In his new memoir, Down With the System, Serj Tankian offers an intimate glimpse into his personal life and the lives of his family, sharing poignant stories from the Armenian genocide to his father’s legal battles in California. The System of a Down frontman brings fans into his world, delivering a powerful and unforgettable reading experience.
Tankian delves deeply into the history of System of a Down from his perspective, recounting their first show at the Roxy and the moment he confronted his bandmates, urging them to find a new singer. He leaves few stones unturned, providing a raw and honest account of the band’s journey.
On Tuesday (May 14), Tankian discussed Down With the System on Loudwire Nights with host Chuck Armstrong, sharing various stories and reflecting on the future of System of a Down. “You know, it’s easier releasing records,” Tankian remarked about his memoir. “People may like a song or not, but with this, you’re sharing incredible, intimate, personal details and lessons learned.”
While Tankian addresses moments of seized and missed opportunities in his life, he maintains a perspective free of regrets. “We should all be lucky to live in a world where we have no regrets,” he told Armstrong. “Every move that you make, good or bad — good opportunity or lost opportunity — brings you to where you are today.”
Reflecting on past decisions, Tankian emphasized the importance of life lessons over regrets. “I wouldn’t call them regrets. I would call them incredible life lessons learned — and we’re still learning every day,” he explained.
The memoir candidly blends Tankian’s personal life with his musical career, highlighting how intertwined they are. “My musical career is a huge part of my life,” Tankian said. “So for me to not have included that would have been dishonest.”
Down With the System offers fans an authentic and profound look at Tankian’s life and career, celebrating both his personal growth and the evolution of System of a Down.
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