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Inside the mind of SERJ TANKIAN |
Posted by ZAk on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 12:29 PM
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 TRAVEL
“Travel teaches you a lot about the diversity of the world. When musicians talk
about politics we’re often given shit for it’ – and I understand that – but we
do get to travel, which gives us an insight into other cultures. There are
tonnes of places I’ve yet to visit - China, South East China, South America.
Hopefully I can go beyond the places I visited with System. Getting to see
somewhere like Moscow would be great.”
FAMILY
“Being Armenian is like being Italian – family is everything. It’s where you
come from and without knowing where you come from you’re never going to know
where the fuck you’re going. When I’m back home I make a point of going to visit
my parents every Sunday at the very least. The bonds between family members are
the bonds we need to built between each other, in order to make this world a
better place.”
FAITH
“I’ve read a lot about the indigenous lives of Native Americans, Aborigines and
Maoris - cultures that extend back beyond modern civilization. I respect modern
religions like Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism but they were
all created <i>after<i> civilization formed, so they don’t define the full scope
of belief in life. I’m very much into the belief that everything is one rather
than perceived concepts of good and evil.”
POETRY
“I tend to write poetry when I’m free from a schedule, on holiday or whatever.
Years ago I had a dream of hunkering down in Paris for six months and writing a
novel. But since music became a career instead of a hobby, foreign policy and
politics have become a hobby for me. I read up on it daily, and wonder whether
perhaps I could write something that politically defines society at the turn of
the century. Poetry is a much freer form than music, much more intimate and
personal.”
 DRUGS
“I’ve experimented with drugs at various points over time and enjoyed their
artistic input, the way they open certain doors. I don’t really partake in any
drug on a continuous basis now, except for coffee and some wine. I smoke weed
once in a while, but the danger with that is I only want to create music. I say
‘danger’ because when I smoke weed I can’t communicate or function well - all I
want to do is make more write music. But, hey, that’s cool if that’s what you
want to do that night! It’s a good relaxing tool.”
MONEY
“Money is an interesting concept, another product of ‘civilisation’. Instead of
swapping, say, cows for corn, we now all use paper. But money is only as good as
the government behind it. Years ago money had a commodity-based value, but
that’s no longer the case these days. What is ‘value’ anyway? Why is gold or
diamonds so expensive? Let me put it this way: at some point money may well
become worthless, while toilet paper may well become more valuable. I could
refer you to the song ‘Money’ on my new record: <i>“The causes of my servitude
can be traced to the tyranny of money…”<i>
SYSTEM OF A DOWN
“We’ve had a fantastic twelve years together. We’ve made some really interesting
music over five albums and said lots of interesting things – whether talking
about politics or talking out of our arses. It’s been a learning experience and
I feel extremely blessed we’ve been allowed to make music on a daily basis. To
work with the others has been a pleasure. I mean, those guys are my friends, my
brothers. The door is open for us to work again sometime.”
THE FUTURE
“I’m aware that neither the future nor the past really exist. All that exists is
the present – the everlasting present. The future only exists in terms of
visualisation in order to personal achieve goals. We all have a role within this
human drama and once we realize that I think we each have a chance of personal
happiness. But it can only really be achieved through the present. I think the
trick is to be nimble and flexible for anything that is thrown at you. So I
don’t worry about the future too much.”
Words: Ben Myers
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Comments
diamondgrrl60
16.08.07, 14:38
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Oh don't try and analyze it to death... what will happen will happen whatever we think it means. Lovely words... thank you ZAk... Hey and I've been somewhere Serj hasn't! Yeah babe, Moscow is lovely!
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SystemofaDownisHot
18.08.07, 09:11
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I know what you mean about the he's become more "open" thing. Before he would never really clearly say what he believes with religion or drug use. Cool, we finally know :)
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anniemannie3
18.08.07, 11:44
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That's some really deep stuff . . . "The door is open for us to work again some time" . . . It sounds like he has given up on SOAD . . . :(
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~Washu
18.08.07, 21:32
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I KNEW HE DIDN'T SMOKE AS MUCH WEED AS HE USED TO! I'm gonna win a few bets, brb.
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serjlover
22.08.07, 01:22
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wow, serj is just amazing he has great great great points!!!^_^_^ Serj is such an inspiration!!! :):):):)
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Rip721
22.08.07, 01:54
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I don't think serj and daron have any true conflict except that of different musical ambitions. The way I see it they were each looking for different sounds that lead them into completely split projects. SOAD won't be on hiatus forever. They just want to experiment with new ideas (i.e.-Ursession, Torpedo Comics) But all 4 of them have had too much history with system to discontinue it altogether. Shavo and John still want to play music so they joined up with whoever needed help. What I'd be looking forward to is a Scars on Broadway - Elect the Dead tour... Peace.
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VinnieB
22.08.07, 16:05
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I am starting to hear alot about this 'theory' that there is conflict b/t Daron and Serj. I would just like to point out that if there is conflict, be it opionionated conflict or social conflict or any other on the spectrum of possibilities, this is not our problem. Personally, I don't think there is[a conflict], and you all are just itching to have SOAD back in your laps, feeding you records...let them breathe, like good wine! They are not gladiatorial performers here to jump and scoot at your every whim, they have lives of their own, and as fans, I think that we should respect that more than what is shown on the comments page of this interview. If they are breaking up for good, then so be it! It was a good run, but even empires fall! What's important is that we, the fans are there for them! We are a support system for this band of individuals and I know for sure that as soon as ETD releases and SOB's record releases, they are both on my "To Get" list. We should all show our support, not push theories on why it's not working...could you do any better?
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pigeon_eater
22.08.07, 17:09
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:)
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ToniaX
22.08.07, 17:35
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Wow i really love reading Serj's views on life and its aspects....
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demite
23.08.07, 00:30
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I think he's opened a bit more, But not too much. I think hes very unique still mentally.
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Judi
23.08.07, 00:44
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WOW... Everything he said there was very enlightening without preaching! Love how he convey thoughts, that a lot of us may very well have, in a way that a lot (not most) wouldfind it more difficult to do.
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luckyram
23.08.07, 20:11
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Hey Serj, you wanna see paradise on Earth (reg. smoking weed)? The Czech Republic is your next destination then :) But seriously, it is nice to read what this man has in his mind, as it is always something to learn, to think about, to find out about....
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pigeon_eater
27.08.07, 16:43
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wow, what an information about the Czech Republic! XD I've been there, but didn't smoke weed XD It seems like we have another common thing with Serj... I think I'm a cofee addict... since I'm a boarder... what boarding schools make with you children... XD
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thecrack
29.08.07, 19:51
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he's awesome!!
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mrs.tankian13
30.08.07, 08:23
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he forgot one drug---ahem nicotine?
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MR4G63
04.09.07, 04:41
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WOW, Its REALLY GOOD to hear from Serj, on HIS point of view about so many differnent subjects, Its funny how poeple TRY to read SO MUCH into anything he says, (its not a good or bad thing) just something I've noticed, but I TRY not to do myself, because it takes away from HIS meaning, and what hes trying to say... I think not knowing "too much" about whats going to happen with any of the band members tomorrow, the next day, or even the next album? is more xciting and thought provoking for the fans, which makes you THINK and wonder whats next... Anyway "cant wait" to hear any NEW recordings from ANY of the band (they've just started playing Serj's NEW song/video clip on TV over here in NZ) Love it! hope all goes well with the side projects and we're hearing some NEW music very soon! Take care, Trig (New Zealand)
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chicagogurl
07.09.07, 16:48
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Omg this interview is amazing!!!!
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UrSuicideNote
08.09.07, 09:16
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I really appreciate Serj's take on the future. I'm the sort of person who worries about the future so reading his comments regarding the future and the present was actually quite reassuring =] Yay! How positive. SERJ IS LIVING ON THE SAME ISLAND AS I AM!! Now I die happy haha
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