 First
off, for those System fans agonizing over the looming question of a reunion,
Daron Malakian is quick to put it to rest. "System of a Down may not come in
another 15 years for all we know. We don't want to talk about it. We're
100-percent focused on this." That said, how is it that this, Scars on Broadway
that is, features the two members of System of a Down voted least likely to get
along?
"It's funny," says Malakian. "I bet the guys in System probably say, 'I can't
believe those two got together after all this.' And I kind of laugh about that
too. I named this band Scars on Broadway before John was in the band, and we
both have scars from that fight that we had that day."
But it may be the intensity of that shared history that has fused the two mens'
bond. "I'm comfortable with him," says Malakian. "We're friends. There is a
kinship there between us. I did try other drummers before John that were really
good drummers, but it's just kind of, knowing somebody, it's nice to have that
in the band situation when you're kind of around new people. A lot of times I'm
afraid of new people."
By now, Dolmayan's playing has become an inseparable element in Malakian's
songwriting. "At that moment when something comes out of me, I know what the
drums are going to do," Malakian explains. "And yeah, I do have him in mind. I
have his style in mind, as I did when I was writing with System. And he knows
what I want in that part, so it comes together pretty easily that way."
But it's not only in the music room where their relationship has borne fruit.
"We take care of different things," Malakian says. "It's a team. And any
successful band, you need to surround yourself with people that do their job
too. And there's a lot of things outside of music that John does that's very
helpful for Scars. He's much more business-minded than I am. I don't like
getting involved with business. I write songs. I create the color of the band,
and the direction of the band. I don't mingle. I don't go to clubs and have
drinks. John does, and he enjoys doing that."
But in the end, of course, it all comes down to the musical chemistry Malakian
feels with Dolmayan. "Honestly, I think he's playing better now, and more
tastefully now, than ever. The one thing I like about John is you can tell it's
him playing when he's playing. And that's not an easy thing to do for a drummer.
John brings this solid beat to the table, and he doesn't fall off it. It sounds
strong when he's playing, and he looks strong when he's playing. And that's
John. And I can't say he's sitting there trying to be anybody else. And I like
that about him.
By Dave Constantin - DRUM magazine
photo: greg watermann
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