In a recent interview on “Bullseye With Jesse Thorn,” Serj Tankian, the frontman of System of a Down, shared his thoughts on the band’s lineup and the creative differences within it. Despite acknowledging past conflicts and differences, Tankian talked about his belief that the band should remain unchanged.
Tankian reflected on his attempt to leave SOAD in 2017, admitting that he had considered stepping away from the band. However, he ultimately reconsidered and decided that the band should continue with its original members. He explained,
“I think System of a Down should always be us four. But irrespective of what I felt, because I was the one getting in their way, if you will, I wanted to give them an option. So, that’s why I did that.”
Tankian described a period when the band was under significant pressure to tour and perform, which contributed to his decision to step back. He said,
“There was a lot of pressure to do tours, to perform and stuff. And I just didn’t want that pressure anymore. So they promised they wouldn’t do that. And so that kind of changed things a little, at least at that time.
He also pointed out the unique dynamics of being in a band with multiple members, stating,
“They’re your creative partners. They’re your business partners. No one can have the same exact vision. No one can have the same exact thought process. And trying to negotiate all that where everyone is happy is really, really not easy.”
Serj Tankian even stated that System of a Down have egos.
