Serj Tankian talks how System of a Down's members met and created the band (2022)

Serj Tankian recently talked to Adam Carolla on his own podcast and remembered the early days of System of a Down and how the band members first met and created one of the most successful band of all time.
© Adam Carolla Show
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[@musico6146]

Serj tankian is my God, Daron is my favourite guitarist, soad is my favourite band. I wish to get an opportunity to talk with them. I've listened literally every songs of SOAD. I've listened songs of Serj too. I'll be on drug if they don't publish a new album

[@garywarne9140]

Serj is so softly spoken

[@hahasimp]

A complete contrast to his singing voice

[@garywarne9140]

@@hahasimp isn't it? He could make me fall asleep

[@alexmonro1711]

He should do asmr

[@hahasimp]

@@alexmonro1711 "Crying when angels deserve to die [ASMR]"

[@shryggur]

@@alexmonro1711 half an hour podcast with Serj and *WAKE UP*

[@krausersama9153]

It always amazes me to hear Serj's indoor voice..

[@andaredvex]

He's so soft spoken and humble. A true artist. I started listening to them at 14, still know the lyrics to all their songs at 33. They were such an influence on me and my taste in music, I really struggled to find anything even remotely as complex and well rounded to listen to as their songs.

[@carterpeele9099]

Santa all I’ve been asking for for the past like 16 years is another SOAD album, please let this year be the one

[@Jakoby_182]

Ain’t gonna happen.. those 2 songs were the last thing SOAD will ever release.

[@musico6146]

Yes°°°°

[@Will-fr9hg]

With Serj’s new singing style I’m not sure that I’d want to hear another album. Just my opinion though

[@nondescriptbeing5944]

@@Will-fr9hg yeah, I think it won’t be as good as the old stuff. I like letting the past rest. Didn’t like the new Tool album either

[@melissaking804]

Yes please, I've been good all year!

[@deadbod9306]

SOAD doesn’t have a bad album. All of their albums are great. I listened to them a lot in high school and as I’ve gotten into my 30’s I go back and listen and am still amazed at how good they were and how catchy their music is . Love it .

[@Bonz-vc8zd]

Yes! It doesn’t even sound like music from the past. It can absolutely be played in front of someone whose never heard SOAD and would assume it’s present time music. It stays genuine

[@BeegYoshi24]

I love Soad too. I think Steal This Album is one of their weaker albums but I heard Pictures again for the first time in a while and it knocked my socks off!

[@03056932]

@@Bonz-vc8zd that's the beauty of having your own musical style and recorded in an age with high production values. hopefully it will continue to be timeless.

[@SmokeyGamingUK]

Even their weakest album is an amazing classic!

[@SkaMasta097]

@@BeegYoshi24 to be fair, Steal This Album is a b-sides collection rather than a coherent album. It's no surprise that it would be weaker when stacked against their other albums.

[@jssc8795]

I could listen to him talking for hours His voice it's so soft and pretty

[@talktalk2412]

You watch ASMR don't ya?

[@yodoleheehoo90]

I was not expecting Serj's voice to be so soft and soothing compared to what he sounds like when he sings🤗

[@ADT2695]

Is this your first time hearing him in a setting like this?

[@yodoleheehoo90]

@@ADT2695 yeah it is

[@ADT2695]

@@yodoleheehoo90. Wow. Okay.

[@baluchon2505]

I mean he also sings pretty softly nowadays

[@charleschi843]

I used to go to sleep with the rock radio on for background music at night. I’ll never forget walking up in the middle of the night to, “SUGAR!!!” I had heard countless bands in my deep sleep but that one absolutely gripped my soul.

[@stormcorrosion176]

Oh shut up drama queen

[@tonyattardo9350]

Yo I had the exact same thing with Chop Suey! Rock 105.3 in San Diego, I literally bolted upright in my bed!

[@evk-1350]

​@@tonyattardo9350 WAKE UP! PUT A LITTLE BIT OF MAKEUP

[@tonyattardo9350]

@Mr Pikkle Had never considered that, hilarious!

