Shavo Odadjian

At 50 years old, Shavo Odadjian has this physical status:

Shavarsh "Shavo" Odadjian, an Armenian-American singer, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, music video producer, and painter, was born on April 22, 1974.

System of a Down is best known for his bassist, backing vocalist, and occasional songwriter.

Odadjian collaborated with Wu-Tang Clan founder RZA on a project called AcHoZeN, which featured a number of songs to the motion picture Babylon A.D. in 2005.

Along With The Rza and Hans Zimmer, Odadjian is also credited with the film's musical direction.

He started using Gibson Thunderbird basses, a Fender Jazz Bass, an Ibanez BTB bass guitar, and a Music Man StingRay, but has since switched to Warwick basses.

Early life

Odadjian was born in Yerevan, Armenian SSR, Soviet Union. He and his future bandmates Daron Malakian and Serj Tankian joined Alex Pilibos Elementary School, an Armenian parochial academy, at the age of five, although they were not connected at the time due to a vacancy in their ages.

Odadjian has stated that the bulk of his time in skateboarding and listening to punk rock and heavy metal music throughout his youth. Among other things, he recommends Dead Kennedys, Slayer, Black Sabbath, and Metallica as his favorite bands and the most influential influence on his musical growth and career.

Personal life

Odadjian has three children.

Source

Recording career

Odadjian began managing Soil while attending college (majoring in Psychology and minoring in Art) and working in a bank. Daron Malakian and Serj Tankian were a member of the band Daron Malakian in 1993. In a recording studio, where he was rehearsing, Odadjian had met them. Members of the band called on him for assistance, and he took over the band's leadership. In an early interview, Odadjian admits that securing System's first local job was a challenge:

Odadjian joined the band as the band's permanent bassist in 1995. After a poem written by bandmate Daron Malakian entitled "Victims of a Down," they referred to System of a Down. Odadjian was not keen on being labeled "victims" and believed that the word "system" connected to a much larger audience. The band has stated that they also wanted their CDs to be sold in bookstores alongside their new favorite band, Slayer. It was during this period that Odadjian resigned from his original managerial duties to Velvet Hammer Music. The first release of "Sugar" was named on the front page. Soon after, drummer Andy Khachaturian joined the band but was forced to leave in 1997 by new drummer John Dolmayan due to a hand injury.

Odadjian plays bass in System of a Down and also performs live backing vocals. His usual playing bass style is with a pick, though he has also been caught fingerpicking during certain songs. Odadjian is credited with writing "The System of a Down"; "Toxicity," "Sugar," "Jet Pilot," "Bounce," "Dreaming," and "U-Fig." He has produced the majority of the band's songs and is in charge of stage design and lighting for all of the band's live performances.

As he attempted to reach the Van Andel Arena by security guards on October 21, 2001, he was assaulted, racially profiled, and led out of the Van Andel Arena by security guards. In March 2003, he filed a lawsuit.

Odadjian's physical appearance stands out due to his distinctively scaling, braided beard, and spiked arm bracelet. Odadjian's beard soon became a feature of his signature appearance, especially because of its curvature.

In interviews, Odadjian referred to a Down's reputation for biting, socioeconomic, and politically charged songs as a "political band."

He has stated:

Between 2006 and 2010, the band was on hiatus, with group members concentrating on non-profits. System announced on November 23, 2010, that they would attend a number of European festivals in 2011, and that they would perform a number of shows in western North America as well.

Odadjian and Daron Malakian and John Dolmayan, along with other members of System of a Down's "Pee," were held on the Roxy in which they jammed on stage and perform various songs together, including System of a Down's "Suite-Pee." The System of a Down trio performed System songs together on November 20, 2009, recognizing Chi Cheng, a coma-stricken Chi Cheng of the Deftones, with Chino Moreno of Deftones performing on lead vocals.

AcHoZeN, a side venture launched by Odadjian in May 2006. The musical partnership between Odadjian, Wu-Tang Clan founder RZA, Kinetic 9 (aka: Beretta 9 from Killarmy), and Chicago's up-and-coming Reverend William Burke is a music collaboration.

