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Down with the System: A Memoir (of Sorts)
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Original price was: $30.00.$19.70Current price is: $19.70.
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THE *INSTANT* NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
USA TODAY BESTSELLER
An exhilarating, thoughtful, and beautifully written memoir by musician, songwriter, and lead singer-lyricist of Grammy award-winning metal band, System Of A Down, Serj Tankian.
Serj Tankian will be the first to admit that his band, System Of A Down, was “unlikely a chart-topper as had ever existed in modern music history: a band of Armenian-Americans playing a practically unclassifiable clash of wildly aggressive metal riffs, unconventional tempo-twisting rhythms, and Armenian folk melodies, with me alternately growling, screaming, and crooning lyrics that could pivot from avant-garde silliness to raging socio-political rants in the space of a single line.” After all, as Serj concedes, “it’s not easy listening.”
Even so, there’s no doubt that System’s music had struck a chord with millions of listeners across the globe ever since they burst on the scene in the mid-1990s. With nearly 40 million album sales, three albums topping the Billboard charts, and a devoted legion of fans, the band dominated the alt-rock and metal scenes just as the world hurtled into a new millennium, redefining the very idea of what rockstars could and couldn’t talk about, could and couldn’t do, could and couldn’t represent.
In DOWN WITH THE SYSTEM, Serj presents readers with a memoir that is far more than just a rock ‘n’ roll fable. It’s an immigrant’s tale, it’s an activist’s awakening, and it’s a spiritual journey from darkness toward light. And all of this comes down to the fact that Serj himself has had the chance to live an extraordinary life—thanks to a combination of luck, circumstance, struggle, talent, and spiritual awakening. Born to Armenian parents in Beirut, Serj grows up hearing bombs drop outside his childhood home during the country’s civil war, before moving to Los Angeles at the age of seven. As a young man, he is immersed in the SoCal community of “Little Armenia,” learning more and more about the brutal genocide faced by his ancestors while helping his parents adapt to the constraints and contradictions of the American Dream. Then, during a pivotal drive home from an LSAT class, Serj decides to turn away from a promising future in business and law to make music instead—a decision that leads him to touring five continents as the lead singer of a hugely popular rock band, hitting number #1 on the Billboard album charts the morning of 9/11, and then having the hit single from the same album banned from radio two days later. In the years that follow, his uniquely singular story continues, as he evades glass bottles hurled at a cancelled show by angry Slayer fans, teams up with Tom Morello to push social justice causes on unsuspecting metalheads, argues with LAPD officers over the best way to quell rioting fans, and defines new sounds and singing tactics with Rick Rubin.
Braiding together Serj’s thought-provoking insight with heartfelt and poetic prose, DOWN WITH THE SYSTEM retraces Serj’s remarkable and unlikely journey, and explores what it’s taught him—about music, about art, about activism, and about himself. It’s an unforgettable ride that will leave you breathless—and an absolute delight for new fans and old ones alike.
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Categories: Arts & Photography
Product name:
Down with the System: A Memoir (of Sorts)
Price:
Original price was: $30.00.$19.70Current price is: $19.70.
Xiomara –
Não tenho ídolos, somente admiração profunda por algumas personalidades. Serj representa a dicotomia no meu mundo de “fã”. Derruba meu mundinho roqueiro “come to Brazil” quando diz que não quer mais fazer turnês e eleva minha admiração pessoal ao explicar as razões. No livro, que estou lendo pela segunda vez, detalha passagens nebulosas dos capítulos públicos do System que pareceram brigas internas, responsabilizando e dando o nome do colega da banda que causou a discórdia, fazendo sempre o mea culpa que favoreceu a continuidade da novela “System of a Down acabou?”. Fui assistir ao vídeo do KROQ de 2005 novamente para ver como alguém sensível como ele pode ter se apresentado de forma tão memorável sentindo-se violado, com raiva e triste ao saber que seria processado se não continuasse em turnê após mais de 100 shows no ano. As inúmeras concessões pessoais as vezes são detalhadas de forma autoindulgente, e quase faz querer uma contrarreação de Daron e Shavo, mas as ponderações de Serj bastam, pelo menos pra mim. A dinâmica da banda me faz imaginar se o próximo show vai realmente acontecer, se os demais lerem este livro antes 😂.
Inúmeras passagens sobre seu ativismo e a história do Genocídio Armênio não cansam a leitura, muito pelo contrário, fazem a narrativa de uma vida que acompanho há mais de 20 anos, como fã, muito coerente e elucidativa.
System continua no meu top 5 rock and roll Band, e admiro Serj Tankian ainda mais.
Marcia –
Amazing book!
But whoever packaged it did not take any care and messed up the sleeve!
I love the book but I did this whole pre-order to get it signed and it wasn’t even signed:( –
I pre-ordered it and was supposed to have it signed but it’s not signed (and yes i looked thru the whole book)
I’m really disappointed since SOAD (especially seji tankian) has been my favorite band for the longest time
Still a great book however!
I love the book but I did this whole pre-order to get it signed and it wasn’t even signed:( –
Bought this memoir for my husband as a gift and he has throughly enjoyed it. The book was easy to ready and had interesting tidbits that were very personal to the author.
crystal mcauley –
Serj explains the lapse in time from taking a break with music and recaps on his family’s history and what brought them to America–a history not well known by the American public as his country was destroyed and then swept under the rug. This book is everything I hoped it would be and more. This isn’t just a story about rock and roll and fame. It’s a journey to understanding a history that formed a voice… the voice of Serj Tankian and System of a Down. Bonus with audible as Serj narrates his story. ☆☆☆☆☆
Douglas Schaffer –
They say never meet your heroes, I know this an exception to the rule. Early 2000’s I was subconsciously so in tune with Serj’s cause, and now being an adult and still in love with his work, this book has made it clear his hearts purpose. What an inspiring life story for Serj and all of his family and peoples, which can extend to everyone on this planet. Fight for your cause, always!
Ross Johnson –
In you love SOAD, then you will love this book. The stories, the call to action, the absolute new ways of seeing problems. It is a book I will come back to and has given me a lot to meditate on.
Xiomara –
Excelente compra
Perla –
Del libro en sí no puedo decir nada aún, pero llegó en perfectas condiciones. Pronto haré reseña cuando lo lea.
Amandalorian Fett –
Without spoiling anything, for those not aware of Serg’s background and his upbringing… this is a perfect book for you. Also for those ADHDiers pair the book with his audiobook (I listened on Spotify), he reads it and this also adds to the experience and story.
Courtney –
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, if you’re a fan of Serj and/or system it’s a fantastic read.
nyankit –
so, I’m only on about.. 16 pages in? but, honestly, the book is really interesting so far and really makes me wanna read more. i got this book since i have almost a “fixation” on system of a down and since i really like serj as a person and yknow, how he thinks. its interesting to know more about him and his childhood (and obviously other things). i think this book is a must-need/read for any system of a down fan or people who are fans of serj.
this book also brings light to the the armenian genocide (which is bound to make you upset). the armenian genocide is often forgotten, so i really appreciate serj (obv) bringing this to people’s attention and how passionate he is about it. i think it’s a really beautiful thing.
im now just waiting for darons memoir next.. maybe shavos. (plz make one daron and shavo 😞😞)
(btw, shoutout to stepan for being a king and cranking 20 push ups!!)