Scars on Broadway

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." Following System of a Down'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.

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 and their Myspace account.

Scars on Broadway played their first live show April 11, 2008 at the Whisky A Go Go in Los Angeles, CA. They also played with Metallica at KFMA Day 2008 in Tucson, AZ On January 22, 2008 Scars on Broadway were announced to be performing at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 26, 2008. and the sixteenth annual KROQ Weenie Roast.

On May 2, 2008, announced that their debut album, Scars on Broadway, would be released on the July 28, 2008. The first single would be the aforementioned "They Say", which would receive radio airplay, and be made available on Guitar Hero 5 and as a downloadable track on Rock Band.

Hiatus, reformation, and second hiatus (2008–present)

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. Interviews with both Cifarelli and Dolmayan suggested that the band was finished. When asked later in May 2009 if the band would ever record or perform again, drummer John Dolmayan stated: "I’m not sure, but I do miss it."

In August 2009, Dolmayan, Perez, Shamoun, and Cifarelli as Scars on Broadway traveled to Iraq for a USO tour across the US army bases, without Malakian. 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..." 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.

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."

On July 29, 2010, a new song titled "Fucking" was released 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. Odadjian again accompanied and played 3rd guitar for "Cute Machines" and "They Say." A music video for "Fucking" was later released in March 2011, using footage from the concert.

In January 2012, the band announced they'd be recording a second album. By February, a preview of a new song called "Guns Are Loaded" was released. In August, Dolmayan announced his departure, but stated the album was still scheduled for release "in the next 3 to 4 months". In September 2012, an accompanying EP was announced to come out around the release of their second album as well. The band also performed at the Epicenter Festival in Irvine, Ca. with new drummer Jules Pampena. However, Perez was not present, and later confirmed he had left the band as well.

Despite plans for an untitled album to be out early 2013 mentioned at live shows, no new information regarding the album has been made. Furthermore, the official Scars on Broadway Facebook page lists Daron Malakian as the only current member.

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

Discography