John Dolmayan Ջոն Դոլմայան
Background information
Birth name	John H. Dolmayan
Born	July 15, 1973 (1973-07-15) (age 34)
Origin	Beiruit, Lebanon
Genre(s)	Alternative metal
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)	drums
Years active	1997 - present
Label(s)	American, Columbia, Serjical Strike, Axis of Justice
Associated acts	System of a Down Serj Tankian Scars on Broadway Axis of Justice
Website	www.systemofadown.com

John Dolmayan (Armenian: Ջոն Դոլմայան) (born July 15, 1973 in Lebanon) is a musician, best known as the drummer for the Armenian-American alternative metal band System of a Down. His bandmates are vocalist/guitar/keyboards Serj Tankian, guitarist/vocalist Daron Malakian, and bassist Shavo Odadjian. John currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was first interested in drums at the age of 2. His father was a saxophone player. When his mother would take him to watch his father play, he would mimic his father's drummer. When he was 4 years old, he asked his parents for a drum set every birthday and Christmas until he was 7 and he got his first drumkit. Then his dad broke when he played it at six in the morning. then he got his next drumset at age 15. Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... is the 196th day of the year (197th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Beirut (disambiguation). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Lebanon. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Alternative metal is an eclectic form of rock music that gained popularity in the early 1990s alongside grunge. ... “Instrumentalist” redirects here. ... A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition or melody to songs, or both. ... A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified with the purpose of making music. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Serjical Strike Records is the record label owned by Serji Tankian of the metal band system of a down. ... Axis of Justice is a non-profit organization co-founded by Serj Tankian (of System of a Down) and Tom Morello (from the band Rage Against the Machine and the now defunct Audioslave). ... For the bands self-titled album, see System of a Down (album). ... Serj Tankian (Armenian: ) (born August 21, 1967 in Beirut, Lebanon) is a Lebanese-born Armenian-American New Zealander[1], musician, activist and songwriter. ... Scars on Broadway is a band that features Daron Malakian, who is best known as the guitarist for System of a Down. ... Axis of Justice is a non-profit organization co-founded by Serj Tankian (of System of a Down) and Tom Morello (from the band Rage Against the Machine and the now defunct Audioslave). ... is the 196th day of the year (197th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. ... A drummer in Action A drummer is a person who plays the drums, particularly the drum kit, marching percussion, or hand drums. ... An Armenian-American is a citizen of the United States who is of Armenian ancestry. ... Alternative metal is an eclectic form of rock music that gained popularity in the early 1990s alongside grunge. ... For the bands self-titled album, see System of a Down (album). ... Serj Tankian (Armenian: ) (born August 21, 1967 in Beirut, Lebanon) is a Lebanese-born Armenian-American New Zealander[1], musician, activist and songwriter. ... the very definition of a guitarist is cody allen and taylor hines because of there un ending guitar skills and awsomnes. ... Daron Vartan Malakian (Armenian: ) (born 18 July 1975 in Hollywood, California, USA) is the lead guitarist in the Armenian-American band System of a Down. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... For further information, see Las Vegas metropolitan area and Las Vegas Strip. ...

System of a Down

So far, he has recorded five albums with System of a Down: System of a Down (1998), Toxicity (2001), Steal This Album! (2002), and, most recently, Mezmerize (2005), and Hypnotize (2005). His style of drumming has influenced an emerging generation of drummers, and this has attracted a significant portion of SOAD's audience. System of a Down is the eponymous debut album by System of a Down, first released in 1998. ... Toxicity is System of a Downs second album release. ... Steal This Album! is an album by System of a Down. ... Digipak cover Digipak cover of Mezmerize. ... Hypnotize is the fifth album by System of a Down and the second half of the Mezmerize/Hypnotize double album. ...

