Patrick Lew Band

Monday, June 23, 2025

LEWNATIC BAND HISTORY

Asian-American rock and roll guitar hero and laptop DJ.

Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?

Patrick Lew Hayashi (Lewnatic) is a YouTuber, guitarist, singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and bedroom producer from San Francisco, CA.

Born to a Chinese father and a Sino-Japanese mother in 1985, Hayashi began playing guitar at age 13. Whilst in high school, he began posting his home demo

recordings online under various names.

By 2006, he began a semi-pro indie music career under the once reviled, but now so-called prolific Patrick Lew Band. He has an extensive back catalog with his musical work with PLB, consisting of 13 full-length albums, one live album, and several EP’s and singles. A year after making his semi-pro debut in the Internet music scene and locally, he began uploading videos on YouTube.

Hayashi was also renowned for his cross-dressing male-to-female alter-ego Madeline Lew in the Patrick Lew Band, who is also a virtual band member and avatar in PLB. Which began his road to success in indie music, after several years of false starts and deeply intense setbacks in his life. The introduction of his cross-dressing alter-ego in the Patrick Lew Band also helped restore his public image on social-media, and started his popularity in indie music and locally with PLB.

By Summer 2019, Patrick Lew Hayashi formed Lewnatic with his former friend Ahmed in the Bay Area music scene. Originally a rap-metal duo, Lewnatic quickly began playing live residencies at San Francisco’s famous DNA Lounge once-a-month until the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The project’s band name Lewnatic was derived from his father’s surname and the word “Lunatic.” After a performance at DNA Lounge on March 8, 2020, his friend and Patrick himself went their separate ways, pursuing their own music and creative avenues outside of the then-band.

A few years later during 2022, Hayashi relaunched the band Lewnatic as a “stripped down” touring and live-streaming experiment, as a spin-off related to the Patrick Lew Band. He quickly signed with the New York City based Bentley Records on July 19, 2022. Recording and releasing three EP’s under the Lewnatic banner during 2022 and 2023 while signed to his record label. Lewnatic’s 3rd album STARRCADE was launched worldwide on July 26, 2024 on all the music streaming apps and websites.

During 2022 and 2023, Lewnatic performed a few live-stream shows directly on his YouTube channel. And during 2022, Lewnatic performed at DNA Lounge (2-20-2022) and at Flores De Mayo (5-20-2022) at YMCA in San Francisco. On Memorial Day 2023, Lewnatic (as Patrick Lew Hayashi) was interviewed on Luke Sauer's podcast on YouTube and all over social-media, performing on-air and discussing a variety of topics. On December 12, 2023, Lewnatic taped an impromptu jam session at a friend's reherarsal space in Berkeley, California, which is also uploaded on his YouTube channel. By 2024, Lewnatic took a break from live-stream and onstage performances, but done a short CD and QR code promotional tour across Los Angeles in mid-May 2024 for his band.

With influences such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Metallica, Green Day, Guns N’ Roses, Oasis, X Japan, The Beatles, and many other iconic rock bands from yesteryear, Hayashi’s introspective lyrics, and fiery yet manic guitar skills are always showcased in his compositions. With themes of alienation, resilience, and self-empowering identity. Lewnatic’s compositions are very much a blend of pop-metal, 90’s grunge, and classic rock. Lewnatic’s music is based on a simple basic setup: a Fender Telecaster, 50 watt Marshall amp, and a laptop showcasing a wide array of digitally edited arrangements consisting of beats and instrumentals on the AUX cables.

When not making music and doing digital marketing for it globally, and when not making and uploading new YouTube videos, Patrick Lew Hayashi spends his free time reading, playing video games, watching television, going out with his small circle of friends, immersing himself in the Asian-American and Japanese community, going out to live music and wrestling events. He is most happiest being married to his partner Amanda Lew (known professionally as Manda Kay on YouTube) and working his full-time job outside of music at Costco Wholesale.

Since an early age, Hayashi had an obsession of becoming a prolific East Asian musician and making cool music. He sings, raps, plays lead guitar, bass, and uses AI-generated rock instrumentals that are digitally edited, and mixes the majority of his ideas. He has toured all across Northern California with various local punk bands, and his music has reached 60 countries globally online in six continents through social-media.

Looking ahead, Patrick envisions continuing to break boundaries with PLB and Lewnatic, exploring new musical landscapes, and further cementing his place in the indie music world.

