Daron Malakian and Scars on Broadway (previously known as just Scars on Broadway) is an American rock band founded by Daron Malakian of the metal band System of a Down. The band's self-titled debut album was released in July 2008. In late 2008, the band entered a hiatus, with Malakian citing a lack of enthusiasm and "his heart not being into touring" as the primary reasons for the band's cessation. Despite reforming with various line-up changes in 2010 and 2012 and announcing a second album, the band ceased any further announcements by 2013. In April 2018, Malakian announced that the band would be releasing their second album titled Dictator in July 2018. History Self-titled debut album (2005–2008) In December 2005, Malakian stated in an interview that he "could release ten solo records tomorrow." He revealed that he has "tons of material laying around", as well as his plans for the future: "After these albums [Mezmerize and Hypnotize] I'm gonna go off and do something on my own, just like Serj." Following System of a Down's hiatus in May 2006, Malakian announced his latest project — Scars on Broadway — a band which would include System of a Down drummer John Dolmayan and himself. Malakian stated "I haven't decided if I'm going to make it a revolving door of musicians or one solid band but it all revolves around my writing." After Malakian and Dolmayan experimented with different musicians, for a period of nine months in 2007 the band took form and forged its sound in intense rehearsals and recording sessions under Malakian's direction at his home studio and Sunset Sound; with musicians Danny Shamoun on keyboards, Dominic Cifarelli on bass, and Franky Perez on guitar and backing vocals. The band begun recording their debut album in September 2007. The band's website featured a countdown timer, counting down to 15:00 PST on March 28, 2008. Additionally, above the timer, in quotation marks was the phrase "They say it's all about to end." When the countdown ended, the song "They Say" was made available on the site and their Myspace account. Scars on Broadway played their first live show April 11, 2008 at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles. They also played with Metallica at KFMA Day 2008 in Tucson, Arizona. On January 22, 2008, Scars on Broadway were announced to be performing at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts