Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Patrick Lew just got interviewed in Japan. It's now posted on YouTube!
My podcast interview with the Japanese music scene has been posted!
Filmed on June 13, 2020 through video chat. It was just posted last week on Saturday!
WATCH NOW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIBdcMbgxLk
Upcoming Recurring Patrick Lew Band Live Tour
Patrick Lew Band is doing a recurring tour amidst COVID-19. We're gonna be pre-taping our live musical performances at Lewnatic HQ in front of a tiny or no live audience and broadcasting it live on #YouTube!
House Show Mania is real indeed for the PLB!
Patrick Lew Band is doing the 2020-21 In Your House Tour. It's going to be almost like them pre-taped #WWE pay-per-view events at the performance center. But edited and polished up for live broadcast! Lolz. Like a lot of bands during #COVID-19 pandemic. We've been stuck at home, unable to play shows outside the live venues. It's back to Square One for PLB. The garage band days all over again! But with today's technology, I'm gonna try and make it interesting. It's not gonna be for everyone! But it gives us plenty of shit to do.
The tour dates are TBA. Best way to know what's up is keeping tabs on Patrick Lew Band's social-media!
#STAYTUNED
Patrick Lew Band's Plan: 2020 Onward
The plan For PLB going into 2020 onward. Relaunching a rock and roll mom-and-pop brand.
The rebuilding plan...
1. Start by keeping it as a Patrick Lew solo project.
Like how it was after my good friend David mutually departed Patrick Lew Band in mid-2016, the PLB was mostly a Patrick Lew solo project from there. With the introduction of a "crossdressing" alter ego introduced into the band as a "virtual" band member and mascot named Sister Madeline Lew, ever since David left the band on good terms to pursue other life avenues...It gave Patrick Lew Band more creative freedom to be what was intended to be. Like the social-media presentation, the music and etc etc.
Even before David's departure from the drum kit, Patrick Lew Band was a dysfunctional and derelict type of garage band. Where toxicity and polar opposites in creative direction, relationships and different goals for the band tore it all apart.
The 2015 return of PLB was mostly seen more as a "reboot" of the entire band rather than a band reunion with all former members. With Patrick Lew as the bandleader and primary composer of the band, it gives the PLB more opportunity to be themselves and enough creative and personal control over the music and the brand.
2. Taking the band off the road.
Unlike Patrick Lew's branching out towards his work with other bands such as TheVerse, Pleasure Gallows and Benigneglect, which were based mostly on live shows and performances. Like The Beatles, very few people have actually witnessed Patrick Lew Band live and onstage.
Also, Patrick Lew Band was one of those acts in the indies that didn't really enjoy touring as much for different reasons. So with that being said, the concert timeline of PLB is very limited and sporadic/intermittent. However, with improvements and advancements in technology...Patrick Lew Band made most of their impact as a home recording band, putting it up online and digitally distributing all the full-length albums, EPs and singles on Spotify, Apple Music and our YouTube channel.
With difficulties seizing bookings outside of Afton with Patrick Lew Band, and other personal difficulties in the live aspects as a solo act. Patrick Lew Band only prefers a limited amount of tour dates annually. Patrick once said, "he can't do more than 4 shows per week for a myriad of reasons. Aging and health related being one of them." He also said that doing less shows enables him to perform his best onstage.
And that being said, less is more for the fans. Quality over quantity. With COVID-19 pandemic still in full effect, like a lot of other bands using live streaming as a source of keeping their audiences up-to-date. Since bands aren't allowed to play mass gatherings at live venues amidst the pandemic, a lot of bands are now utilizing live streaming of in-house performances to sustain themselves.
To keep the budget tight and ensure Patrick's long-term health won't be affected by doing too many live appearances outside the studio, Patrick Lew Band has announced the recurring In Your House 2020-21 Concert Tour. Which is basically going to be pre-taped live performances at Patrick Lew's home recording studio in San Francisco, and with advancements in technology and digital video editing, edited and polished as a presentable and passable concert video and instantly premiering them on YouTube, typically at 4 PM on Sundays.
To keep up with frugal cost-friendly ventures and to avoid long-term risk factors with Patrick Lew Band, touring will be limited to sporadic appearances annually. Expect at least 5 In Your House concert videos to be uploaded yearly on Patrick Lew's YouTube channel.
3. Ability to branch out.
Patrick Lew Band returned to the music scene on March 17, 2020 via Instagram and Facebook post. Unifying both Lewnatic and Patrick Lew Band into one, well, Patrick Lew Band.
However, like wrestlers who are not exclusive to WWE but contracted to other promotions like AEW, which enables wrestlers to work with other organizations in affiliation. Patrick and his alter ego Madeline will not just be exclusive to just Patrick Lew Band.
Since the end of 2017, PLB drifted into doing one-off and very sporadic appearances.