Musical Influences:

Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Oasis, Green Day, X Japan, Beyond, Yutaka Ozaki, Metallica, Blink 182, Box Car Racer, BTS, Miyavi Ishihara, The Rolling Stones, Silverchair.

Underground on, mainstream off! Support all diversity and inclusivity for all marginalized voices and faces!

LEWNATIC BAND BIO

Asian-American rock and roll guitar hero and laptop DJ.

"In the wake of his bewildering and yet sometimes polarizing success with Patrick Lew Band during the 2010s and early 2020s, Patrick Lew Hayashi began a new chapter in 2022 under his stage name LEWNATIC. Creating a unique blend of classic rock, J-Pop, grunge, and pop-metal with fiery fierce guitar solos and instrumentation for the TikTok era."

Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?

In the heart of San Francisco, the birthplace of cultural revolutions and artistic movements, the Patrick Lew Band (PLB) has carved out a unique space in the music world. This Asian-American rock band, led by the multi-talented Patrick Lew Hayashi, has been a dynamic presence in the indie music scene, blending a wide range of genres and influences into a singularly innovative sound.

Born Patrick Allan Lew on November 15, 1985, to a Chinese father and a Japanese mother, Patrick's mixed heritage and upbringing in San Francisco played a significant role in shaping his musical identity. He experienced a childhood tinged with challenges, finding solace in rock music, video games, professional wrestling, and TV shows. This eclectic mix of interests laid the groundwork for a diverse musical career that would encompass everything from garage punk to J-Pop, grunge to electronic music. Patrick's early foray into music began with playing in various local bands. His mainstay, however, was PLB, which he led as a singer, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist. Initially starting as a garage punk band, PLB evolved over the years, mirroring Patrick's personal and artistic growth. His experiences, particularly feeling underrepresented and misunderstood as an Asian-American, infused his music with themes of alienation and resilience.

A pivotal moment in PLB's journey was the introduction of Madeline Lew, a virtual band member and Patrick's male-to-female alter-ego, created using modern photo editing apps. This digital innovation marked a new phase for PLB, enabling it to transition into an internet-based virtual rock band. Madeline's presence added an intriguing layer to the band's narrative and helped PLB gain traction in the indie music scene.

During the COVID pandemic, Patrick expanded his creative pursuits, forming a spin-off project called Lewnatic. Initially conceived as a rap-metal duo, it evolved into an extension of PLB's ethos, with a focus on instrumental rock inspired by classic rock and 90s grunge. This period saw Patrick embracing AI-generated technology and modern DAWs to streamline his creative process, reflecting his adaptive approach to music-making.

Patrick's musical influences, ranging from Nirvana to Pearl Jam, The Beatles to X Japan, have profoundly influenced his sound and approach. His music borrows visually from Japanese Anime and J-Rock artists, while sonically experimenting with diverse styles to create something distinct. Patrick's Chinese and Japanese heritage has also been a source of pride and inspiration, informing his artistic identity and connecting him with a broader, more diverse audience. For Patrick, fan interactions are the lifeblood of his artistic journey, providing validation, inspiration, and a sense of community.

Looking ahead, Patrick envisions continuing to break boundaries with PLB and Lewnatic, exploring new musical landscapes, and further cementing his place in the indie music world.

Musical Influences:

Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Oasis, Green Day, X Japan, Beyond, Yutaka Ozaki, Metallica, Blink 182, Box Car Racer, BTS, Miyavi Ishihara, The Rolling Stones, Silverchair.

Underground on, mainstream off! Support all diversity and inclusivity for all marginalized voices and faces!

Friday, June 13, 2025

THE UNDERDOG WHO NEVER LEFT THE STAGE: PATRICK LEW’S MUSICAL ODYSSEY. BY Xavier Hamilton.

In a world increasingly driven by algorithms and mass appeal, few artists are bold enough to build a career on authenticity and cultural pride. Patrick Lew, the San Francisco-born rocker behind the experimental Patrick Lew Band (PLB) and his solo alias Lewnatic, is one of thoserare forces. Blending genres, identities, and decades of musical influence, Lew has carvedout an unapologetically original lane in the underground music scene one that resonatesdeeply with misfits, dreamers, and rock enthusiasts across the globe.

Born of Two Worlds: Culture and Community

Patrick Allan Lew was born on November 15, 1985, in the heart of San Francisco, a city renowned for its counterculture legacy. Raised by first-generation Chinese and Sino-Japanese parents, he grew up immersed in a cross-cultural household. The Bay Area’s diversity was not just a backdrop it became a foundation for his musical and personal identity.

