I think I read somewhere that you said Daron was the hardest to photograph live because he moves around so much. Which one is the hardest to take candid off stage shots of?
"Daron, because I'm always worried that he doesn't want me around... which is stupid of course because if he didn't, I wouldn't be."


Are any of the guys a little camera shy?
"None of them are really into being photographed a lot, but they know that what they're doing is important and needs to be documented... and they know their fans want to see everything."


Describe a day on tour with System? What is a typical day like? What are some things you would do on a typical day?
"Every day is different and sometimes I'll just spend the day with one of them. If none of them are around, I'll just wander the venue, looking for other cool things to photograph (fans, gear, etc.)"

Greg (in the right back) with Shavo breaking his bass at the last SOAD show in 2006.

Did you ever want to be a musician yourself?
"Yes, doesn't everyone want to be a rock star?
I did try and I could sort of do it. But when I put a guitar in my hands, nothing special happened so I got over it quickly."


For being a photographer yourself you have been caught in a lot of photos taking photos is that weird for you at all? Do you mind the limelight?
I don't mind being photographed as long as I'm the one doing it. That's why I love the portraits I do in mirrors."


I think you told me before that your working on a System tour photo album. Is it going to be published? Any ETA on it?
"Still working on it... it will be unlike anything anyone has ever seen."
"Well, it's not a book actually. I know everyone's waiting for it (including the band). It should be done in another month(?)"


What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever seen a fan do? Either in trying to meet the band or just trying to get attention?
"Will your article be PG-13, R, or NC-17???"


So Craziest thing you have ever seen a fan do to get the guys attention (that worked) PG-13 version?
"Making a really incredible piece of art and giving it to the band, personally. But it has to be Really amazing..."


Does System meet a lot of their fans? Not at a signing but on the road?
"As long as you're not an idiot when you approach them, they'll all take time for fans."


Do you think you will be touring with solo Serj or Scars?
Serj and I are already talking about photography and a video for his music, and I'm sure I'll tour with him, as well. Scars isn't ready for that, yet."


Do you have any funny or crazy System moments you'd like to share or that you'd share for cookies?
"Photographing Shavo while he was skateboarding all over the runway... outside of the private jet for the tour. It was actually a dream he once had, so it was a pretty big deal."
(Editor’s note….aaaahhhhh!)

 

OK baby so I personally know that you have heard solo Serj material I also know that you are sworn not to talk about it is there maybe one word you'd use that the man would approve of?
"Yeah... 'heavy'. Really heavy." (G is a total tease)

 

Daron shot by Greg, find more photos in his Live Tour book

What have you been doing with the guys lately? Have you hung out with anyone besides Serj?
"Can't talk about that, sorry."


You have probably told me before but how do you work? Do you contract to tour with a band or do you head off on tour and then sell the photos?
"The band hires me directly, to shoot as many photographs as I want while I'm with them. And I'm given All-Access clearance, which means I can usually be Anywhere the band is, even during a performance.

When I get back, I edit the shots down to my favorites, then I send those to the band."


You've toured with System more than once right? If so what was your favorite tour?
"The Last One, for sure! It's part of history now."


Do you have any insider info on Daron's Scars project?
"Can't talk about that, sorry."


What happened to the System book that you scrapped? Did you change your mind about that particular project?
"No no, of course not! The band decided to save the photos for something else (what? when?). Crap." (For those of you that don’t know G has unpublished photos pre-last tour).


You have witnessed System's fan interactions what would you say about them or how would you describe them?
"The band is usually fine with fans approaching them, as long as the person's cool about it (and, and, And it's an appropriate situation). Most of the System fans I've met on the road seem pretty respectful." (and ya’ll better stay that way *editor’s interjection)


Have you seen Achozen? Not my particular genre but have you photographed them at all? Have you heard any of their stuff?
"Yeah, it's out of control. Be very afraid."
 

If you’d like to see some of Greg’s famed mirror shots check out his myspace:
http://myspace.com/gregwatermann

and for unpublished pics of the band check his website:
www.gregwatermann.com

And on a side note got a chance to see Achozen not my thing but rocked my socks off!



 

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