System of a Down’s drummer John Dolmayan shared the band’s remarkable radio journey in an interview with Lilian Tahmasian. K-rock, one of the country’s most influential radio stations, initially rejected the band before their rise to unprecedented success.
“The biggest radio station in the country, the one that kind of dictates to the world what’s played on the radio, is K-rock, right? And they said, ‘We’ll never play this band,'” Dolmayan recalled. “And then a year later, we were the number one played band on a station in history.”
“When ‘Chop Suey’ came out, it was number one for like, a year,” he continued. “So we went from ‘You’ll never be played on this station’ to ‘You can’t, you can’t avoid us.’ It was faith, whatever you want to call it. I believe everybody has their destiny. But you kind of guide your own destiny in life.”
“If I didn’t practice so much, if I didn’t have the, I guess, mental illness that it takes to be an artist, in a lot of ways, to be hyper-focused,” Dolmayan added. “I’m telling you, I would play until my hands bled, like when you watch that movie ‘Whiplash.’ That was my life.”
The band’s transformation from radio outcasts to mainstream success represents a pivotal moment in their career. Their achievements in commercial performance support this remarkable journey.
Commercial Success Of ‘Chop Suey!’
Research from Chart Masters revealed ‘Chop Suey!’s impressive performance. The song reached number 76 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and claimed the number 7 spot on the Alternative Songs chart.
The single’s success extended into the digital era. Sales surpassed 3.2 million digital copies, making it one of System of a Down’s strongest commercial releases.
Early Radio Struggles
System of a Down’s discography records paint a picture of early challenges. Their first singles, including ‘Sugar,’ achieved chart positions but struggled to gain widespread radio acceptance.
The release of ‘Toxicity’ marked their breakthrough moment. This album finally opened doors to mainstream radio success.
K-Rock’s Industry Influence
Music industry archives highlight K-rock’s dominant role during this era. The station’s playlist choices influenced radio stations nationwide.
K-rock’s eventual support of System of a Down created a ripple effect. Their acceptance opened new opportunities across the radio landscape and transformed the band’s mainstream visibility.
