System of a Down guitarist Daron Malakian recently reflected on how his perspective on fame changed after the band’s breakthrough success. He shared his thoughts in an interview with Louder Sound.
The guitarist discussed how his youthful rock star fantasies evolved into a more focused approach to his craft. When asked about the massive success of System of a Down’s 2001 album “Toxicity” and how it felt when everything “blew up,” Malakian revealed a surprising shift in priorities.
“If you’d have asked 14-year-old Daron what he was going to do when his dreams came true, he’d have said, ‘F*ck yeah! I’m gonna party! I’m gonna be like Mötley Crüe!'” Malakian said. “Then it happened, and I actually became even more focused on my writing.”
Rather than embracing the typical rock star lifestyle he had once imagined, Malakian found himself becoming more reclusive and dedicated to his songwriting.
“I didn’t really want to leave the house when I was off tour, I still don’t,” he continued. “Being recognized in public, it was weird – people walking up and wanting their picture with me. I just knew I needed to write songs, that’s what was gonna continue this train, not my fucking picture in a magazine.”
The comments provide insight into how the reality of fame differed from Malakian’s teenage expectations. They ultimately strengthened his commitment to his artistic work.
Malakian’s dedication to songwriting proved prescient, as System of a Down went on to achieve remarkable commercial success during their active years. Wikipedia reported that the band released five albums between 1998 and 2005. Three of them debuted at number one on the Billboard charts, including the critical and commercial success of “Toxicity.”
The band’s meteoric rise was followed by an indefinite hiatus in 2006. This allowed Malakian to pursue his artistic vision through other outlets. Following System of a Down’s break, he launched his side project Scars on Broadway, which has become a significant creative outlet for the guitarist.
Spin noted that Malakian has released three albums with Scars on Broadway so far. His latest, “Addicted to the Violence,” marks a return to his most personal songwriting. This solo work has allowed him to explore different musical territories while maintaining his commitment to authentic artistic expression.
The guitarist’s acceptance of System of a Down’s uncertain future has paradoxically freed him creatively. Spin revealed that despite ongoing live success, Malakian has accepted that System of a Down may never produce another studio album. This acceptance has freed him artistically to focus more on his solo work. This philosophical shift aligns with his earlier comments about prioritizing songwriting over the traditional trappings of rock stardom.
