System of a Down

System of a Down, also known by the acronym SOAD and often shortened to System, is a rock band from Southern California. The band was formed in 1994. It consists of Serj Tankian (lead vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar), Daron Malakian (guitar, vocals), Shavo Odadjian (bass, background vocals) and John Dolmayan (drums). All four members are of Armenian descent, and although they are not pro-anarchist per se, they are well known for their outspoken views expressed in many of their songs. System of a Down are noted for the left-wing political views expressed in their songs, tackling several subjects including the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, the Armenian Genocide, the Iraq War, capitalism, minority rights, the War on Drugs, anti-religious sentiment, and censorship.


Since forming in 1994, System of a Down has had a massive impact on not only music but also on politics. They have released five studio albums to date The band is a part of the Axis of Justice, a non-profit organization co-founded by Tankian and fellow musician Tom Morello, dedicated to bringing together musicians, music fans, and grassroots political organizations to fight for social justice. While the members of System of a Down always try to convey a message in each of their songs, unfortunately many of them are very ambiguous and as such, there are various interpretations but when a song as whole is looked at,political undertones are easily noticed. One notable example of SOAD’s political views lies within the song “B.Y.O.B.” B.Y.O.B. is a play on the saying Bring Your Own Beer, instead standing for Bring Your Own Bombs. One of System of a Down's most well-known songs, the second track from their first of two 2005 album releases, Mezmerize, addresses the motives of the U.S. government involving the war in Iraq. This song implies that the U.S. government's love of money and oil is one of its top priorities. Feeding their soldiers "lies from the tablecloth" is in reference to the U.S.' hidden reasons for the war. Claiming that the invasion was due to the threat of nuclear weapons and the safety of Iraqi people, when really oil was the top priority. As a generalization, the soldiers fighting in the army are the less educated members of society, and so believe the orders when told they are fighting a war on terrorism in a nation led by a ruthless dictator, rather than seeing the truth. The lines "Everybody's going to the party, have a real good time" followed by "Dancing in the desert blowing up the sunshine" were based on an advert that System of a Down guitarist and vocalist, Daron Malakian saw on television promoting a career in the army. On the advert a soldier's life was made to seem much more glamorous than in reality; going all over the world and seeing sights, instead of fighting in wars for dominance. The T.V. nation that believes this propaganda is also likely to watch the news reporters, such as Barbara Walters showing the bright side of war and believing it to be true.
 

- Alex Dennis

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/systemofadown/byob.html