Lew’s education further reflected his multicultural upbringing. He graduated from Wallenberg High School and studied Japanese at Soko Gakuen. Later, he earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Cal State East Bay, a discipline that shaped the introspective and existential tones in his songwriting.

The Origins of the Patrick Lew Band

What started as a teenage passion project in 2001 slowly evolved into the Patrick Lew Band, officially formed in 2006. Originally a joke moniker posted on MySpace, “The Patrick Lew Band” became a lasting identity. His early sound gritty, raw, and emotionally urgent reflected his punk and grunge roots. Inspired by Nirvana, X Japan, and the British Invasion, Lew drew on a wide spectrum: from 90s alt-rock to Japanese pop and even chiptune.

With the rise of social media and DIY platforms, PLB began releasing home-recorded albums, many of which embraced lo-fi aesthetics long before it became a genre buzzword. Over the years, the band’s discography has expanded to include 14 albums, each marked by a fearless willingness to evolve and experiment.

Reinvention as Lewnatic: Performance Meets Persona

In 2019, Patrick introduced a new alter ego: Lewnatic.

Inspired by performance art and rooted in rebellion, the Lewnatic project blended electronic textures, punk bravado, anddigital theatrics. The name fusing his surname “Lew” with “lunatic” signaled an embrace of duality: chaos and control, artistry and identity.

While PLB continued releasing music independently, Lewnatic signed with Bentley Records in 2022, allowing Patrick to explore a more stylized and conceptual path. Monthly live shows at San Francisco’s DNA Lounge, along with livestream performances and overseas appearances in Japan, helped solidify Lewnatic’s following.

Struggles, Grief, and Resilience

Behind the persona lies a story of resilience.

The passing of Patrick’s mother in 2017 was a devastating blow, leading to a temporary pause in his artistic output. He turned to full-time work to support himself but never gave up on his music. Instead, grief became a muse, adding a new emotional depth to his lyrics and creative vision.

Even as he faced personal losses and industry rejections, Lew found renewed purpose through music. His faith in the underground community and his own DIY ethic has remained steadfast.

Living Across Borders: Love, Location, and Long-Distance

Although Patrick is deeply rooted in the Bay Area, his journey has taken him through Antioch, California, and even briefly to Texas. He now splits his time between San Francisco and Rockford, Illinois, where he shares a home with his fiancée Amanda “Manda Kay” Lew. Their long-distance relationship underscores the complexities of modern love, often reflected in his lyrics and online storytelling.

Genre-Bending Sound & Artistic Influences

Patrick Lew defies genre labels. His work draws from punk, blues, hard rock, J-Pop, K-Pop, electronic, grunge, and more. As Lewnatic, he leans into synth-heavy production and avant-garde visuals. As PLB, he remains raw and analog, often recording with minimal gear and maximum emotion. Citing Nirvana, Beyond, The Beatles, Yutaka Ozaki, and his cousin Andy as key influences, Patrick creates with the passion of a fan and the discipline of a philosopher. His sound is not just a style it’s a story.

The Many Faces of Patrick: The Story of Madeline Lew

Between 2015 and 2024, one of the most radical and expressive elements of the Patrick Lew Band project was the inclusion of Madeline Lew a cross-dressing alter ego brought to life by Patrick himself. Madeline wasn’t just a character; she was a performance art piece, a commentary on gender norms, and a vital creative force within the PLB universe.

Clad in wigs, bold makeup, and unapologetic attitude, Madeline allowed Patrick to tap into his theatrical side, exploring femininity, duality, and artistic freedom through a completely different lens.

Appearing in music videos, online vlogs, and live shows, Madeline became a symbol of boundary-pushing individuality equal parts rebel, muse, and mirror. While some saw her as controversial, others praised her as a fearless exploration of identity in rock music an often traditionally masculine space. For nearly a decade, Madeline Lew challenged expectations, often blurring the line between performance and personal truth.She wasn’t just a side project she was PLB in many ways.

In 2024, Patrick quietly retired the Madeline Lew persona, reflecting a natural evolution in both life and art. But the impact she left remains.

“Madeline helped me express things I couldn’t as Patrick,” he shared.

“She was part of my freedom, part of my truth.”