All because of Patrick branching out to playing with other Bay Area bands such as TheVerse, Pleasure Gallows, Benigneglect, Crazy Loser in a Box...And there's probably going to be more bands that Pat will play guitar or bass with in the future.
Patrick personally doesn't enjoy touring as a solo act, but enjoys touring and playing shows with other bands. It usually takes the pressure, stress and anxiety away from him as a solo live performer and enable him to focus on his main strengths as a musician, playing the guitar.
He won't necessarily be a bandleader, and he definitely wasn't in TheVerse. But he will be able to take the pressure off by stepping down from that bandleader role and focus more on playing the guitar or bass in the band. Patrick also thinks it's important to play with other musicians. Thinking, it's always more fun to do it that way.
However, any band outside of Patrick Lew Band and its 2012-2017 stop-gap band Steel Lions will not be exclusive to his record label Lewnatic Records. It also increases the prolific nature and qualities of Patrick Lew and adds more credentials in his music.
4. Keeping it real.
Patrick Lew feels Patrick Lew Band should remain an independent rock act away from the major labels and music industry sharks. And he is perhaps right about that.
After many years of playing with PLB, he's realized that Patrick Lew Band is too raw, experimental and not as accessible for Top 40 rock music platforms and all audiences. If this were wrestling, Patrick Lew Band would be equivalent to Impact Wrestling or MLW. Whereas, TheVerse was PG Era WWE and Pleasure Gallows was CZW.
While the Patrick Lew Band of today isn't necessarily garage band quality music, the music of course has gotten a little more sophisticated and now has better studio production...Yet, it still has that raw sound. Patrick Lew Band's music was always based on passion and emotions.
The music itself is very unconventional, so not a lot of mainstream music fans will buy into it.
Patrick Lew Band's music is equivalent to indie wrestling or the glory days of the original ECW like playing punk rock at bingo halls or dive bars.
With advancements in technology, the production values are not necessarily lo-fi but it's passable enough to be considered "almost" professional sounding.
Patrick wants PLB to be authenticity and passion. Not mainstream popularity.
5. Increased Online Content.
Chances are, if you go on one of Patrick Lew Band's music pages online. There's about 270 tracks on that website directly from Patrick Lew Band!
PLB launched their YouTube way back on February 2, 2007. But it would be over a decade before increased and more qualitative content and videos would be posted and accessed through their YouTube channel. Alongside, the number of social-media followers increased, but the larger numbers only began becoming more prominent following PLB's first visit back home to Japan last year.
Right now, there's 457 YouTube videos under Patrick Lew Band's YouTube channel. Patrick Lew's personal Instagram was created some time on August 2014. There is now almost 15,000 posts and photos under his account on Instagram since the first day it launched!
Even on streaming apps like Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube...Patrick Lew Band has nine full-length albums you can listen to or cherry-pick the songs out of like a personal playlist. According to YouTube, there's at least 170 tracks associated with Patrick Lew Band that can be streamed that has seen worldwide release on digital music platforms.
The increase in content is intended to build a legacy, impact and perhaps gain more new fans and listeners by having as much content available as possible.
Recently, Patrick Lew Band has released a few EPs and two full-length albums as of 2020. New music from PLB will continue to be released on streaming apps like Spotify through PLB's main distributor CDBaby.com on behalf of Lewnatic Records. Whereas, Patrick Lew Band will be releasing and posting their B-list material or C-list material albums on their Bandcamp page as a digital download.
A new album for Patrick Lew Band is rumored to be in the works right now at Lewnatic HQ. But as any other PLB record before, it's going to be an unpredictable surprise and will take some time. Studio autonomy, playing with other bands and Patrick's meticulous attitude when it comes to making new music being the reasons. In short, it will take awhile perhaps. The increased content available for PLB is like the Library of Congress or an artist exclusive Sirius XM station. The purpose behind it is to take it worldwide, see what comes out of it and build a legacy and make an impact.
LINK: facebook.com/patricklewband
1. Start by keeping it as a Patrick Lew solo project.
Like how it was after my good friend David mutually departed Patrick Lew Band in mid-2016, the PLB was mostly a Patrick Lew solo project from there. With the introduction of a "crossdressing" alter ego introduced into the band as a "virtual" band member and mascot named Sister Madeline Lew, ever since David left the band on good terms to pursue other life avenues...It gave Patrick Lew Band more creative freedom to be what was intended to be. Like the social-media presentation, the music and etc etc.
Even before David's departure from the drum kit, Patrick Lew Band was a dysfunctional and derelict type of garage band. Where toxicity and polar opposites in creative direction, relationships and different goals for the band tore it all apart.
