John Dolmayan has manifested himself as a conservative and right -wing one in recent years, but he says it has not always been so
In recent years, John Dolmayan surprised many fans of system of a Down by revealing its political position. Unlike the vocalist SERJ TANKIAN And the band’s own lyrics, the drummer defines himself as a conservative and tilted right. In publications in the networks and various interviews, he celebrated the performance of Donald Trump as president of the United States.
However, it seems that at some point in life Dolmayan was aligned on the left. In a recent chat with Lilian Tahmasian (via Blabberouth), the musician revealed that he agreed more with Tankian’s speech when the group came up and enjoyed its most successful period between the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Initially, he offered a little context:
“When we emerged, no one knew who the Armenians were. We are a country that was communist and was in the Soviet Union. We were in a bitter battle of over 100 years with an enemy who is one of the largest allies in the United States. We have missile bases there. There was a very conservative mindset – in the early 2000s, especially. And the pendulum oscillated to the ridiculous. ”
Then John pointed out that the positions of Serj – and Zack de la Rochavocalist of Rage Against The Machine which is also established on the left – they were more unusual at that time than these days. This made the drummer more likely to support the ideas propagated by both singers.
“The opinions of the ‘Zack de la Rochas’ and ‘Serj Tankians’ were not popular opinions. Now they became popular opinions, but they were not at the time. I think I agreed more at that time than later, because I felt that: Since something becomes the ‘status quo’ in popular opinion, so you have to change your way of thinking. And if you don’t do that, then you are governed by a way of thinking that you had at a more teenage moment in your wisdom and everything. You must always be open to change your opinions. ”
John Dolmayan and the moderate critique of the left
Still during the interview, John Dolmayan said he believed in “many progressive concepts.” However, he understands that leftist thinking is “idealistic”, with little practical application.
“Being leftist, most of the time, is something for idealistic thinkers. We all believe in progressive concepts – I believe. I believe in social concepts as well. I don’t want people to starve. I want people to have houses. But I also believe in self -employment and that hard work takes you where you want to be.
The drummer said he does not refuse to help people. However, in your point of view, this has “left a little control” today and now “is at the bottom of the well”.
Politics in System of a Down
At another point in the conversation, John Dolmayan revealed that “there was problems” at System of a Down because Serj Tankian talks a lot about politics. The drummer guarantees that no member would like to limit group A just one theme.
“[Esse tema] It is a large part of the band. Justice is a large part. And justice has no political affiliation: it is fair or unfair. We didn’t want it to be the only focal point. And Serj spent a lot of time talking about political things on stage. ”
On the other hand, Dolmayan never tried to restrict his bandmate – who, curiously, is also his brother -in -law.
“I personally love it. The more crazy he got and deepened… I believe anything that is passionately displayed is worth hearing – even if I completely disagree. I like that part. But I and the rest of the band felt it was very focus. We don’t just sing about politics: we sing about love, death, hatred, stupid things, insane things, artistic things, insane things. We didn’t want the focal point to be politics. But it was more or less about what Serj wanted to talk at the time. So we are in a strange situation that I don’t want to limit what he has to say, but I don’t want to limit what people think of me either. ”
System of a Down shows in 2025
The System of a Down comes to Brazil in May to hold a series of shows. Check out the full schedule of band performances, inside and outside the country, in 2025:
- April 24, 2025: Bogota, Colombia (El Campín Stadium);
- April 27, 2025: Lima, Peru (National Stadium of Peru);
- April 30, 2025: Santiago, Chile (Chilean National Stadium Park);
- May 3, 2025: Buenos Aires, Argentina (Vélez Sarsfield Stadium);
- May 6, 2025: Curitiba, Brazil (Major Antônio Couto Pereira Stadium);
- May 8, 2025: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Nilton Santos Engenhão Stadium);
- May 10, 11 and 14, 2025: São Paulo, Brazil (Allianz Park on 10 and 11, Autodrome of Interlagos on the 14th);
- August 27 and 28, 2025: East Rutherford, United States (Metlife Stadium; with Korn);
- August 31 and September 1, 2025: Chicago, United States (Soldier Field; with Avenged Sevenfold);
- September 3 and 5, 2025: Toronto, Canada (Rogers Stadium; with Defton).
+++ Read more: how money and harsh troops crashed the System of a Down, according to drummer
+++ Read more: The moment when Serj Tankian turned emotionally off System of a Down
+++ Read more: Why the System of a Down should not change members, according to Serj Tankian
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+++ Follow journalist Igor Miranda @igormirandasite on Instagram
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
