The video to support System Of A Down's latest single, "Boom!," has been directed by guerrilla filmmaker Michael Moore ("Roger & Me," "Bowling for Columbine"). The clip serves as a statement from
The video to support System Of A Down's latest single, "Boom!," has been directed by guerrilla filmmaker Michael Moore ("Roger & Me," "Bowling for Columbine"). The clip serves as a statement from the band against an impending U.S.-led war against Iraq.
"The possibility of the U.S. going to war with Iraq is an extremely personal issue for me because I have family who live there," System Of A Down guitarist Daron Malakian said in a statement. "I visited Iraq when I was a teenager, and I can tell you first-hand that the people who I met there are really nice, ordinary people who don't want war with us or with anyone. So, we'd like to have the 'Boom!' video help change the way people think about the solution to our global problems. We want to make the idea of dropping bombs, of waging war seem as antiquated and ridiculous as it is today for an Afro-American to have to sit at the back of the bus."
The video utilizes footage shot by independent activists and filmmakers at more than 40 recent anti-war marches around the world, including some shot by band members at a Los Angeles pro-peace march. Also featured is satirical animation of President George Bush, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, and terrorist Osama bin Laden riding rockets.
"Like Woody Guthrie or Bob Dylan, System of a Down has crafted a true protest song for the new millennium," Moore added. "I think it will be a powerful, moving music video that will speak to the desires of the millions who will see it -- and it will let them know that they, the people of peace, are not alone."
"Boom!" is featured on System Of A Down's latest release, "Steal This Album!" Released in December, the American/Columbia set debuted at No. 15 on The Billboard 200. As previously reported, System frontman Serj Tankian will on May 6 release "Serart," his collaboration with experimentalist Arto Tuncboyaciyan. The album will be issued on Tankian's Serjical Strike imprint via Columbia.