A Shoutout from Legends and a Growing Legacy

Over the years, Patrick’s work has caught the attention of several notable figures. WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart praised him via Cameo in 2022. In 2019, Simon Tam of The Slants publicly supported Lew’s efforts to challenge Asian-American stereotypes in rock. And as a teenager, Patrick met Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 an encounter that left a lasting impression.These moments serve as affirmations that, even from the underground, Lew’s voice is being heard.

Recent Releases & Future Plans

Recent releases include:

“I Feel Like Playing” (Lewnatic): A blues-driven instrumental EP showcasing his guitar work.

“Lost in the Meta” (PLB): A dark, introspective project reflecting on alienation in the digital age.

“Starrcade” (Lewnatic): His first full-length LP under the new alias, merging retro gaming aesthetics with punk energy.

Despite working full-time at Costco in San Francisco, Patrick remains prolific. He uses every spare moment to write, record, and promote his work via platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and TikTok.

A Message to the Next Generation

When asked what advice he’d give to aspiring artists, Patrick offers a simple truth: “Be yourself. Be determined. Be as ambitious and driven as you want to be, and keep doing you. Good things will come your way.”

Final Thoughts: Defiant and Unapologetically Himself

Patrick Lew stands as a trailblazer for Asian-American representation in rock a scene that has often lacked visible diversity. His journey proves that passion, persistence, and personal truth can outlast trends and transcend barriers. Whether you discover him as PLB or Lewnatic, one thing is clear:

Patrick Lew isn’t following the rules. He’s rewriting them.

Monday, June 2, 2025

PATRICK LEW BAND

NAME: PATRICK LEW HAYASHI

NICKNAME: The Kamikaze Guitarist, PLB, Patty Pat, The Steel Lion, P. Money, P. Deli, The Lewnatic, Masa, The Pariah.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Patrick Lew, Masamichi Hayashi

JAPANESE NAME: 林正道

BIRTHDAY: November 15, 1985 as Patrick Allan Lew

HOMETOWN: San Francisco, CA, United States

HEIGHT & WEIGHT: 6' (182 cm) / 134 lbs (60 kg)

ETHNICITY: Japanese, Chinese-Taiwanese, Remotely Southeast Asian

MARITAL STATUS: Married to Manda Kay (b. 1982) [February 24, 2025 - Present]

RELATIVES: Rick Lew (older brother; b. 1981), Madeline Lew (relative; b. 1985, Metaverse Only) Winson Lew (father; b. 1948), Winnie Hayashi (mother; b. 1951, d. 2017)

HIGH SCHOOL: Raoul Wallenberg High School, Soko Gakuen Japanese School

COLLEGE: California State University, East Bay

OCCUPATION: Musician, YouTuber, Full-Time Employment @ COSTCO, Former Uber Driver

INSTRUMENTS PLAYED: Guitar, Bass, Programming, Vocaloid, Piano, Vocals

GENRES: Alternative Rock, Hard Rock, Instrumental, Punk, Grunge, Emo, Various Genres

YEARS ACTIVE: 1999 – Present

MEMBER OF: Patrick Lew Band, Lewnatic

FORMERLY OF: Crazy Loser in a Box!, TheVerse, Pleasure Gallows, Benigneglect, The Tortured

LABELS: Statue Records, Bentley Records, Lewnatic Records (self-released)

GEAR USED: Mid-2012 MacBook Pro, Early 2015 MacBook Air, HP Victus Laptop (2023), Fender Telecaster, PreSonus Audiobox iOne, Logic Pro, Marshall CODE50 Amp, VOCALOID & AI Vocal Swapping Apps (for Madeline Lew's lead vocals), iMovie (for making YouTube videos), iPhone 13 PRO + various apps, Boss DS-2 Pedal, 20-Watt Glarry Practice Amp, A.I. Music Generators.

CONTACT INFO: plewhayashi@gmail.com

We are a Metaverse-themed rock band from San Francisco.

Biography

Patrick Lew Hayashi, better known by his stage name LEWNATIC, rose to become one of the Internet’s most prolific yet underappreciated rising rock stars of his time, mainly because of the success of his Metaverse-themed punk rock band Patrick Lew Band (PLB), although his output with other bands and collaborations with other lesser known Bay Area musicians also solidified his reputation as well.

