Shavo Odadjian
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| Background information |
| Birth name |
Shavarsh S. Odadjian |
| Born |
April 22, 1974 (1974-04-22) (age 34) |
| Origin |
Yerevan, Armenian SSR |
| Genre(s) |
Alternative metal, Hip hop, Experimental rock, Nu metal, Hard rock |
| Occupation(s) |
Musician, songwriter, director |
| Instrument(s) |
Bass guitar, Guitar, Backing vocals |
| Years active |
1994 - present |
| Label(s) |
American, Columbia, urSESSION |
| Associated acts |
System of a Down
Achozen |
| Notable instrument(s) |
| Gibson Thunderbird |
Shavarsh "Shavo" Odadjian (born April 22, 1974) is the bassist for the Los Angeles-based alternative metal band, System of a Down.
Early life
Odadjian was born in Yerevan, Armenian SSR. In his youth, Shavo used to spend all his time skateboarding and listening to punk rock and heavy metal music. Among others, he names Dead Kennedys, KISS, Slayer and Black Sabbath as his favorite bands with great influence on his future musical development.
Odadjian moved to Los Angeles, California at a very young age, where he was raised in large part by his grandmother, after whose death he claims to have lost faith and to have stopped praying every night as he did before. He attended the Alex Pilibos Elementary School in Los Angeles, an Armenian parochial school, along with his future bandmates Daron Malakian and Serj Tankian, although they were not acquainted at the time due to the age difference.
Career
While working in a bank, he started managing Soil, the band of Malakian and Tankian in 1993 after meeting them in a recording studio, where he was recording with his own band. In 1995, Shavo became the permanent bassist of the band. They then named themselves System of a Down after a poem titled Victims of a Down, which was written by bandmate Daron Malakian.
In addition, Odadjian is a popular DJ in the LA area, taking part in such events as the "Rock/DJ Explosion" on March 2nd 2001 at The Roxy in Hollywood, CA and collaborating with bandmate Tankian on SerArt, the singers side project with multitalented Armenian musician Arto Tunçboyac-yan. He goes by the name DJ Tactic.
Without knowing, Shavo became famous for his long large beard. Bandmate Serj Tankian had mentioned to him that he should have one like his. In 2006 the band all had beards that reached past their shoulders.
Film work
Stating himself to be a "very visual person," he has also directed music videos for System of a Down (being Aerials, Toxicity, Question! and Hypnotize), and Taproot, creating surreal atmospheres and using innovative methods in filming. He appeared in the 1993 "Big Gun" video by AC/DC, standing alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in the crowd, sporting a backwards baseball cap
Odadjian the musician
System of a Down
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Shavo Odadjian plays both guitar and bass, and claims to play guitar better than he does bass. Apart from playing bass, Shavo sings backing vocals live on the song, "Bounce", with a strange high pitched voice, along with other songs such as "Needles," "Sugar," and "Lost in Hollywood". He usually plays bass with a pick, but he can be seen using his fingers during certain songs.
AcHoZeN
Odadjian has started a side project with The RZA from The Wu-Tang Clan, and they have already begun recording. They have plans for tours and a movie.[1] They recently picked up a name for the band, Achozen, and their first live show was at the Key Club in L.A in December 1st, 2006.[2]
Discography
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Equipment
Basses
Effects
Amplifiers
References
External links
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