Daron Malakian's Musical Canvas

by Rex Rutkoski

      System Of A Down songwriter Daron Malakian understands that some people may have a difficult time accepting his band's music as art. "That's because there's a lot of music out there that is pretty shallow," he reasons.

      Then there are the people who get what these multi-faceted California rockers are trying to do. "I like people who view what we are doing as something new, that doesn't sound like anybody else. I like that people view it as art and I appreciate that. Because that's what it is to me," he says. "I use the music as my canvas. I use different colors, except the colors are sound, they are notes."

      The message seems to be getting across to more people, as the group's new and second album, Toxicity, debuted in September at No. 1 on the SoundScan and Billboard charts. Their self-titled debut CD was a hit.

      Rolling Stone suggested that with "its twisty rhythms, origami song structures and banjo and sitar flourishes, Toxicity resembles nothing else in contemporary hard rock." That surely is music to the ears of Malakian (guitar and vocals) and bandmates Serj Tankian (vocals), Shavo Odadjian (bass) and John Dolmayan (drums).

      "We wanted to make a System Of A Down record without copying the last one," says Malakian, who produced it with acclaimed producer Rick Rubin, whose vast credits include the Beastie Boys, Tom Petty, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Slayer and Public Enemy, as well as System's first album.

      "That was my main focus [with the new album], making a really strong record that still has our character," Malakian says. "You will know it's us but without copying our last hit. We don't want to create the same thing over again."

      Some bands are afraid of their fans, he says. "They are afraid to try new things. They think people will not buy their next record or laugh at them if they do. That's why you get the same band that comes out with the same record four times, not to mention any names."

      Their music once was described as possessing the intensity of metal, the social commentary of rap and a stunningly varied range of influences that include the group's Armenian heritage, Middle Eastern melodies, jazz and even the nightly news.

      Malakian believes listeners appreciate their adventurous spirit. "They like the new sound we are doing. We seem to be doing something new and fresh, which is cool. I think we sing about topics that go beyond ourselves. We talk about the world sometimes. We leave the door open to anything. We don't have any rules.

      "I think people know we don't care about rules, about acceptance or becoming a star. I think it really comes through that we don't care about that stuff. The whole rock [star] thing is so secondary to the music. I hope people see that. We didn't get into this to be some dude at the mall who has a bunch of teenagers chase after them. That's not my goal."

      It really is about the pursuit of art, he implies. Art, to really be expressed freely, has to be made without any fear, without anyone else in mind, he says. "That's how you can write something that means something."

      Malakian says he has a high respect for music and art. "I always wanted to contribute. Sure, I enjoy the women and the money that comes with it. But it can't just be about the money. I'm just too passionate about this."

      Music is no less than energy to him. "There is a lot of anger and hate in the world, but you can take music from another side of the world. Even if it's the music of your enemy—if it's beautiful, it doesn't matter," he says. "That's powerful. That's really powerful to me. That goes beyond emotions and feelings and egos and stuff like that. It's almost like a higher power, if the person is willing to be taken over."

      System Of A Down enjoys trying to be a catalyst for that transformation. "Everyone adapts to different kinds of music and art. We leave our minds open. We don't restrict it to just being a heavy band," he says. "We don't like just being called a heavy band. There is a lot of other stuff going on. As a band, each person is versatile. That leaves the door open to go anywhere."

      It really is somewhat of a melting pot of music, he says. "It's mutated versions of a lot of different kinds of rock and other stuff. What we try to do is make it come out naturally. We don't try to stick something together if it doesn't feel like it should go. We would never force anything. We just go into things naturally."

      That's why he enjoyed working with Rick Rubin, he says. "I like his really organic way of liking to do stuff. I'd rather achieve a sound naturally than use a bunch of effects. We put our heads together and made it sound the way it did. We did a lot of tracking with guitars. I had the way I wanted it to sound."

      Rubin is no less than "one of the coolest guys I know in the business," Malakian says. "There are not many people in the business I can sit and talk to about art and have them understand. He's a record company owner and executive, yet I can still talk to him about my vision."

      Malakian would like to do more producing and he finds Rubin a solid role model. "I respect the way he produces. He doesn't use any gadgets or tricks. He relies on the talent of the musician. He lets the musician develop his style and show his natural abilities. If you use a million delays and reverbs on your voice, it's not your voice anymore. He teaches me how to get it done naturally, just like life is."

      And, as in real life, many emotions are expressed in System Of A Down's music, he says. "Humor is a big part of our emotion. If there were no hate, there would be no love. If there were no laughter, there would be no crying. It's all part of everything. It would be really one-sided if we only sang sad songs. As human beings we experience all of it, so why not let it out in what you are feeling."

      All those emotions can be experienced in the band's concerts. "We try to make it somewhat of a roller coaster ride up and down. It doesn't just stay on the heavy tip. Sometimes it becomes funny. People should expect the unexpected."

      The foursome is quite active onstage. "Being onstage takes me to a whole different place. I love turning on to that different person onstage. A whole other side of Daron comes out. I don't get a chance to do that in everyday life sitting or standing around. Onstage I get to express myself in ways I never get to in the regular day."

      He hopes that more music with depth will emerge from the events of Sept. 11. "With what is happening in the world now, I think we will see some sort of healthy music coming out. What happened has inspired a lot of people. Even if you are not a musician, you are inspired. This has changed your life in one way or another. There will be a little deepness to come out of it, less shallow stuff.

      "In the 1950s we weren't really in war. We were comfortable and there was 'The Twist.' In the 1960s there was Vietnam and everyone was singing protest songs about war. In the 1990s we were really comfortable and the economy was getting better and we were singing 'Nookie.' Now I think people will search for something a little deeper."

      Artistically, Sept. 11 may emerge in different ways, he suggests. "If it changes people's lives on a personal level and they end up singing about their own life, but just a bit deeper, it doesn't have to be war or protest songs. It just takes the environment around us and puts something else there for people to grab on to and not be so selfish. That affects art and music in different ways."

      And probably in some interesting ways for System Of A Down.