Scars on Broadway

Scars on Broadway is an Armenian-American rock band, founded by System of a Down member Daron Malakian.^[2] The band's eponymous debut album was released on July 29, 2008.

In late 2008, the band entered a hiatus, with Malakian citing a lack of enthusiasm and "his heart not being into touring", as the primary reasons for the band's cessation. In 2010, the band performed 2 shows in the LA area. In 2012, the band returned with a new lineup and announced the release of an EP and a new full length album.

History

Early incarnation (2003)

In 2003, Daron Malakian (lead guitar and vocals), Greg Kelso (rhythm guitar), Shavo Odadjian (bass), Casey Chaos (vocals), and Zach Hill (drums) recorded a demo tape entitled "Ghetto Blaster Rehearsals" credited to the name Scars on Broadway. However, in 2007, an official letter appeared on the band's website that stated that these tracks are not in any way affiliated with Malakian's later project Scars on Broadway. Incidentally, these demo sessions produced "BYOB," which would be a major hit for System of a Down in 2005.

Self-titled debut album (2005–2008)

In December 2005, Malakian stated in an interview that he "could release ten solo records tomorrow." and that he has"tons of material laying around. After these albums, - (Mezmerize and Hypnotize) - I'm gonna go off to learn how to brain and do something on my own, just like Serj. And no, System of a Down is not breaking up. We're just gonna do like KISS and put out our own solo records."

Following System's hiatus, Malakian announced his latest project — Scars on Broadway — a band which would include System of a Down bassist, Shavo Odadjian, and himself. Ultimately, Odadjian was not involved with the band, and instead System drummer, John Dolmayan became a member.

After Malakian and Dolmayan experimented with different musicians, for a period of nine months in 2007 - 2008 the band took form and forged its sound in intense rehearsals and recording sessions under Malakian’s direction, at his home studio and Sunset Sound; with musicians Danny Shamoun on keyboards, Dominic Cifarelli on bass, and Franky Perez on guitar and backing vocals. In keeping secrecy from the press, the additional members adopted the title “the unofficial members”.

The band's website featured a countdown timer, counting down to 15:00 PST of March 28, 2008. Additionally, above the timer, in quotation marks was the phrase "They say it's all about to end." When the countdown ended, the song "They Say", was made available on the site. The song is also available for listening on the band's official MySpace page. It is no longer available as a free download.

Scars on Broadway played their first live show April 11, 2008 at the Whisky A Go Go in Los Angeles, CA. They have also confirmed to be playing with Metallica at KFMA Day 2008 in Tucson, AZ.^[3] On January 22, 2008 Scars on Broadway were announced to be performing at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 26, 2008.^[4] On May 17 of that year, the band also performed at the sixteenth annual KROQ Weenie Roast. Additional tour dates were announced on their official website on the 30th of May.^[4]

On May 2, 2008, Scars announced on their official website that their debut album, Scars on Broadway, would be released on the 28th and 29 July.

Starting from May 28, 2008, "They Say" is available for purchase at iTunes Music store. On July 20, 2008, "They Say" was featured as iTunes' Free Single of the Week. On June 20 Scars on Broadway released a teaser for their single "They Say" on a MySpace bulletin. In the teaser, the video is said to premiere soon.

"They Say" was also included in the end of 2008 Kerrang! compilation album, amongst other popular and new rock music by various artists.

The video for their first single "They Say" premiered on Yahoo's music page on June 27. The song "Chemicals" was made available to listen to on the band's MySpace page on July 8.

On July 25, it was announced that "They Say" would be a downloadable track for the video game Rock Band on July 29 for Xbox 360 and July 31 for PS3. "They Say" also appears on Guitar Hero 5.

On July 28, 2008, Scars On Broadway was released to critical acclaim, with Kerrang! giving it a rare '5 K' rating.

Also on July 28, Scars on Broadway played a record release show at the Union Station in Los Angeles.

Hiatus and USO tour (2008–2009)

In late 2008, Malakian announced via the band's website that their headlining tour to promote the album's release, which included an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, would be cancelled with no plans of rescheduling.

Although no official confirmation was released, interviews with both bassist Dominic Cifarelli and drummer John Dolmayan seemed to confirm that the band was finished.^[5][6]

However, in May 2009 when asked if the band would ever record or perform again, drummer John Dolmayan stated: "I’m not sure, but I do miss it."^[7]

In June 2009, Perez announced via his official myspace that he was in the studio collaborating with Velvet Revolver guitarist Dave Kushner.^[8][9] To date they have released three song for free via the Franky Perez official website^[10][11][12] under the pseudonym of DKFXP, a combination of the initials of Franky and Kushner.

In August 2009, Dolmayan, Perez, Shamoun, and Cifarelli as Scars on Broadway traveled to Iraq for a USO tour across the U.S. army bases. Their setlist consisted of covers well as a few Scars songs. Perez stated on his Twitter that "the Scars tunes sound amazing but they're not the same without D..." He also stated before they left that Malakian had given them his blessing.^{[citation needed]}

In October, Perez stated on his Twitter account that he and bandmate John Dolmayan were jamming with Weezer bassist Scott Shriner and Velvet Revolver guitarist Dave Kushner, who Perez had been working with before.^[13] He also stated that he had been in the studio with Malakian.

