music
Serj Tankian
Serj Tankian born August 21, 1967 in Beirut, Lebanon is a Lebanese-born Armenian-American singer, songwriter, poet, activist, and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and keyboardist of the alternative metal band System of a Down.
In 2002, Serj and Tom Morello co-founded a non-profit political activist organization, Axis of Justice. During his entertainment career, he has released five albums with System of a Down, one with Arto Tunçboyacıyan (Serart), and also a solo album.
Serj and his family immigrated to Los Angeles in 1975. In Beirut, Tankian took flute lessons as a young child. He earned a degree in Marketing and Business from Stanford University and started his own software company before beginning his music career.
In 1993, he founded his first rock band, Soil (not to be confused with SOiL) with Daron Malakian, Domingo Laranio, Dave Hakopyan, and later, Shavo Odadjian. Two years later, in 1995, after one supposed jam session recording and one live show, Dave and Domingo left. Shavo, who went on to become the bass player, brought in drummer Andy Khachaturian. The four of them then named themselves System of a Down.
During System's days, he sang in other bands for certain songs such as Mushroom Cult by Dog Fashion Disco and lent his vocals to the song Mein by Deftones. With Serjical Strike Records, he endeavours to offer those musicians often ignored by the mainstream a possibility to release their music and be heard.