System of a Down Psychological Evaluations: Case Studies In Rock
& Revolution
Over a period of several days, all four members of the Los
Angeles-based heavy rock band System of a Down were
psychologically examined for concise profiling by an area
expert. Subjects, having recently completed ?Toxicity,? their
"sophomore album" (note: industry term), were probed
on the complex relationship properties linking the creation of
inventive, melodic, fusion-minded metal to the sub-conscious
discourse between childhood, ritual/habit, familial interplay
and/or socio-political ideologies.
Methods employed included the Schwartz & Bristol six
strata system of self-classification ("Rational,"
"Altruist," "Magician,"
"Innocent," "Orphan," "Wanderer"
and "Warrior"), interrogation via the traditional
Jungian perception vs. judgement dichotomy and an author-devised
categorization based on character/idol association as
sub-divided into: The Rational, The Artisan, The Guardian and
The Idealist.
Examiner observed curious ties relating to heritage (in this
instance Armenian) and common goals of defining, rather than
following, supposed musical rules, borders or dictums. Elsewhere
examiner noted the foursome to be a disparate mix of
individuals, united by the Hegelian montage theory reasoning the
sum of four great parts to be infinitely grander than any part
in and of itself.
Reports on System of a Down singer Serj Tankian, guitarist
Daron Malakian, bassist Shavo Odadjian and drummer John Dolmayan
follow in turn:
* * *
Case No.: 4.987.11Q
Subject: Serj Tankian
Position: Singer
ANALYSIS: Subject Serj Tankian requests meeting at a local
playground so that he might "shoot hoops." Examiner
notes subject has a nice outside shot. Subject's warm,
non-judgmental demeanor vis a vis the brutality with which he
sings in System of a Down indicates, if not an interior
struggle, a complex duality. Subject may or may not have been
influenced by producer Rick Rubin's beard.
As with many perpetual searchers, subject Tankian strolls a
path towards tranquility not in and of itself flower-lined or
emotionally perfumed. A confessed devotee of the meditational
arts, subject is nonetheless felled by bouts of existential
angst, here centered, most old-worldly enough, on doubts of the
human animal's capacity to salvage intrinsic beliefs in an
increasingly self-conscious global village, "We pay so much
attention to our mind that we're losing touch with our true
vision, our instinct," he says. "Ever since the day we
were separated from the Earth, as a culture, as a religion,
we've become very left-brained, very logical. We've lost
something."
Subject freely drops political jargon ("cooperate
Darwinism," "Chomsky-esque") and expresses clear
skepticism regarding modes and means of information
dissemination, "We see the same thing on every
channel," he says. "It's all very devised. It's very
filtered.? Well-versed on pressing issues, he's neither apathist
nor activist but instead one fascinated by the nature and
conclusions of international transactions, policies and
ideologies. Awareness and keen knowledge of national or global
cause and effect traditionally signifies: a.) sub-conscious
desire to avoid examination of the self b.) phobias regarding
species extinction c.) revolutionary aspirations (imagined or
real) and/or d.) imminent career as college professor.
As with Daron Malakian, this subject proves hard to classify
under the four principal character orders. His curiosity
regarding the validity and meaning of the methodology itself is
paramount to immersion in the questioning. Subject is at times
evasive, but not necessarily in standoffish manner. Inference is
that, to Tankian, nothing proactive stems from absolute answers
or even their quest. That established, subject identifies with
members of all four orders. As former CEO of a marketing
management software company, Tankian logically identifies with
Bill Gates, a Rational, but seems more keenly attuned to or in
reverence of Mother Teresa, a Guardian, and Gandhi, an Idealist.
It's possible subject Tankian may be a "quadjunctionary,"
psychoanalytically defined as "pertaining to all four
orders but possessing a majority of none." Entered as
evidence to the above, subject's elusory response when
questioned on the nature and bias of System of a Down's curious
euphony, specifically: Is their music opti or pessimistic?
"I think it's neither," he says. "At some points
it might be one or the other but the sum total is neither."
Subject is questioned from the six stratas as defined by
Schwartz & Bristol("Altruist,"
"Magician," "Innocent," "Orphan,"
"Wanderer" and "Warrior"). Tankian's most
telling responses come amid the Altruist portion, a division
tackling interpersonal needs and offerings. Brief, almost Zen-esque
replies to the following: What do you ask most of those around
you ("a smile") and What do you offer in return
("a smile"), soundly suggest an association with
simplicity as wisdom and the defeat of restrictive logic or
malice via universally understood, non-lingual communication.
CONCLUSION: System of a Down singer Serj Tankian is happily
trapped in an evolution towards the capacity for blind trust
that intrinsically mandates eternal questioning of self and
surroundings. Poetic in his musings, subject has faith in the
arts for cross-cultural discourse and reserves the balance of
his vitriol for stage and studio. In layman's terms: Not that
many people think, sing or front a band like Serj Tankian. The
guy whoops ass.
* * *
Case No.: 2.989.261
Subject: Daron Malakian
Position: Guitarist, Vocals
Analysis: Subject Daron Malakian is met at his house.
