Shavo Odadjian (Armenian: Շավո Օդաջյան) (born April 22 1974, Yerevan, Armenian SSR as Shavarsh Odadjian) is the bassist for the Armenian American-based alternative metal band System of a Down. In his youth, Shavo used to spend his time skateboarding and listening to punk rock and heavy metal music; his favorites included Pink Angel, the Dead Kennedys, Slayer, KISS and Black Sabbath. Odadjian moved to Los Angeles, California at a young age