By Nigel Roberts

The wait for the follow up to the stunning System Of A Down debut seems to have been like forever, but as Shoutweb found out when we spoke to SOAD's John Dolmayan, the wait has purely been due to the demands placed on the band by its successful debut. The imminent release of "Toxicity" seems set to elevate the band to an even higher level.

Shoutweb: It seems to have been so long since the first album, three years ago now. I have heard some sampler songs from the forthcoming album. I have to say from my point of view that it has been worth the wait. Are you happy with the finished album?

John: I'm ecstatic about it and I feel it is a great piece of work. I couldn't be more proud of it, to be honest with you.

Shoutweb: Was it due to the phenomenal success of the debut that we had to wait until now for the follow up?

John: We spent so much time touring in the last three years that it became impossible to write any new material. Once we did start writing, which was in the summer of 2000, we wrote for a solid six or seven months and we came up with 32 songs. We never sat idle, but good things take a little time sometimes. If you want quality, you have to wait. I actually think that this surpasses the work we did on our first album.

Shoutweb: Was there anything you did radically different in the recording of the new album that differed from the things you learned from the debut?

John: Well first of all we went in with a much more relaxed atmosphere. Having done one album and knowing how things work in the studio, we weren't as shocked, surprised, or scared as we were for the first record. We knew what we wanted from the sound and we expressed it and got exactly what we wanted. We did a more layered sound with the guitars and bass to thicken the sound up more than on the last one. I think the last album has a unique sound that I wouldn't trade for the world. This one also has a unique sound which is what we want to achieve on every album.

Shoutweb: How long did it actually take to write and record "Toxicity"? Was it something you were pulling together all the time you were out on the road or was it only when you finished touring the first record that you got chance to write the new material?

John: Well, the writers in the band dabbled with writing on the road but it was very difficult so things only came together when we finally got home as we never really had a break from touring with the first record. We took two weeks off after we came off the road and then we rented a studio and started writing again.

Shoutweb: Does the fact that you have been all over the world on the back of the first record change your attitudes towards life and does it therefore reflect in the songs on the new record?

John: We definitely have a better understanding of not only the world but of each other! We went round the world and realised that we are all one here and it puts things into a better perspective when you see how other people live and you become more diversified as you intregrate into other cultures. Basically you grow as a person and it is impossible not to do that when you travel.

Shoutweb: So what was your most treasured memory of that time out on the road?

John: We were on Ozzfest and we were travelling around in this old RV and we were in the middle of Kentucky somewhere and it was about 110 degrees or something when the thing just starts bellowing out smoke. We are in the middle of nowhere with no way of getting to the next show, and on Ozzfest if you don't make the show they will kick you off. Anyway, we all just sat there helpless and our guitarist, Darren, starts singing, "It's a long way to the top if you want to rock n roll" by AC/DC which was so funny. It is something that I will always remember as that was the best fucking time with just the four of us, no bullshit, and something I will never forget.

Shoutweb: So, now that you are megastars and have a luxury bus, will you miss all that RV touring?

John: What the hell is a megastar? (laughs) We don't consider ourselves that way at all! We are four guys who are very fortunate to be doing what they do for a living and being able to support ourselves doing that. There are no rock star attitudes in any one of us and we keep each others feet on the ground and remember that the most important thing is always the music that we create and the fans that we create it for.

Shoutweb: I saw your shows here in the UK with Static-X And Spineshank and I thought that you stood apart from all the new breed of bands that were appearing on the scene at that time. What kind of reaction did you get from all the other bands that you went on the road with?

John: We have had positive reactions from everyone we have ever toured with and I cannot remember having a negative reaction from anyone we have played alongside. There was a lot of shit talked at different times but we were never a part of all that as we are a people's band and we have always gotten really good reactions.

Shoutweb: Since the release of the debut, there has been an explosion of bands signing to major labels yet you guys were one of the ground breakers who basically kicked the new scene into shape. What do you think of the new breed who have come after you? Are there any you really like or do you think the market is now swamped?

John: I think there are a lot of bands who sound like each other and I appreciate the record companies perspective as they want to make money but I think it is a really good way to kill the scene. Limp Bizkit is an original in itself so we don't need ten more bands that sound like Limp Bizkit or like Korn, Tool, Deftones or Zombie for that matter. Right now we need bands who are going to create something new but I think there is a lack of such bands right now to be honest with you.

Shoutweb: SOAD are totally unique as you draw on influences and backgrounds that no other modern rock band could possibly match. How important a role do you think that your roots play in creating SOAD's distinctive sound?

John: When you are making soup you have a spice rack and you incorporate different spices to add to the flavour of this soup. Every single spice adds to the taste but no one single spice defines it and that is exactly how we are.

Shoutweb: Just how involved are the band in environmental and human issues? Your web site is full of links to various groups from Amnesty International to green issues.

John: We are involved and we care about it and we make the information available to those who want to find out more about it but we don't want to push our opinions on to people. Our main purpose is to make music that we enjoy and respect and hopefully other people will enjoy and respect it too.

Shoutweb: You were born in the Lebanon. What kind of role did music play in your early life in a war torn environment?

John: My Dad is a musician and I have been in clubs since I was born. He was, and continues to be, my single biggest influence, although he never wanted me to get involved in the business at all. He did his best to stop me getting involved, to the extent that I didn't start playing drums until I was fifteen years old.

Shoutweb: Who and where did you see your first big rock concert?

John: Pink Floyd at the Los Angeles Coliseum on the "Momentary Lapse Of Reason" tour. That night changed my life as I knew I needed to be up on that stage. Last year, I played there in front of 80,000 people on my birthday which was a special moment for me.

Shoutweb: The most special moment to date?

John: One of them. Perhaps the most special was at another LA show on November 4th last year in aid of the Armenian Genocide when I threw a drum stick into the audience and it landed on my aunt's lap which meant a lot to me as she was recently diagnosed with pancreas cancer.

Shoutweb: So, what other things interest you besides music?

John: I am a serious comic book and toy collector, big time!! I spend a lot of my income on those things. In fact, we leave for Japan in the morning and I will go crazy over there buying toys and comics, in fact I will need an extra suitcase. (laughs)

Shoutweb: Are you married and do you have kids?

John: (after a seemingly age long pause) I have a girlfriend but I am not sure that she will be my girlfriend when I get home. (after that I decided to leave that line of questioning)

Shoutweb: Are you looking forward to getting out on the road with "Toxicity"?

John: We can't wait to get back on the road as we have been idle too long and we cannot wait to play the new songs to the fans on this tour!

Shoutweb: Well, I have heard the new album and it certainly gets the thumbs up from me so good luck with "Toxicity" and thanks for taking the time to chat.

John: It has been a pleasure and thank you !