John Dolmayan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Dolmayan
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Dolmayan in 2018
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| Background information | |
| Born | July 15, 1972 Beirut, Lebanon |
| Origin | Glendale, California, U.S. |
| Genres |
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| Occupations | Drummer |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Associated acts |
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John Dolmayan (born July 15, 1972) is an Armenian-American musician. He is best known as the drummer for the band System of a Down. He also used to be the drummer for another band called Scars on Broadway. Loudwire magazine once ranked John Dolmayan as one of the top hard rock and metal drummers of all time.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Journey
John Dolmayan was born in Beirut, Lebanon. His parents were from Armenia. When he was young, his family moved to California because of the Lebanese Civil War.
John became interested in drums when he was only two years old. His father played the saxophone. When John went to watch his father play, he would pretend to play the drums like the drummer in the band. He learned to play by listening to records and practicing for many hours every day. He kept up this practice for years. John says his drumming style was shaped by all kinds of music he heard. This included his father's jazz albums and the rock albums he shared with his friends.
John is a big fan of the Who, a famous band. He says their drummer, Keith Moon, was his biggest inspiration. Other drummers who greatly influenced him include John Bonham from Led Zeppelin, Stewart Copeland from the Police, and Neil Peart from Rush.
Music Career
Joining System of a Down
John Dolmayan joined System of a Down in 1997. The band's first drummer, Ontronik "Andy" Khachaturian, left because of a hand injury.
John recorded five albums with System of a Down. These albums are System of a Down (1998), Toxicity (2001), Steal This Album! (2002), Mezmerize (2005), and Hypnotize (2005).
In 2006, DRUM! Magazine named John Dolmayan their Drummer of the Year. He was also featured in their March magazine issue. System of a Down took a break in 2006. However, they got back together in 2010 to play concerts sometimes.
Playing with Scars on Broadway
After System of a Down went on break in 2006, John Dolmayan started a new band. He teamed up with Daron Malakian, who was System of a Down's guitarist and singer. Their new band was called Scars on Broadway. They recorded their first album in 2007 and 2008. The album came out in the summer of 2008. John, Daron, and other band members played concerts. They were planning a tour, but Daron suddenly canceled it in October 2008.
In August 2009, John and other Scars on Broadway members went to Iraq. They performed for U.S. soldiers at army bases. They played cover songs and some of their own songs.
Scars on Broadway reunited with Daron Malakian on May 2, 2010. They released a new song later that year. However, the band became inactive again. John Dolmayan was not involved when Daron Malakian started the group again in 2018.
Other Music Projects
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John Dolmayan has also played drums for other artists. He recorded drums for Killing Joke's album in 2003. He also played on Scum of the Earth's first album, Blah...Blah...Blah...Love Songs for the New Millennium. He performed on the Axis of Justice concert tour with various musicians. He also played drums on Serj Tankian's first solo album, Elect the Dead.
In June 2009, John started a new rock band called Indicator. He formed it with three friends from Southern California. The band played their first show in San Diego in July 2009. They played a second show in Las Vegas. The band wrote many songs, but it is not known if they will ever be officially recorded.
John has also performed with his System of a Down bandmates, Daron Malakian and Shavo Odadjian, for special shows.
In 2009, John tried out to be the drummer for the Smashing Pumpkins.
In 2014, Dolmayan started a project called These Grey Men. He released their first song in January 2020. It was a cover of "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" by Radiohead. M. Shadows, the singer from Avenged Sevenfold, sang on the track. Tom Morello played the guitar solo. The second song featured Serj Tankian singing a cover of David Bowie's "Starman".
Personal Life
John Dolmayan is married to Diana Dolmayan. She is the sister of Serj Tankian's wife, Angela. This means John and Serj are brothers-in-law.
John is very active on social media and shares his thoughts on current events. He also owns a comic book shop called Torpedo Comics in Las Vegas. He has been a fan and collector of comic books since he was a child.
Discography
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Drum Equipment
John Dolmayan uses drums and hardware from Tama Drums. He uses Paiste cymbals, Evans Drumheads, LP percussion, and his own special Vater drumsticks.
- Drums – Tama Starclassic Bubinga
- 10"×8" Rack Tom
- 12"×9" Rack Tom
- 13"x10" Rack Tom
- 16"×14" Floor Tom
- 18"×16" Floor Tom
- 22"×18" Bass Drum
- 14"×6" John Dolmayan Signature Snare
- Cymbals – Paiste
- Traditionals 22" Medium Light Swish
- RUDE 14" Hi-Hat
- 2002 6" Bell Chime
- Signature 18" Fast Crash
- Signature 10" Splash
- Signature 8" Splash
- RUDE 14" Hi-Hat
- Signature 19" Full Crash
- RUDE 24" Mega Power Ride
- 2002 24" Big Ride
- 2002 19" Wild China
- Sticks – Vic Firth
- John Dolmayan Signature 16" length, .580" diameter
John is a big comic book collector. He once asked famous comic book artists to draw on his drum kit. Arthur Adams drew giant women fighting robots and Godzilla. Simon Bisley drew the Hulk and Thing. Kevin Eastman drew the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Awards and Recognition
In 2006, John Dolmayan won the Drummer of the Year award from Drum! Magazine. He also won the award for Alternative Rock Drummer of the Year.
See also
In Spanish: John Dolmayan para niños
