 Tabatabaee cites some of his favorite bands as A Tribe Called Quest, System of a Down, and N.W.A..In 1999, while on the Warped Tour, Tabatabaee was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease, a type of cancer, which he underwent chemo therapy and radiation therapy to cure.While being treated, he continued to work with his bandmates in writing songs for their album, "Playmate of the Year", and a few months before the album's release, he completed his therapy.