Serj was born in Lebanon, spent his early years there
before his parents and his younger brother 'Sevag' moved to Los
Angeles. In there, he joined "Rose & Alex Pilibosl" Armenian
School, eventually
started studies in marketing. Later Serj got a software company
'Ultimate Solutions".
in the beginning of 90s Serj met Daron and started the new born band, called it
'Soil'. later renamed it to 'System of a Down'. Serj has a Husky and
he loves New Zealand. he wanted to own large property as a studio to
build over there but his intend was rejected in 2005, since New
Zealand authorities saw there's no national use.Beside System..
Serj has his own record label, Serjical Strike, in an effort to release music
otherwise ignored by the mainstream. The first act on this new label
was a side-project called "Serart" featuring Serj himself and famed
world-musician Arto Tuncboyaciyan. His first poetry book 'Cool
Gardens' was published by MTV Books and features artwork by fellow Angeleno, Sako Shahinian.
An outspoken musician, Tankian has spoken out against violence and
injustice abroad. 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 has partnered with Tom Morello of Audioslave
(formerly 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. Serj is also a vegetarian. He is also currently
working on efforts to make Turkey recognize the Armenian Genocide of
1915.
Serj appeared on, and produced the 2005 release by Buckethead &
Friends, "Enter the Chicken." under his music label and working on a
solo album (unknown release info). Elect The Dead
In recent interview, Serj said his new upcoming Solo Album will be released
on October 23rd 2007. The first single "Unthinking Majority"
will be digitally released on August 7th followed by another single
, 'Empty Walls', to be released on October 15th. The album
will be released via Serjical Strike/Reprise Records. The track
listing for the effort is as follows:
 01. Empty Walls
02. The Unthinking Majority
03. Money
04. Feed Us
05. Saving Us
06. Sky Is Over
07. Baby
08. Honking Antelope
09. Lie Lie Lie
10. Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition
11. Beethoven's Cunt
12. Elect the Dead Confirmed guest musicians:
- Ani Maldjian - vocals
- Antonio
Pontarelli - strings
- Antonio Pontarelli - strings
- Bryan "Brain" Mantia - drums
- Dan Monti - guitars
- Ler Lalonde - guitar
- John Dolmayan -
drums
Collaborations and Appearances
|
| [2007] "Innermission" with Petra
Jolly, Bug Soundtrack |
| [2007] "Walls of Jericho" with Fair
to Midland, Live on Coachella 07 |
| [2007] "Terminal Beauty" with Rita
Mitsouko, on the album "Variéty". |
| [2007] "Bug the movie" OST, unknown
songs. |
| [2007] "Sober"
with Tool on the stage Live at Big Day Out 2007. |
| [2006] "Mein" with Deftones,
song featured on the album "Saturday Night Wrist". |
| [2005] "We Are
One" with Buckethead, song featured on the albums "Masters of
Horror Soundtrack" and "Enter The Chicken". |
| [2005] "Coma"
with Buckethead and Azam Ali, on the album "Enter
The Chicken" . |
| [2005] "Waiting
Hare" with Buckethead and Shana Halligan, on
the album "Enter
The Chicken" . |
| [2004] Axis Of Justice Vol.1 album -
Live songs with Serj featuring various artists. |
| [2003] "Had a Plan" with Kittens
for Christian, on the album "Privilege of Your Company". |
| [2003] "Serart" album - Serj Tankian
with Arto Tuncboyaciyan. |
| [2003] "Bird Of
Paradise", featured on the album "Bird Up!: The Charlie Parker Remix
Project". |
| [2001] "Mushroom
Cult" with Dog Fashion
Disco, on the album
"Anarchists Of Good Taste". |
| [2001] "Starlit
Eyes" with Snot, on the album "Strait Up". |
| [2000] "Patterns"
with Tony Iommi, on the album "Iommi". |
| [2000] "Crazy
Jam", Live
Improvisation with Incubus played live at Detroit. |
| [2000] "Shame" with Wu-Tang Clan, on the
album "Loud Rocks" |
|
[2000] "Feel Good"
with (həd) p.e.
and Morgan Lander of Kittie, song featured on the albums
"Broke". |
| [1999] "Cars" with Fear Factory,
played live in Detroit. |
|
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