And then we come to the last member of System of a Down. A man whom I can relate to a little. In fact most
S.O.A.D. fans I know believe they can too. Maybe that is why he is the most intervewed, questioned, loved and hounded
member of this band? Who really knows.... Daron Malakian?
...Daron Malakian - Manic Lonesome Rockstar.
Noted as an undeniably talented guitarist. Dedicated songwriter and self obsessed musician.
He is, along with Rick Rubin, an inspiring co-producer of all of S.O.A.D.'S currently released albums.
Way back when in 1995 Daron, Serj and Shavo formed S.O.A.D. (they were called Soil for a while).
When John joined the name was used from a poem written by Daron called "Victims of a Down". However the word 'System'
replaced 'Victim' as it sounded more open, less individual. Today S.O.A.D. prefer fans to take their own meaning to
it!
So love him or hate (none of us know him so he shouldn't care!) Daron IS the heart of System of a
Down.
His onstage persona gives the lying impression of an egotist. A hero worthy of your worship!
The girls love him and he knows it! An intention seeking elf, clad in black, who knows what he wants and wants it now!
But what people don't seem to know is that it is a mask. It is truly a persona. I doubt that he evens knows where
it comes from... 'Who that guy is?'.
Offstage Daron is a quiet and shy man. Head down. Eyes bowed to the floor. Automatically
assuming everyone he meets thinks that he is a dick! And it's that part of him that I can relate to.
(Quick Warning - more personal shit about me!).
All my school life I was bullied. It started off with name calling in nursery and, as the years
passed, I moved from school to school and the bullying followed and grew. It peaked in High School where I was beaten
up almost daily. I was even set on fire once. Pushed down 2 flights of concrete stairs and so on and so forth.
But I'll never really know why I was targeted to this extreme. I try not to dwell on it. Life is far too short
anway!
However I can't deny the deep emotional scars that I still nurse. And, because of that, I too
walk with my eyes down. I know how it feels to assume everyone hates me or thinks i am a dick.
I'm even getting it now as I write this that I sound like a dick! But just as there is the paranoid
part of me there is also something stronger that makes me realise I don't care what you think. I do not know you and
you do not know me so let's not judge each other. We all have our bad parts and good. I'm just techinally airing
mine!
Back to Daron!
I know he is also an infamous pothead. He even has his own bong-roadie to keep his bongs and
pipes topped up. It's one of the perks of the job I guess!
I did mention in John's page that Daron is the only member of System that was born in America.
Shavo was born in Armenia and Serj and John were born in Lebonan. But Daron was born in Hollywood, California.
Think of the word "Hollywood" and you would be forgiven for thinking of stars, celebrities, parties
and premiers. It's the most well known part of the place. But where Daron grew up (and Shavo as a child) it was
a whole different ball-game. Drug dealers, prostitutes and gang warfare - all across the street! Both his parents
are visual artists but Daron was more drawn to the art of Music! He was an only child and spent most of his life listening
to everything from Johnny Cash and The Beatles to Kiss and Venom and Slayer.
He became inspired by all he heard to create music himself. He asked his parents to buy him
a drum kit but, due to cost and space (and volume!) they got him a guitar instead. (Elvis anyone?!).
But Daron was around 11 then and he has now just celebrated his 30th birthday.
Without actual training and through constant, dedicated training he basically taught himself to play.
Driven by all music he hears - be it blues, heavy metal, country 60's, 70's, 80's etc etc etc - all combined with his own
Eastern heritage he has become a legend amongst his fans and all who hear him play.
Even though it all seems very weird to him, Daron will only say he is just "very lucky".
