Serj Tankian - Left of Center

[The Vegan Marxist]

This is an absolutely brilliant video in my opinion:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKpVooXVDRM

[Leonid Brozhnev]

I preferred the Borders Are video and song... still, overall his quality has dropped since SOAD no matter the messages in his songs. I can't keep kidding myself on that I like his solo stuff, because I don't much... off the Elect the Dead album, I could stand about 3 out of 12 songs, this is coming for somebody with Tankian as his avatar :laugh:

[The Vegan Marxist]

I preferred the Borders Are video and song... still, overall his quality has dropped since SOAD no matter the messages in his songs. I can't keep kidding myself on that I like his solo stuff, because I don't much... off the Elect the Dead album, I could stand about 3 out of 12 songs, this is coming for somebody with Tankian as his avatar :laugh:

I merely go for his messages. Yes, I'll agree that SOAD slaughters Serj's solo work, but I love his solo music! lol

[DunyaGongrenKomRevolyutsi]

What messages? Because he's Armenian he must be a leftwing? I have never seen any left-wing messages implicit in SOAD's music and I have listened to more than enough of it, thank you very much.

[Blackscare]

What messages? Because he's Armenian he must be a leftwing? I have never seen any left-wing messages implicit in SOAD's music and I have listened to more than enough of it, thank you very much.

They're talking about his SOLO work. Read the thread.

As I just said in a different thread, nothing gets by you, huh?

[DunyaGongrenKomRevolyutsi]

Solo or in SOAD, same shit different day, are you enjoying pestering me in various threads by the way?

[Blackscare]

Solo or in SOAD, same shit different day,

LOL this doesn't even make sense.

People were saying "hey his solo work has an interesting message" and you basically say "NO IT'S DOESN'T LOL I LISTEN TO SOAD."

So somehow you think that you KNOW for certain the content of something you haven't even listened to?

[Leonid Brozhnev]

What messages? Because he's Armenian he must be a leftwing?

Nice assumptions thar...


I have never seen any left-wing messages implicit in SOAD's music and I have listened to more than enough of it, thank you very much.

I'd be surprised if you've even listened to them at all...

[Magón]

I kinda started to dislike Serj after his rendition of Holiday in Cambodia. (Not good in the least, in my opinion.)

[DunyaGongrenKomRevolyutsi]

Nice assumptions thar...

And truthful probably, I've seen people make that assumption before.


People were saying "hey his solo work has an interesting message" and you basically say "NO IT'S DOESN'T LOL I LISTEN TO SOAD."

So somehow you think that you KNOW for certain the content of something you haven't even listened to?

Because I've listened to it obviously and I think it sounds just the same as SOAD, so now you're just trolling.


I'd be surprised if you've even listened to them at all...

And I used to be a big fan as well, so there.

[Blackscare]

I have never seen any left-wing messages implicit in SOAD's music and I have listened to more than enough of it


Solo or in SOAD, same shit different day,

Those are the only things you said about either, neither says specifically that you listened to his solo work. In fact it sounded like you just brushed it off. I am not a mind-reader here.

Also, whether or not you thought it sounded similar musically is pointless (although, I'd have to say I think you're wrong, there). What matters is the lyrics, which you don't seem to be paying any attention to. You're wrong, broski, let it go.

[DunyaGongrenKomRevolyutsi]

Those are the only things you said about either, neither says specifically that you listened to his solo work. In fact it sounded like you just brushed it off. I am not a mind-reader here.

Also, whether or not you thought it sounded similar musically is pointless (although, I'd have to say I think you're wrong, there). What matters is the lyrics, which you don't seem to be paying any attention to. You're wrong, broski, let it go.

The lyrics and the music sound exactly like a SOAD song, the lyrics arent at all leftwing, they are exactly what you'd expect from a SOAD song; melodramatic overblown with alot of pointless rhyming that doesnt go very well, so I wouldnt say I'm wrong I'd say ur wrong (also never heard broski before).

Other SOAD fans, please dont get too offended, my criticism is even sharper about music I'm actually into. :D

[Dimentio]

I think I prefer Suzanne Vega's version :lol:

[#FF0000]

The lyrics and the music sound exactly like a SOAD song, the lyrics arent at all leftwing, they are exactly what you'd expect from a SOAD song; melodramatic overblown with alot of pointless rhyming that doesnt go very well, so I wouldnt say I'm wrong I'd say ur wrong (also never heard broski before).

Other SOAD fans, please dont get too offended, my criticism is even sharper about music I'm actually into. :D

Why don't presidents fight the war?
Why do they always send the poor?
Why don't presidents fight the war?
Why do they always send the poor?
Why do they always send the poor?
Why do they always send the poor?
Why do they always send the poor?

That sounds pretty left-wing to me! Plus Serj's work outside the band (Axis of Justice) seem like left-wing projects.

I mean unless you mean left-wing as in socialist.

[praxis1966]

The lyrics and the music sound exactly like a SOAD song, the lyrics arent at all leftwing...

