PRESS ROOM

 LEVEL 1 = PEACE OF MIND is American Zen's first album on Shaolin Records.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tujunga, California – September 9, 2005 – American Zen, America's first Buddhist rock band, is releasing their first album in 2005, Level 1 = Peace Of Mind. The album consists of 11 songs and 11 recited poems by The Coyote.

Aloof and quiet, some people think Rory's shy.

Rory studied classical guitar in elementary school. When he turned 13, naturally he turned to rock'n'roll and got his first electric guitar. He dabbled in jazz until he stumbled onto the blues.

This became a turning point in Rory's life. The blues transformed this quiet bookworm into a searing soloist. B. B. King, Johnny Winter, Mick Abrams, and Jimmy Page are some of the artists Rory credits as his influences.

"Don't forget Hendrix and Robert Fripp of King Crimson," adds Rory. "There are a lot of guitar players I'd love to thank. Hey, maybe if we get famous I can thank them personally."

This eclectic mixture of influences probably explains why Rory is undefinable. "I still feel like a beginner. Everytime I learn a new riff or hear someone doing something I haven't thought of I feel real humble. I doubt I'll ever know as much as I want to know or be as good as I'd like to be, but that's life. You just keep getting better."

Our humble axeman doesn't take praise real well. "Maybe when I'm on the cover of Guitar Player Magazine, I'll feel like I've attained professional status."

Rory doesn't try to overpower the band. From the subtle guitar riffs of "Peace Of Mind #2" to the guitar solos of "Free The Change," Rory has a knack for finding a unique sound in each song.

"When Coyote came to rehearsal with the song, "Whose Heaven Is This?" he told us that he thought it would be "too easy" to turn this into a hardrock complaining song. Coyote said we needed to make this more comical so the message would come through more satirically. I have a couple ukuleles and suggested I try one of those. I WAS ONLY JOKING! But Coyote thought it was a great idea."

"The same thing happened on "Thank You." I'd love to rerecord that song someday as a hard rock song. That pounding rhythm would be awesome."

Rory's not as excited about performing as the other members. "I like small club gigs. Easy in. Easy out. When we play big concerts, it's a circus. Coyote loves it. Tom likes the girls backstage. Steve'll play anywhere. Me? I'd say rehearsals are my favorite gigs. Just us and the songs. No distractions. Sometimes I really think I'm out of my body or someone else when I'm playing. Is that weird?"

#    #    #

Copyright 2005 Shaolin Communications.
All rights reserved.

The PR_AmZen is the official PRESS RELEASE of American Zen, "America's First Buddhist Rock Band."
This is intended for magazine, news, radio, and distributors.

The AmZen_eNEWS is published monthly and sent to fans, friends,
and anyone wanting more information on the FOLK ROCK band, American Zen:
     Featuring:
        The Coyote - Flute, Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Songwriting
        Steve Hixon - Drums
        Rory G - Electric Guitar, Slide Guitar, Ukulele, Synthesizer
        Tom Calder - Bass, Vox Organ

American Zen is an exclusive artist of Shaolin Records.

If you wish to be REMOVED from the AMERICAN ZEN PRESS LIST,
please follow the link below:
emailremoval@shaolin...

To view our privacy/anti-spam policy, please visit:
http://www.shaolinCOM.com/Pages-S/disclaimerS.html