Achozen's mantra is:

The four principals claim that their unique sound is not solely spiritual in essence, but rather a new breed of "heavy hip hop," not "rap-metal." There are no heavy guitars on the album, but the song is genre-blending. The bulk of the Achozen album was recorded at one of Odadjian's two studios and was also made by him. The bulk of the beats were produced by Odadjian (only two samples were used on the entire record) who also played live instruments such as bass and sitar. According to Odadjian, RZA, who made his share of beats, Kinetic 9 and the Reverend William Burke perform the bulk of the vocals and lyrics, which are described as "some of the most innovative, poetic, and righteous words and vocals that I've ever heard." On the album "Deuces," "Salute/Sacrifice," and other songs, Odadjian's vocals can also be heard.

Funk-master George Clinton, Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante, Wu-Tang founding member GZA, Wu-Tang founder GZA, and Angolan rapper Leggezin Fin are among the many guest stars on Achozen's debut, including Funk-master George Clinton, Red Hot Chili Peppers founding member John Frusciante, Wu-Tang founder Joseph Sick Jacken from Psycho Realm.

One writer characterized Achozen's music as a "ethical journey in hip-hop":

AcHoZeN has been described by Odadjian as a "cultural revolution." It's not just a band; it's a way of thinking." RZA and Odadjian are looking forward to their forthcoming tours. Achozen appears on the big motion picture Babylon A.D., in which AcHoZeN's song "Deuces" is heard blaring at the unveiling of the film. On December 1, 2006, AcHoZeN's first live show was at the Key Club in Los Angeles.

"Salute/Sacrifice," AcHoZeN's second track "Salute/Sacrifice" was released exclusively as a free download on Odadjian's online art district and networking portal urSESSION.com from the forthcoming AcHoZeN debut album on Friday, November 13, 2009. The AcHoZeN album was supposed to be released in mid-2010, but it has yet to be announced due in large part to Odadjian's commitment to System of a Down.

The collection of 8 songs based on a boombox digital format was released in 2015. More songs could be released soon, as it has been reported that many more are mixed and released.

Odadjian joined Ray Hawthorne and Saro Paparian's project as executive producer in 2019. After a few months as a member of the band, he rejoined the club and renamed the group North Kingsley.

Shavo talked with Wall of Sound, revealing that the band derived from the first street he walked on when he first arrived in Los Angeles from Armenia in 1979. Odadjian, Ray Hawthorne, and Saro Paparian are among the lines.

In 2020, Odadjian formed North Kingsley, a tribute band starring Saro Paparian and Ray Hawthorne. On August 6, the band "Like That" was their debut single. The band's second EP, Vol. 2, was released on December 4, 2020.

Odadjian founded urSESSION, a virtual online art district and networking portal aimed at uniting artists of all genres and styles around the world in early 2008. Narb Avedissian, Odadjian's long-time associate and entertainment lawyer, is also responsible for the website. Sway & King Tech (also MTV resident veejay) and other notable rappers were featured in the site's exclusive archived, never-before-seen video of Eminem, Dr. Dre, and other influential rappers when they first started in the business.

UrsESSION declared The 100K Battle, a competition for the online community in which the artist with the most votes received by the community received a round-trip ticket to Los Angeles to compete on Power 106's The World-Famous Wake-Up Show, along with other prizes in early 2008.

In addition,, Odadjian is a well-known DJ in the Los Angeles area, appearing on "Rock/DJ Explosion" on March 2, 2001, the singer's collaboration album with multitalented Armenian musician Arto Tunçboyacyan is a hit on television, with the singer appearing on "Rock/DJ Explosion" and collaborating with Serj Tankian on Serart. Odadjian goes by the name DJ Tactics, and his music ranges from hip-hop, tech-house, classic rock, and metal.

Odadjian has been playing as part of George Clinton's support band (Funkadelic). In a live performance with Clinton on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in September 2008, he appeared (playing guitar rather than bass) rather than bass. Odadjian also appears on George Clinton and His Gangsters of Love, a documentary that includes many guest artists, including Odadjian's Achozen bandmate John Frusciante, Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante, and Carlos Santana. He also expressed an interest in pop music.

Odadjian was executive producer for Abloom, a side project of Onesidezero, Snot, and Soulfly. Odadjian is currently coaching the band Chameleon Conductor on their debut album. Dave Odadjian's younger brother, as well as his cousin Harry Markarian, who plays the guitar, plays bass.

In September 2009, it was announced that Odadjian would be performing live in Europe as DecompoZeR. He will be accompanying Rza. DecompoZeR is Odadjian's producer alias. He revealed that finished tracks would be released in 2010, including Frukwan aka: The Gatekeeper. 602nd Assassin, Killah Priest, and others have collaborated on other projects.

Source