LEWNATIC

 Asian-American guitar hero and punk rock DJ.

Early Life and Musical Roots

Patrick Lew Hayashi was born Patrick Allan Lew on November 15, 1985, in San Francisco, California, to a Chinese father and a Sino-Japanese mother. He grew up immersed in rock and grunge, idolizing Nirvana, Metallica, and The Beatles, and picked up his first guitar at age 13 thanks to his cousin’s old Fender and amp sitting in the closet.

After graduating from Raoul Wallenberg High School and Soko Gakuen Japanese School in 2004, Patrick went on to earn a B.A. in Philosophy (with a minor in Music Composition) from California State University, East Bay in June 2011. These years laid the groundwork for his DIY recording ethos and online hustle.

The Patrick Lew Band Era (2006–2012)

Patrick’s first formal musical project was Band of Asians, which self-released the album REVENGE on his 21st birthday (2006). He soon rebranded as the Patrick Lew Band (PLB)—a revolving, internet-based collective where members tracked parts from home and emailed stems back to Patrick for final production.

Between 2009 and 2012, PLB self-released:

• Jump! Rattle! And Roll!!! (debut, 2006; retconned in 2019)

• Curb Your Wild Life (2009)

• Let It Rise and Against (2009)

• Murder Bay (2011)

• EP: Angry Yellow (2012)

Live and in the studio, Patrick drove every aspect of sound, forging anthemic tracks that blended grunge with pop-metal sensibilities. By late 2012, creative differences led to PLB’s first hiatus.

Virtual Reinvention & Madeline Lew (2015–2019)

In 2015, Patrick resurrected PLB as an entirely online “virtual rock band,” introducing Madeline Lew, his cross-dressing M2F alter ego powered by VOCALOID and A.I. vocals. Madeline’s arrival rebooted PLB’s image, sparking new press mentions, blog features, and even an FM radio nod in the Bay Area.

During this period, PLB amassed:

• 14 full-length home-recorded albums

• 1 live album

• Several EPs and singles

Patrick’s relentless output and Madeline’s viral charisma cemented PLB as a prolific bedroom-producer collective.

Birth of Lewnatic as a Duo (2019–2020)

In Summer 2019, Patrick teamed with friend Ahmed to launch Lewnatic, originally conceived as a rap-metal duo. The pair held monthly residencies at San Francisco’s DNA Lounge until the COVID-19 shutdown in March 2020. The name “Lewnatic” fuses his surname and “lunatic,” capturing Patrick’s fearless approach to genre-bending sonic experiments.

Solo Lewnatic & Bentley Records (2022–Present)

Relaunch and Label Signing

After retooling Lewnatic into a stripped-down solo act in early 2022, Patrick signed a one-year Artist Development deal with New York-based Bentley Records on July 19, 2022. He quickly recorded and released three EPs under the Lewnatic banner throughout 2022–2023 and relaunched live-stream shows on YouTube.

Patrick also toured Japan virtually, held a CD/QR promo tour in Los Angeles (May 2024), and guested on Luke Sauer’s podcast on Memorial Day 2023, showcasing live performances and in-depth conversation about his creative journey.

Musical Style, Gear, and Influences

Patrick’s sound blends 90s grunge, pop-metal riffs, and classic rock anthems. Onstage, he wields a Fender Telecaster into a Marshall CODE50, augmented by custom backing tracks and A.I. instrumentals streamed from his laptop.

Influences include:

• Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Silverchair

• Metallica, Guns N’ Roses

• Oasis, The Beatles

• X Japan, Miyavi

• BTS, J-Pop/Chiptune hybrids

His lyrical themes explore alienation, resilience, and forging identity in a digital age.

Beyond the Music

While not recording, Patrick maintains a vibrant YouTube presence (400+ videos since 2007) and engages with fans on Instagram. His day job at Costco funds studio upgrades, and he stays active in the Asian-American arts community, gaming circles, and underground wrestling events.

Looking ahead, Patrick envisions breaking new boundary-pushing territory—both with PLB’s upcoming Forbidden Door (2024) and Lewnatic’s evolving rock-and-roll adventure.