Patrick Lew Band

Saturday, June 28, 2025

PATRICK LEW BAND ON USANEWS.com

In the vibrant, ever-evolving world of indie rock, few stories are as uniquely woven with the threads of perseverance, cultural fusion, and creative disruption as that of Patrick Lew. Born in San Francisco to a Chinese father and Japanese mother, Patrick’s music journey has been shaped not only by his love for grunge, punk, and J-Rock but by his unwavering resilience in the face of adversity. Today, the Patrick Lew Band (PLB) stands as a testament to the power of determination, individuality, and artistic vision, redefining the landscape of indie music.

Origin and Mission: A Cultural Fusion and Musical Foundation

Patrick Lew’s story begins in the culturally rich environment of San Francisco. Raised amidst the diverse influences of East Asian pop and Western rock, Patrick was exposed to a musical spectrum that was as vast as it was varied. From the haunting riffs of Nirvana to the melody of The Beatles, his early love for music was as eclectic as his cultural background. Growing up with Chinese and Japanese roots, he often felt the tension of navigating between two worlds. This duality would go on to shape his music, which blends the rawness of punk and grunge with the infectious energy of J-Pop and the free-spiritedness of East Asian culture.

At 15, Patrick began experimenting with music, recording in his bedroom with a Tascam 4-track recorder gifted by his mother. It was here that the seeds of what would become the Patrick Lew Band (PLB) were planted, forming an integral part of his artistic evolution. From the very beginning, his approach was unique: independent, experimental, and committed to raw, authentic sound. What started as a passion project would soon evolve into a significant force in the underground music scene.

The Rise of the Patrick Lew Band: Garage Punk to Virtual Rock Phenomenon

The true inception of PLB came in 2001, during a time when garage punk and DIY ethos were at the forefront of the indie music movement. With early albums like Curb Your Wild Life, Let It Rise, and Against, Patrick captured the riotous energy of his youth, infusing the music with a rawness and sincerity that made his sound unmistakable. These albums served as a call to arms for anyone who ever felt like an outsider, with lyrics that spoke directly to the hearts of the disillusioned.

But it wasn’t just the music that set PLB apart—it was Patrick’s willingness to innovate. As streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music gained prominence, PLB transitioned into a virtual band, incorporating electronic and experimental elements that captured the essence of the digital age. This shift marked a turning point in the band's trajectory. The idea of a virtual band wasn’t new, but Patrick's execution was. He introduced a creative concept in 2015 that would further distinguish PLB: the cross-dressing alter ego, designed by Madeline Lew, which added a layer of intrigue to the band’s identity. This move pushed PLB into new territory, gaining attention from listeners around the world.

By this time, PLB’s music had spread to more than 50 countries, resonating with a diverse global audience. It was a breakthrough moment, not just for Patrick but for independent artists everywhere. PLB had successfully built an international following without the backing of a major label—a feat that remains a true testament to Patrick’s creative vision and DIY ethos.

Achievements and Impact: A Legacy Built on Persistence

Patrick Lew’s journey is marked by numerous accomplishments that speak to his talent and influence in the music world. One of the most notable recognitions came in the form of his induction into CSU East Bay's 40 Under 40 Hall of Fame. As the first Japanese-American male to receive this honor, Patrick became a trailblazer in the indie music scene, further cementing his role as a cultural icon. This was followed by an Akademia Music Award in 2016 for his track “Game Changer,” which stood as a powerful example of his unique fusion of experimental rock.

In addition to these accolades, Patrick’s music has been featured in prominent media outlets such as Ascendant Magazine, and his appearances in TV shows like The Man in the High Castle and White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch showcased his growing presence beyond just music. Yet despite these accomplishments, Patrick remains deeply grounded in the ethos that defines his work: a relentless pursuit of artistic freedom and an unshakable commitment to his craft.

