CA August 22nd, 1998)
- Vanik Vartanian - drums (Featured on "Arto" Live @ The Roxy Los Angeles, CA August 22nd, 1998)
Discography
Main article: System of a Down discography- System of a Down (June 30, 1998)
- Toxicity (September 4, 2001)
- Steal This Album! (November 26, 2002)
- Mezmerize (May 17, 2005)
- Hypnotize (November 22, 2005)
Audio samples
References
- ^ http://music.aol.com/artist/system-of-a-down/302874/main
- ^ http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:hifuxqqjldfe
- ^ http://www.purevolume.com/systemofadown
- http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/8957307/system_of_a_down
- "System of a Down Biography". Rockdetector. 2007-02-15. Retrieved 2007-04-27.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - Will Hodgkinson (2003-02-21). "Songs in the key of C". Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved 2007-05-06.
Chisholm moves on to some of the nu metal she listens to at the gym, including System of a Down and Linkin Park.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - Maria Armoudian (2003-02-06). "Rock's axis of activism". Salon.com. Retrieved 2007-05-06.
Serj Tankian, lead singer of the multiplatinum-selling nu metal band System of a Down...
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - "American Recordings/Columbia Records Release Special Limited Edition of System of a Down's #1 Album 'Toxicity'". PR Newswire. 2002-04-23. Retrieved 2007-05-06.
Toxicity... was named Album Of The Year 2001 by Spin magazine who raved Toxicity is the most ambitious record yet to emerge from the nu metal scene.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - Adrien Begrand (2002-07-25). "Various Artists: The Pledge of Allegiance Tour". PopMatters. Retrieved 2007-05-06.
...combining aggro punk with old school metal and the off-kilter sounds of Frank Zappa... I'm not someone who's completely unfamiliar with nu-metal. When it's done well, it's extremely powerful, but few know how to pull it off properly... especially System of a Down's two albums.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
External links
- Official website
- Template:MySpace
- Template:Dmoz
- Live Review of June 26, 2006 Calgary, AB, Canada Concert by Chris Andrade on June 29, 2006 at kMNR...Music News Weekly
| System of a Down | |
|---|---|
| Studio albums | |
| Singles |
|
| Tours | |
| Related | |