[@XxQozEMotoxX]

I remember seeing the video for Sugar on MTV X at like 3am and thinking it was some type of fever dream. Great times lol

[@Maximumeffects]

I used to serve him his tall drip at the Starbucks I worked at in Sherman oaks all the time. Super nice guy would actually talk to me about stuff. I knew a little Armenian through my friends so I'd always talk to him in Armenian and he'd appreciate it.

[@earlaweese]

😂😂😂😂😂 *Nigga was born in Lebanon and grew up in California. He’s as Armenian as Kim Kardashian and Cherilyn Sarkisian. As Mexican as some woman named “Patricia Lopes del Bosque Fañato” that was raised in Utah.* 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@earlaweese]

*Ain’t nobody was calling anybody some “gypsies, tramps, and thieves” like Cherilyn loves to claim… definitely not in Armenia they weren’t!! They don’t play that shit over there!!! A whole ass traditionally/ethnic Christian country where 99.999% of the population is Christian. That’s why Rumi is a fake baby and Serj is a homosexual. There would be outrage coming from Armenians if an ACTUAL baby was being told to stay away from God!!!* 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@earlaweese]

*Christians don’t legitimately hate homosexuals because the Bible speaks about God’s love and mercy. Mathematically-speaking, that means that hell isn’t real. But that also doesn’t mean that there’s lawlessness and you shouldn’t be guided when you make a mistake. Homosexuals aren’t guided or protested against by the MAJORITY of the Christian population so there’s your answer: God doesn’t condemn homosexuals. Christians are actually very vehement against atheists and people that don’t believe in God more than they’ve ever been against homosexuals. Actually, the overwhelming minority and radical Christians are the ones that “hate” homosexuals (and at the end of the day, they’re all just closeted gays).*

[@camelmanguy9181]

@@earlaweese are you alright?

[@earlaweese]

@@camelmanguy9181 *Serj is mine so I’m more than OK.* 🥰🔥🥰🔥🥰🔥🥰😍🥰😍🥰😍🥰🥸🥸🥸🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓

[@muccmaster]

Toxicity is one of the best albums ever made. It's one of those few albums that you don't skip a song because every single song is fantastic. It's sad they can tour together the last 10+ years but can't even make any new music.

[@danarnold5192]

Same with Rage

[@Seargent_Scraps]

Nah self titled kills that album. Toxicity is like first 4 or 5 songs are good the rest sucks

[@chan_martin]

@@Seargent_Scraps L

[@dahalofreeek]

It seems to be a pattern with a lot of bands. It might be like Half Life 3 where the expectations are so high that the album is likely going to disappoint if it is made. So why make it?

[@miguelguitaridk]

@@Seargent_Scrapsself titled is my fav album after toxicity, but man toxicity has forest, ATWA, aerials, science, shimmy, toxicity and psycho. those songs are amazing and they are after the first 5. tbh the only bad song in toxicity is bounce

[@sleepydragonzarinthal3533]

I lived in Bakersfield CA in the late 90s, the first time I heard Sugar I immediately went out and bought the CD, played it over and over every day for years. One of the best albums I've ever heard

[@thebigaverage-jordanspeck9045]

What a soothing voice. He should do ebooks

[@kgcane5195]

He did for his book that he just wrote. Down With The System is the name of the book.

[@corzinc]

This band was so good and so different when they hit the scene, I played the crap out of Toxicity in middle school.

[@nikoxykittehs]

Serj genuinely sounds like a really nice man, while having this incredible voice of his when he sings.

[@jenniferviolet4034]

He is brilliant and so is everyone else in SOAD! there is absolutely NO ONE that sounds like them.

[@Reb-009]

Serj's voice is so relaxing when he talks, i mean he looks so kind and calm I love him sm

[@nandorpapp2350]

One of the greatest miracle of life is, that a little boy running away from civil war can be such a powerful and inspiring man like Serj!

[@muzak913]

one of my favorite bands to ever exist. i hope their unreleased music can be put on streaming platforms soon

[@alejandroserrano7755]

System are one of the few bands that have an impecable discography. Which is why it was so shocking seeing them split up at their peak.

