System Of A Down Bassist Makes Video Directorial Debut

11/19/2001 5:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
Kastle

(11/19/01, 5 p.m. ET) -- System Of A Down bassist Shavo Odadjian will step behind the camera for his directorial debut on the video for the title track to the group's second album, Toxicity. Odadjian created the clip's concept, which will be carried out when production begins in Los Angeles next month.

System frontman Serj Tankian tells LAUNCH that such creative control is paramount to the group's existence, far beyond the concept of financial success. "I'm proud to say that we're selfish as far as the art that we do because, ultimately, money doesn't last, fame doesn't last, this whole industry hype thing is bullsh-t. So, the question is: what do you really want to do? Do you want to write music that you like or do you want to make money? And, I made more money having my own software company before this thing," he says. "I did this because I love it. If I was gonna do it for the money I wouldn't be doing this."

Meanwhile, System has lined up appearances next month at four radio-related holiday shows in Washington, D.C.; Seattle; San Jose, California; and Denver. The group will additionally head to Australia for dates in January.

System Of A Down tour dates (subject to change):

December 1 - Washington, D.C. - Patriot Center

December 6 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre

December 7 - San Jose, CA - Compaq Center

December 11 - Denver, CO - Fillmore

-- Neal Weiss, Los Angeles

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