The 2015 return of PLB was mostly seen more as a "reboot" of the entire band rather than a band reunion with all former members. With Patrick Lew as the bandleader and primary composer of the band, it gives the PLB more opportunity to be themselves and enough creative and personal control over the music and the brand.
2. Taking the band off the road.
Unlike Patrick Lew's branching out towards his work with other bands such as TheVerse, Pleasure Gallows and Benigneglect, which were based mostly on live shows and performances. Like The Beatles, very few people have actually witnessed Patrick Lew Band live and onstage.
Also, Patrick Lew Band was one of those acts in the indies that didn't really enjoy touring as much for different reasons. So with that being said, the concert timeline of PLB is very limited and sporadic/intermittent. However, with improvements and advancements in technology...Patrick Lew Band made most of their impact as a home recording band, putting it up online and digitally distributing all the full-length albums, EPs and singles on Spotify, Apple Music and our YouTube channel.
With difficulties seizing bookings outside of Afton with Patrick Lew Band, and other personal difficulties in the live aspects as a solo act. Patrick Lew Band only prefers a limited amount of tour dates annually. Patrick once said, "he can't do more than 4 shows per week for a myriad of reasons. Aging and health related being one of them." He also said that doing less shows enables him to perform his best onstage.
And that being said, less is more for the fans. Quality over quantity. With COVID-19 pandemic still in full effect, like a lot of other bands using live streaming as a source of keeping their audiences up-to-date. Since bands aren't allowed to play mass gatherings at live venues amidst the pandemic, a lot of bands are now utilizing live streaming of in-house performances to sustain themselves.
To keep the budget tight and ensure Patrick's long-term health won't be affected by doing too many live appearances outside the studio, Patrick Lew Band has announced the recurring In Your House 2020-21 Concert Tour. Which is basically going to be pre-taped live performances at Patrick Lew's home recording studio in San Francisco, and with advancements in technology and digital video editing, edited and polished as a presentable and passable concert video and instantly premiering them on YouTube, typically at 4 PM on Sundays.
To keep up with frugal cost-friendly ventures and to avoid long-term risk factors with Patrick Lew Band, touring will be limited to sporadic appearances annually. Expect at least 5 In Your House concert videos to be uploaded yearly on Patrick Lew's YouTube channel.
3. Ability to branch out.
Patrick Lew Band returned to the music scene on March 17, 2020 via Instagram and Facebook post. Unifying both Lewnatic and Patrick Lew Band into one, well, Patrick Lew Band.
However, like wrestlers who are not exclusive to WWE but contracted to other promotions like AEW, which enables wrestlers to work with other organizations in affiliation. Patrick and his alter ego Madeline will not just be exclusive to just Patrick Lew Band.
Since the end of 2017, PLB drifted into doing one-off and very sporadic appearances.
All because of Patrick branching out to playing with other Bay Area bands such as TheVerse, Pleasure Gallows, Benigneglect, Crazy Loser in a Box...And there's probably going to be more bands that Pat will play guitar or bass with in the future.
Patrick personally doesn't enjoy touring as a solo act, but enjoys touring and playing shows with other bands. It usually takes the pressure, stress and anxiety away from him as a solo live performer and enable him to focus on his main strengths as a musician, playing the guitar.
He won't necessarily be a bandleader, and he definitely wasn't in TheVerse. But he will be able to take the pressure off by stepping down from that bandleader role and focus more on playing the guitar or bass in the band. Patrick also thinks it's important to play with other musicians. Thinking, it's always more fun to do it that way.
However, any band outside of Patrick Lew Band and its 2012-2017 stop-gap band Steel Lions will not be exclusive to his record label Lewnatic Records. It also increases the prolific nature and qualities of Patrick Lew and adds more credentials in his music.
4. Keeping it real.
Patrick Lew feels Patrick Lew Band should remain an independent rock act away from the major labels and music industry sharks. And he is perhaps right about that.
After many years of playing with PLB, he's realized that Patrick Lew Band is too raw, experimental and not as accessible for Top 40 rock music platforms and all audiences. If this were wrestling, Patrick Lew Band would be equivalent to Impact Wrestling or MLW. Whereas, TheVerse was PG Era WWE and Pleasure Gallows was CZW.
While the Patrick Lew Band of today isn't necessarily garage band quality music, the music of course has gotten a little more sophisticated and now has better studio production...Yet, it still has that raw sound. Patrick Lew Band's music was always based on passion and emotions.
The music itself is very unconventional, so not a lot of mainstream music fans will buy into it.
Patrick Lew Band's music is equivalent to indie wrestling or the glory days of the original ECW like playing punk rock at bingo halls or dive bars.
With advancements in technology, the production values are not necessarily lo-fi but it's passable enough to be considered "almost" professional sounding.
Patrick wants PLB to be authenticity and passion. Not mainstream popularity.
