Why System of a Down's Serj Tankian Doesn't Play Video Games Anymore

Serj Tankian joins Loudwire Weekends host Todd Fooks to discuss video games, his favorite film scores and whether or not System of a Down have plans for new music.
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Music: Riffs Two by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com)
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[@rileydodge4062]

I feel like people usually think metal or hardcore artists are aggressive or rude irl but many of them like serj are so nice

[@nairamdiam]

@@ghostcat11 lol I had thought exactly the same right before I have read your comment xD

[@felixftw4702]

@NICHOLAS MEINI black metal is different

[@felixftw4702]

@@ghostcat11 metal fans are the most open minded, caring people you'll ever meet ELITISTS on the other hand...

[@hieinh]

A lot of Hard Rock/ Metal Bands play video games. It's normal

[@rileydodge4062]

@@hieinh I never said it wasn't, I was simply saying there are a lot of misconceptions about people who make hardcore music.

[@CristianRodriguez-rg9kl]

Serj is the kind of artist should live FOREVER, man is a freaking legend

[@ryanvanzant4788]

SUGAR...EPIC INTERVIEW LOVE YOU ALL

[@bigmandrums4346]

I agree foREVer Serj maybe you can get that reference

[@bigupsbingus1621]

@@bigmandrums4346 RIP to a legend.

[@bigmandrums4346]

@@bigupsbingus1621 I wanna say sorry idk why I put that it had nothing to do with this video sorry for being off topic

[@bigupsbingus1621]

@@bigmandrums4346 its alright, no need to apologize. Just shows how much of an impact he had on people. Most SoaD fans are a7x fans too from what I've seen.

[@amin-le5jp]

You guys should do a Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction with serj.

[@svmmyb0i220]

Graham is unfortunately currently battling cancer, but as soon as he's healthy again I'd love to see that, because those two interacting would be unreal 🤘

[@bbbeans6480]

@@svmmyb0i220 oh shit i forgot about that

[@dallesamllhals9161]

@@svmmyb0i220 WHAT?

[@dude6658]

@@svmmyb0i220 he's,WHAT

[@svmmyb0i220]

Yeah so from memory, the gist of it is he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, which was thankfully caught and removed (unfortunately at the price of having one of his testicles also removed) but it has unfortunately spread so he's now about to undergo 9 weeks of chemo. The positive news is, his doctor said it's extremely likely at this point that he'll fully recover once the chemo is done. Let's all keep him in our thoughts and prayers, he can beat this 🖤

[@billtinsley366]

Serj seems like a really down to earth dude that would be so much fun to shoot the shit with. As basically a metalhead for the last 25+ years it bothers me that metal artists are perceived as lunkhead buffoons. And Mr. Tankian proves that there's a lot of intelligence invested in the genre.

[@lyndathompson3399]

Well said.

[@felixftw4702]

metal is big brain music

[@DJcyberslash]

Sure he's not an outlier?

[@felixftw4702]

@@DJcyberslash you think metal fans are angry people? i mean you're right...but we have an outlet, so

[@222MovieMan]

every metal member and are nice and everyone at metal shows are nice. It's other with the youths going to travis scott concert where people die and glorify gangs and murder and whatever. metal sounds mean but they aren't mean.

[@dude6658]

Serj:(Acting like him staying up till 10 pm playing videogames is crazy) Me: Staying up all night playing Earthbound

[@zarbon5460]

Amateurs, I stay up weeks on end playing games! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@dude6658]

@@zarbon5460 amoguus

[@zeooranje]

BASED

[@dude6658]

@@zeooranje Agreed

[@AmAxel35]

"10pm? Them's rookie numbers"

[@shredasaur8857]

I would love it if Serj and Buckhead did some more stuff together.

[@wojtekn6411]

And Shana Halligan

[@user7966]

mike patton and les claypool would be cool too

[@alabastrowe7988]

would you be suprised to learn they did?

[@solarsilencer6403]

@@alabastrowe7988 he said more

[@Devdevbruh]

Serj is humble af.

[@therealgdx]

When serj passes away I will cry 10 pounds of tears

[@Apostolis444]

what you mean if?he is not immortal?