John's facial expressions are famous for being constantly foreboding and angry-looking. Lead singer Serj Tankian was quoted in Kerrang magazine as always trying to make John crack a smile on stage, to which John replied that he had to make an extreme effort to keep a straight face and not get put off beat, which is sometimes not believed due to the fact that John is very rhythmically sound when it comes to his drum beats. He is known throughout the metal scene for his hi-hat to snare combo, which can be heard in such songs as "Deer Dance" and "Prison Song" on Toxicity, "I-E-A-I-A-I-O" on Steal This Album! and "Question!" on Mezmerize. Serj Tankian (Armenian: ) (born August 21, 1967 in Beirut, Lebanon) is a Lebanese-born Armenian-American New Zealander[1], musician, activist and songwriter. ... Information in this article or section has not been verified against sources and may not be reliable. ... Toxicity was System of a Downs second album released. ... THIS SONG IS FUCKING AWESOME, THEIR TRYING TO BUILD A PRISON!!! // UP S.O.A.D delete and die skum Prison Song is the opening track to System of a Downs 2001 album Toxicity. ... Toxicity is System of a Downs second album release. ... I-E-A-I-A-I-O is a song by the band System of a Down. ... Steal This Album! is an album by System of a Down. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Digipak cover Digipak cover of Mezmerize. ...

During System of a Down's hiatus after Ozzfest, Dolmayan has said that he will start a comic book business. This is because he is an avid fan of collecting Marvel comic books. He says that music and comic books were his two favorite things as a kid. Ozzfest is an annual tour of the United States (and in some years, Europe) featuring performances by many Heavy Metal,Metalcore, Death Metal, Hardcore and Nu Metal groups. ... Marvel Comics is an American comic book line published by Marvel Publishing, Inc. ...

Dolmayan won "DRUM!" Magazine's 2006 Drummer of the year.

Discography

System of a Down

Main article: System of a Down discography

• Sugar E.P. (May, 1998)
• System of a Down (June 30, 1998)
• Limited Edition Tour CD (2000)
• Toxicity (September 4, 2001)
• Steal This Album! (November 26, 2002)
• Mezmerize (May 17, 2005)
• Hypnotize (November 22, 2005)
• Lonely Day (EP) (April 17, 2006)

For the bands self-titled album, see System of a Down (album). ... This article is a list of all System of a Down songs. ... Sugar is an EP released by System of a Down in 1998. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... System of a Down is the eponymous debut album by System of a Down, first released in 1998. ... is the 181st day of the year (182nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... The Limited Edition Tour CD is a 6-track promo CD released by System of a Down in 2000. ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Toxicity is System of a Downs second album release. ... is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... Steal This Album! is an album by System of a Down. ... is the 330th day of the year (331st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... Digipak cover Digipak cover of Mezmerize. ... is the 137th day of the year (138th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Hypnotize is the fifth album by System of a Down and the second half of the Mezmerize/Hypnotize double album. ... is the 326th day of the year (327th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Lonely Day is an EP by System of a Down. ... is the 107th day of the year (108th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Axis of Justice

• Concert Series Volume 1 (2004)

Axis of Justice is a non-profit organization co-founded by Serj Tankian (of System of a Down) and Tom Morello (from the band Rage Against the Machine and the now defunct Audioslave). ... Concert Series Volume 1 is a live CD/DVD by Axis of Justice and various other artists from their concert series. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

With Serj Tankian

• Elect the Dead (October 23, 2007)

Serj Tankian (Armenian: ) (born August 21, 1967 in Beirut, Lebanon) is a Lebanese-born Armenian-American New Zealander[1], musician, activist and songwriter. ... Elect the Dead is the debut solo album by System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian expected to be released on October 23, 2007 according to the Los Angeles Times on July 15, 2007. ... October 23 is the 296th day of the year (297th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

Scars on Broadway

• Untitled (2008)

Scars on Broadway is a band that features Daron Malakian, who is best known as the guitarist for System of a Down. ... 2008 (MMVIII) will be a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Awards

• In 2006, System of a Down won their first Grammy for Best hard rock performance for B.Y.O.B.
• In 2006, they won the "MTV Good Woodie Award" for their song "Question!"
• In 2006, they were #14 on the VH1 Top 40 Metal Songs with "Toxicity"
• In 2007, they were nominated for a Grammy Award in Best Hard Rock Performance for their song Lonely Day

