Episode 18

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Published on:

13th Jun 2026

Roots of Rebellion: Serj Tankian's Down with the System

This week on Loud Lit, Matt dives into Serj Tankian's powerful 2024 memoir, Down with the System. Behind System of a Down's wild, zany riffs and legendary vocals is a story deeply rooted in activism, heritage, and the fight for justice. We explore the band's unlikely rise to stardom, internal band friction, and Serj's lifelong mission to gain recognition for the Armenian Genocide that directly impacted his ancestors.

Want to read Serj's story for yourself? Grab your copy of Down with the System at the Loud Lit Bookshop Page. Shopping small instead of defaulting to Amazon is a total punk rock move, and it directly keeps this show running!

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About the Podcast

Loud Lit
A show about books about music
Deepen your appreciation of your favorite artists and genres. On Loud Lit, your host Matt Reno, a former rock radio DJ and forever music nerd, delivers reviews of books about rock and hip hop music. Tune in to find your next read.

About your host

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Matt Reno

Former rock radio DJ. Forever rock music nerd.