[@smd-tr9jl]

well hes not exactly that old man if nothing unusual happens he should still be around for a solid time

[@crane2938]

I like that the interviewer and serj aren't using this as a point against video games themselves and its more of a point of why serj himself doesn't play. so refreshing.

[@catherine5526]

I haven't watched a lot of interviews from Serj or System of A Down in general, but his voice is really relaxing to listen to.

[@godiloveminininjas4278]

Indeed

[@vectoralphaSec]

I still play video games so I understand why Serj stopped. Games get really addictive and fun and before you know it it eats up all your time.

[@yukuzoona6604]

if i dont waste my time gaming i waste my time with other shit or nothing 🤷‍♂

[@Renegade_222]

System is one of the best bands ever. No band can hold a candle to them Damn shame it seems to be over but I appreciate the fact they have us what they did.

[@obsoleteelite8258]

Rage Against The Machine

[@xbmpr]

I understand serj with the addiction aspect of it. Eventually, thankfully, I switched over to being addicted to guitars and ended up playing that all night instead lol.

[@loganc1158]

I am learning on acoustic now, but I am going to purchase a squire affinity strat soon and practice with that. I have been doing the same thing lol

[@leek6927]

NGL the negative effects of a video game addiction are the same as the negative effects of guitar addiction

[@loganc1158]

No, just no they are not

[@gergoretvari6373]

@@leek6927 no they aren't

[@mushroom13cfh]

@@leek6927 exactly

[@DarkOracleOfDeath]

As a 2000s kid, one of my favourite films is Queen of the Damned even though the story is nothing to write home about, but it featured bands like Disturbed, Static-X, Korn and more. To me, the soundtrack of a film is at least as important as the story if not more because let's face it, most films nowadays are so predictable I'd rather not waste 2 hours of my time watching them for the plot, but if they at least have good music, that's a win in my book.

[@xBaphometHx]

I remember playing a game with their song War in it (there was a TV screen where you could see the video of it), and that was the time when I already was listening to SOAD. The game was called Apocalypse, and the main character was Bruce Willis.

[@jermcircuits2923]

That game was made by the same team as Tony Hawk Pro Skater.

[@nebulousisgod]

Serj very much seems chill and not egocentric like he’s kinda seemed in the past. Maybe it’s that angry bleeding heart thing. But I love him for it. He’s got the balls to say what he believes against human injustice. And his vox is beautiful and unique. His mind is that of a true artist.

[@NoYoutubeName1]

He hasn’t been speaking out against all of the totalitarian governments and their mandates. Instead he’s being stubborn and greedy for money from his old bandmates.

[@SolidSnake116]

Metal hellsinger is basically rhythm based DOOM

[@Leighton9702]

Yeah call of duty is just army doom

[@I.C.DeadPeople]

Well I discovered SOAD for me back in 1998 because their song War was part of the Soundtrack of the game Apocalypse on PS1

[@sickfitz4256]

Was it the riches of the land? Powers of bright darkness! That lead the noble to the east TO FIGHT THE HEATHENS!

[@iaintdepressed]

-"i'm not doing games now" sounds like "i'm not doing drugs officer" :D

[@fuckwad2024]

I wanna add something by for anyone else who come across this comment, I very much think that if you spent a majority of your time as a kid playing video games, that you did not WASTE your time. Many people believe they wasted their time with video games or this hobby or that hobby. I think that you should treasure that time, and savor it. I think that the people who say they played “too much” just don’t understand that video games just require more time than other hobbies, and you have to learn how to manage that time instead of acting like video games are some sort of drug. It’s disrespectful to me when people try to blame their poor time-management on something like video games. I don’t understand when people stop playing video games simply because they do it “too much”. What exactly is too much? My dad basically thinks that video games “ruined” mine and my brother’s lives, and he’s completely convinced that they’re 100% responsible. Meanwhile I’m learning electric guitar rapidly and I have a full time job, and I still play fucking video games…

[@dallesamllhals9161]

Yeah but that's just YOU. Video game addiction is a real thing :-/

[@mr.oblivious7034]

I think for some people they have so much fun playing video games, to the point where it spills over to the rest of the aspects of their lives (like work, productive hobbies, and social life). That's why Serj said he had to stop, because he was gaming so much that it was messing up him playing music. You're one of those who have a healthy gaming habit, where you balance work and your other hobbies responsibly :)

[@amarettopunsch1496]

I think it is all about balance. When people lose that balance when it comes to video games and real life for them it becomes too much, for others it becomes managable

[@nickk6747]

Game addiction is terrible just stop playing them

[@dallesamllhals9161]

@@nickk6747 But if it's that simple then why....?

