The Definitive Patrick Lew Band Biography

 

The Patrick Lew Band: Comprehensive Biography and History Origins and Early Life of Patrick Lew Patrick Allan Lew was born on November 15, 1985, in San Francisco, California, to a Chinese father and a Japanese mother. Growing up amid the rich cultural tapestry of East Asian influences and Western rock, he was exposed to genres spanning from the haunting riffs of Nirvana to the melodies of The Beatles. By age 15, Patrick began recording music in his bedroom using a Tascam 4-track recorder gifted by his mother. These early lo-fi sessions instilled in him a raw, experimental approach to sound that would become the foundation of his future bands. During his high school years at Raoul Wallenberg High School, Patrick formed his first gigging ensemble, initially known as Samurai Sorcerers, with schoolmates Eddie Blackburn and Tommy Loi. They rehearsed in garages and at house parties, posting demos online via MySpace and Soundclick to reach local audiences. Patrick’s mother, Winnie Hayashi Lew, played an instrumental role in nurturing his early passion for music. Her support extended beyond gifting recording equipment—she provided emotional and logistical backing that allowed Patrick to pursue his craft, a legacy he honors through continued dedication to independent artistry. Formation and Evolution of the Patrick Lew Band The Samurai Sorcerers garage project formally evolved into Patrick Lew Band (PLB) in August 2008, marking a shift from amateur punk jams to an organized recording entity. The name change was announced on Patrick’s personal blog and solidified the band’s identity as his solo vehicle, supported by collaborators who tracked parts remotely and sent stems via the internet. Between 2005 and 2008, Patrick had also been involved in the post-hardcore outfit Band of Asians, alongside drummer David Arceo and guitarist Zack Huang. This experience provided him with studio and performance practice, culminating in the self-released album REVENGE on his 21st birthday—later retconned as PLB’s debut Jump! Rattle! And Roll!!! in 2019. By 2009, PLB had embraced the DIY ethos of the indie scene, issuing home-recorded albums such as Curb Your Wild Life and Let It Rise and Against while collaborating online. This period laid the groundwork for PLB’s signature blend of garage punk sincerity and emerging digital experimentation. Band Members and Roles Patrick Lew Hayashi – Founder, lead vocals, guitar, primary songwriter. Patrick remains the only constant member, overseeing all aspects of recording, production, and performance. Madeline Lew – Virtual alter ego and fictional sister. Introduced in 2015 as a cross-dressing, VOCALOID-powered bandmate, she contributed vocals and bass on PLB releases, adding theatrical flair to the band’s visual identity. David Arceo – Drums, percussion (2006–2012, 2015–2016). Arceo’s programming and live drumming were crucial during PLB’s early and revival phases. Eddie Blackburn – Lead guitar (2001–2005; occasional returns). Co-founder of Samurai Sorcerers with Patrick, he helped shape PLB’s initial punk sound. Tommy Loi – Drums, percussion (2001–2005). Early collaborator during the band’s high school incarnation. Jeremy Alfonso – Lead and rhythm guitar (2009–2011). Instrumental in PLB’s home-studio collaborations during the band’s peak indie years. Greg Lynch – Guitar, keyboards, occasional vocals (2009–2012). Shared creative leadership before the band’s 2012 hiatus. David Hunter – Bass (2009–2012). Provided low-end support on key recordings before departing amid creative differences. Madoku Raye – Vocals, songwriting, production (2021–present). Brought fresh perspectives during PLB’s later digital era and side projects. Sebastian Morningstar (C-Bass) – Synths, vocals (2025–present) in the rebranded Men of Mad’ness project, reflecting PLB’s ongoing evolution into new digital studioscapes. Musical Style and Genre Influences PLB’s sound draws from a wide palette: Garage Punk and Grunge: Raw, energetic riff-driven tracks reminiscent of Nirvana and early 90s Seattle acts. Alternative Rock and Punk: Fast-tempo, rebellious themes influenced by The Sex Pistols, Green Day, and The White Stripes. Electronic and DIY Experimentation: Use of digital programming, VOCALOID vocals (Madeline Lew), and AI-generated instrumentals as streaming platforms rose to prominence. J-Rock and City Pop: East Asian melodic sensibilities interwoven with punk aggression, reflecting Patrick’s cultural heritage and love for X Japan and Miyavi. Virtual Band Aesthetics: Integration of CGI-designed avatars and storytelling, positioning PLB alongside acts like Gorillaz and experimental online collectives. Patrick’s lyrics often explore themes of alienation, resilience, and self-identity, underpinned by his philosophical background from CSU East Bay, where he studied philosophy and music composition. Discography and Key Releases 14 full-length albums, 1 live album, several EP's and singles. Side projects: Lewnatic: Seven EPs including Rapid Fire (Aug 2022) and The Lost Souls (Mar 2023), blending rap-metal, pop-metal, and digital rock textures. Benigneglect: Rap-rock duo releases and live shows at DNA Lounge, formalizing PLB’s urban crossover ambitions. Men of Mad’ness: Formed July 4, 2025 as a digital-only studio band project, signaling PLB’s next evolutionary chapter. Notable Achievements and Awards Induction into the 40 Under 40 Hall of Fame at California State University, East Bay (June 7, 2019), the first Japanese-American male recipient in that cohort. Akademia Music Award for Best Experimental Rock Song in 2016 for “Game Changer,” underscoring PLB’s genre-defying creativity. Featured across major media outlets including Ascendant Magazine, USA News, and MUSIC PR Japan, reflecting growing recognition beyond indie circles. Endorsements and cameo acknowledgements: Wrestling legend Gail Kim gave a PR shout-out in a CAMEO video (MV contest). PLB’s music licensed in TV shows like The Man in the High Castle and White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch. Live Performances and Tours Patrick Lew Band’s live history straddles in-person gigs and virtual events: Early house and school performances as Samurai Sorcerers, building local buzz through guerilla shows and MySpace promotions. 