[@mach2223]

It's better to die a hero than live long enough to see yourself become a villain. Great example would be someone like U2, who should have quit making music 30 years ago.

[@Luckythemonkeyman]

Seri is a vibe

[@shaunkellison1761]

I remember setting up for these guys at Sac Valley Amphitheatre for some "monsters of rock" Tour. Puddle of MUDD was playing a radio set on the side stage, and Westley stopped playing to complain that System of a down started playing before their set was done. I remember their manager pacing back and forth yelling at Westley telling him that Daren from sys was right about Puddle of mudd being a group of sensitive Cocaine Babies before i was able to cut the mic. That was the conversation for a week on morning radio shows in Sacramento.

[@DoomKid]

LOL

[@IHeartWindi]

i love listening to his interviews. super well spoken

[@Cmoore718]

In all the years I’ve listen to their music (going on probably 19 years), I’ve never heard Serj just speak. Not what I expected, but pleasantly surprised.

[@Bangaudaala]

This man, Serj, he has such a soft voice, I wonder if his songs reflect his vibe during this interview, I should check it out :)

[@Joker_0o]

I could listen to serj talk about anything his cadence of how he speaks it’s very relaxing

[@moi-ev3pi]

His voice is so calming

[@snypa-ck7hn]

i freaking love the soft spoken mans voice. we are all so unique

[@Subjohny]

I am not a heavy metal fan an this type of music never was my style... but... This band I can actually listen with great pleasure!!! 💙👍

[@lukerogers151]

I respect anyone with an open mind towards music! Awesome.

[@IceKoldKilla]

LA and the whole area around birth so many bands. My favorite band Tool is also from there. You have Rage Against The Machine too! We could go on for ages. Every decade birth insane bands. System of a Down is hands down in my top 5. So unique. Unlike anyone. Influence from so many things and their own heritage shined through the more music they made. Their last 2 singles were amazing too! After so long!

[@inebri8ed]

serj's speaking voice is so soft and smooth and pretty it's like i could sleep on it

[@Gunnumn]

Crazy coincidence right, i started listening to my old System of Down Cd's in my car and this podcast drops.

[@ryanhie2829]

SOAD have a sound and energy that is theirs alone and makes them interesting to listen to. SNL performance was killer.

[@srtj.av.2556]

I love his features, I have the biggest crush on this beautiful man

[@Sublime_37]

Right, I had never heard anything like their first or second album. They were always super unique.

[@LIVEANDUNCUTMUSICMEDIAGROUP]

Thanks for the videos man . Great interview. Serj is a legend man.I remember working with Beno their manager just promoting the hell outta the firs record and just watching them go from opening for SLAYER , and then all the way to head lining massive amphitheaters it just opened the flood gates in my life with my band next thing you know from helping them launch still to this day I talk with their manager here & there he never forgot me or after he made millions never did he ignore me always love and respect all the way around. Looking forward to May 13 in Las Vegas!!! SOAD Korn, DEFTONES, incubus, HIM,COAL CHAMBER, TURNSTILE, PAPA ROACH FUCKING LEGENDARY

[@noahengelhardt3596]

Serj is such a calm, chill guy when he’s not screaming about angels that deserve to die.

[@darkmeplier8311]

He. Is so quite ❤

[@gandalf8216]

I will always consider Toxicity the ultimate software development album.

[@XxA_kid_from_yesterdayxX]

Omg this was on my birthday 💕

[@ShrimplyPibblesJr]

I remember my local station had a late night heavy music show where they played Suite Pee and Spiders before Sugar got big. I loved them, but never thought they’d become as big as they did.

[@godbelow]

Carolla breaking out the deep hard hitting questions.

[@IaMaPh1991]

Dayum... when did Adam get so old?!

[@interdimensionalsteve8172]

They hit off so quickly because, like Rage Against the Machine or even Eminem, there was nothing like it at the time.

