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Serj Tankian (born August 21, 1967 in Beirut, Lebanon) is the Armenian-American singer of the alternative metal band System of a Down.
[edit] Early life and career
At age five, he moved with his parents to Los Angeles, California. After high school, he studied marketing. In 1993 he founded with Daron Malakian the band Soil, which later became System of a Down. He took singing lessons for four years. Tankian is not only a member of the band System of a Down, but rather also has his own record label. He has also sung in other bands for certain songs such as The Mushroom Cult by Dog Fashion Disco, and lent his vocals to the song "Mein" by The Deftones. He produced "Enter the Chicken" by Buckethead, and provided vocals to the Buckethead song We are one. With Serjical Strike Records, he is able to offer to musicians of his choice, who are ignored by the mainstream, a possibility to release their music. The first release of the new label was Serart, a project consisting of Tankian himself and Arto Tunçboyaçiyan, an Armenian friend of Tankian. He also took guitar lessons as a young child
Tankian is also very involved politically. Together with Tom Morello of Audioslave, he founded the organization Axis of Justice. Tankian often speaks openly against violence and injustice.
Few details are known about Tankian's private life. Serj is a vegetarian and likes to read poetry. He is especially interested in Shakespeare, T.S. Eliot and Edgar Allan Poe. Serj hates celeb gossip. He believes it is a waste of time and can destroy close relationships because of rumours spreading. He won't even make statemants of his religion or close relationships with other women since he is against rumours and lies.
[edit] Poetry
Tankian's first poetry book, "Cool Gardens", was published by MTV Books and released on October 1st, 2002. It is a collection of seven to eight years of Tankian's reflections on life, and features artwork by fellow Angeleno, Sako Shahinian. The book has received much praise in the artistic community. On rollingstone.com, Rolling Stone's website, Saul Williams posted the following comments about Tankian's book; Serj's words, like his voice, have a distinct aesthetic sensibility connected to an unyielding, visceral roar of passion. His capacity 'to mock a killing bird' while we wonder at the grace, beauty, and colorful range of his wingspan will be the trademark of both of his singing and writing careers. Serj is an amazing artist, full of passion, with a beautiful heart that pumps the essence of his vision and talent. He is rumored to be working on another poetry book.
[edit] Awards
[edit] External links
