The Story
More than you cared to know about George Zhen |
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Multi-instrumentalist George Zhen has been creating original music for nearly two decades including stints with bands such as Love Canal, Black Janet and Some People's Children. At long last, Zhen has harnessed his penchant for catchy song craft and directed it into a self-titled debut CD.
Growing up in that generational void between boomer and X, Zhen's musical influences have been guided by the path of popular music. As a child, AM Country from the family car's radio. As a stupid kid, Disco. As a teen, MTV New Wave, '60's Psychedelia and later Industrial. Needless to say, the result is a musical matrix ranging from the rootsy to the radical.
Zhen began writing songs on piano when he was 15 and joined his first band a year later. In the mid-80's, he formed Some People's Children with some friends and that began a 3 year stint working in the world of electronic music. His experience and comfort working in the realm of MIDI and drum machines can be traced to this period. After the band followed the curve of most mildly-successful local bands, it was dissolved and Zhen transformed himself to meet the organic needs of Black Janet.
Black Janet was the brainchild of South Florida landmark Jim Wurster whose moody melodies were translated into critically acclaimed studio and live performances. Zhen worked with the band during their formative years and the experience helped to reinforce his skills as a live player and studio arranger. It was during his stint with Black Janet that Zhen began playing acoustic guitar, and in the time since, it has become a favorite compositional tool.
As a side project designed to explore this newfound love of guitar, Zhen began The 12th of Never in 1991. A 4 track EP called Something Dragonfly was produced with purely acoustic instrumentation. The 12th of Never played many shows in support of Black Janet and its influence can be heard on Zhen's solo debut.
Never one to be typecast, Zhen began yet another electronic project in 1992 called Son of Elektra This melodic-industrial project also produced a 4 song EP From the Ruins of a Dark Sedan which gained critical acclaim for it's concept and daring execution.
1993-94 was a very busy time for George Zhen. Although he was no longer a full-time member of Black Janet, he was working with them helping arrange their third release, Love Thirsty. Son of Elektra was garnering press when another local outfit, Love Canal came calling.
Love Canal was very different than any band that Zhen had played with before. They were hard. They rocked like Soundgarden and wanted Zhen to add some melodic touches. Before too long, he was a full-time member throwing himself into rehearsals and dodging the maniac bass-player. Their efforts resulted in a strong local following and interest from Sony Music, who signed them to a development deal and put them on the road.
Zhen's work during this busy time didn't go unnoticed. In 1994, he garnered a prestigious South Florida Rock Award and a Jammy nomination for his studio keyboard work with Black Janet, his innovative Son of Elektra project and his work with Love Canal.
When Zhen's first child was born in 1994, his life an his priorities changed. Touring with Love Canal wasn't going to pay the bills, so he directed his creative skills into the multinedia industry. Although he effectively stopped playing in bands, he continued to write songs and work on honing his guitar skills. This is where his musical biography was supposed to end.
But something wicked happened.
In late 2001, he noticed spots in front of his left eye. Since his right eye was practically useless from amblyopia, this was concerning. By March of 2002, he was legally blind.
Robbed of his vision, Zhen threw himself into music and began writing the songs that would save his life. Although it would be easier to be bitter, George Zhen finds himself optimistically poised.
"If I won the lottery tomorrow, you know what I would be doing?" he asks. "This, right here. These songs, this project, is the most defining work I have ever done. This is me, absolutely, honestly, on my terms. It would be rewarding if people were to like it, but if not, who cares? Surely the alien anthropologists will dig it."
Maybe you will, too.
© 2003 George Zhen, All Rights Reserved.
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