Serj Tankian gets personal about System of a Down

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 14 чер 2024
  • System of a Down’s Serj Tankian grew up hearing stories about his family members who died during the Armenian genocide, many years before he was born. In his new memoir “Down With the System,” he shares his family’s story and looks back on his career through the lens of his Armenian heritage. Serj joins Tom to talk about the origins of his activism, how System of a Down got on the radio, and whether or not you’ll ever hear new music from the band.
    Follow and subscribe to our podcast: link.chtbl.com/JIWpRCGR
    Q with Tom Power is a daily conversation with the artists, writers, actors and musicians who define this cultural moment in time. The conversation is informal, wide-ranging, playful, and allows the artist to explore their art and the contexts that have shaped them through their career. Visit www.cbc.ca/Q for more!
    Follow us on Instagram: / cbcq
    Or Twitter: / qwithtompower
    Or Facebook: / qwithtompower
  • Розваги

КОМЕНТАРІ • 227

  • @maggotball
    @maggotball Місяць тому +239

    The world needs more Serj Tankian's... The man had it all, could have had even more, but he never forgot his roots and never stopped being humble!

    • @LinkMaster5555
      @LinkMaster5555 27 днів тому +6

      More Serjs are desperately needed 😪

  • @worldismyashtray
    @worldismyashtray Місяць тому +313

    SOAD ‘fans’ being surprised Serj is so intelligent and well spoken haven’t been listening closely enough.

    • @HeavyMetalFan159
      @HeavyMetalFan159 29 днів тому +16

      So true. In 'Boom' and 'Deer Dance' and many others, Serj talks about war and how it should be stopped and the awful bombings that happen all over the world. Honestly, we should all be more like him.😌

    • @Grumblik
      @Grumblik 27 днів тому +10

      I wanna know what fans didn't know this. I just wanna talk.

    • @jorgemaldonado8662
      @jorgemaldonado8662 26 днів тому +1

      Why would anyone think less

    • @bmthfan1231
      @bmthfan1231 24 дні тому +3

      @@HeavyMetalFan159 nobody has ever said that lol

    • @user-yv4vr7mx4o
      @user-yv4vr7mx4o 23 дні тому

      No surprise here

  • @Nighthawk2211
    @Nighthawk2211 Місяць тому +98

    Serj is a gentle, intelligent badass. And a great interview as always.

  • @skywrd_
    @skywrd_ 29 днів тому +90

    his voice is so soothing

    • @TheJellish
      @TheJellish 11 днів тому +3

      Similarly capable of being the most distressed sounding singer

  • @denrammm
    @denrammm 24 дні тому +44

    take a shot for everytime Serj says “you know” I LOVE HIM SM. the way he gets all nervous when they play back the music.

    • @Sophet
      @Sophet 23 дні тому +6

      imagine him and Jim "ya know" Root from Slipknot having a conversation, lmao

    • @denrammm
      @denrammm 23 дні тому

      @@Sophet 😂😂😭😭

  • @ClutchCityFan
    @ClutchCityFan 16 днів тому +14

    Serj will always be one of my all time favorite lead singers.

  • @xMaGuSx888
    @xMaGuSx888 25 днів тому +36

    20:20 That is 100% what made me fall in love with SOAD. I was 11 in 2001 when I first heard chop suey, and the outro to that song where they are harmonizing with the piano/harp in the background was unlike anything I ever heard. I still get chills when I listen to that part all these years later.
    A really amazing mix of talented musicians, that just really complimented each other.

  • @TheAjpathecreature
    @TheAjpathecreature Місяць тому +114

    One of those scary smart musicians.

    • @oui2611
      @oui2611 29 днів тому +8

      its no surprise really, unless youre 12 years old and first getting into it. otherwise a lot of fans have followed interviews for years to know and understood the messages behind his lyrics

    • @ronthorn3
      @ronthorn3 27 днів тому +30

      @@oui2611relax elitist

  • @duarteestelita7257
    @duarteestelita7257 20 днів тому +16

    Tom’s really a fish swimming in his pond.. namely with empathic and knowledgeable ppl like Serj .
    What a pleasure to listen to.
    37mins go by like it’s 10mins…
    Let’s hope for that in person next meeting of these two ;)
    Thank you for this
    Kudos from Portugal

  • @Grodstark
    @Grodstark 21 день тому +17

    I would do alot just to sit down with Serj, have a cup of coffee or tea and just talk, about anything.
    I grew up with SOAD and hearing him talk is kind of nostalgic in a way.