[@musico6146]

Serj tankian is my God, Daron is my favourite guitarist, soad is my favourite band. I wish to get an opportunity to talk with them. I've listened literally every songs of SOAD. I've listened songs of Serj too. I'll be on drug if they don't publish a new album

[@muemamuema8020]

Blasphemy

[@macmation3994]

Think the only drug you need rn is a chill pill

[@RS-bm5ou]

A lot of people have heard all their songs. You think that's special or what.

[@thenumberonebeaner2211]

@@RS-bm5ou I'm just assuming OP is a 9 year old

[@SteelPanda220]

I didn’t expect this comment to get hate wtf

[@theaarongarcia]

Kinda miss DJ's exposing us to new music. I remember jed the fish playing SOAD on Kroq for the first time. I was hooked. I later saw them in the Summer of 2000 at the Metallica sanitarium tour in LA

[@BradE-s4c]

I'm blown away,I graduated in 96.I listen to Korn,Metallica and Crowbar.I missed that one(Somehow)

[@joseblanco9045]

Legendary.

[@amandamcbride256]

Just listening to a few old Loveline episodes with them. Loveline (Adam) helped to boost their popularity for sure. The Armenian restaurant stories are hilarious. No..cannot have. I love you Adam.

[@byankavega3045]

Que hermosa voz por dios!

[@saltynutz918]

such a gentle speeking man

[@brandonanderson2066]

I remember Adam's system impressions on love line

[@RudyRamone13]

Roulette will always hit me like a brick fucking wall.

[@iwonderifdrugzarebad]

Iv been saying this for like 13 years. SOAD is easily top 3 greatest bands of all time. And that’s coming from a metalcore/deathcore/emo fan.

[@giovannasmith]

❤❤❤

[@richietavarez1200]

Man this dudes is so soft spoken. I was imagining a more rough tone guy

[@jaythenihilist4689]

If Serj ever gets tired of singing, then he could always begin a new career making ASMR videos.

[@mtgentry]

Serj is being too kind to Kevin Weatherly here. When Rick Rubin tells the story he says Kevin said “there’s no way this band is ever getting played on KROQ”

[@BenavidezBenavidez-vk7qi]

DAD, YOU MEAN SO MUCH TO ME... ILL BE SO LET DOWN IF I NEVER GET TO SEE YOU

[@MooseheadStudios]

Serj solos stuff is dope also. long career from the talent.

[@piul7240]

Serj just chatting but his voice melodious

[@Atrus999]

He seems really nice.

[@mrbaboy]

Soil - breaking me down My hype music of all time!

[@ajs3147]

Dude Cool Gardens was an absolute banger

[@portillamail]

Adam Corolla with the white on the sides like is a telenovela of the 80's lol

[@scoutd1936]

30 years

[@k3digichaos]

93ish was great time

[@thefireman3930]

EPIC SOUNDTRACK PROTECT THE LAND GENOCIDAL HUMANOIDZ

[@OtisB.Driftwood]

Why'd you leave the keys up on the table?

[@Cubsrthegreatest]

Sugar is one of the greatest songs

[@kylewashington1841]

2 great voices to listen to.

[@te9591]

No, only one.

[@B1998-u3t]

Christian bale can play this guy if they ever make a movie about System of a Down I’m sure they got some crazy story’s to tell

[@dynamic436]

Where are they now?😓

[@Nike2141]

My first time seeing SOAD was in 98 when we went to see Slayer in New Orleans at the House of Blues. We thought it was Down, which was Phil Ansalmo from panteras side band. They blew us away and we were life long fans from that day on. Imagine seeing them in a crowd of a few hundred people nowadays!

[@ApyStGomes]

Sky is over🖤

[@sonnygoers4455]

I got my tickets to SICK NEW WORLD

[@jackmehoff7430]

These guys will never do music together again like before. This band is a redux of Van Halen, lead guitar ego can’t get along with frontman ego, simple as that. Daron as writer/guitar wanted more attention/recognition but voice and sound of band was made unique by Serj, egos and antagonism set in and they barely got past double album. Rick Rubin realistically was glue that held them together at their height, driven by commercial success. As whole, they were very stupid to throw away their careers like that, could have had many more successful albums. Individually, none of them amounted to much compared to their past success as a band, they all know it, but it’s too late.

