In a recent chat with Revolver, System Of A Down's Serj Tankian spoke on a wide range of topics, including how he defines nü-metal, and how he's really getting tired of people screaming "WAKE UP!" at him everywhere he fucking goes. For those somehow unaware, "WAKE UP!" is the first (and very sudden) lyric in System of a Down's 2001 classic "Chop Suey!" that has all at once become one of Tankian's finest achievements and the bane of his existence.
"People will scare the shit outta me and yell 'wake up' behind me like, somewhere, wherever, in public," he said. "[They're] like 'WAKE UP!' [and] I'm like 'Fuck, dude!… Really?!?? Like, 'Wow, hey… I'm glad you're excited, but don't do that!"
For what it's worth, Tankian is not alone. I don't think there's anybody who's a fan of rock who hasn't had the lyrics to "Chop Suey!" yelled in their face. It was like a zeitgeist moment where being a complete lunatic in public and shattering the nervous systems of your friends was in vogue.
But you don't do it to the "WAKE UP!" guy himself. Maybe go watch one of these two pro-shot rehearsal sets from 1998 instead to take your mind off the now-present compulsion of yelling "WAKE UP!" at someone. Or anyone, really. Maybe just don't scare the shit out of people in public, period.
Tankian will release a new EP called Perplex Cities on October 21 and is now streaming the first single "Pop Imperialism" outside his recently-announced VR experience.
"This whole collection of songs within Perplex Cities is a completely different sound than what I’ve done before," said Tankian about the Perplex Cities EP. "More electronic, subtle and deeper in terms of its layers of presentation musically. Perplex Cities gives off an aura that is unique and unlike my previous releases."
