Metal Anarchy

Serj Tankian was recently interviewed by Rolling Stone, and discussed a variety of topics. During the chat he was asked about a new System Of A Down album, and responded by saying they all get along, but they are having problems agreeing on how to move forward with the material they have.

Tankian said the following when asked if the band tried to make a new album:

“We have. We’ve discussed it and we’ve played each other songs, but we still haven’t come eye to eye on how things should be done for us to be able to move forward with it. And that’s where it’s been.”

He also added the following when it was mentioned that the members seem to get along on tour:

“That’s the funny thing. When people don’t see a record, they assume the worst about your internal relationship. But the truth is we’re actually better friends – at least I’m better friends with everyone than I’ve ever been. John‘s my brother-in-law; he’s in my family. We have a great time together touring.

But sometimes putting together a record, and that creative output and how things should be done, is different in four people’s heads and it doesn’t always come together. Fortunate or unfortunate, however you want to call it, that’s the truth. But touring is easy, because you’ve done all these songs. You have fun, you go out and tour, and that’s it.”

Tankian also discussed the recent headlines saying he isn’t too interested in doing vocal work:

“That was from an interview I’d done, like, five or six months ago when I was in Moscow doing press for the movie ‘Furious – The Legend of Kolovrat‘, which I did the score for. I don’t remember saying ‘screw vocals,’ but it may have been when they were showing the film and someone was asking me about vocals, and I said something like, ‘Screw the vocals, look at the screen.’ What’s funny is I’m doing all these vocal sessions this week. How about that?”

He later continued:

“Everyone’s looking for headlines. I hate that. I hate when they take something and they just go with it. If you’re going to print that, at least send us an email asking, “Hey, did you say this?” And I’d say, “I probably did, but it was in this context.” At least check with me. Don’t take an interview that was translated from Russian from five months ago on the set of a film without checking.

Everyone’s picking it up and going, “Oh, my God, that means he’s not doing System again?” It’s kind of funny. You want to negate all these things, but then you’re like, “Well, I didn’t start it in the first place.” Why do I have to put out fires every two weeks? I’ve got shit to do. I’m working on music [laughs].”

Aside from all that, he also talked about his current work, which includes some scoring projects, solo songs, etc. He has also done some guest appearances on Jimmy Urine’s (Mindless Self Indulgence) solo album and on System Of A Down’s John Dolmayan‘s These Grey Men project.

He also said he has some rock songs that he may release as an EP:

“I have a bunch of rock songs I’ve been sitting on. I’m still trying to decide what to do with them [laughs]. Maybe I’ll put out an EP or something. Having a young family, I really enjoy being home with my kid. When you put out a proper record with a band, you’re doing videos and press and touring, and you’re dedicating a few years to marketing your record. I’m at a point where that’s not what I want to do.

I’m happy to sit down have a few chats about a film score that I’m doing, because that’s easy, but dedicating two years to one project like that is difficult. That’s why I’m afraid of putting out my own record – not afraid, but don’t want to make that time dedication right now. So I might just put it out as an EP on iTunes and Spotify and do a few interviews and just let it be.”

Head to Rolling Stone to read more.