Antranik Khachaturian (born May 4, 1975) also known as Andy Khachaturian or artistically as Ontronik (stylized as OnTroniK), is an American musician, producer and DJ. He is known for being the original drummer (1994–1997) of the metal band System of a Down 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 plays ...

, 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

Ontronik was born to Armenian parents (Martin and Asdghik Khachaturian) in Los Angeles, California. He met

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

and

Shavo Odadjian Shavarsh "Shavo" Odadjian (; born April 22, 1974) is an Armenian-American musician, best known as the bassist of nu metal band System of a Down. He also plays bass in a Trap music, trap group called North Kingsley and in the metal band Seven Hou ...

in high school. He then met

Serj Tankian Serj Tankian ( , ; born August 21, 1967) is an Armenian-American musician. He is best known as the lead vocalist of the alternative metal band System of a Down, which was formed in 1994. Tankian has released five albums with System of a Down ...

when they decided in 1994 to form the band System of a Down. Together, they recorded a demo titled "Untitled 1995 Demo" and "Demo Tape 1". In 1996, they recorded "Demo Tape 2" and "Demo Tape 3" and in 1997, recorded "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 (/ˌdʒiːt kuːn ˈdoʊ/; zh, c=截拳道, l=stop fist way' or 'way of the intercepting fist, j=zit6 kyun4 dou6; abbreviated JKD) is a hybrid martial art conceived and practiced by martial artist Bruce Lee. It was formed from ...

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 an Armenian-American musician, best known as the drummer of System of a Down. He is also the former drummer for Scars on Broadway. Dolmayan was ranked number 33 on ''Loudwire''s list of ''Top 200 Hard R ...

, 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 Jim Broadbent as W. S. Gilbert and Allan Corduner as Sir Arthur Sullivan, along with Timothy Spall, Lesley Manville and Ron Cook. T ...

'' (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 people 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 Drummers from Los Angeles