Born to a Chinese father and Japanese mother of mixed descent in November 1985, Hayashi developed his obsession and passion for rock music at a relatively early age, simply from listening to his mother’s classic rock records from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Motley Crue, Elvis, Nirvana, Guns N’ Roses, to begin playing his older brother Ricky’s electric guitar at age 12 and quickly receiving some formal musical education in high school and college. When his cousin Andy was living with his family one Summer as a foreign exchange student at City College of San Francisco, Patrick Lew Hayashi began playing guitar after watching his older cousin play Jimi Hendrix and Deep Purple songs on his guitar at home.

While not the most technical and not the most disciplined type of musician and guitarist, Hayahsi makes up for it with his stage presence, unprecedented charm, and gritty lyrics and image. Largely self-taught as a musician, Hayashi also taught himself how to create his own music as a bedroom producer and began quickly uploading his tracks online. By 2007 at the tender young age of 21, Patrick Lew Hayashi created his YouTube channel, which several years later, he would gradually become a moderately known influencer and digital creator.

He began his indie music career in 2001 whilst still in high school, by forming a garage band with his schoolmates. Years later, after all his friends “moved on” from playing music onto other life avenues, Hayashi wanted to continue making music and playing guitar. With dreams of one day cementing his status in the music scene. He graduated from Wallenberg High School in 2004, and also graduated from Soko Gakuen Japanese Language School in San Francisco that same period, and enrolled in CSU East Bay, studying Philosophy. His devotion sort of paid off, although he experienced some prejudice on social-media and had difficulty maintaining a stable lineup for his band. Playing music with some band members that he didn’t quite get along with, and a bitterly dysfunctional six-year relationship with his then-girlfriend.

Eventually, he took his vision, his ideas, and created the Patrick Lew Band (PLB). Realizing he couldn’t find other members to articulate his musical ideas and stay committed to it. He instead began using his computer as a musical stage and tool, augmented with his guitar playing skills. Alongside, occasional angst-filled lyrics related to alienation and abjection. Later on in 2015, together with his cross-dressing alter-ego Madeline Lew (marketed as Patrick’s ex-girlfriend and cousin), embarked on an exciting yet breathtaking journey which would later push the Patrick Lew Band to becoming Asian-American icons on the Internet by 2020. While PLB isn’t the most rock and roll band ever created on Earth in a traditional sense, they are certainly one of the more successful ones, and are one of the most prolific Internet-based virtual rock bands of their time. A number of bloggers, curators, and digital music magazines have since extensively written about the Patrick Lew Band in the press.

However, PLB didn’t suffice as the only musical vehicle for Hayashi, who never stopped periodic side-projects and branching out. He also toured, recorded, and performed for the San Francisco-based Shoegaze band TheVerse between 2015 and 2019, releasing one EP during his tenure with the group. And he also played guitar with the Silicon Valley-based Post-Rock band Crazy Loser in a Box occasionally since 2018 until 2023 (?). His solo discography under the banner LEWNATIC, includes several EP’s, singles, and two full-length albums since he created his solo project in 2019. LEWNATIC has also sporadically perofrmed live occasionally, and also does live-streaming directly on his YouTube channel. Hayashi also made a brief filmed uncredited cameo appearance on Season 4 and Episode 1 on the critically acclaimed Amazon TV series The Man in the High Castle. By 2019, the Patrick Lew Band was inducted in the 40 Under 40 Hall of Fame at their alma mater CSU East Bay.

Patrick is also renowned formerly for his male-to-female crossdressing alter-ego, Madeline Lew, who was also a virtual band member and ingenious public persona of the Patrick Lew Band between 2015 to 2023. Madeline's presence in PLB also helped launch the success that Patrick needed for his music at first globally.

Despite their primarily online presence, the band has not shied away from the stage, performing sporadic and selective local gigs that showcase their dynamic sound. Patrick is currently engaged to his long-time girlfriend, Manda Kay, born in 1982, a former stage actress who now thrives as a YouTuber and writer/journalist. Together, they represent a creative and romantic partnership that transcends traditional boundaries.

Looking ahead, Patrick Lew Band is set to self-release new music across all major streaming platforms while continuing to engage with fans through miscellaneous YouTube videos that delve into their artistic process and musical philosophy. Their commitment to innovation and connection ensures that the Patrick Lew Band will remain a vibrant force in the modern rock scene, inviting listeners to join them on their journey of musical exploration.

NEW PATRICK LEW BAND EP...THE FIRST WITHOUT MADELINE LEW INVOLVED

PATRICK LEW BAND releases their latest EP "LOST IN THE META" on Bandcamp.

