Serj Tankian (born on August 21, 1967), is an Armenian-American musician, singer-songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, poet and political activist. He is best known as the co-founder and frontman of System of a Down.
Biography[]
He earned a degree in Marketing and Business from California State University, Northridge and started his own software company before beginning his music career. In 1993, he founded his first rock band, Soil (not to be confused with SOiL) with Daron Malakian, Domingo Laranio, Dave Hakopyan, and later, Shavo Odadjian. Two years later, in 1995, after one supposed jam session recording and one live show, Dave and Domingo left. Shavo (who went on to become the bass player) brought in drummer Andy Khachaturian. The four of them then named themselves System of a Down.
During System of a Down's days, he was the vocalist in other bands for certain songs such as Mushroom Cult by Dog Fashion Disco and lent his vocals to the song Mein by Deftones. He produced "Enter the Chicken" by Buckethead, and provided vocals to the Buckethead songs We Are One, Coma, and Waiting Here.
He originally began System of a Down to voice his views on politics, but felt that the band was not getting the message across. However, contrary to popular belief he stated in a recent interview that he did not leave the band and they have not split up, but decided to embark upon a solo career to open upon his own personal views.
The F.C.C.[]
The F.C.C. (standing for, The Flying Cunts of Chaos) is Serj's backing band when he plays live.
- Members
- Serj Tankian - Lead vocalist, Musical keyboard, synthesizers, piano, rhythm guitar
- Dan Monti - lead guitar, Backing vocalist
- Larry "Ler" LaLonde - rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Mario Pagliarulo - Bass guitar, backing vocals
- Troy Zeigler - drums, backing vocals
- Erwin Khachikian — piano, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals
Discography[]
System of a Down[]
- 1998: System of a Down
- 2001: Toxicity
- 2002: Steal This Album!
- 2005: Mezmerize
- 2005: Hypnotize
Serart[]
- 2003: Serart
Axis of Justice[]
- 2004: Concert Series Volume 1
Solo[]
- Albums
- 2007: Elect the Dead
- 2009: second studio album
- EPs
- 2008: Lie Lie Live
- DVDs
- TBA: untitled live DVD
Singles[]
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [1] |
US Mod [1] |
US Main [1] |
UK | UK Rock |
CAN | |||
| 2007 | "The Unthinking Majority" 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | Elect the Dead |
| "Empty Walls" | 97 | 3 | 4 | 78 | 1 | 75 | ||
| "Lie Lie Lie" 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2008 | "Sky Is Over" | - | 22 | 23 | - | - | - | |
- 1 Only released as a digital download single
- 2 Still active on charts.
As featured performer[]
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US Mod |
US Main |
UK | UK Rock |
CAN | |||
| 2000 | "Starlit Eyes" (Snot feat. Serj Tankian) | - | - | - | - | - | - | Strait Up |
| 2005 | "We Are One" (Buckethead feat. Serj Tankian) | - | - | - | - | - | - | Enter the Chicken |
| 2007 | "Mein" (Deftones feat. Serj Tankian) | - | - | 40 | - | - | - | Saturday Night Wrist |
External links[]
- Serj Tankian's official Flash-based website
- Screamers Official Site
- 'Screamers' and Genocide: A Talk With Serj Tankian From System of a Down
- Serj Tankian 1 on 1 with SMNnews.com
- Serjical Strike Records
Template:System of a Down
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Serj Tankian: Artist Chart History (singles). Billboard charts. Retrieved on July 17, 2008.