5. Increased Online Content.
Chances are, if you go on one of Patrick Lew Band's music pages online. There's about 270 tracks on that website directly from Patrick Lew Band!
PLB launched their YouTube way back on February 2, 2007. But it would be over a decade before increased and more qualitative content and videos would be posted and accessed through their YouTube channel. Alongside, the number of social-media followers increased, but the larger numbers only began becoming more prominent following PLB's first visit back home to Japan last year.
Right now, there's 457 YouTube videos under Patrick Lew Band's YouTube channel. Patrick Lew's personal Instagram was created some time on August 2014. There is now almost 15,000 posts and photos under his account on Instagram since the first day it launched!
Even on streaming apps like Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube...Patrick Lew Band has nine full-length albums you can listen to or cherry-pick the songs out of like a personal playlist. According to YouTube, there's at least 170 tracks associated with Patrick Lew Band that can be streamed that has seen worldwide release on digital music platforms.
The increase in content is intended to build a legacy, impact and perhaps gain more new fans and listeners by having as much content available as possible.
Recently, Patrick Lew Band has released a few EPs and two full-length albums as of 2020. New music from PLB will continue to be released on streaming apps like Spotify through PLB's main distributor CDBaby.com on behalf of Lewnatic Records. Whereas, Patrick Lew Band will be releasing and posting their B-list material or C-list material albums on their Bandcamp page as a digital download.
A new album for Patrick Lew Band is rumored to be in the works right now at Lewnatic HQ. But as any other PLB record before, it's going to be an unpredictable surprise and will take some time. Studio autonomy, playing with other bands and Patrick's meticulous attitude when it comes to making new music being the reasons. In short, it will take awhile perhaps. The increased content available for PLB is like the Library of Congress or an artist exclusive Sirius XM station. The purpose behind it is to take it worldwide, see what comes out of it and build a legacy and make an impact.
LINK: facebook.com/patricklewband
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
PLB (JP) BAND EPK
Jump, Rattle and Roll to our rock and roll freak show.
Patrick Lew Band (better stylized as PLB) is a music project with roots in San Francisco, Japan, and Taiwan. Inspired by artists as diverse as The Beatles, The Kinks and The Rolling Stones, Patrick managed to come up with a melodic, yet energetic songwriting style that feels absolutely one-of-a-kind. From brit pop, to garage and punk, but also some dreamier textures, the possibilities are truly endless! Patrick has a diverse approach as a songwriter, and his trusty band is there to help him make his vision come true, one song at a time!
PLB is one of the most interesting, eccentric and critically successful yet polarizing bands within the annals of Asian-American music history.
The group's principal members were all born and raised in San Francisco, California. Singer, composer, guitarist and bandleader Patrick Lew Hayashi started making music and putting himself and his band on the Internet since high school. His younger "fictitious" sister Madeline later joined the band on bass. They began making strides in the scene in 2016 by accumulating a series of bragging rights, patents and titles under their name.
Between 2016 and present day, PLB achieved stellar regional and independent success accumulated from their credentials in the underground rock music scene, alongside Patrick and Madeline's moderately influential public personas on social-media. The band is also very active on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook and their music also can be easily accessed on the Internet.
Patrick Lew Hayashi is also a 40 Under 40 Hall of Fame Class of 2019 inductee at his alma mater California State University, East Bay, being the first Japanese-American male and second Taiwanese-American male to achieve that honor for his respective services and contributions to Bay Area's music scene and the Asian-American community with PLB.
Don’t miss out on their most recent releases, including an full-length album and a handful of EP, detailing their journey through music and creativity!
Find out more and listen to Patrick Lew Band:
www.instagram.com/patricklewband
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
PLB (JP): Facebook Behind The Music
PATRICK LEW BAND (PLB)
FORMED: 2001 in San Francisco, CA
YEARS ACTIVE: 2000s, 2010s, 2020s
GENRES: Hard Rock, Grunge, Britpop, Pop Rock, Punk Rock, Heavy Metal, Art Rock, Japanese Rock
BAND LINE-UP:
Patrick Lew (劉冠達): Guitar, Compositions, Lead Vocals
Madeline Lew (劉 凛和): Representation
RELATED BANDS: TheVerse, Crazy Loser in a Box, The Steel Lions, Pleasure Gallows, The Tortured, Benigneglect
PATRICK LEW’S EARLY LIFE (1985-2001)
Patrick was born on November 15, 1985, in San Francisco, California, to Winson Lew (born 1948) and Winnie Hayashi (1951-2017). He has two siblings, Ricky (born 1981) and Madeline (born 1985; fictional twin sister). He was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area by his parents.
Patrick had a slightly difficult childhood and upbringing, caused by the death of his paternal grandfather Wayne at the age of four and furthered, when he was battling a disability as a child and getting into trouble in school and outside with his peers and elders. Patrick Lew’s interest in music began with his mother Winnie introduced him to 60’s and 70’s British rock bands and acts such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Rod Stewart.
