Ontronik "Andy" Khachaturian (born May 4, 1975) is an Armenian American musician, producer and DJ. He is known for being the original drummer (1994–1997) of the metal band

System of a Down System of a Down (also known as SoaD or simply System) is an Armenian-American heavy metal band formed in Glendale, California, in 1994. Since 1997, the band has consisted of Serj Tankian (lead vocals, keyboards); Daron Malakian (guitar, voc ...

and founder/lead vocalist (1999–2002) of the alt-progressive rock band

The Apex Theory Mt. Helium, formerly known as the Apex Theory, was an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, that was known for playing Mediterranean music mixed with progressive rock. The band has released three studio albums and three extended play ...

, as well as the member of his band VoKee. He was also the founder/drummer/keyboardist and backing vocalist of KillMatriarch (2010–2012) and currently is working on his solo project, OnTronik.

History

System of a Down

Khachaturian was born to Armenian parents in Los Angeles, California. He met

Daron Malakian Daron Malakian (born July 18, 1975) is an Armenian-American musician. He is best known as the guitarist, songwriter, and second vocalist of metal band System of a Down, and as the lead vocalist, lead guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and songwrit ...

and

Shavo Odadjian Shavarsh "Shavo" Odadjian ( hy, Շավարշ "Շավո" Օդաջյան; born April 22, 1974) is an Armenian-American musician, best known as the bassist of heavy metal band System of a Down. He also plays bass in a trap group called North Kingsl ...

in high school. He then met

Serj Tankian Serj Tankian (born August 21, 1967) is an Armenian-American singer, musician, songwriter, political activist and entrepreneur. He is best known as the lead vocalist, primary lyricist, keyboardist, and occasional rhythm guitarist of heavy metal ...

when they decided in 1994 to form the band

. Together, they recorded a demo titled "Untitled 1995 Demo" and "Demo Tape 1". In 1996, they recorded "Demo Tape 2" and in 1997, recorded "Demo Tape 3" and "Demo Tape 4". In 1997, after spending three years with System of a Down, Khachaturian had to leave the band due to an injury inflicted while practicing

Jeet Kune Do Jeet Kune Do is a primarily wing chun kung fu inspired eclectic martial arts philosophy heavily influenced and adapted by the Taoist personal life philosophy and experiences of martial artist Bruce Lee. Overview and philosophy Jeet Kune Do ...

after punching a hole in the wall and breaking every bone in his hand. He was replaced by

John Dolmayan John Dolmayan (; born July 15, 1972) is a Lebanese-born Armenian-American musician, best known as the drummer of System of a Down. He is also the drummer for the band Indicator and former drummer for Scars on Broadway. Dolmayan ranked number 33 ...

, the current drummer of System of a Down.

The Apex Theory, VoKee, KillMatriarch and DJ stage

In 1998, Khachaturian, with Art Karamian, David Hakopyan and Sammy J. Watson, decided to form the band

, bringing to market two music albums and an EP. In 2002, he left the band because of musical differences. After leaving The Apex Theory, Khachaturian formed a rock band in 2004 with a group of friends, called VoKee. In 2010, he co-founded the industrial rock trio KillMatriarch and produced the first EP titled "Order Through Chaos". In 2012, the band disbanded and currently, Khachaturian is working in Los Angeles on his OnTronik solo project.

Bands

Discography

System of a Down

*''Untitled 1995 Demo '' (1995) *''Demo Tape 1'' (1995) *''Demo Tape 2'' (1996) *''Demo Tape 3'' (1997) *''Demo Tape 4'' (1997)

The Apex Theory

*''Extendemo (EP)'' (2000) *''The Apex Theory (EP)'' (2001) *''

Topsy-Turvy ''Topsy-Turvy'' is a 1999 British musical period drama film written and directed by Mike Leigh, starring Allan Corduner as Sir Arthur Sullivan and Jim Broadbent as W.S. Gilbert, along with Timothy Spall, Lesley Manville and Ron Cook. The s ...

'' (2002)

KillMatriarch

*''Order Through Chaos (EP)'' (2010)

References

External links

Khachaturian's official website
(archived) * {{DEFAULTSORT:Khachaturian, Ontronik American heavy metal drummers System of a Down members American musicians of Armenian descent American rock singers Armenian rock musicians Living people 1975 births American DJs 20th-century American drummers American male drummers Nu metal singers 21st-century American singers 21st-century American drummers