Serj was born in Lebanon, spent his early years there before his parents and his younger brother 'Sevag' moved to Los Angeles. In there, he joined "Rose & Alex Pilibosl" Armenian School, eventually started studies in marketing. Later Serj got a software company 'Ultimate Solutions".in the beginning of 90s Serj met Daron and started the new born band, called it 'Soil'. later renamed it to 'System of a Down'. Serj has a Husky and he loves New Zealand. he wanted to own large property as a studio to build over there but his intend was rejected in 2005, since New Zealand authorities saw there's no national use.Beside System.. Serj has his own record label, Serjical Strike, in an effort to release music otherwise ignored by the mainstream. The first act on this new label was a side-project called "Serart" featuring Serj himself and famed world-musician Arto Tuncboyaciyan. His first poetry book 'Cool Gardens' was published by MTV Books and features artwork by fellow Angeleno, Sako Shahinian.An outspoken musician, Tankian has spoken out against violence and injustice abroad. On September 13, 2001, shortly after the attacks of September 11, 2001, Serj penned an essay, which he posted on the official System of a Down website, titled "Understanding Oil". Promptly removed by Sony, the essay was seen by many, still shaken by the attack, as justification for the terrorists' actions, though this wasn't what Tankian was trying to put across.More recently, Tankian has partnered with Tom Morello of Audioslave (formerly guitarist of Rage Against The Machine) to create Axis of Justice, an activist organization aimed at motivating youth interest in politics. On January 3, 2003, Serj and Tom led a protest march in Santa Monica, California handing out bagged lunches to the homeless in violation of a city ordinance that requires charitable organizations, while handing out food in public, to follow restaurant code. Serj is also a vegetarian. He is also currently working on efforts to make Turkey recognize the Armenian Genocide of 1915.Serj appeared on, and produced the 2005 release by Buckethead & Friends, "Enter the Chicken." under his music label and working on a solo album (unknown release info).