To overcome a slightly difficult childhood, Patrick often traveled with his family for vacations and turned to pro wrestling, video games and cable TV as a source of comfort.
1/5
In his pre-teenage years, Patrick Lew’s interest in music shifted to hard rock, heavy metal, J- Pop, alternative rock and eventually punk. He began playing guitar at the age of 13, after his maternal cousin Andrew was living with his family during the Summer as a foreign exchange student at a community college. His cousin Andrew was a guitar player and a huge fan of Jimi Hendrix and blues music. And he would often play the guitar and amp that Patrick’s elder brother Ricky left sitting in the closet.
His mom quoted him saying, “I’m gonna make it one way or the other by playing guitar and singing writing weird rock and roll songs!” He often practiced 45 minutes to one hour every other day.
Patrick Lew attended Raoul Wallenberg High School and graduated in 2003. He would later attend City College of San Francisco, before transferring to CSU East Bay. Graduating with a B.A. in Philosophy in 2011.
EARLY MUSIC CAREER (2001-2007)
Patrick joined his first band Samurai Sorcerers in 2001. Which would later be retconned and rebranded as Patrick Lew Band/PLB in August 2008.
They would often play music on the weekends in their garage as a hobby away from their studies. Patrick Lew would begin recording home demos on a 4-track Tascam and began uploading his work on the Internet as early as 2001.
In 2004, his band landed a record deal with a small indie label at the age of 19. However, they were soon dropped from their record label. Patrick Lew also roadied for the New Jersey based Asian-American rock duo FANTASIA for their San Francisco shows.
While attending City College, Patrick Lew played rhythm guitar and electronically composed for the deathcore band Band of Asians. Which also featured future former Patrick Lew Band drummer David Arceo.
PATRICK LEW BAND (2008-2012)
In 2008, Band of Asians called it quits and Patrick was without a band to play music in.
He was contemplating where to go next and what to do with his free time while not resuming his college studies and acting in community theater.
He decided to take his original concept and ideas for his first band Samurai Sorcerers but rebrand it as the Patrick Lew Band. He would also use some of his college funds to buy musical equipment and began recording many ideas in his bedroom.
2/5
He began using the Internet as a format to put Patrick Lew Band out there. He also began playing guitar more, learning the tricks of digital home recording and began composing and putting out what would become his signature work as a composer, guitar player and artist. Needing some assistance to carry the band to its potential, Patrick recruited a few former schoolmates from CSU East Bay and his bandmate from Band of Asians, David, to finalize the Patrick Lew Band lineup initially.
Patrick then relocated to live with his mother in Antioch, California. This would become the location for where Patrick Lew Band would record and self-release their albums Let It Rise and Against (2009) and Murder Bay (2011) online. Dubbed “3700 PIETA”, this would also become the location for some of Patrick Lew Band’s live onstage performances.
Critical reception towards Patrick Lew Band were initially very lukewarm on social-media and in the scene, stemming from the band’s first controversial hit single “Azn Girls.” Which was written about wanting to finding a place to belong in a closed-minded community and circle. For unknown reasons, the song’s original message was misinterpreted, leading to some polarizing reactions from the public.
Patrick Lew also got into a common-law marriage with his former partner Faith. They got together on Halloween 2009 and would eventually divorce on July 17, 2014.
THE STEEL LIONS (2012-2017)
Eventually, the Patrick Lew Band wouldn’t function well long-term as a huge creative and personal conflict led to the band’s initial demise during September 2012.
In the meantime, Patrick retreated from playing music and pursuing his passion seriously and decided to work a full-time day job as a visual merchandiser for a tech start-up. Which was his first time working a traditional paying job outside of playing music. He would record on-and-off during his break and would secretly self-release new music under the name The Steel Lions.
The Steel Lions was intended as a modern day homage to 80’s and early 90’s American hard rock, influenced by bands such as Bon Jovi, Metallica, Nirvana, Mother Love Bone and even bands like Oasis.
The Steel Lions would sporadically record at Patrick's newly built home studio in San Francisco during this period. And performed at Mama Art Cafe on September 13, 2013. The band would work with former Distorted Harmony drummer Erick Salazar in his personal studio to record the album Unfinished Relics. After several delays, The Steel Lions would self-release Unfinished Relics digitally on May 12, 2016.
3/5
Patrick would discontinue the Steel Lions officially in early 2017, feeling that the project “served its purpose.” Patrick Lew also lated stated that Steel Lions was actually a “stop-gap band” and a “precursor to PLB’s second run” in the indies. He also later stated that Steel Lions was one of his biggest flops in his indie music career, and the band will never reunite.
