With Serj Tankian taking practically all the spotlight since the temporary disintegration of System of a Down, there have been questions as to the whereabouts of the remaining members – guitarist Daron Malakian, drummer John Dolmayan and bassist Shavo Odadkjian. Would we have something like what happened with English mod revival band The Jam – where Paul Weller left Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler in his wake – or are we set for yet more glittering solo projects? The answer may very well be the latter, as FasterLouder discovers when we encounter Scars On Broadway.
An amalgamation of two fourths of the System ashes, Scars On Broadway sees guitarist Malakian and drummer Dolmayan joining forces. What quickly becomes apparent while talking with Dolmayan is his impetuous desire to return to the stage as a member of a new band. Speaking from his hotel room in London on the duo’s promotional trip, Dolmayan talks about everything Scars on Broadway and System of a Down.
“It’s funny how sometimes in life you have to go backwards to feel satisfaction,” explains a judicious Dolmayan, who comes across rather upbeat and cheery. “Starting playing in clubs again and having a brand new label and doing things fresh is definitely filling the void that was inside.” The void he talks about is the lack of passion encompassing his life after being in a band that achieved great longevity.
It was May 2006 when System announced they would be going on hiatus for an unspecified time. During these early stages, any comments of a reunion insinuated the likelihood of this commencing in the near future. However, it seems the prospect of a reunion is more of a dubious claim now.
Dolmayan puts it plainly and honestly. “Hiatus is not a word Daron likes to use – while myself and members of System like to use that word. Daron uses the notion of separation, and he is right. At this point in time we’re separated. There has to be four people that want to get back together, not just one or two.”
He doesn’t completely dismiss the possibility of his old band getting together, though. “ If some day it feels right for us to do, then we’ll do it, but as of right now I’m really focussed on this. I want to take this to different levels and so does Daron. We don’t talk about System, we don’t talk about doing System. If it does happen I see it being very, very far down the line. At the same time, this album is a great linking album for System fans. Fans will enjoy this because as Daron was a principle songwriter in System. There are many of the same sounds, ambient and musical textures that relate back to the System sounds – but we can’t escape that factor as musicians.”
Now that’s System out of the way, attention must be focussed solely on Scars On Broadway. This creation allows Malakian to take centre stage, as frontman while Franky Perez provides additional guitar and vocal work, former Pulse Ultra member Dominic Cifarelli takes up bass duties, Danny Sharmoun tickles the keyboards and System drummer Dolmayan remains fixed to his seat and skins.
“You know what, I’m really privileged,” he reveals. “I’m a drummer man – I was at a comic book convention in LA because my ex-girlfriend was a playmate and she was doing a signing. I bumped into this young girl who would have been fourteen or fifteen and she started crying. I thought I must have injured her – but she was just a big fan. That’s special too – because in many bands no one even knows the drummer’s name, let alone would recognise him in a crowd of thousands.”
Scars On Broadway is a pertinent creation that has allowed frontman Malakian to explore his creative mind. The main songwriter for System remains as focussed as ever. “Sometimes I wonder if Daron will ever get be satisfied with the music he has created. He is always pushing himself to reach new heights. Scars on Broadway is Daron pushing further then he ever went on a System album. He was the one pushing the buttons and making this album work.”
Produced by Malakian himself, and overseen by rock and roll royalty Rick Rubin, their self-titled debut album is a collection of 15 tracks that both Daron and John gravely proud of. “It’s a pretty eclectic album with a lot of attitude.”
The foundations of the band’s name is a somewhat artistic creation. “Daron got the name from these light posts. Where we live in LA, the light posts have swastikas engraved in the design. It’s something that if you lived in the city I live in when you went to high school you’d always hear kids talk about it. And they’re on Broadway. Their kind of scarred into the [posts], which is how he got the name.”
The band’s original name was Swastikas on Broadway – however, Daron thought better of this because of its associations. “It would have no racial meaning, but people aren’t to know that – and its a sad fact that society will can at times assume the worst of a situation.”
And the meaning? “When it comes to relating what the songs are about, it’s almost like all the world is a stage and we are the scars on Broadway. The name sparked a different vision in my head for what it meant.”
The trepidation that Malakian’s musical reputation is on the line is not something even taken into consideration by the Scars On Broadway skinsman. “We don’t think about that too much to be honest with you,” John explains. “I’m not sure what our rep is as it is. My goal is to continue to write songs that I’m proud of and hopefully in turn will touch somebody out there.”
By coming under the radar and being almost shadowed by the publicity and acclaim that Tankian received, Malakian and Dolmayan can make an impression more suited to their humble ways. A string of live shows already under their belts (including supporting Metallica on one of their debut performances) and a forthcoming headline tour in Europe should satisfy adequately. Dolmayan wants people to come to see the live shows to prove he and his band can step up to anyone’s anticipations. “We get up on stage and people see this is a for-real band and something to be taken seriously on its own away from System.”
Pastures new have not led Dolmayan or Malakian to forget the impact he made with his former band. He speaks fondly, if not subtly, about his role in people’s lives. “There are songs for me that are like the fabric of my life. If those songs didn’t exist then I couldn’t imagine my life without them – they’re such a big part of our existence today. So for my music to do that to people, it’s special to me. It’s cool to be a part of so many people’s lives, even if I don’t know them. I feel like I’m contributing something positive to the world in my time through my songs.”
Australia can expect to see how this will translate in a live setting, with the band’s management in negotiations with Big Day Out festival organisers. “With System we played the Big Day Out festival twice and we also played our some of our own shows on off days of the festival. Right now we are working it into our plans, as we would love to come back down there in your summer and play the Big Day Out again,” enthuses John.
“We have our people talking to their people and I can promise you this – if it can be done, it will be done!”
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