On October 31, 2009, Malakian performed with Perez, Dolmayan, and System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian for Odadjian's Holloween party at the Roxy. The group performed a System of a Down song ("Suite-Pee"), a Scars on Broadway song ("They Say") as well as an unknown song. It was the first time that Malakian had been in the public eye for a year. Soon after, their photographer Greg Watermann had posted a message on Myspace saying "I'm not supposed to say anything, but Scars will be playing again," hinting that Scars might be coming back soon.

Comeback & Second Album (2010–present)

On April 13, 2010, Scars on Broadway announced that they were performing a show at The Troubadour in West Hollywood, California, on Sunday, May 2, 2010.^[14]

On May 2, 2010, Scars on Broadway, this time the complete line-up (with Malakian on lead vocals and guitar), played a sold out show at The Troubadour in West Hollywood. The band performed all of the songs off their first album (except for Kill Each Other / Live Forever), as well as a new song dubbed by the bands setlist as "Talkin' Shit." They also played a cover song "Forever My Queen" by the band Pentagram. System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian accompanied and played 3rd guitar for "Cute Machines" and "They Say." Daron played an Ibanez Iceman.

On July 29, 2010, a new song titled "Fucking" was released onto the website http://www.armageddoncomealive.com/ to commemorate their upcoming show at The Avalon.

On August 20, 2010, Scars on Broadway, played a sold out show at the Avalon in Hollywood. The first 500 attendees received a vinyl edition of the song, "Fucking" and the first 20 out of that 500 received an autographed vinyl of the song, "Fucking." The band performed all of the songs off their first album (except for Kill Each Other / Live Forever), and performed "Hungry Ghost" (off of the Japanese edition of their album), "Fucking", "Talkin' Shit", and a cover song "Assimilate" by the band Skinny Puppy. Shavo Odadjian accompanied and played 3rd guitar for "Cute Machines" and "They Say." Daron played a Gibson Flying V.

On March 14, 2011 Greg Watermann (System Of A Down's photographer) released a music video for "Fucking". The footage was shot at Scars On Broadway's sold-out show at the Avalon on August 20, 2010.

On January 11, 2012 it was announced that they are currently recording their sophomore album and it is expected to be released sometime in the Summer. ^{[citation needed]}

On February 24, 2012 System of a Down announced that the Scars on Broadway website (http://scarsonbroadway.com/) is back online featuring a preview of a new song called "Guns Are Loaded". In August 2012 John Dolmayan announced he is no longer part of Scars on Broadway, and that a new Scars on Broadway album will be released in the next 3 to 4 months.^[15]

In September 2012, it was revealed that an EP will also come out, sometime around the release of their second album. In the same month, Scars on Broadway performed at the Epicenter Festival in Irvine, Ca. This was the first show with new drummer Jules Pampena. Aside from the absence of original drummer John Dolmayan, backup vocalist and rhythm guitarist Franky Perez did not perform with the band. Perez confirmed on his Facebook that he is no longer in the band.^[16]

There has been almost no communication from the band or its record label. Daron had previous plans for the new, and still, untitled album to be out early 2013 (according to live shows where they toured new, unreleased songs). He is doing all of the production and recording every instrument by himself in the studio. However, after one year since the relaunch of scarsonbroadway.com, which states the new album and EP are "coming soon", no new significant information regarding the CD being released has been given by the record label nor has there been an official statement by the band on a new record.

Musical style

From its early days, Daron Malakian always addressed the project as just rock, and "a lot more rock driven, although there will be some metal influences in the System of a Down style". On what direction the debut album would take, Malakian states: "It will probably be something electronic mixed in with traditional Armenian and thrash, death, black, and doom metal influences. When the music comes out, it will still be structured, just like System of a Down's music is." In a later interview, Malakian stated that the music would be influenced by classic rock acts such as David Bowie, Brian Eno, Neil Young, and Roxy Music. He also stated that he shifted his songwriting from System of a Down's frazzled metal to more song-based work, inspired by Neil Young and David Bowie. "I don't feel we're the mosh-pit band," says Malakian. "That's just where I'm comfortable as a writer right now," he said, hinting at the band's rock over metal music approach.

Band members

Current members

• Daron Malakian — lead vocals, bass guitar (studio), keyboards (studio), lead guitar (2003, 2006–2008, 2010–present)
• Danny Shamoun — keyboards, percussion (tour) (2008–present)
• Dominic Cifarelli — bass guitar, backing vocals (tour) (2008–present)
• Jules Pampena — drums, percussion (2012–present)

Former members

• John Dolmayan — drums, percussion (2006–2009, 2010–2012)
• Franky Perez — rhythm guitar, vocals (2008–2009, 2010–2012), lead vocals (2009)
• Shavo Odadjian - bass guitar (2003)
• Greg Kelso - rhythm guitar (2003)
• Casey Chaos - lead vocals (2003)
• Zach Hill - drums (2003)

Discography

Studio albums

Demos

• 2003: Ghetto Blaster Rehearsals

Singles

Music videos

References

External links

• Scars on Broadway's official website