SECOND RUN WITH PATRICK LEW BAND AND OTHER BANDS (2015-2019)
Patrick eventually returned to the local music scene and social-media as Patrick Lew Band on January 2, 2015. Continuing where he left off. The Patrick Lew Band would still remain predominantly a home recording solo act. With some assistance from David until mid-2016 when he stepped down from the band to pursue other things in life.
Some time around that same period, Patrick Lew introduced a female alter ego into Patrick Lew Band named Madeline Lew. Which was created from cutting-edge modern technology and editing. Intended in storyline and social-media marketing purposes, as a fictional twin sister and Guardian Angel for Patrick Lew. Madeline plays a prominent role in the current era of Patrick Lew Band as the brand ambassador and has been credited on the recordings as a bassist and DJ.
Eventually, Patrick became close friends with his long-time acquaintance Janny and founded the post-punk/shoegaze duo TheVerse. Janny was initially an EDM producer under the stage name GEM JEWELS. His collaboration with TheVerse also gave Patrick Lew his first success and major exposure in music for the first time in his life.
TheVerse helped Patrick truly pay his dues finally in the local music scene and indies, which also included an intermittent tour across the Bay Area which lasted from May 2016 up until their most recent live performance at El Rio in San Francisco, California, on August 22, 2018. TheVerse digitally released their first EP on streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music in January 2018. TheVerse was initially at work in the studio on a new EP while enjoying a well deserved off-season. But a long grueling period of inactivity and the band procrastinating led to Patrick Lew getting frustrated creatively and pursuing projects outside the band to keep busy.
Patrick Lew left the band TheVerse on September 21, 2019. He however remains very close with his former Verse bandmates.
In October 2016, Patrick Lew became a fill-in touring bassist for the San Francisco skate punk band The Tortured for two live performances.
Patrick also played guitar and joined his then-girlfriend and close friend Sigyn’s band Crazy Loser in a Box. Often contributing guitar parts in separate studios with the band as collaboration. He can be heard on a few tracks off Crazy Loser in a Box’s 2018 debut album such as “Freckles”, “The Lie” and “Have You’ve Met My Friend?” Patrick Lew is still officially a member of the band under his stage name Satoru Hayashi. They are currently working on a 4th album in the studio!
4/5
In late 2019, Patrick Lew began collaborating with Filipino rapper A.K.AYE with the rapcore/nu metal band Benigneglect. They would become once a month residents at San Francisco’s historic DNA Lounge.
Approaching closer to the end of the 2010s, Patrick Lew entered the annals of history when he was named the recipient for the 40 Under 40 Awards from his alma mater Cal State East Bay for his work with the Patrick Lew Band on June 7, 2019.
By the end of 2017, the Patrick Lew Band was no longer a full-time project for Patrick Lew as a recording artist and semi-pro musician. Patrick stated on his social-media, “The Patrick Lew Band will now be a sporadic part-time thing and it will always be there.” Whilst still active, the band was now a part-time responsibility for Patrick in the studio and all over the digital age of punk rock music. The Patrick Lew Band’s most recent albums were released all over streaming services digitally in 2017: Oakland and Cold Sirens.
Upon entering the CSU East Bay Hall of Fame, Patrick Lew announced publicly by June 2019 that he will be discontinuing the Patrick Lew Band. He felt that he accomplished all that he could with PLB and felt that he made and left his mark. And he personally wanted to disband Patrick Lew Band at its highest and at its zenith rather when it was at its lowest.
THIRD RUN WITH PATRICK LEW BAND (2020-PRESENT)
However, retirement of the PLB wasn’t meant to be! On March 17, 2020, Patrick posted on Instagram confirming the return of the Patrick Lew Band in the indie music scene and the Yay Area. Because of the COVID19 pandemic and resurgence of racism towards Asian people, further affecting his activities and live performance schedule with his band Benigneglect, Patrick decided to revive PLB for sporadic appearances in the Internet music world. Working a lighter schedule with PLB in case Benigneglect is cleared to tour again. He began throwing empty house shows at his home studio Lewnatic HQ, beginning the COVID19 Lockdown Tour. He also became very active on his YouTube channel. Because of the pandemic affecting his professional indie music career and day job at Pier 39, he decided to keep busy with his PLB! There’s only more to come in the unpredictable, wild and out world of Patrick Lew Band!
CONCLUSION/MORAL OF THE STORY
Let music be the labor of love! Patrick Lew's goal is to become bigger, better and badder in rock music despite his ethnicity or shortcomings. He will always be what he is, what he does and will continue to try and rock a million faces on the World Wide Web. And of course, the Bay Area.
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
"Details surrounding Patrick Lew Band's 2020 return?"
"Details surrounding Patrick Lew Band's 2020 return?"
Don't expect the PLB to become a full-time priority again or any time soon.