Lewnatic: Pushing Boundaries, Exploring New Horizons

In 2019, Patrick embarked on a new musical journey with the creation of Lewnatic, a project that would take his sound even further. Initially conceived as a rap-metal venture, Lewnatic soon morphed into a vibrant rock band influenced by a blend of City Pop, anime, and punk rock. The project’s evolution showcases Patrick’s unyielding desire to push the boundaries of his musical identity, constantly seeking new sounds, styles, and ways to connect with fans.

One of Lewnatic’s biggest milestones came when they performed at DNA Lounge in San Francisco, a venue synonymous with the city’s rich musical history. This performance was a significant step in building the band's presence within the indie rock community and reaffirmed Patrick’s commitment to live performances, a cornerstone of his artistic vision.

Lewnatic also saw a major collaboration with Bentley Records, releasing the album Rapid Fire in 2022. The record was met with critical acclaim and further solidified Patrick’s status as an innovative force in the rock music landscape. Through Lewnatic, Patrick was able to introduce new audiences to his music, transcending the boundaries of traditional rock and venturing into new, unexplored territories.

Challenges and Resilience: Overcoming Adversity and Redefining the Music Industry

Patrick’s path to success has not been without its challenges. As an ethnic minority in rock music, Patrick has faced barriers that many artists never encounter. But rather than being deterred, he used these obstacles as fuel for his creativity. His experience as a person of color in the rock world has shaped his identity and driven his mission to break stereotypes and create music that speaks to a global audience. Through his work, Patrick has become a beacon for other artists, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, showing that success in the music industry is not reserved for the mainstream.

A Legacy of Innovation: The Future of Patrick Lew Band

As Patrick Lew Band celebrates its 20th year in the industry, Patrick’s commitment to innovation and musical exploration shows no signs of slowing down. His ability to reinvent himself, constantly adapt to new trends, and challenge musical conventions has ensured that PLB remains a relevant and influential force in indie rock. Whether through self-recorded albums, collaborations, or live performances, Patrick continues to make waves in the industry and inspire a new generation of musicians.

Call to Action:

Explore the world of Patrick Lew Band and discover the unique sounds, stories, and creative vision that have propelled Patrick to the forefront of indie rock. Dive into the music, watch the videos, and connect with this groundbreaking artist who continues to redefine what it means to be independent in today’s music world. For more, visit his Linktree or follow him on Instagram, TikTok, and Spotify.

I'm done with my relationship with Manda Kay

I regret to inform everyone about my marital status.

It’s probably taking a nose dive. I don’t want to be judged for all the mistakes I’ve made and held myself accountable for. Look, I wasn’t cheating on anyone. All I did was tell my family about a “personal loss” that me and my partner at the time had, and she got really mad at me unbeknownst to me about the matter, I said I was sorry. This isn’t the first time we had fights. But lemme tell ya, it’s nothing I would wish on any couple. Look man, I am not perfect. But I apologized like a real human being. The other party just threw a tantrum like a little kid over it, gaslighting me about something I didn’t even mean to do. Worse comes to worse, this wasn’t the first time we fought. We had many fights, and most of them were stupid and petty. And I can’t handle that shit, my mental health is more important than to deal with such stupidity on all shots fired. I tried to fix the shit. But my mental health couldn’t take it anymore. I was trying to keep it real, but she wouldn’t even see where I was getting at. All she was doing was gaslight me and belittle me like a bully on a schoolyard making me out as a terrorist or something. I am deeply sorry for this, maybe you are too, but I think she was the one who dumped me by blocking me on social-media. I just can’t handle the fighting anymore bro. Worst of all, she would get mad at me for “changing the subject.” What person gets mad at their partner for that shit? We’re not robots. She would say some very mean things to me when things were not so great. I feel like I’ve wasted my time and energy over petty behavior from one side, and I lost my train of thought. I was the one trying to hold this shit like a fucking army, but guess what, she backed out on seeing me in San Francisco on my birthday last year, September this year, lied to me and changed her mind about moving to see me. It’s like god damn! I am so sorry for even posting this on Facebook. I am sorry for those who were rooting for us too. I feel like an idiot now. But at least, I can play shows again!

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.

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.

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.