Daron Malakian

I'm not very happy. I'm frustrated with human beings. I'm the guy who just wants to smack people in the face and say, 'Wake up!' ”

You can't just release double albums and expect people to sit there and devote their time to it. ”

Whatever I write has to evolve around my taste in music at that moment, because that always changes. ”

I don't understand some of the music I hear on MTV or the radio, because they don't mention the times we live in. They have nothing to do with nothing. ”

A lot of MTV's programming is hip-hop based, and the messages are usually all about bling bling. A lot of hip-hop artists sing about stuff that's more important, but they seldom get heard. The ones who get heard are the ones saying, 'Think about yourself. Make your money. It's all you. Everybody have a good time and party.' ”

You know, even U2 took a little time off, and then they came back with a new sound. ”

How does a band like System of a Down get big? ”

System of a Down is the music that I wanted to buy but couldn't find at the store. It's the band I wanted to be a fan of. ”

I like structuring verses, choruses, but sometimes the verses might be a tango and the choruses might be death metal. ”

I am depressed sometimes, but it's not what keeps me at home or focused on work. ”