For the bands self-titled album, see System of a Down (album). ... Grammy Award statuette The Grammy Awards, presented by the Recording Academy (an association of Americans professionally involved in the recorded music industry) for outstanding achievements in the recording industry, is one of four major music awards shows held annually in the United States (the Billboard Music Awards, the American Music... This article is about the System of a Down song. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... // Toxic and Intoxicated redirect here – toxic has other uses, which can be found at Toxicity (disambiguation); for the state of being intoxicated by alcohol see Drunkenness. ... Grammy Award statuette The Grammy Awards, presented by the Recording Academy (an association of Americans professionally involved in the recorded music industry) for outstanding achievements in the recording industry, is one of four major music awards shows held annually in the United States (the Billboard Music Awards, the American Music... Lonely Day is the Grammy nominated second single from the 2005 album Hypnotize by the band System of a Down. ...

Equipment

John Dolmayan's drumkit is a modified Tama Starclassic with a White Silk finish. Even though John is left-handed, he sets his kit up right-handed. . His setup uses 2 bass drums 22x20. Now he has 3 rack toms 10, 12, 14, which can be heard vibrantly throughout "Hypnotize", and 2 floor toms 16 and 18 (18 floating over 16). Most of his cymbals have moved, and so have his piccolo toms which are mounted to align with the toms above his hats. John positions the left side of his double pedal on the left side of his hi hat stand. As unusual as it may seem, he finds this placement very natural for his playing style. Neil Pearts Tama Artstar drum kit Tama is a drum company owned by Hoshino Gakki Group. ...

He uses paistecymbals. When he first started his career with System of a Down he used a Paiste dimensions Mega power bel ride (22 on older albums, 24" on hypnotized and mezmerize) cymbals as well as signatures. He currently uses 24" RUDE MEGA POWER RIDE "The Eclipse" He also uses 14 Signature heavy hats. 18 poer and fast crashes, A signature heavy china and tin china. 6, 8 signature splashes.6 2002 bell also. He uses vic firth sticks, his own signature model oak wood tip. It a medium sized stick but easy to control. The Paiste logo A Paiste 2002 Sound Edge hihat. ... For the bands self-titled album, see System of a Down (album). ...

Personal Projects

In Summer 2006, right before Ozzfest tour, John told the press in several interviews his intention to make an online comic company, "I've got over 5 and a half million comics right now, and I'll probably have about 20 million comics in a year's time. But it's not really a collection. The reason I'm accumulating all these books is I'm starting an Internet-based comic-book company called 'Torpedocomics'," which is very strange, because his views used to be negative towards the internet. "That'll be up in November 2007, probably." John said. [1]Recently John has been playing live shows with a newly designed drum kit, featuring drawings from many famous comic book artists. [2] John also said he may at some point write a movie script and might be involved in drum work regardless of SOAD's status. [3] John has played alongside Flea[4] of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Wayne Kramer for the song Bombs Over Paris.[5], on the Serj Tankian solo debut, Elect The Dead[6], and joined Tool on stage for a few shows.[7] For other uses, see Flea (disambiguation) Michael Peter Balzary (born October 16, 1962 in Melbourne, Australia), better known by his nickname/stage name Flea, is an Australian-American bassist for the alternative rock/funk rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers and a frequent session musician for other music acts. ... Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1983. ... Wayne Kramer (Born on April 30, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American guitarist. ... Elect the Dead is the debut solo album by System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian expected to be released on October 23, 2007 according to the Los Angeles Times on July 15, 2007. ...

John recently sent Howard Stern and Robin Quivers rare spider man comics. It was revealed that he would be advertising his new comic book shop on the Howard Stern radio show. This article is a biography of Howard Stern as an individual; for information regarding his radio show see The Howard Stern Show. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

External links

• John Dolmayan on WikiQuote
• John Dolmayan page at SOADFans
• Torpedo Comics Website
• John Dolmayan page at drummerworld.com
• Tama's info on John's "Toxicity" Kit
• Paiste's info on John's "Toxicity" Cymbal layout
• SOADomized.com