[@RobertT1999]

I used to play the PS1 version of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4. Didn't realise till I played the PS2 version about 17 years later that Shimmy was an unlockable song (at least on the PS2 version). Also, the John Woo game Serj was talking about was most likely Stranglehold. What a game that was! Had no idea he worked a bit on that.

[@nick82592]

I always played THPS4 on the first generation Xbox. Fucking love that game, so many memories. Amazing soundtrack all around. If I remember correctly, at least on the Xbox version, Shimmy was always available instead of being unlockable.

[@comodin27]

@@nick82592 yo lo conoci en PS1 - Apocalypse, aparecian los videos en los carteles

[@imembridibuddha]

2:00 It was Stranglehold, and Serj's piece is called Essence of Tequila. Great little game.

[@refandomqueen3310]

I love serj he is sweet in interviews and seems like a great guy

[@taimaishu-nao1922]

Yeah, I remember that John Woo game! I almost bought it too because I was a huge System fan and saw Serj contributed to it. It was right around the time when EVERYBODY was doing that whole Matrix-esque, “slow down time” third-person action game.

[@cheekyphuzz_thegod8558]

It’s so cool to hear him talk about personal stuff

[@jakemertz2660]

I can totally relate to what Serj is saying, I don't game much anymore but every time I do I end up feeling withdrawals for like a week.

[@ducko5404]

Serj is one of my favorite people in the world

[@kristenellsworth9621]

Mine too!

[@vonsopas]

This dude apart from being a genius lyricist and an awesome energetic frontman, is also wholesome af. I remember when he went to Armenia with Anthony Bourdain (RIP) and it was amazing

[@pastorofmuppets9346]

Serj gaming

[@lilcubbins]

Gaming Of A Down, doesn't sound so good

[@bristleback1759]

We need SYSTEM back . TOO MUCH TOXICITY IN WORLD

[@megaklok]

I love listening to BYOB while playing Dead Rising

[@MarKSlamS621]

The PS1 game Apocalypse Starring Bruce Willis (yes, that's the full title) was how I was introduced to System of a Down.

[@skiss_skiss_houwhi_houwih40]

this is a pretty cool interview :)

[@rive3051]

HOLY SHIT SERJ WAS A GAMER

[@yukuzoona6604]

even corpsegrinder is a wow gamer 😂

[@michaelhart5087]

His song sugar was also in Tony hawks pro skater boarding

[@theshape666-xorthrokaaz8]

i would love to see a SOAD song on Madden

[@theshape666-xorthrokaaz8]

@Logan Really?

[@pinkfloydmeddle6692]

@@theshape666-xorthrokaaz8 the song sugar was part of that soundtrack

[@dingleburg2665]

I wish it’s all trashy rap now a days old madden had better soundtracks

[@eabaggins]

What a pleasant guy!

[@snapascrew]

“Up until 10pm” whoa man whoa!

[@dallesamllhals9161]

Yeah! That's 100% HARDCORE Gamerstyle :-O

[@PilloTheStar]

Video games, like any leisurely activity, is fine in moderation. Serj is smart to know his limits.

[@Killenmachine05]

as someone whos a drummer and also a gamer, this concept sounds awesome if executed properly.

[@uchihaobito9915]

I respect this Man

[@andrewpappas9311]

Yeah, he's really well-spoken

[@the_pieces_fit]

who doesn't

[@ShadowKiller571]

"I was up until 10 pm playing games"

[@MellowJelly]

ahahah "oh wow how awful" XD meanwhile daron's 2018 music "Lives" is telling me to do drugs whenever I want and I don't need to justify it

[@smd-tr9jl]

@@MellowJelly you can say what you want but daron is absolutely right as long as whoever hears that is over 18. But you gotta understand his point too and not take it as like ' oh ill just do heroin every day then ' type bs lmfao but if you feel like dropping a tab while in the middle of writing a song, maybe itll be the best idea ever and its gonna show you how great your mind works when youre on the right drug at the right mood. remember tho, balance is key and psychedelics are your best option if you dont wanna mess up your whole body in the process.