"A six-song EP returning to PLB's initial 90's and 2000s rock influences, with lyrical and musical themes commenting on the current state of the world as of 2025. After nearly half a decade of genre-bending sprawling sounds and experimenting with styles such as J-Pop, K-Pop, progressive rock, soft rock, electronic music, pop-metal, and among many others.

This is the first release from Patrick Lew Band to not feature long-time virtual band member Madeline Lew involved..."

TRACKS:

1. My Cold Heart

2. Fractured Lines

3. Strength Not to Lose

4. Life Is...

5. Drain You (Nirvana Cover)

6, Wanting You From A Distance [feat. Manda Kay]

BAND HISTORY:

Patrick Lew was born in San Francisco in 1985 to a Chinese father and a Japanese mother of mixed descent.

In 2001, Patrick Lew Hayashi formed a band under the banner Patrick Lew Band in his hometown of San Francisco, CA when he was just 15 years old. Most of Hayashi's early years in the indie music circuit was playing in a garage band. In 2005, Hayashi was attending City College of San Francisco and was briefly signed to an indie label based in La Jolla, CA. After he was dropped from his developmental contract with the label, Hayashi decided to book studio time with the help of his friends.

Patrick attended Wallenberg High School in San Francisco, graduating in 2004 after being held back one grade while in elementary school. He also attended Soko Gakuen Japanese School, and graduated and got certified around the same time he graduated from high school. He later attended CSU East Bay, graduating with a B.A in Philosophy and Music Composition in 2011. He began playing guitar at the age of 13 through his older cousin Andy, whom was living with his family at the time in San Francisco.

Patrick also began using YouTube as a platform dedicated to his life as an artist/musician and in general on February 2, 2007. After several years, his YouTube channel reached a respectable amount of recognition on the Internet. As of today, there are 400+ uploaded videos on his YouTube channel.

The Patrick Lew Band is largely influenced by the iconic Seattle grunge band Nirvana.

Other key influences in the band and their music ranges from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Yutaka Ozaki, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Oasis, Miyavi, Guns N Roses, X Japan, Danny Chan, B'z, Beyond (HK Band), Hatsune Miku, BTS, Jim Johnston, Pearl Jam, Rage Against The Machine, Nine Inch Nails, The White Stripes, Green Day, Blink 182, The Fall, The Sex Pistols, and many more.

Most of the time, Hayashi was on the Internet putting his bands music out there. On November 15, 2006, which was also Patrick Lew's 21st birthday, the Patrick Lew Band released their debut album JUMP, RATTLE, AND ROLL on CDBaby. Patrick Lew Band would begin to sporadically play small shows in the San Francisco area by 2007 with a frequently changing line-up. Their first single AZN GIRLS was posted online during late 2007, leading to a critical backlash among the band on social-media over unbeknownst reasons. Around this same period, the bands chiptune rearranged cover of the Nirvana song Drain You was published on Nirvanaclub.com.

During 2009, Patrick Lew Band began making their strides in the regional music scene and on the Internet. Their song Everyone Loves Ashley brought them to notoriety and initial indie-level fame. Between 2009 to 2012, the band would write and record up to as many as 60 songs per year in their home studio. To have something to fall back on, Hayashi taught himself the fundamentals of the indie music business and being his own entrepreneur.

During this period, Patrick Lew Band had aborted plans to tour locally. However, the group would perform live in the Antioch area occasionally during some of 2011. Some of these performances can be found and since leaked on Patrick Lew Band's (PLB) official YouTube channel.

Between 2009 to 2012, the Patrick Lew Band self-released their music online: Let It Rise And Against (2009), Murder Bay (2011) and the EP Angry Yellow (2012).

On February 4, 2012, Patrick Lew Band performed at Dolores Park in San Francisco. After taking a few years away from the indies because of a failed relationship with his ex Faith and very well documented personal problems, Hayashi made his return to music with the Patrick Lew Band by the beginning of 2015. Embarking on his most profitable and memorable run in the indie music circuit.

2015 began with Hayashi being appointed the Ambassador for Antennas Direct. And conducting a televised interview with the 24 HOUR K-POP music TV channel in the San Francisco Bay Area. Around this same period, Patrick introduced a crossdressing M2F alter-ego by the name of Madeline Lew into the band. Created from digital special effects, CGI and Photoshop. In a music marketing storyline, Madelines role in the band is described as, "the long lost younger sister of Patrick Lew Hayashi saving the band from failure and bringing his band and his music back to prominence."