  • @cyroth
    @cyroth 16 днів тому +5

    Ozzfest 2002 was sadly the only time I saw system. I still talk about it and consider it of the most fun shows I've ever been to.

  • @mdh6977
    @mdh6977 19 днів тому +8

    Great interview!!! And a host who knows how to shut up after asking his question and listen to the answer while also keeping the conversation going

  • @dazwold
    @dazwold 26 днів тому +11

    What a great interview. I've never heard Serj in interview before, and what a breath of fresh air. Articulate, intelligent, and well spoken. Great questions as well; I think the level of the questions surprised him in a good way and opened up more because of it

  • @ivandevilliers5741
    @ivandevilliers5741 Місяць тому +12

    This needs more views! Brilliantly interviewed and Serj is as eloquent and humble as can be 👏🏻

  • @kieranhowells7336
    @kieranhowells7336 10 днів тому +1

    Fantastic interview. Two respectful, thoughtful people having a truly meaningful conversation. Thankful for them both, especially Serj, who has made music that I hold incredibly dear.

  • @danielcosta6238
    @danielcosta6238 4 дні тому +1

    Really well conducted interview. Serj shows to a thoughtful & legit dude.

  • @VanessaButtino
    @VanessaButtino Місяць тому +15

    THANK YOU for this interview! My goodness, I’ve been a massive System of a Down fan since high school in the ‘90s ❤

  • @DylTyrril
    @DylTyrril Місяць тому +9

    Thank you, Tom for bringing out such amazing insights in your conversation with this fascinating and inspirational artist. This was such a compelling and engrossing discussion, and an undoubtedly honest and reverential exchange with Serj.

  • @tracevicente
    @tracevicente 24 дні тому +4

    Such an amazing interview/chat. Thank you!

  • @dryker7085
    @dryker7085 15 днів тому +2

    Absolutely love System! Never been a band like them. When I first heard their stuff it blew me away, and then Toxicity came out. Nothing has excited me more than listening to that album.
    I had the pleasure of attending their Armenian Genocide awareness concert back when I hardly went to any concerts at all. These days I go to as many concerts as I can, and still regard that one as one of the best shows I've ever been to.
    One of the all time greats.

  • @Diminish3d
    @Diminish3d 29 днів тому +1

    Once again an excellent interview from Tom. It shines through how much you care and value these discussions and it reflects back from the guests in their expressions and words. You're an excellent listener and it was a beautiful touch to bring the interview a full circle and start and finish it with the grandfather :)
    These are some of my favorite artist interviews you're doing :)

  • @Jerushajustintime
    @Jerushajustintime Місяць тому +23

    Was just talking about Serj. And his intelligence and wisdom.

  • @dana52484
    @dana52484 25 днів тому +18

    Who else suddenly wants to listen to SOAD now?

    • @user-ul4uz6vo9o
      @user-ul4uz6vo9o 12 днів тому +4

      What do you mean suddenly? Been listening to them everyday for 24 years

    • @Trevor6714
      @Trevor6714 3 дні тому

      In middle school I got turned on to them and it was non stop till about 17-18. But even then still there. Then a complete stop around 21-22 for some reason. Then 27-28 all of a sudden I started again and can’t stop. So many memories in each song, not just mine I’m sure. Great songs and some make you think and question everything, not to sound cliché.

  • @cleonjohnmusic
    @cleonjohnmusic Місяць тому +5

    Absolutely great interview

  • @dazey8706
    @dazey8706 11 днів тому

    man this interview was such a joy!! eagerly anticipating powerserj on the horizon

  • @KowProdMedia
    @KowProdMedia 29 днів тому +3

    Really great interview. Thanks for this.

  • @hugor778
    @hugor778 25 днів тому +1

    Awesome conversation 🙌
    Thanks for bring Serj to us 🙏

  • @MrVideoHijacker
    @MrVideoHijacker Місяць тому +4

    What a great interview. Wow

  • @shnoogums1
    @shnoogums1 29 днів тому +2

    Wow what a touching interview. So much respect to serj

  • @Aspenfell
    @Aspenfell 29 днів тому +8

    What a fantastic interview! Serj being humble and honest really left me with a sense of inspiration. I definitely have an elevated opinion of the man. I look forward to reading his book. Thank you Tom!

  • @F1Slunk
    @F1Slunk 10 днів тому

    Great interview. Thanks.

  • @eric6345
    @eric6345 14 днів тому

    I'm impressed with the quality and depth of the interviewer's questions for Serj. Very insightful interview.

  • @anni5555
    @anni5555 22 дні тому +1

    Great Interview and great Questions!