[@TheNautilusProject479]

“I was up until 10:00pm, in bed, staying up and going crazy” yeah, I’m getting there myself slowly every year

[@EttGlasVatten]

Up until 10 pm? Is that late for some people?

[@chicagoui9299]

NBA JAMS WAS FUN AF!!! I don’t play much anymore either, as yes they eat up too much time to do other things.

[@work1907]

Like many other adult celebs who used to play games. If you can’t control yourself then just quit altogether.

[@rerelie1242]

Wish I could meet him.

[@CanadianRM4]

I've watched many streamers on Twitch play this game and they all loved it! I'm stoked! September is too far 😣

[@metallurgico]

Imagine Serj playing Roblox with kids.

[@ryxarkhalyx]

u guys talk about rock/metal musician doing soundtrack for game/film, how about next time u interview celldweller? he's the right guy for this kind of topic

[@wasted6459]

LINK, HE COME TO TOWN

[@Green3ry]

HE COME TO SAVE, THE PRINCESS ZELDA

[@Gabriss32]

This intro looks like *"Your Time Has Come"* by Audioslave!

[@ChadEllebracht-je6wv]

I LIVED IN SAN JOSE AT 1545 PUERTO VALLARTA DRIVE

[@danplaysguitar6706]

On the thing about whether or not guitarists are good at guitar hero, Gary Holt played it with his kids/grandkids and despite being a legendary guitarist he was apparently terrible at it!

[@CryingShayme]

Just listened to part of the song on the steam page for this game. It's just so good

[@Blazingmadman98]

Only played the demo of Stranglehold, the John Woo game Serj mentioned. Was pretty fun though, funny to see games you remember from years ago pop up like that.

[@Filtiarin]

Give him an hour of Elden Ring or DMC 5 and he'll get hooked all over again

[@ChadEllebracht-je6wv]

YOU SAVED MY LIFE SO MANY TIMES

[@Toxic2T]

I used to be addicted to videogames till I found motorcycles. Now I barely game and I spend most of my time and money building shlt. Feels good

[@Joe-eq8we]

I'd rather ride ANY DAY!!!

[@efilnikufesina7532]

Lol, I recently gave up gaming about a month ago, cold turkey. Haven't touched it since. I have finally tore into my old yz250 bike to rebuild it. Im enjoying every minute of it. Don't miss gaming.

[@Toxic2T]

@@efilnikufesina7532 Same, riding motorcycles also brought me alot of new interesing and solid friends. I have no regrets, the biker life is the best life for me. Lately we started going out to ride in groups, from 50cc to 400cc all mixed, just for the pleasure of riding all around the city. I feel free.

[@dingleburg2665]

Or you can do both

[@Toxic2T]

@@dingleburg2665 If theres some time left, yes.

[@pf100andahalf]

Serj is awesome.

[@ChadEllebracht-je6wv]

I HAVENT LEFT FOR THE HOSPITAL YET

[@avigokuu]

i bought the game because of this guy

[@jdub5644]

Metal Hellsinger reminds me of GunDrummer

[@johanburger4454]

Just ask serj one question..... " Have you played Doom Eternal"?

[@denisea.2058]

Thank you 🙏😇🤘

[@rawrxdisateenqueenflo]

Definitely relatable

[@AntiHeroLBC]

"I've been wanting to score for many, many years" That would sound hilarious out of context (sorry, couldn't help it!)

[@ducko5404]

uhhuhhu, score

[@Green3ry]

i read the title like “he played games at one point?”

[@manda_musings8459]

SERJ!!!!!

[@RolandsDad]

My wife has a transcribing pedal for her computer and I'm getting ideas... Unfair advantage? The demo is a lot of fun. I kind of wish I could keep my beat with off-beats too, but I imagine that is 100% going to be incorporated. The weapons in the demo don't really allow it.

[@ChadEllebracht-je6wv]

ITS BY 46TH AND OPAL IN OAKLAND CALIFORNIA

[@ChadEllebracht-je6wv]

THOS WERE TINERBELLS WINGS. THE MOTOR HOME BEHIND IT SAYS I ❤U

[@cle9146]

What does Corey Taylor think about this?