Madeline's character in the Patrick Lew Band was created during a difficult time in Patrick's personal and professional life. Originally slated for debut back in 2009 but was pushed back until Halloween 2015 because of technological limitations to create a "Gender Swapped" version of himself visually, and taboo related to the LGBTQ community. This was Patrick's last ditch effort to restore his public image, after several bad breakups with his exe and other difficult events during 2015.

Madeline Lew's introduction into the Patrick Lew Band as a virtual band member and mascot brought Patrick Lew's profitability back to prominence in the music scene and helped Patrick Lew Band achieve publicity and moderate indie-level success that he did not accomplish prior to 2015. The success and exposure that the Patrick Lew Band received during this period included a couple music blogs writing about the Patrick Lew Band online and being mentioned on-air on Bay Area rock FM radio station 107.7 THE BONE.

The band was mostly recording in their home studio in San Francisco. By 2016, the band launched their own label and multimedia start-up Lewnatic HQ.

The band was often working on new music in their home recording studio between 2015 and early 2017. The Patrick Lew Band would release their album OAKLAND on Valentines Day 2017. He and his alter-ego Madeline Lew would perform at Brick & Mortar Music Hall on October 8, 2017.

By the end of 2017, the Patrick Lew Band no longer was a full-time responsibility as Hayashi began working a stable full-time job. The primary cause of the PLB's second departure was caused by his mother's passing. But also, due to exhaustion and personal problems resurfacing.

He also began only sporadically making studio recording appearances with the band as he branched his talents to other outlets and playing music with local bands outside of Patrick Lew Band.On June 7, 2019. Patrick Lew Hayashi received the 40 Under 40 award at his alma mater CSU East Bay. He would become the first major Japanese-American male to receive the high honor. In Summer 2019, Patrick and Madeline Lew toured Japan for the first time.

Outside of PLB. Patrick Lew also made a brief uncredited cameo appearance on the acclaimed Amazon TV series Man in the High Castle on Season 4 and Episode 1. He also is a moderately known and prolific social-media influencer and persona, most notably on YouTube and Instagram.

The band returned to full-time status in 2020. And they reached potentially prolific status with their music and brand in the indies and on social-media with what they do. Recent years proved to be very prosperous and helped the Patrick Lew Band reach new heights. Since then, the band's music has reached thousands of listeners in an estimated 51 different countries worldwide on Apple Music/iTunes. Subsequent reviews and press regarding PLB have been positive.

From 2020 onward since returning to pursuing their passion for making music, the Patrick Lew Band (PLB) decided to transition their project into an exclusively Internet Only type of band.

Since 2020, PLB has been featured in numerous blogs and digital music magazines online. While Lew maintains his citizenship and residence in San Francisco, the band also began gravitating their musical focus to "break into" the music scene worldwide.

2020 and 2021 also saw the band continue and sustain their momentum as a Internet- based rock band. Conducting a few Livestream concerts on social-media, and gaining new legions and generation of followers. The band also released several albums during these two years respectively on iTunes and Spotify, including their first live album IN YOUR HOUSE! Rumors began to swirl in mid-2021 regarding the Patrick Lew Band's future online. However, the PLB released more new music going into the year 2022 online.

During most of 2022, Patrick re-launched a spin-off of the Patrick Lew Band known as LEWNATIC. As COVID-19 pandemic began to quietly wind down in San Francisco, he began touring and live-streaming under the LEWNATIC name. Lewnatic would perform at San Francisco's historic DNA Lounge on February 20, 2022. Shortly after, he began working on demos and released the mixtape Strictly Prohibited worldwide on iTunes, Spotifty, and everywhere else through his distribtutor CDBABY by April that year.

As Patrick Lew retains his citizenship and residence in the Bay Area, he also planned to introduce his music to JAPAN on the world wide web. By March 2022, he worked with TOP MUSIC JAPAN to get PLB's music out there. Currently, their prolific 2020 album Rolling Thunder was consigned to EGGS, a subsidiary of Tower Records in Japan. He also wanted to expand his music and attention globally, and remains persistent while doing so.

Patrick Lew Band would remain occasionally active during early-to-mid 2022. Madeline and Patrick would often spend much time together during this period doing fun things, alongside making music.

Much of Patrick's musical activity during 2022 was placed primarily on LEWNATIC. As PLB remained exclusively a virtual rock band in the Metaverse, for many kinds of reasons.

