Serj Tankian

Serj Tankian (born August 21, 1967 in Beirut, Lebanon) is an Armenian-American musician who now lives in Los Angeles. He is better known as a vocalist for the alternative metal band System of a Down, for which he has also occasionally played guitar and keyboards.

Musical Career

Tankian was a founding member of the rock band System of a Down, which formed in 1995. Since their formation, the band has released five major albums on Columbia Records, three of which have been certified platinum to this date. The band has played a major role in Tankian's life up to date, but will be going on hiatus after the Ozzfest 2006 tour, in which they will be performing on the main stage. This will allow Tankian, as well as the other band members, to pursue various solo projects.

Besides his work with System of a Down, Tankian has also started his own record label, Serjical Strike, in an effort to duo's self-titled first release was well-received by critics, and was dubbed by many as "unclassifiable" in nature, as the band uses varying styles of music within their songs.

Activism

Tankian is also a prominent activist; championing against violence and injustice. On September 13, 2001, shortly after the attacks of September 11, 2001, Serj penned an essay, which he posted on the official System of a Down website, titled "Understanding Oil". Promptly removed by Sony, the essay was seen by many, still shaken by the attack, as justification for the terrorists' actions, though this wasn't what Tankian was trying to put across.

More recently, Tankian partnered with Tom Morello of Audioslave (former guitarist of Rage Against The Machine) to create Axis of Justice, an activist organization aimed at motivating youth interest in politics. On January 3, 2003, Serj and Tom led a protest march in Santa Monica, California handing out bagged lunches to the homeless in violation of a city ordinance that requires charitable organizations, while handing out food in public, to follow restaurant code. He is also currently working on efforts to get Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide of 1915.

Tom Morello and Serj join together to record the Axis of Justice radio show, in which they discuss issues like racism in America, censorship, the Iraq war, and also engage in interviews with celebrities, such as Michael Moore and Janeane Garofalo.

Poetry

Tankian's first poetry book, "Cool Gardens", was published by MTV Books and released on October 1st, 2002. It is a collection of seven to eight years of Tankian's reflections on life, and features artwork by fellow Angeleno, Sako Shahinian. The book has received much praise in the artistic community. On rollingstone.com, Rolling Stone's website, Saul Williams posted the following comments about Tankian's book; Serj's words, like his voice, have a distinct aesthetic sensibility connected to an unyielding, visceral roar of passion. His capacity 'to mock a killing bird' while we wonder at the grace, beauty, and colorful range of his wingspan will be the trademark of both of his singing and writing careers. Serj is an amazing artist, full of passion, with a beautiful heart that pumps the essence of his vision and talent.

Trivia

Serj both produced and appeared on "Enter the Chicken", the 2005 release by Buckethead & Friends.
He attended the same Armenian school as fellow System of a Down band members Daron Malakian and Shavo Odadjian, but was not acquainted with them until many years after, due to age difference.
He is a vegetarian
In 2001, Serj collaborated his vocals to a song entitled "Mushroom Cult", for metal band Dog Fashion Disco. The song appears on the band's album "Anarchists of Good Taste".
When he plays guitar, he usually uses bandmate Daron Malakian's old black Stratocaster, that can be seen in the video for "War?".

External links

Gourt Home::Gourt :: Serj Tankian

Musical Career

Activism

Poetry

Trivia

External links