Serj Tankian launches solo album, tour

September 11, 2007 07:09 PM
System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian is gearing up for the release of his debut solo album, which he'll support with tours of North America and Europe beginning next month.

The rocker will start in Chicago Oct. 12 and visit clubs and theaters in major markets all over the US, as well as Toronto, through the end of the month. In November, he'll join the Foo Fighters for a run of European arena shows. North American dates are listed below.

Tankian's self-produced solo set, "Elect the Dead," is scheduled to drop Oct. 23. The album's first single, "Empty Walls," hits radio this week, with the video premiering on MySpace tomorrow (9/12).

Another album track, "The Unthinking Majority," is currently streaming at Tankian's website and MySpace page to make a political point.

"'The Unthinking Majority' is a song that I needed to release now, before my record or single comes out, to make a statement about the current catastrophe of our failing democracy," the singer said in a statement. "It is unlike any other song on my solo record and meant to inspire collective action."

Tankian said the album comprises political songs, funny songs and love songs, as well as tunes about painful experiences, vanity and the environment.

"It has a deep melancholy that runs from the personal to the global, with a glimmer of hope in the solidarity of spirit," he explained.

Tankian plays most of the instruments on the set, though he was joined by guest drummers John Dolmayan (System of a Down) and Brian "Brain" Mantia (Primus).

[Note: The following tour dates have been provided by artist and/or tour sources, who verify its accuracy as of the publication time of this story. Changes may occur before tickets go on sale. Check with official artist websites, ticketing sources and venues for late updates.]
 tour dates and tickets
October 2007
12 - Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre
14 - Toronto, Ontario - Guvernment
15 - Boston, MA - Paradise
17 - New York, NY - The Fillmore @ Irving Plaza
18 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of Living Arts
20 - Atlanta, GA - The Roxy
22 - Dallas. TX - Granada Theatre
25 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues
27 - Los Angeles, CA - Avalon
28 - San Francisco, CA - Slims

 tour dates and tickets

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