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Patrick Lew was the last Samurai standing in his own
rock & roll band, and decided to make Samurai Sorcerers a one-man band (along with a few session musicians to contribute).
Patrick remained out of the local music scene limelight, doing nothing but downloading computer music software off the internet
on his PC and tinkering in his digital home studio in his bedroom. Fans were awaiting new music from Patrick, but they weren't
just awaiting new music from the Silent Minister. They wanted another "Silent Minister experience." He decided to work on
a scaled-down version of the "Psychotic Love" album, and maybe put out a new album of avant-garde electronic music. He finally
broke his silence by issuing the first of NEW Samurai Sorcerers original recordings, the shambolic loops and beats sample
called "Battle Royale" in March on his official website. It wasn't well-received by critics, and was panned by the press.
Although he was the only full-fledged member left in the Samurai, he was given creative and personal control over the music
and direction
On March 7, 2005, the original Samurai Sorcerers website shut down and dissolved. Patrick took an extended break from
the local music scene to pursue personal and spiritual upbringing. He would do so by hanging out in San Francisco's fanciest
places. Finally, a compromise would be made regarding future New Samurai Sorcerers releases. Patrick decided that he will
put out a new Samurai album, with just the music he created with just him using virtual instruments on a PC under a more electronic/avant-garde
based direction. In the second week of April, New Samurai is officially a two-man band. Patrick Lew was confirmed as the rhythm
guitarist and vocalist. His best friend Bruce was now the MIDI keyboardist. The main intention of the project was to do music
for fun (as a hobby) and because both friends are amateur musicians, they did planned a few open mic nights on campus at CCSF
or small clubs in the Bay Area. But now their main intention is to do music under a home studio setting using low budget to
make future Samurai albums together. Patrick and Bruce hides away in his Crocker-Amazon flat working on new music for the
album by recording fragments of song ideas but most of which, were scrapped. It was reported that Patrick Lew re-recorded
a few of his former Samurai tracks in his home studio using the PC program Guitar Pro 4.0, such as “Tokyo Pop Princess”
and “Little Miss Saigon.” Patrick then moved from his home studio to the place he got guitar lessons, Vibo Music
to get reservations for the New Samurai to practice and use it as a workshop to work on music and write songs. Patrick and
Bruce are planning to do more home studio work for future albums by the end of May.
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