The LA quartet usually spend their interviews explaining the minutiae of Armenian politics and our capitalist society. This afternoon, however, the �Down set will be donning angels� wings, clutching fairy wands and proudly sporting Santa hats and breads, as Kerrang! drags them into the dog-eat-dog scrum of Xmas shopping. And the self-confessed �toy junkies� are relishing the opportunity to run amok in �the worlds most magical toy shop.�
First shop is a visit to Santa. Bizarrely insisting that guitarist Daron Malakian is a dead ringer for the Eurythmics weridy-beardy Dave Stewart, the rosey-cheeked chap in the red suit quickly realises that thee quartet are less Santa�s little helpers than Satan�s little helpers. System begin hurling footballs, trying on fright-wigs, duelling with light sabres and propositioning a cardboard cut-out of Posh Spice with mistletoe. And as we work our way down from the fifth floor, the quackery quotient just keeps rising.
On the ground floor, it looks as if we�ll be getting our marching orders from Toy Town. Serj sends a shape-changing remote control jeep crashing on the floor, promoting a sarcastic mutter of �crazy rock �n� rollers� from harassed shop assistant Peter, before Daron�s mimed kick at a squeaking cuddly pig prompts a shriek of �Strike not the pigs for the pigs will strike back!� from a nearby staff member�
Next, Shavo and drummer John Dolmayan launch into a scrum with 50 �Shake and Giggle� sound-activated cuddly monsters, while Daron and Serj scrape more of the cute creatures on top. Our patient Hamleys guide Karen looks a trifle concerned. �Are we going to make you loose you job?� John asks.
�Oh no,� she smiles nervously. �Well not until tomorrow, anyway��
Before we leave, one little American girl plucks up the courage to approach our crazy chums. �Are you guys in a band?� she enquires tentatively, walking away confused when the words System Of A Down are mentioned.
�We should�ve said we�re the Backstreet Boys,� grins John. �That�d give her nightmares��