  • @TheBillybiker1
    @TheBillybiker1 24 дні тому

    What a fantastic interview.

  • @tenochtitilian
    @tenochtitilian 27 днів тому +4

    What I feel makes Serj rare is that he is a political activist but also a very spiritual person

  • @mCblue79
    @mCblue79 26 днів тому +3

    A great interviewer meets an interesting and intelligent subject. Thank you for this 👍

  • @dpelpal
    @dpelpal 9 днів тому +1

    I'm buying his book. Always been a passive SOAD fan, never knew his history. Can't wait to read it!

  • @ManapartOfficial
    @ManapartOfficial 28 днів тому +4

    Such deep and smart questions! Tom, you are cool!

  • @TheSkeptic_1
    @TheSkeptic_1 28 днів тому +8

    Serj continues to impress with his calmness, his humility, and I miss the hay day of SOAD so much. I wish Daron and others could shelve their perceived needs long enough to give us at least one more SOAD record.

    • @joshviggiani9844
      @joshviggiani9844 26 днів тому

      I wouldn't worry about it. The longer it takes the better it will be. I kinda feel this is part of the intention for this fallow period.
      There are definitely parts of their later half of work that I highly respect. But their earlier work is what formed and cemented what that band is in my mind and pretty likely how it will remain.
      So I'm fine letting the pot boil as long as they need. I am also obviously a Tool fan, after all. ☺️

    • @joshviggiani9844
      @joshviggiani9844 26 днів тому

      I wouldn't worry about it. The longer it takes the better it will be. I kinda feel this is part of the intention for this fallow period.
      There are definitely parts of their later half of work that I highly respect. But their earlier work is what formed and cemented what that band is in my mind and pretty likely how it will remain.
      So I'm fine letting the pot boil as long as they need. I am also obviously a Tool fan, after all. ☺️

  •  26 днів тому +1

    Great interview with such an awesome person. Great interviewer also!

  • @yamammiwammi
    @yamammiwammi 7 днів тому

    Tom is an amazing interviewer, this was so cool to listen to. Serj is so cool.

  • @leomonzo
    @leomonzo Місяць тому

    I love you Mr Serj. These were great questions

  • @JadedMax
    @JadedMax 21 день тому +1

    0:02 Yup. That was exactly what i said. And then they became my favourite band.

  • @PixieCropCircleDuster
    @PixieCropCircleDuster Місяць тому +1

    Thanks for having the courage to speak up about genocide Serj. Amazing interview Tom.❤

  • @sandramouro8977
    @sandramouro8977 7 днів тому +1

    I LOVE SERJ ❤❤❤❤

  • @user-tn4ej7xy9x
    @user-tn4ej7xy9x 9 днів тому

    Dear Serj, you are so polite and sweet, i love SOAD, i have.been follow you since the begining, i wich all the best, system will always be one of my favorite band❤

  • @patrickwarren2465
    @patrickwarren2465 29 днів тому

    What a fantastic interview .the mutual respect and We all love Serj don't we

  • @lixerium2529
    @lixerium2529 10 днів тому

    I've listened to the audiobook and it's fantastic!! As a kid during the nu metal era, I didn't think much about the message behind System's music. After listening/ reading multiple biographies of iconic musicans, actors etc. I thought that it would be the director's cut of an unreleased episode of Behind the Music: SOAD. The way Serj combines his story and his Grandfather's story is a great way to highlight the type of person that Serj is beyond his music career.

  • @Vivih48
    @Vivih48 10 днів тому

    Serj ❤ kisses from Brazil 😘

  • @user-ul4uz6vo9o
    @user-ul4uz6vo9o 12 днів тому

    Im so glad that this band not only opened my eyes to the armenian genocide but they shaped my formative years. Serj has always been a unique voice, but darren, shavo, and jon with him is the best collaboration in music ive ever had the privilege to see live and be a part of. Rock on and for the love of god please let system come back to FL in the futre. Ive missed you.

  • @medicine2202
    @medicine2202 19 днів тому +1

    Serjs smile is so beautiful

  • @erikm9490
    @erikm9490 11 днів тому

    He really is right that they were Magic together. His music and Daron’s are good separately, but together they’re truly Magical! We can only hope they can agree to create more someday.

  • @JosephDoumit
    @JosephDoumit 19 днів тому

    I am from Lebanon living in the UK. Serj is the Awesome!

  • @barianpixandvids
    @barianpixandvids 19 днів тому

    Always smart. Always interesting to listen to. Surprisingly calm and soothing voice for someone who can scream his freakin' head off!!