2011 busking and small-scale Antioch, CA shows post-Murder Bay release, shared via PLB’s official YouTube channel. Monthly residencies at San Francisco’s historic DNA Lounge under both PLB and Lewnatic banners, forging a hybrid live-streaming model (last show Mar 8, 2020). Virtual livestream concerts during COVID-19 lockdowns, leveraging platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook Live to maintain audience engagement without traditional touring. Special one-off performances, such as PLB (JP) Virtual Concert Recount on August 5, 2020, and Asian Girls event vlogs, exemplifying PLB’s global online community outreach. Virtual Band Concept and Multimedia Persona Patrick Lew Band pioneered a virtual band framework that interlaces music, visual art, and digital narratives: In 2015, Patrick introduced Madeline Lew, a cross-dressing M2F alter ego realized through CGI, Photoshop, and VOCALOID, as the long-lost “younger sister” saving PLB from obscurity. PLB’s core identity expanded beyond audio to include vlogs, animated avatars, and fandom-driven online storytelling, echoing innovations by Gorillaz and other multimedia virtual acts. Lewnatic built on this paradigm with live-stream avatars and digital labs (PLB HQ) for real-time fan interaction and behind-the-scenes production tours. Side Projects and Related Acts Patrick Lew has explored diverse musical avenues beyond PLB: Band of Asians (2005–2008): Post-hardcore ensemble that laid groundwork for PLB’s studio collaboration methods. TheVerse (2015–2019): Shoegaze and EDM collaboration with producer Gem Jewels, blending electronic soundscapes with rock elements. Crazy Loser in a Box (2018–2024): Experimental garage punk project co-fronted with Sigyn Wisch, contributing to local indie circuit vitality. Lewnatic (2019–present): Solo-driven rap-metal/rock persona signed to Bentley Records, releasing three EPs and conducting live-stream “virtual residencies” at DNA Lounge. Benigneglect (2019–2020): Rap-rock duo with Fil-Am rapper A.Kaye, forging a hybrid urban-metal strand within the Bay Area scene. Men of Mad’ness (2025-present): Latest iteration as a studio-only digital collective, amalgamating PLB’s virtual legacy with new voices Madoku Raye and Sebastian Morningstar. Impact and Global Reach PLB’s music spans 50+ countries, establishing an international indie following through streaming platforms and grassroots social-media campaigns. Notable penetration into the Japanese market, with licensed releases via EGGS (Tower Records subsidiary) and collaborations with Top Music Japan to expand distribution. Influencing Asian-American representation in alternative rock, Patrick’s journey has inspired workshops, online panels, and advocacy for artists of color in rock genres traditionally dominated by Western male archetypes. PLB’s DIY model showcased how independent musicians can circumvent industry gatekeepers, leveraging low-cost home studios and digital networks to build authentic global communities. Challenges and Industry Resilience Patrick Lew’s career has faced multiple trials: Ethnic barrier in rock music: Navigating a scene with limited Asian-American visibility, Patrick used adversity to fuel creative defiance and stereotype-breaking messages in his lyrics. Label setbacks: Early developmental deals (2005) ended abruptly, prompting Patrick to master home-recording techniques and self-distribution to maintain creative autonomy. Personal tragedies: The passing of mother Winnie Hayashi Lew in April 2017 led to a brief hiatus and emotional turmoil, yet catalyzed Patrick’s reinvention with albums like Oakland and renewed side projects. Band conflicts: Multiple lineup changes and creative differences in 2012 and 2017–2018 tested Patrick’s resolve but ultimately refined PLB’s identity as a solo-driven visionary project. Economic pressures: Balancing full-time work at Costco Wholesale with a rigorous DIY music career, Patrick has demonstrated unwavering work ethic and resourcefulness in funding his artistic ventures. Recent Developments and Future Directions Discontinuation of PLB: On July 4, 2025, Patrick announced the official retirement of the PLB name, shifting focus to Lewnatic and a new band, Men of Mad’ness, marking the end of a two-decade era and the start of a fresh digital venture. Lewnatic’s ongoing legacy: Continues to release EPs under Bentley Records, focusing on instrumental-driven performances and virtual concerts, with no plans to return to traditional touring. Men of Mad’ness: A digital studio-only collective formed on Independence Day 2025, featuring a lineup of Patrick Lew, Madeline Lew, Madoku Raye, and Sebastian Morningstar. The project promises gritty, angsty rock with a nod to 90s and 2000s influences, exclusively released online and via streaming platforms. Future plans: Patrick envisions continuing to break musical boundaries, exploring hybrid multimedia personas, and expanding interactive live-stream experiences that fuse his philosophical insights with global digital communities. Patrick Lew Band’s journey—from bedroom demo recordings in San Francisco to pioneering a virtual rock phenomenon—exemplifies resilience, creativity, and cultural fusion. As PLB closes its chapter and new projects like Lewnatic and Men of Mad’ness emerge, Patrick’s commitment to DIY authenticity and genre-defying experimentation cements his place as a trailblazer in indie rock’s digital age.