Particularly Odadjian's beard quickly became a part of his signature look.Ĭommenting on System of a Down's reputation for biting, socially and politically charged lyrics, Odadjian has rejected the label of System of a Down as a 'political band' in interviews.

Physically Odadjian catches the eye through his notoriously scaling, braided beard, and spiked arm bracelet. Odadjian is credited with writing noted System of a Down songs, among them ' Toxicity', ' Sugar', 'Jet Pilot', 'Bounce,' 'Mind,' 'Dreaming,' and 'U-Fig.' He has directed a majority of the band's music videos, and is responsible for stage design and lighting for each of their live performances. His usual style of playing bass is with a pick, although he also has been seen fingerpicking during certain songs. Odadjian plays bass in System of a Down, and also sings live backing vocals. Their first release was titled 'Sugar.' Soon after, drummer Andy Khachaturian joined the band but was replaced in 1997 by current drummer John Dolmayan due to a hand injury. It was at this time that Odadjian passed on his original managerial responsibilities to Velvet Hammer Music. The band has stated that they also wanted their CDs to be placed in stores alongside their favorite band, Slayer. They named themselves System of a Down, after a poem written by bandmate Daron Malakian entitled 'Victims of a Down.' Odadjian was not keen on being labeled 'Victims,' and thought that the word 'System' appealed to a much broader audience. In 1995, Odadjian became the band's permanent bassist.

Among others, he credits Dead Kennedys, Slayer, Black Sabbath and Metallica as his favorite bands, and the most substantial influence on his musical development and career. During his youth, Odadjian has stated that he spent most of his time skateboarding and listening to punk rock and heavy metal music. He moved to Los Angeles at the age of five and attended the Alex Pilibos Elementary School, an Armenian parochial school, along with future bandmates Daron Malakian and Serj Tankian although they were not acquainted at the time due to a gap in their ages. Odadjian was born in Yerevan, Armenian SSR, Soviet Union.

Last system of a down album