Examiner is shown the subject's room, a dark hovel in dire need
of janitorial assistance. Both the bedroom and living room are
strewn with guitars and roadcases, symbolizing a strong desire
for perpetual inundation in work. Absence of order (subject
notes he's "no good at paying his bills") also
strongly suggests Malakian prioritizes creativity above all
else. Subject consumes a massive "cheese steak" during
examination process.
Malakian radiates the telltale unease and intensity of a
creative wizard. Examiner notes that at no time do his wheels
appear to stop turning, as though even mid-analysis he's
conjuring compositions or pondering certain licks, riffs and
time changes. Malakian admits to being " defensive and
aggro" when faced with critique of his work. "I take
any criticism very personally," he says. "How can I
not? This comes out of my soul. I'm like, 'Well, if you don't
like it, fuck you.'"
Subject does not retreat, but overtly responds to questions,
nevertheless displays a thick emotional shield. This behavior
may likely stem from Malakian's prior experience with the
psychoanalytical arts. Following System of a Down's initial
popularity surge, subject was subject to panic attacks and, in
therapy sessions that followed, lost faith in the practice.
"I've been wanting to do this since I was four,"
Malakian asserts. "I didn't just wake up when I was
eighteen and decide I wanted to join a band. If you had asked me
when I was a kid what I wanted to do, I'd have said, 'Be on
stage playing music.' Then it actually happened.
"I was having panic attacks, seeing shrinks. It has a
lot to do with this being a business. Art and business to me
just don't mix. The therapy wasn't worth shit. You go to a
shrink and all they do is put you on a bunch of pills. I was
like, 'fuck that.' I did it my own way. I started
meditating."
Subject Malakian, a professed "people-hater," is
logically hard to pin one of the four fundamental orders upon.
Among those cultural icons he identifies with: Madonna and
Charles Manson (both Artisans), Gandhi (an Idealist) and Karem
Abdul-Jabar (a Guardian). Said methodology is thus deemed moot
and subject is instead defined by a most curious footnote from
his formative stage, "I used to fall asleep listening to
Cannibal Corpse and Deicide when I was a teenager," he
says.
Malakian displays deep vulnerability when, in detailing the
primary pivotal event of his life thus far, the death of his
grandmother, he's asked how he dealt with the loss. "A lot
of fighting," he says. "I kicked a lot of peoples'
fuckin' asses. I realized that I had a lot of aggression in me.
I've had to learn to keep it in check. If someone turns around
to look at my chick, I want to fucking kill them. If someone
fucks with my homeboys, I want to fucking kill them. I've got to
keep it in check now."
Conclusion: System of a Down guitarist Daron Malakian
cautiously welcomes those who welcome him but reserves heavy
artillery for those who'd wrong him or any loved ones. However
misanthropic, he's forever faithful to those permitted passage
to his exclusive sanctum. Would be fair to call a musical
savant, headstrong with a devout belief in his own capacity to
create titanic chunks of progressive metal. In laymen's terms:
subject is an uncompromising kick ass guitar player and
songwriter.
* * *
Case No.: 17.189.03Y
Subject: Shavo Odadjian
Position: Bassist
ANALYSIS: System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian is met in
his living room. Though sunny and warm outside, subject's blinds
are drawn. A vast library of DVD's, an impressive home
entertainment system, DJ equipment and other such gear would
indicate subject's child-like predilection for fiscal indulgence
in playthings. A colorful array of suspect, long glass vases
also dot his interior landscape. Subject expresses an unusually
deep reverence for actor Christopher Walken, something
classically indicating a fetish for enigma and the occult.
Subject Odadjian is a case study in emotional duality and
prolonged adolescence. His immersion in sound and pursuit of
aural satisfaction stems as much from an innate drive to mold
progressive metal as it does from lingering boyhood rock star
obsession ("After I took tests as a kid, I'd always draw
big KISS logos on the back.").
Clearly headstrong and keenly focused in the musical scope,
subject seems elsewhere unsure or needing of group approval.
Example: Odadjian might compose and stand steadfast by intricate
and challenging basslines but may suffer unspeakable anxiety
when selecting from a takeout menu and seek second or even third
opinions regarding an ideal dish. Consistent with this analysis,
subject seems uncomfortable at the examination's onset,
initially wondering if there might be ?right? or ?wrong?
answers.
Born and raised in Armenia 'till age five, subject Odadjian's
early musical memories, beyond the compulsory pot and pan
banging, are of watching in awe as curious images were bounced
from the cosmos. "I'd see Abba on the satellite," he
says. "And I'd sing all those songs, you know, 'money,
money, money.'"
More so than his bandmates, subject's upbringing seems to
have been somewhat emotionally sheltered. Dual maternal ethos
installation -- mother and grandmother -- as well as the
relative asylum of a private Christian school created
circumstances ripe for eventual upheaval. Abrupt change came
when, within scant years, subject transferred to public learning
facility and his grandmother passed suddenly. The shift and loss
seem clearly subject's benchmark episodes; radical, formative
events foretelling religious doubt and forced acceptance of
larger social structures.