Since the end of 2017, the Patrick Lew Band was no longer a full-time band of mines personally, professionally or creatively! A lot of my work and widespread attention has shifted to other bands: Benigneglect and Crazy Loser in a Box - Band. Even with the HOF ring at CSU East Bay last year, that pretty much meant that my time in Patrick Lew Band was cemented!
What this comeback could mean perhaps might not necessarily mean a brand spanking new Patrick Lew Band record. And throwing a big tour or public events to support a new album. That was not my original strategy why I brought Patrick Lew Band back for the year 2020.
My original reason for bringing back PLB had little to do with regaining my youthful touring days and underground teen idol status during the MySpace heyday. It was something more deep and meaningful than that!
First off, the demand for Patrick Lew Band was at a fever pitch after I discontinued PLB in June 2019. And, I thank the fans and cooler population for that. Secondly, PLB meant a lot to me and plays a large part of who I really am today. It might not be pop music glitz and glamour. It's about true integrity and authenticity.
I wanted to test the waters and come back to my PLB whenever everything else was currently on the bottom of the totem pole on my to-do-list in my music career and responsibilities. Like every now and then, I'd make a sporadic appearance as PLB in-house, in the studio or even in public for music related stuff!
So the return of Patrick Lew Band in the year 2020 is basically an OG from the scene who is "resting on his laurels" and making them one-off sporadic appearances for the indie music scene whenever and where ever I want to. I feel I've already cemented what PLB was and took Patrick Lew Band as far as I possibly could. But it's deep down always going to be around!
Like a legend in professional wrestling signed to a WWE Legends contract with creative and non-exclusive professional control, I just do Patrick Lew Band whenever I want to. Where ever I want to. Whenever I feel like it. Especially, when my other bands are on the lower etch of responsibilities at the given moment.
I'm 35 years old this year. I feel like I've came a long way personally and creatively in underground music.
Most of my accomplishments came from my very own PLB, and most people out there will probably not disagree with that. I feel like I could definitely branch out a little more now as an artist! And not be that same 22 year old Asian scene kid singing Everyone Loves Ashley Tisdale every night at the dive bar with his former band!
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Patrick Lew Band EPK
Jump, Rattle and Roll to our rock and roll freak show.
The Patrick Lew Band (stylized as PLB) is a music project with roots in San Francisco, Japan, and Taiwan. Inspired by artists as diverse as The Beatles, The Kinks and The Rolling Stones, Patrick managed to come up with a melodic, yet energetic songwriting style that feels absolutely one-of-a-kind. From brit pop, to garage and punk, but also some dreamier textures, the possibilities are truly endless! Patrick has a diverse approach as a songwriter, and his trusty band is there to help him make his vision come true, one song at a time!
Born in San Francisco CA on November 15, 1985, Patrick Lew is a second generation Asian-American of Chinese, Taiwanese, and Japanese descent. Whether by fate or coincidence, the eclecticism of Lew’s heritage is mirrored by the path his music has taken. Sometimes it’s credited to his Patrick Lew Band, and other times to his musical pseudonym, The Steel Lions, but the music is always a raw and loose mix of garage punk, grunge, and no nonsense rock and roll. Lew has been spending well over a decade practicing his craft, perfecting his sound, building an internet fan base, and putting himself into a position to take the music community by storm.
Flash forward through the years of friends, start-up bands, school, life in general, and eventually Lew found himself playing full-time with his group, TheVerse. Once he enrolled in California State University Hayward, going for his B.A. in Philosophy and Music. his musical talent still flourished in his writing and self-recording, especially partway through college in 2009. It was around this point that he began investing time into the Patrick Lew Band.
While primarily a rhythm guitar player, Lew’s been able to self-record much of his own music with a larger band sound by picking up the bass and programming some drum tracks to accompany him. Through the magic of the internet and home recording equipment, Lew’s also been able to collaborate with a lot of different musicians, each of them contributing to the library of songs in Lew’s arsenal. That was just the beginning of the story!
Don't miss out on their most recent releases, including full-length albums and a handful of EPs detailing their journey through music and creativity!
Find out more and listen to Patrick Lew Band:
www.facebook.com/patricklewband
www.instagram.com/officialpatricklew
www.soundcloud.com/patricklew
store.cdbaby.com/artist/patricklewband
store.cdbaby.com/artist/lewnatic
patricklewband.bandcamp.com
soundclick.com/patricklewband
www.youtube.com/djaudorage66
open.spotify.com/artist/76q8rnKceHx3HaGlcospDA
open.spotify.com/artist/7bBAEOueuwjLbBKD39q73a
CURRENT:
Patrick Lew: Guitar, Vocals (since 2001)
Madeline Lew: Bass, Sound Design, Ambassador (since 2015)
ALUMNI:
David Arceo: Drummer (served: 2006-2012; 2015-2016)
Eddie Blackburn: Lead Guitar (served: 2001-2005; 2007)
Tommy Loi: Drummer (served: 2001-2004)
FILL-INS & FOOTNOTES: Jeremy Alfonso; David Hunter; Greg Lynch; Zack Huang; Augusto Hernandez.
