Serj Tankian explained what set music industry apart from other fields he worked on a new episode of the ‘Broken Record’ podcast. The singer said he realized this industry was ‘bullsh*t’ after some insiders approached him following System Of A Down’s self-titled debut in 1998:
“I remember the first time someone came at a club and (went), ‘Oh my God, you guys are the most incredible, amazing thing!’ And I just looked at them… In my mind, I’m like, ‘Wow, this industry is quite different!’ There’s a lot of puff; there’s a lot of bullsh*t, you know? And I’m like, ‘Oh, thank you so much!’ I’ve been in many industries — jewelry industry, shoe industry, software industry and stuff. And I’m like, I know we did something unique, (and) I’m glad you feel that way, but there’s a lot of that bullsh*t in this industry.”
He added:
“Industry people would come up and just blow smoke up your a**, and that was a common thing. And I would just look at them and go, like, ‘I’m not buying this.’”
It’s Different For Fans, The Singer Says
Tankian admitted that fame affected the band members’ egos in a way but also noted that he ‘saw through a lot of stuff in this industry.’ The SOAD frontman excluded fans from his insight, though:
“The industry side, not so much [with] fans. The fans are incredible, I’m incredibly grateful. Every time we play a show, every time we get a response. Even inviting people to the cafe, or book signing… I’m always awed by these people, who I don’t know personally, come to spend a little time with me, and it’s incredible. I’m always taken aback by it, because I don’t take it for granted.”
He went on:
“But the industry side, I’ve always kind of looked through and been like, ‘Okay, this is a business like any other,’ especially when people started using the word ‘Baby’ [Laughs].”
System Of A Down hasn’t released a new album since 2005’s ‘Hypnotize.’ But Serj Tankian announced that his latest solo EP, ‘Foundations,’ would arrive later this year.