  • @wedonttalkaboutbruno5670
    @wedonttalkaboutbruno5670 Місяць тому +6

    My favourite band of all time is soad

  • @kamiros9739
    @kamiros9739 17 днів тому +1

    System of a Down is an extremely rare phenomenon. I doubt something similar could happen in this day and age for lots and lots of reasons. When I heard their songs for the first time, I was 12, chop suey, toxicity. Then when I was about 16, I heard Hypnotize/Mesmerize and I was in awe. It wasn’t about oh that’s Armenian American special stuff, it was "damn that’s incredible music".
    Everything has changed since then, there are no big truly independent bands, are there? Then again, maybe they’re just a once in a lifetime "coincidence". I listened to Serj's & Tom Morello's radio show when I was that age, even though I was an apolitical German teenager. Both RATM and SOAD told me "wow, the world is interesting", which I had no clue about. Seriously, Serj changed my life for the better by a lot

  • @sinesthetix
    @sinesthetix 28 днів тому +1

    Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search For Meaning" comes to mind around 4:30. The power of joie de vivre is very real.

  • @bamfrd
    @bamfrd Місяць тому +5

    Interesting guy! I’ve always gravitated to their Toxicity album.

  • @jambi1527
    @jambi1527 Місяць тому +3

    Kickin off the interview like old buds 😊

  • @951Dwdrummer
    @951Dwdrummer 27 днів тому

    I got your first cd in la from my a&r after our show,anyway on the way home on the freeway i though it out the window

  • @AdamGomez-wd9en
    @AdamGomez-wd9en Місяць тому

    AWESOME.

  • @cameronbrown387
    @cameronbrown387 6 днів тому

    I remember hear System in 1998!! Sugar!!!

  • @TimesThree333
    @TimesThree333 Місяць тому +2

    Anybody else reading The Books of Jacob? I only mention it because Armenia's history comes up in that novel.

  • @erasmusherzen
    @erasmusherzen Місяць тому +11

    Tom Power and Q continue to rule - SOAD are a world shaking band

  • @melissamccoskery4223
    @melissamccoskery4223 17 днів тому

    A beautiful soul

  • @Trevor6714
    @Trevor6714 3 дні тому

    I understand the purge or embodiment of a music into yourself. I’m the same way. I listen to one genre for months sometimes years, then it changes.

  • @djmoonchild01
    @djmoonchild01 28 днів тому +2

    First time I heard soda was on mtv with the video for sugar, wtf is that was exactly my reaction😂 fan ever since!!

  • @tenochtitilian
    @tenochtitilian 27 днів тому

    The best form of activism is from bands like SOAD, RATM and old Sepultura as it gets to inform and inspire so many people to make change

  • @420greatestqueen
    @420greatestqueen Місяць тому +8

    Thank you for talking about Artsakh Nagorno-Karabakh! The Canadian media, including CBC, has been pretty quiet about it

    • @TranceSFX
      @TranceSFX 25 днів тому

      Canadian media is corrupt cancer, so definitely yeah

  • @Pittsburghbad
    @Pittsburghbad 26 днів тому +1

    Love the john dolmyan reference on the book

  • @benderunit44
    @benderunit44 10 днів тому

    Lives man, our lives

  • @r3missch1p22
    @r3missch1p22 Місяць тому +2

    Always blows my mind when people blame daron singing when thats what inspired them to work together.

  • @primo1331
    @primo1331 14 днів тому

    I love system of a down and Serj is a Rock God.

  • @user-er8dl8cq2n
    @user-er8dl8cq2n 28 днів тому

    I remember back in the 2000s in high school I was a metalhead. System of a down was the band I chose to shock my non metalhead friends seeing their reactions was priceless!

  • @jazazzaza
    @jazazzaza 18 днів тому

    22:08 I didn't actually watch the video until recently, it's fantastic, powerful

  • @discocat2500
    @discocat2500 19 днів тому

    You rock Serj!

  • @SVoltage1
    @SVoltage1 18 днів тому

    you gotta love Serj.

  • @brandonsalisbury7182
    @brandonsalisbury7182 10 днів тому

    Here’s how I see it! Both Serj’s solo stuff & Scars on Broadway have incredible albums! Although I really liked Elect The Dead I wasn’t big on his 2nd record but his 3rd album Harakiri really shows how talented Serj is despite being more classical then Scars! Scars on the other hand shows how much Daron contributed to SOAD so I can’t pick who’s stuff I like better as they are equally great I’m different ways but I’m sure we all agree that when Serj & Daron are together (along with the other two obviously) in SOAD it automatically becomes even greater compared to them on their own imo!

