System of a Down plays KROQ stage at Best Buy

The So. Calif. band System of a Down is the newest addition to the play list at KROQ radio, and they know a good thing when they see one. The station held a free concert on 11/13/99 in conjunction with the signing of the calendar and invited SOAD to play live. The event took place in the parking lot of the Best Buy store complex in Pasadena. The fans came out in droves to see one of the best and most original acts today.

Until recently it all but seemed that the station had a policy against playing some of the newer metal bands. System played their mixture of metal blended with Armenian and Middle Eastern and even jazz melodies to a very hyped crowd.

System's, lyrical content is as heavy and intense as the music they play. They’re a band that is not afraid to stand for something, re-enforcing their rich musical textures with political and social commentary. Everything about them is unique, the sight of them, the sound of them, as well as their mind set. Watching them perform is a real treat. The boys from System came on, and played hard in spite of the fact that they were having a real problem with the sound for the first two songs. The glitch aside, everyone was really into them. The kids up front who had been waiting since 7:00 am (some even earlier) got what they came for.

Some of the highlights were P.L.U.C.K., Suite Pee, a very "System" cover version of Berlin’s Metro, Suggestions, and yes, Sugar. System of a Down is scheduled to play three dates in December in Hollywood (these are the make-up shows for the canceled shows from October) 12/1 at the Whisky, 12/3 at the Roxy, and 12/4 at the Troubadour. Word has it that all three shows are sold out due to the band honoring the original tickets, but keep your eyes and ears open, maybe they’ll be some last chances to try and get tickets, who knows. Don’t forget to enter our contest while you are here.