Serj Tankian facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Serj Tankian
Tankian in 2017
Background information
Born	(1967-08-21) August 21, 1967 (age 57) Beirut, Lebanon
Origin	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	Alternative metal nu metal alternative rock progressive rock jazz classical
Occupation(s)	Singer musician songwriter record producer political activist
Instruments	Vocals keyboards piano guitar
Years active	1992–present
Labels	Serjical Strike Reprise American Columbia Axis of Justice Woah Dad!

Serj Tankian (born August 21, 1967) is an Armenian-American musician, singer, and political activist. He is most famous for being the lead singer of the rock band System of a Down, which he helped form in 1994.

With System of a Down, Tankian released five popular albums, including Toxicity and Mezmerize. He has also created five solo albums and worked with many other musicians. He even performed a live version of his solo album Elect the Dead with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. Tankian also started his own record label called Serjical Strike Records.

Many people consider Tankian one of the best singers in heavy metal music. He is known for his unique singing style and his very wide vocal range. In 2006, Hit Parader magazine ranked him No. 26 on its list of "Top 100 Heavy Metal Vocalists".

Besides music, Tankian is a dedicated activist. In 2002, he and guitarist Tom Morello started Axis of Justice, an organization that fights for social justice. He has also worked to raise awareness about the Armenian genocide, a tragic event in the history of his family and people.

Early Life and Background

Serj Tankian was born in Beirut, Lebanon, on August 21, 1967. His parents, Khachadour and Alice Tankian, were Armenian. His grandparents were all survivors of the Armenian genocide. When he was seven years old, his family moved to Los Angeles to escape a civil war in Lebanon.

In Los Angeles, he went to the Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School. This is where he met his future System of a Down bandmates, Daron Malakian and Shavo Odadjian. After high school, Tankian studied marketing at California State University, Northridge. During college, he started playing the keyboard and writing songs.

For a while, Tankian wasn't sure if music was his future. But one day, he had a powerful realization. He decided that making music was what he truly wanted to do with his life, and from that day on, he focused on becoming a musician.

Music Career

Tankian in 2006

System of a Down (1994–present)

Before System of a Down, Tankian was in a band called Soil with Daron Malakian. After that band broke up, Tankian, Malakian, and Shavo Odadjian formed System of a Down. They named the band after a poem Malakian wrote called Victims of a Down. They later found their drummer, John Dolmayan.

The band became very successful, releasing five albums. Three of these albums reached number one on the Billboard 200 music chart. In 2006, their song "B.Y.O.B." won a Grammy Award. Later that year, the band decided to take a break.

In 2010, System of a Down announced they would start touring again. For many years, they didn't release new music. But in 2020, they released two new songs, "Protect the Land" and "Genocidal Humanoidz". The money from these songs was used to help people affected by the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War.

Solo Music and Other Projects

Tankian on tour with his backing band in 2008

While System of a Down was on break, Tankian started his solo career. His first solo album, Elect the Dead, was released in 2007. He made a music video for every song on the album. When he toured for the album, he performed with his backing band, the Flying ... of Chaos.

His second album, Imperfect Harmonies (2010), had a more jazz and orchestral sound. He described it as wanting to make an orchestra do things it had never done before.

Tankian also worked on a musical called Prometheus Bound, which was based on an ancient Greek story. He said it was a great learning experience because the music was always changing as the show developed.

More Albums and Film Music

Tankian performing with System of a Down at a festival in Australia in 2012

In 2012, Tankian released his third solo album, Harakiri. The following year, he released two more albums: Orca Symphony No. 1, a classical symphony, and Jazz-Iz-Christ, a jazz album.

Tankian has also created music for movies and TV shows. He sang "The Rains of Castamere" for a Game of Thrones live concert and its final season soundtrack. He also composed the music for the documentary I Am Not Alone, which is about the 2018 Armenian revolution.

In 2021, he released an EP called Elasticity. He said he originally wrote these rock songs for System of a Down, but since the band couldn't agree on a new album, he decided to release them himself. He released another EP, Perplex Cities, in 2022.

Influences and Musical Style

Mike Patton was a major influence on Tankian.

Tankian's musical style is shaped by many different influences. Growing up, he listened to traditional Armenian music with his father. After moving to America, he discovered pop music through the Bee Gees and later became a big fan of the Beatles.

A major influence on his rock music style was the band Faith No More and its singer, Mike Patton. Tankian admired Patton's experimental vocals. He is also a big fan of the musician Frank Zappa. Other artists he admires include the composer Ennio Morricone, jazz legend Miles Davis, and the rock bands Metallica and Radiohead.

Activism and Personal Views

Tankian is known for speaking out about human rights, social justice, and recognizing genocides. He uses his music to talk about important issues like war, protecting the environment, and fairness. He and his bandmates were in the documentary Screamers, which is about why it's important to officially recognize genocides like the Armenian genocide.

Commemorative Medal of the Prime Minister of Armenia

In 2011, the Prime Minister of Armenia gave Tankian a medal for his work in raising awareness of the Armenian genocide and for his contributions to music.

Tankian is also passionate about protecting animals and the environment. For many years, he was a vegetarian. He believes in showing respect for "mother earth."

In politics, Tankian has often supported candidates who fight for civil rights and equality. He is friends with the current Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, and has supported his efforts to bring positive change to Armenia.

Personal Life

On June 9, 2012, Tankian married his long-time girlfriend, Angela Madatyan. They have a son, who was born in 2014. The family splits their time between living in Warkworth, New Zealand, and Los Angeles.

Tankian's wife is the sister of the wife of his bandmate, John Dolmayan. This makes the two bandmates brothers-in-law. In 2018, Tankian also started a coffee company called Kavat Coffee, which focuses on traditional Armenian coffee.

Discography

Solo Albums

• Elect the Dead (2007)
• Imperfect Harmonies (2010)
• Harakiri (2012)
• Orca Symphony No. 1 (2013)
• Elasticity (EP, 2021)
• Perplex Cities (EP, 2022)
• Foundations (EP, 2024)

With System of a Down

• System of a Down (1998)
• Toxicity (2001)
• Steal This Album! (2002)
• Mezmerize (2005)
• Hypnotize (2005)

Collaboration Albums

• Serart (2003) (with Arto Tunçboyacıyan)
• Enter the Chicken (2005) (with Buckethead)
• F...tronic (2020) (with Jimmy Urine)

See also

In Spanish: Serj Tankian para niños