  • @worldismyashtray
    @worldismyashtray Місяць тому +1

    Tom doing the head bop in time to Toxicity 🙌

  • @lancebristow683
    @lancebristow683 14 днів тому

    First time I heard SOAD was on an MTV countdown of music in alphabetical order. I saw the hair and goatee and thought B-Real was up to some new side project. [Edit - it was the Sugar video] Been a fan ever since. Got Cool Gardens on my shelf next to some Otep, Saul Williams, and Jim Morrison.
    I missed their performance @smokeout as I was in the drum and bass area listening to dj rap.😅
    Full circle Shavo being a regular on Dr. Greenthumb podcast and playing with Cypress Hill @ the colliseum.

  • @alexwright5935
    @alexwright5935 Місяць тому +3

    yeah i had no idea until i bought toxicity in highschool and then liked the music so i googled the band and found out all that stuff.

  • @spolo
    @spolo 15 днів тому

    Bro a legend

  • @paulcalabro5238
    @paulcalabro5238 Місяць тому +6

    Serj is a legend and System is and will always be one of the best bands ever. But at this point I really hope the other members get together and do a side project with a different front man. I'm tired of them not putting out music because of creative differences. The music world is poorer for it.

  • @user-ul4uz6vo9o
    @user-ul4uz6vo9o 12 днів тому

    32:47 spoken like a true drummer.

  • @IvanPirishanchin
    @IvanPirishanchin 17 днів тому +3

    I don't know why, but I really disliked how this band sounded when I was young. Today however I am a big fan.

  • @sugmanutz
    @sugmanutz 28 днів тому

    love serj and soad

  • @austinh7110
    @austinh7110 28 днів тому

    I’ve met a lot of celebrities and he’s definitely one of the nicest. The only one I can think of that beat him is Peter Cech and that’s only because he remembered my name from like 2 years prior haha

  • @badpuppet616
    @badpuppet616 22 дні тому

    Power Serj 💡

  • @Kai-Made
    @Kai-Made 18 днів тому

    Watched Serj and Rainn's interview. Was pretty good, this goes somewhat deeper. Still good.
    Though for SOAD fans...speeding this up to 1.25 or 1.5 works well. Maybe that is just my neuro stuff making comprehension easier at speed.

  • @benholzer1649
    @benholzer1649 19 днів тому

    The only reason he says you know so much is because it’s his second language. He doesn’t say um or like a lot and I think he’s just crazy intelligent and nice yet humble because he was good at everything he did is what it sounds like.

  • @jrand2148
    @jrand2148 23 дні тому

    How can this video only have 800 some odd likes and 28k views??

  • @michaelshannon9169
    @michaelshannon9169 12 днів тому

    Always love hearing from morally-preachy artists from their mansions.

  • @ryancooper780
    @ryancooper780 21 день тому

    Definitely gonna listen to some soad after this interview.

  • @user-ul4uz6vo9o
    @user-ul4uz6vo9o 12 днів тому

    Interview shavo

  • @dazey8706
    @dazey8706 11 днів тому

    i would read serjs philosphy n justice and spirituality undeniably

  • @chrisphenomenal
    @chrisphenomenal 29 днів тому +1

    Could this guy be any nicer??? I don't think so...Love you Serj!!!!

  • @DatKakashii
    @DatKakashii 27 днів тому +2

    26:28 what we all came for
    At this point our best bet for new SOAD music is a.i. made/covered music sadly

  • @RahSH1
    @RahSH1 29 днів тому +2

    Thank you for giving me representation growing up as a leftist/armenian. Made things feel not so lonely.

    • @shnorglebop1798
      @shnorglebop1798 10 днів тому

      SOAD politicized me from a young age, one of the first thought provoking pieces of art that really made me start to question things and think. The ironic part is my dad introduced them to me, one of the first songs being the one about the prison system / drug money funding wars, and he’s a big right-wing conspiracy type guy and I think he either misunderstands their lyrical content or just doesn’t pay attention. This same guy told me Ronald Reagan is a hero and he seriously meant it. It’s so confusing trying to understand him. Anyway, SOAD opened my eyes as an angsty youngin and I’d attribute them to being part of making me who I am today. They taught me a lot. I continue to tell people about their music & their message on a regular basis and I’ll never stop. The awareness they have raised is important work

  • @WardenOfTerra
    @WardenOfTerra 21 день тому

    Serj is such a cool dude. I wish all musicians were as open-minded as he is.

  • @AWaBfantasy
    @AWaBfantasy 24 дні тому +1

    Take a shot every time Serj says, _"y'know."_