Of the four principal character orders, subject
overwhelmingly identifies with an aggregate of Artisans. Among
those names eliciting instant, excited response:
"Magic" Johnson, Elvis Presley, Picasso, Hugh Hefner
and Mozart. However vocationally disparate (note: Christopher
Walken is also and Artisan), subject's selections indicate
creative virtuosity and a universal embrace of expression as
release. Odadjian's secondary appreciation for Guardians,
notably George Washington and Karem Abdul-Jabar (subject is
apparently a Lakers' fan), disclose pride in self as ethically
grounded.
Logically, when questioned from the six stratas as defined by
Schwartz & Bristol ("Altruist,"
"Magician," "Innocent," "Orphan,"
"Wanderer" and "Warrior"), subject's key
responses fall within the Orphan segment. Reaction to his
grandmother's unforeseen death is explained as follows, "I
totally lost faith, faith in everything. I was pissed. I used to
pray every night and I haven't ever since. Not once. It doesn't
mean I don't believe in God anymore, but I believe in my
God."
CONCLUSION: System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian brims
with zeal and is smartly aware of any inner pockets that might
be jaded. Subject approaches life firstly with exuberance, is
perpetually curious and so open to both hurt and learning. His
association with music as suspended youth is tempered with a
mature sense of its power to exorcise pesky personal demons. In
laymen's terms: Shavo Odadjian is having a pretty good time and
plays a whoop-ass bass.
* * *
Case No.: 1298.986J
Subject: John Dolmayan
Position: Percussionist
ANALYSIS: Subject Dolmayan, despite being a "rock &
roller," agrees to meet in the most un-rock A.M. hours,
signaling motivation and order, again, something most un-rock.
Subject maintains a meticulous room -- collections of comics,
compact discs and novels are painstakingly organized for optimum
efficiency. Subject's walls are covered in whimsical works of
art, an ironic indicator of vicarious fancy for a man clearly
rooted in reality. Later it surfaces that his bunk on System of
a Down's "tour bus" is similarly arranged with
soothing tokens and diversions, "I put up pictures of
things I enjoy, things that comfort me," he says. "If
you don't feel at home, you will get very uncomfortable."
Not twenty minutes into the examination, as dialogue turns
literary, Dolmayan gifts the examiner a copy of James Clavell's
"Shogun," tellingly indicating the cultural clash love
epic as an inspirational favorite. Subject himself was born into
war-torn Lebanon to a sax-blowing father who chose family over
music, discouraging young John from pursuing the rhythmic arts
as a vocation lest he suffer invariable hardships, "He
knows what a musician's life is like," Dolmayan says of his
paternal unit. "He had no clue I would be in a signed band
one day, he figured I'd be struggling my whole life."
Clearly Dolmayan's jazz-deluged upbringing could and should
be cited when attempting to explain his unorthodox drumming
flare. Subject's eclectically populated personal hero Pantheon
furthermore elucidates the point: Keith Moon, Maynard Ferguson,
Jaco Pastorius, The Dickies, Billy Idol and Rush. Idolatry
aside, subject rightfully asserts System of a Down the result of
disparate roots blending mysteriously. "There's no way we
can be imitated," he maintains. "We have so many
influences -- we barely know what they are. How could someone
copy us?"
Of the four fundamental character orders subject Dolmayan is
principally a Rational with a secondary association as Artisan.
His primary alignment with the likes of Douglas MacAuthur,
Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein would imply a methodical
mentality with emphasis on goal-sighting and eventual conquest
and/or the ability to judiciously problem solve. "You have
to have discipline in drumming,? he says. ?Timing is very
important, but I don't want to be a robot. I like the fact that
every now and then I'll go off time a little bit, every now and
then my rolls aren't perfect."
Subject is questioned from the six stratas as defined by
Schwartz & Bristol ("Altruist,"
"Magician," "Innocent," "Orphan,"
"Wanderer" and "Warrior"). Beneath the
Innocent banner, a realm delving into childhood issues, Dolmayan
is asked when he first recognized drumming as his calling.
"Probably when I was one or two." he says. His early
understanding of personal destiny strongly suggests fate's
intervention in placing him behind the traps in System of a
Down.
Dolmayan would seem the least politically motivated member of
the quartet. While clearly aware of and in tune with global
maladies, his wishes are immediate. As with many Rationals, he's
acutely aware of his own power to affect change and so is
logical and relative when asked which problem in the world he
most complains about. "I've been looking for a '69 Dodge
Charger for a while now," he says. "I can't find one.
We've got a pretty good life here man. There's people out there
who can't see, can't hear, don't have food. What I have are
inconveniences."
CONCLUSION: Subject John Dolmayan cherishes order but
understands and treats with reverence System of a Down's musical
chaos. While his Rational instincts anchor a curious band given
to amble, his Artisan element understands the importance of
stretching out and travel beyond the known. In laymen's terms,
the guy whoops ass on drums.