[@flutterboypr6481]

He hasn't aged at all even with his grey hair.

[@mrkrills8839]

It’s weird seeing Serj not mention walking his dog during an interview

[@YungPariah]

Christ the same questions have been asked for YEEAAARSSSS

[@meanmachine3453]

Wow Serj is a normal guy like all of us after all

[@micperez819]

Why doesn’t Serj drop another solo album?

[@tsohgallik]

The wants people to buy his book 😅😂

[@robovac3557]

Don't ask the questions he's being asked a billion times before

[@MrCucamonga1]

Back when KROQ was still influential and not corporate crap.

[@jasonbeaudry489]

They missed out on so many good new songs and albums they could have created.

[@seancompton5393]

One word 😤 pride

[@xanthelinhs2143]

the first scars on broadway ft Serj would've been the next record if they stayed together. Not a bad record but Hypnotize is a far better note for the ending of the bands discog

[@zgamer1154]

A lot of Scars on Broadway songs were going to be SOAD songs, so yeah, Serj definitely missed out. His loss.

[@Leon-bp6kb]

"they" didn't create shit, Daron wrote it all and Serj only done some singing

[@HamletsMill25920]

You either die a hero, or live long enough to become a villain.

[@frankmorris2603]

Love to know how Serg feels about the Kardashians ? Is he proud ? 😀

[@Erowid13]

Serj is such a sweetheart of a man. sucks Daron had to ruin everything.

[@J10thePerformer]

Wasn’t the dude from Apex Theory their drummer at one point?

[@Systemofadownfan805]

Yup, hurt his hand and then John replaced him

[@juanjoramirez01]

It's Andy, Serj mentioned him. I actually like his original name, Ontronik

[@mt2oo8]

I didn't realise Serj was 8 years older than Daron

[@ruthgallagher9584]

Hey, proud of these Armenian artists. Please consider this, Support Remembrance 2025, Armenian Genocide,110 Years by asking the federally funded US Holocaust Museum in DC to have an exhibit My Grandmother Onan was 16 in 1915. And, she prayed for her family, and would now be praying for Californians, and those suffering from the earthquake and those devastated by war. God Bless.

[@Bonz-vc8zd]

It’s so frustrating when a band is SO GOOD, but they can’t seem to get it together as friends. Just like RATM. Well…at least Mudvayne came back. But I’d rather hear new SOAD

[@DoomKid]

The worst part is, they still consider eachother friends, they just want to make different music

[@erakattack]

RATM got it together though

[@thefireman3930]

IN CHILE TRIBUTE SOAD BAJO PRISON

[@jackmag4056]

I can hear a touch of Canadian in is voice , or is that just my imagination

[@KOVONNIMUSIC]

Serj, please, create your ASMR channel! 🤤

[@NintenDub]

I don't get why you'd, leave a band in the dust, add nothing to it,but still play live, leave it stagnant and still use the bands name as you press tour. It's just ridiculous

[@OH_MY_DOGGG]

I can absolutely get it. Writing political songs is distinctly anti capitalism. The song has to come before the money. Its possible the money spoiled the whole double album experience. One thing stat stands out is how the albums interlock and yet werent sold as one.

[@herbmaaster]

Serj sitting down with Adam Corolla >>> Sitting down with Jimmy Kimmel

[@TheCameron4life]

I wonder if they get into politics in this one, considering Serj leans left and Carolla right

[@truthreignsforever9286]

Serj enjoys eating seeds as a past time activity ☝️😎

[@chuluunhvv-qc5qy]

i mongol eey bro i love you

[@Joeschmo13]

Wait, I haven't seen this video yet but, isn't it strange that Serj is at the Adam Corolla show?? I'd feel they're at opposite spectrums when it comes to political views

[@SlapNSniff]

WHY'D YOU LEAVE THE KIDS UP ON THE TABLE! YOU WANTED TO!