Exhibit A




Prison Song

They're trying to build a prison,
They're trying to build a prison,

Following the rights movements
You clamped down with your iron fists,
Drugs became conveniently
Available for all the kids,
Following the rights movements
You clamped down with your iron fists,
Drugs became conveniently
Available for all the kids,

I buy my crack, my smack, my *****,
Right here in Hollywood,

Nearly 2 million Americans are incarcerated
In the prison system, prison system
Prison system of the U.S.

They're trying to build a prison

They're trying to build a prison,
They're trying to build a prison,
They're trying to build a prison, (for you and me to live in)
Another prison system,
Another prison system,
Another prison system.

Minor drug offenders fill your prisons
You don't even flinch
All our taxes paying for your wars
Against the new non-rich,
Minor drug offenders fill your prisons
You don't even flinch
All our taxes paying for your wars
Against the new non-rich,

I buy my crack, my smack, my *****,
Right here in Hollywood,

The percentage of Americans in the prison system, prison system
Prison system, has doubled since 1985

They're trying to build a prison

They're trying to build a prison,
They're trying to build a prison,
They're trying to build a prison,
Another prison system,
Another prison system,
Another prison system.
For you and me, for you and me , for you and me.

They're trying to build a prison,
They're trying to build a prison,
They're trying to build a prison,
For you and me,
Oh baby, you and me.

All research and successful drug policy shows
That treatment should be increased,
And law enforcement decreased,
While abolishing mandatory minimum sentences,
All research and successful drug policy shows
That treatment should be increased,
And law enforcement decreased,
While abolishing mandatory minimum sentences.

Utilizing drugs to pay for secret wars around the world,
Drugs are now your global policy,
Now you police the globe,

I buy my crack, my smack, my *****,
Right here in Hollywood,

Drug money is used to rig elections,
And train brutal corporate sponsored
Dictators around the world.

They're trying to build a prison

They're trying to build a prison,
They're trying to build a prison,
They're trying to build a prison, (for you and me to live in)
Another prison system,
Another prison system,
Another prison system. (for you and me)
For you and I, for you and I , for you and I.
They're trying to build a prison,
They're trying to build a prison,
They're trying to build a prison,
For you and me,
Oh baby, you and me.

Exhibit B

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k40su7eHgIs

So you're wrong on both counts. He does write left-oriented lyrics and his solo shit doesn't sound that much, if at all, like his work with SOAD. If you wanted to criticize him for being a hypocrite, however, for writing left-oriented lyrics bemoaning the plight of the poor and then signing with a concert promoter who prices his shows at $55 a head + $15 in service fees and thereby pricing all but the wealthy out of the market, you might have a case.

[DunyaGongrenKomRevolyutsi]

Then thats your opinion, it sounds the same to me, the lyrics look the same to me and they don't look particularly left-orientated either really, its just populist people power stuff.

The pricing thing is amusing, I have seen RATM charge hilarious prices for their gigs where they do actually make specific references to 'left wing' militias and the like. I dont think there are many 'left' bands that arent hypocrites to be honest if that helps.

[The Vegan Marxist]

Then thats your opinion, it sounds the same to me, the lyrics look the same to me and they don't look particularly left-orientated either really, its just populist people power stuff.

The pricing thing is amusing, I have seen RATM charge hilarious prices for their gigs where they do actually make specific references to 'left wing' militias and the like. I dont think there are many 'left' bands that arent hypocrites to be honest if that helps.

So wait, you don't think a populist movement can have a left or right orientation? Remember, leftist does not imply socialist or communist.

And when it comes to RATM, I've been to gigs of theirs, & they've been fairly cheap. Not to mention god knows how many free gigs they've done for people & benefit shows to workers & worker unions. So I wouldn't bring RATM into this conversation. We can't leave capitalism in order to fight against it, we'll have to use it in order to try & dismantle it's illusionary propaganda.

[gorillafuck]

I dont think there are many 'left' bands that arent hypocrites to be honest if that helps.
You don't know about very much music then.

[DunyaGongrenKomRevolyutsi]

Okay, I take the Vegan Marxist's leftist point on, but I don't think there is anything to celebrate about being 'leftIST' anyway, also the above post seems to be meant ironically maybe I'm wrong.

[Agnapostate]

I loved Empty Walls.

[gorillafuck]

Okay, I take the Vegan Marxist's leftist point on, but I don't think there is anything to celebrate about being 'leftIST' anyway, also the above post seems to be meant ironically maybe I'm wrong.
I mean there are a lot of left bands that aren't hypocrites.

[DunyaGongrenKomRevolyutsi]

I mean there are a lot of left bands that aren't hypocrites.

Ah, like RATM and SOAD I presume.

[gorillafuck]

Ah, like RATM and SOAD I presume.
No, like the MDC who I just started a thread on to pull an example right off the very top of my head.

[The Vegan Marxist]

I would say RATM aren't hypocrites. They've stayed true for the most part.