[@schlongduckdong2562]

No

[@LawlessLonewolf]

He thinks it’s an outdated meme that needs to stop

[@Moroi92]

@@LawlessLonewolf source?

[@Amp661]

I don't give a fuck what Corey think about it. I care about my own opinion and not his.

[@cle9146]

@@LawlessLonewolf the fact that it’s outdated makes it even funnier

[@dwfav]

weren't system in the Apocalypse game by activision, with Bruce Willis on ps1?

[@dallesamllhals9161]

1:58 Gotta be John Woo's Stranglehold?

[@bradleyspinks7922]

If it wasn't for Street fighter I wouldn't of done Jujitsu or kick boxing. If it wasn't for Guitar Hero I wouldn't of picked up a guitar. If it wasn't for God of War I wouldn't of lifted weights, if it wasn't for Uncharted I wouldn't of gone travelling. So that's how much influence video games have had in my life. The problem isn't games, the problem is addiction. Too much of anything is bad for you. You need to know when to have breaks. It's all about balance.

[@randomnamemab]

Games are designed to be an addictive drug

[@zidan40o0]

@@randomnamemab only shitty micro transaction mobile garbage live service trash is designed that way.

[@cfunk3004]

Honestly I'd rather hear about the new album coming out

[@aggelbeatboxer]

What new album coming out? :P

[@xxbos5xx]

I think it’s just rumors

[@Systemofadownfan805]

Theres no album

[@ImTheLetterP]

Did you time travel from 2004?

[@n.h.moreno]

I feel where he is coming from I MAKE music the way I used to play video games. Except my save points are the last takes of songs and I punch in at the 'four count' instead of using the Start Button.

[@ChadEllebracht-je6wv]

I HANDED THEM YOUR JACKET WITH METALS OF HONOR IT

[@ChadEllebracht-je6wv]

EVERYTHING IS RIGHT WHERE IT BELONGS EXCEPT YOUR LEATHER JACKET, A SWEATSHIRT AND YOUR HAT

[@ChadEllebracht-je6wv]

YOUR TRUCK IS YOUR BABY

[@-error-7936]

I love him ❤

[@ChadEllebracht-je6wv]

I SLEPT IN IT NIGHT BEFORE LAST

[@zachenglish309]

I don’t think playing video games is a bad thing like for him it was more of a necessary but you don’t have too unless you really want to or really need too it’s not bad that you play video games unless it’s for long long periods of time

[@ChadEllebracht-je6wv]

HOLY SHIT THAT EXPLAINS A LOT

[@bosyogurtlight]

Wait, did he do that before??

[@emilygochenour772]

he only gets more adoribal with age.

[@punkamirbj287]

Kebumen hadir bossss 🔥✊✊✊

[@Giantshredder]

NBA jam on Playstation? I dont recall that.

[@clownworldcitizen3505]

It was one of the first games that came when the PS1 launched.

[@ChadEllebracht-je6wv]

BEFORE THAT I LIVE ON LA RAGIONE

[@bigtostino3029]

My brothers buddy had system of a down at his house to buy some flowers haha and apparently serj was hooked on the ps1 I really wish I knew what game that was..

[@lcvolt1546]

Was the game by john woo stranglehold?

[@Li0nX]

What!?! No MGK video? That’s refreshing!

[@ChadEllebracht-je6wv]

THERES STILL FITIRA STONE ON THAT DRIVEWAY

[@dontsteponsneky]

Is he talking about apocalypse for the ps1 era?

[@ChadEllebracht-je6wv]

YOU'LL FIND IT. I PUT TINKER BELLS ANTENA ON IT AND A HEART OUT OF TOPAZ

[@darkmeplier8311]

System of the down ❤

[@Maxim.Nazarenko]

02:01 - Stranglehold.

[@ChadEllebracht-je6wv]

YOU HAD A BARGE. WE CAUGHT SAMUEL THOMAS FAHMIE JUNIOR WHALING IN 1996

[@royeick2991]

Discipline allows people to recognize when something is a possible problem, I can fall down the video game hole to, so I pay attention to time, and the more I play the more time I wasted