Daron Vartan Malakian (Armenian: Տարոն Վարդանի Մալաքյան) (born July 18, 1975 in Hollywood, California, US) is the Armenian-American lead guitarist for System of a Down, as well as a songwriter, vocalist, and occasional synthesizer player for the band during live performances. In 2003, Daron formed the band, Scars on Broadway, which currently includes System of a Down drummer John Dolmayan. Daron is also the founder of a record label called EatUrMusic.