Noise: Shavo Odadjian talks System of a Down, cannabis and more

NOISE

Talking Toxicity, cannabis and more with System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian

BY BROCK RADKE

Considering the growth of his 22Red cannabis lifestyle brand at venues across the Valley, it might seem like System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian is a Las Vegas resident. The musician, entrepreneur and father of three says he has considered buying a home here, but after the pandemic basically transformed him into a full-time dad, he’s been focusing on his family and his business.

He’ll get back to the business of performing with System at T-Mobile Arena this week—the first of five west coast shows on the art-metal outfit’s schedule.

“It took touring away from me when we had a world tour coming up, so we’re doing small pieces at a time,” Odadjian says. “After these shows, I don’t know when we’ll be playing again. So I’m juggling that with home-schooling. Imagine first-grade and third-grade classes going off, and being in the nursery [with a 3-year-old] and trying to do office Zoom meetings.”

Rock stars are people too, especially during a global pandemic. System just marked the 20th anniversary of seminal album Toxicity, which infamously debuted at No. 1 on September 11, 2001.

“It’s interesting how it really made sense back then. People thought we were talking about the stuff that came after 9/11 on that album,

OPEN SYSTEM

but we were talking about other stuff; it just became relevant,” Odadjian says. “Here we are 20 years later, and it’s just as relevant with what we’re going through again, and the whole planet is going through it.”

He says the group has always enjoyed performing in Las Vegas, and fans should expect an explosive performance considering how long it’s been since the SoCal-born band took the stage. “I haven’t played these songs for three years. It’s going to be something special.”

Meanwhile, offstage, 22Red has evolved and expanded rapidly in California, Nevada and Arizona, recently dropping exclusive new products here. There are 14 strains available in Las Vegas at Curaleaf, Jade, Cultivate, MedMen, the Source and other dispensaries, plus two concentrates that haven’t launched anywhere else. Odadjian notes the company also grows in greenhouses in Las Vegas, which offers some cannabis choices that aren’t yet available in California or Arizona. “The vibe of the brand is never gonna change, always the same energy, but it’s becoming a little bigger,” he says. “It’s out of your hands a little bit when it comes to what happens in different states, but I’m still there to hold everything accountable—the genetics, the packaging, coming in and checking every nug to make sure what is being grown is up to the standard. We’ve been able to keep it boutique, because the people we partner with understand it and love it and are carrying on the vision.”

Odadjian is also carrying on with a musical side project he began before the pandemic, a band called North Kingsley that started with a distinct hip-hop flavor. That crew has been writing and recording during the shutdown, and it’s taking off in a new direction.

“It’s turning into more of a rock thing and becoming way more heavy, and that makes me happy, because that’s my DNA,” he says. “We’re not rushing it. I think North Kingsley is going to be something special, and I’m excited for System fans to hear this new stuff.”

SYSTEM OF A DOWN

With Korn & Russian Circles. October 15, 7:30 p.m., $50-$150. T-Mobile Arena, 702-692-1616.