BAND BIOGRAPHY & EPK WRITTEN BY: Andrew (Fivver.com); Heath Andrew (ReviewYou.com)
Products:
Streaming Video & Audio, Digital Downloads, Band T-Shirts, YouTube, Photography.
What equipment do you use?
Epiphone Les Paul * Fender Telecaster * 2008 iMac * 2014 MacBook Air * Apple GarageBand * Apple Logic Pro X * Apple MainStage 3 * Vox AC50 * Boss DS-2 * Zoom R8 * Marshall CODE50 * Boss Dr. Rhythm Drum Machine * PreSonus Audiobox iOne * BandLab.com (for mastering services) * Rogue Bass Guitar
Anything else?
Like my page on Facebook! And subscribe to my YouTube channel too!
The Patrick Lew Band (stylized as PLB) is a music project with roots in San Francisco, Japan, and Taiwan. Inspired by artists as diverse as The Beatles, The Kinks and The Rolling Stones, Patrick managed to come up with a melodic, yet energetic songwriting style that feels absolutely one-of-a-kind. From brit pop, to garage and punk, but also some dreamier textures, the possibilities are truly endless! Patrick has a diverse approach as a songwriter, and his trusty band is there to help him make his vision come true, one song at a time!
Born in San Francisco CA on November 15, 1985, Patrick Lew is a second generation Asian-American of Chinese, Taiwanese, and Japanese descent. Whether by fate or coincidence, the eclecticism of Lew’s heritage is mirrored by the path his music has taken. Sometimes it’s credited to his Patrick Lew Band, and other times to his musical pseudonym, The Steel Lions, but the music is always a raw and loose mix of garage punk, grunge, and no nonsense rock and roll. Lew has been spending well over a decade practicing his craft, perfecting his sound, building an internet fan base, and putting himself into a position to take the music community by storm.
Flash forward through the years of friends, start-up bands, school, life in general, and eventually Lew found himself playing full-time with his group, TheVerse. Once he enrolled in California State University Hayward, going for his B.A. in Philosophy and Music. his musical talent still flourished in his writing and self-recording, especially partway through college in 2009. It was around this point that he began investing time into the Patrick Lew Band.
While primarily a rhythm guitar player, Lew’s been able to self-record much of his own music with a larger band sound by picking up the bass and programming some drum tracks to accompany him. Through the magic of the internet and home recording equipment, Lew’s also been able to collaborate with a lot of different musicians, each of them contributing to the library of songs in Lew’s arsenal. That was just the beginning of the story!
Don't miss out on their most recent releases, including full-length albums and a handful of EPs detailing their journey through music and creativity!
Find out more and listen to Patrick Lew Band:
www.facebook.com/patricklewband
www.instagram.com/officialpatricklew
www.soundcloud.com/patricklew
store.cdbaby.com/artist/patricklewband
store.cdbaby.com/artist/lewnatic
patricklewband.bandcamp.com
soundclick.com/patricklewband
www.youtube.com/djaudorage66
open.spotify.com/artist/76q8rnKceHx3HaGlcospDA
open.spotify.com/artist/7bBAEOueuwjLbBKD39q73a
CURRENT:
Patrick Lew: Guitar, Vocals (since 2001)
Madeline Lew: Bass, Sound Design, Ambassador (since 2015)
ALUMNI:
David Arceo: Drummer (served: 2006-2012; 2015-2016)
Eddie Blackburn: Lead Guitar (served: 2001-2005; 2007)
Tommy Loi: Drummer (served: 2001-2004)
FILL-INS & FOOTNOTES: Jeremy Alfonso; David Hunter; Greg Lynch; Zack Huang; Augusto Hernandez.
BAND BIOGRAPHY & EPK WRITTEN BY: Andrew (Fivver.com); Heath Andrew (ReviewYou.com)
Products:
Streaming Video & Audio, Digital Downloads, Band T-Shirts, YouTube, Photography.
What equipment do you use?
Epiphone Les Paul * Fender Telecaster * 2008 iMac * 2014 MacBook Air * Apple GarageBand * Apple Logic Pro X * Apple MainStage 3 * Vox AC50 * Boss DS-2 * Zoom R8 * Marshall CODE50 * Boss Dr. Rhythm Drum Machine * PreSonus Audiobox iOne * BandLab.com (for mastering services) * Rogue Bass Guitar
Anything else?
Like my page on Facebook! And subscribe to my YouTube channel too!
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