On July 19, 2022, Patrick signed a 1-year Artist Development Contract with New York based label Bentley Records. And released his first EP RAPID FIRE under the LEWNATIC banner as a signed artist a month later. By this point, Patrick began focusing more of his attention to LEWNATIC as a musician and social-media influencer. Madeline took a step back from Patrick Lew Band by August 2022, in kayfabe, she relocated back to Asia. In reality, Patrick wanted to semi-retire her character in the project, feeling that it served its pupose. Madeline would make sporadic appearances with Patrick Lew Band on their social-media and in general during this period, contributing her vocals to 90's alt-rock and J-POP cover songs released between 2022 and 2024. Such as the track Time Baby 2 from the 90's shoegaze band MEDICINE, which was originally featured on the late Brandon Lee film The Crow.

PLB took a short break during 2023 to detox from social-media adversity, mental health struggles, and Patrick's musical and creative endeavors with Lewnatic.

On September 5, 2022, the Patrick Lew Band released their 12th album Adrenaline worldwide on all the platforms. They would also release an 11-minute Blues inspired song She's All That a month later on October 17th. Madeline's final contribution to Patrick Lew Band, a cover of the White Lion song Radar Love, was released in May 2024. On November 1, 2024, Madeline Lew (and her virtual avatar) officially retired from the Patrick Lew Band.

Meanwhile, LEWNATIC began posting new online content and releasing new music as a signed artist under Bentley Records, their most recent release, the critically acclaimed EP "THE LOST SOULS" was released worldwide on March 15, 2023. During 2022 and 2023, Lewnatic performed a few live-stream shows directly on his YouTube channel.

On Memorial Day 2023, Patrick Lew (under LEWNATIC) made a live televised appearance at San Franciscco's Edge Studios for a podcast, also being interviewed by host Luke Sauer. It was his first live public appearance performing in over a year. Later on December 12, 2023, Lewnatic taped an impromptu jam session at a friend's reherarsal space in Berkeley, California, which is also uploaded on his YouTube channel.

By 2024, Lewnatic took a break from live-stream and onstage performances, but done a short CD and QR code promotional tour across Los Angeles in mid-May 2024 for his band.

With Hayashi’s introspective lyrics, and fiery yet manic guitar skills are always showcased in his compositions. With themes of alienation, resilience, and self-empowering identity. Lewnatic’s compositions are very much a blend of pop-metal, 90’s grunge, and classic rock. Lewnatic’s music is based on a simple basic setup: a Fender Telecaster, 50 watt Marshall amp, and a laptop showcasing a wide array of digitally edited arrangements consisting of beats and instrumentals on the AUX cables.

Patrick Lew Band returned in 2024 in a subdued manner. Focusing their music entirely as a virtual Internet-based solo project. Utilizing modern technology such as AI and modern DAW's, they returned to making music and putting themselves out there. They released their 14th album Rebel Radio by the end of 2024. As 2025 dawned, under the PLB banner, he released the EP Pariah Vol. 3 on all the streaming platforms. The EP was Patrick's alter-ego and virtual band member Madeline Lew's swansong from the Patrick Lew Band and the last track "Good to Be Alive" was written as a tribute to Madeline and all her work in the project.

PLB soon rebranded as a 90's rock and early 2000s emo/post-hardcore inspired type of music project following Madeline's retirement from Patrick Lew Band, with some hints of 80's pop-metal. Patrick's singing voice is now auto-corrected via AI technology, and the music is created through many sources: AI, modern DAW's, music sequencing phone apps, Patrick's guitar playing, and licensed sampling of beats. On May 4, 2025, Patrick Lew Band releases their next EP Lost in the Meta, which themeatically discusses the current state of the world as of 2025 lyrically, impending doom, social-media toxicity, and finding stability and common ground in personal relationships and in life.

Lewnatic also plans to throw an empty venue livestream concert soon at Music City San Francisco for a later date, and Patrick has discussed plans to busk in the street corners of his hometown as Lewnatic with his gear as well.

While the future is uncertain for the Patrick Lew Band (PLB). Patrick wants to continue doing music actively as a virtual rock band with both PLB and Lewnatic. There's more coming your way, and PLB won't be going anywhere any time soon! The future is looking more hopeful and brighter, as well as being unwritten at this point. Expect more things to follow in the amazing world and rock and roll from the No. 1 Sino-Japanese virtual punk rock band from San Francisco!