in 1995, odadjian became the band's permanent bassist. they named themselves system of a down, after a poem written by bandmate daron malakian entitled "victims of a down." odadjian was not keen on being labeled "victims," and thought that the word "system" appealed to a much broader audience. the band has stated that they also wanted their cds to be placed in stores alongside their favorite band, slayer. it was at this time that odadjian passed on his original managerial responsibilities to velvet hammer music. their first release was titled "sugar." soon after, drummer andy khachaturian joined the band but was replaced in 1997 by current drummer john dolmayan due to a hand injury.