Serj
Pleads For Justice
By Argie Plakas
It’s been a year since I interviewed Serj
Tankian last, and though System of a Down may seem in hiding, Serj certainly
isn’t.
He and other fellow musicians did a benefit
for the Grocery Strikers of Southern California back in December.
And his work with Axis of Justice, (the organization he formed with Tom
Morello) keeps him very busy. AOJ recently had their first concert
on March 31 at LA’s Troubadour.
Serj gave me a re-cap of the show, and
we also discussed the upcoming April 24th anniversary of the Armenian genocide,
and the benefit concert System of a Down will be doing to commemorate that
day.
Argie Plakas for antiMUSIC: You had
the very first Axis of Justice concert the other night. Did you do
any spoken word? Any surprise guests?
Serj: The show was amazing…we had
Tom, myself, Flea, Wayne Kramer (MC5), Boots Riley (The Coup), Apex Theory,
and System of a Down. I did a spoken work piece along with a performance
of some NOIZE making machines, jammed out with all the guys on a number
of covers, from Bob Marley to Woody Guthrie, and played a surprise 6 song
short set with System.
AP: It was a benefit show, so will the
proceeds go to anything specific, or just to Axis of Justice in general?
Serj: Axis of Justice in general
at this time. We are also a foundation sponsoring different organizations
and making donations, etc.
AP: Tell me what Axis of Justice has
been instrumental in doing thus far?
Serj: Axis has been instrumental
in raising social/political awareness of many different causes. We’ve
served as an umbrella for other NGOs on music festivals, have the radio
show where we interview activists and play rebel jams. All in all
I think it’s made certain people feel empowered to be able to change things
they don’t like or agree with in our democracy.
AP: Let’s talk alittle about the upcoming
“SOULS” benefit concert, which is on April 24th in Los Angeles.
This day is the anniversary of the Armenian genocide. What does that
day mean to you personally?
Serj: April 24th to me is a day
that pleads for and insists upon international humanitarian justice.
AP: Besides the concert, are there any
special rituals, services, or rallys that go on that day?
Serj: There are marches, prayer
services, rallys, and various commemorations worldwide by Armenians remembering
our victims and slain families. In L.A. it’s in Hollywood as well
as Montebello.
AP: I know you and rest of the band
sent out a mass mailing, encouraging everyone to mail out postcards to
Senate leaders to speak out against genocide. Is there any way of
knowing what kind of response you’ve had so far?
Serj: Based on the number of postcards
that have been downloaded off the ANCA, (Armenian National Committee of
America) and ones mailed, we know we’ve been effective in reaching more
than 500,000 people and have produced more than 100,000 postcards sent
to Congress.
AP: Being a Greek-American, I too know
the atrocities the Greek people have endured as well under the Turkish
government. Has the Armenian community ever joined forces with the
Greeks to take a stand on this issue?
Serj: I think so, in every act of
Congressional legislation/resolution, I’ve seen a number of Greek and Armenian
organizations joining together in support, including the current H.Res.
193, and S.Res 164. I am very aware of the Ottoman Empire’s genocidal
campaign against not just the Armenians, but the Greeks and Assyrians as
well.
AP: Have you personally ever considered
going into politics?
Serj: Yes, I've considered it, but
it's not something that really makes me happy. Though I do it often,
I really dislike dealing with politics. I'd rather just play music,
and wish there weren't these injustices that I'd have to deal with.
AP: You know everyone reading this will
want to know…When can we expect a new System of a Down record?
Serj: Sometime this year, near the
end.
AP: Serj- one last question. I
recently heard someone ask you if you ever worry about your voice, and
keeping it intact. You replied, “I don’t worry about my voice,
I worry about my heart.” Elaborate on that alittle, and leave us
with those words.
Serj: You sing with your heart,
though your voice could be quite useful.
Related Links
System
of a Down Homepage
Axis
of Justice website
Armenian
National Committee of America website
Purchase
System of a Down music
tell
a friend about this article
Argie Plakas is an antiMUSIC
contributor.
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