Patrick Lew's Steel Lions EPK

                                                                                 

• We're a hard rock band from San Francisco. Just passionate about playing music and being committed to the Bay Area scene. We love jamming and rocking out. Whenever a 9 to 5 job gets us down, we plug our guitars into the amp and begin screaming away. We put our music out there on social media. We're like a modern interpretation of all those late 80's and early 90's hard rock bands. No we won't change America or be on the covers of teen magazines, but we will rock you! 

Steel Lions is: 
Patrick Lew
Erick Salazar
David Arceo

Impressum: Patrick Lew and the Steel Lions is a hard rock band founded and led by TheVerse guitarist Patrick Lew. 

Discography: 
Taiwanese Rebels (2012) 
Voyager (2013) 
Play It Loud (TBA) 

Check it out. 
http://www.reverbnation.com/thesteellions 

The audience is listening. 
“Hey Patrick! Props for doing what you do and not ignoring your dream. I'm still trying to figure it all out on my end as I'm pretty new to being an artist and am terrified half the time. It can be quit an adventure at times with all the highs and lows that come with carving out a path as an artist. All the best to you, Olivia” 
- Olivia Cheng (Chinese Canadian Actress), Email (Feb 18, 2009) 

“Punk mojo with a positive message. Whodathunk it? Well done dood! (commenting on "Love With a Spell") 
- Mark Wilson, Soundclick Critics Corner 

“I initially subscribed because of? your Junko Furuta video, then I looked at some of your other videos, and you're extremely talented. I'm surprised you don't have more subscribers.” 
- TheOwlKing1996@YouTube.com, Patrick Lew's YouTube (Nov 09, 2011) 

“PLB - Love With A Spell (Demo) More tight and confident than some of the entries last year by Patrick Lew, but still with a raw punk attitude. Some of the words are hard to understand, but the message comes through strong.” 
- Bill, Soundclick Critics Corner (Jun 10, 2013) 

“You are unique and that's good. Keep trying you can only get better. There's room for every genre of music. No one genre is better than the others. I think you could make this unique genre but try to consider making your backing track ( chord progression) more connected to your melody or the opposite. I suggest reading : How Music Really Works by Wayne Chase You'll find it on the internet I read a good part of it and experimented some of the things it covers when I came back to music after I had quit for 30 years +. For the genre of music I'm favoring it helped me and it might help you with your own genre of music. It dont mean you have to follow a given formula but knowing about some basic things help.” 
- Densyl, Soundclick Critics Corner (Jun 14, 2013) 

“I am quite familiar with the music of Patrick Lew (Steel Lions and various other names) and I welcome him back to the showcase. I find it amusing to get the take of others who are not familiar with his brand of ‘disconnected’ music. It is true that each element in his music is never aligned with another … it is almost amazing that he can do it (try it yourself and you will fail). But this is Patrick and his approach is purely straight ahead pouring out his feelings while pouring out his instrumental segments which are from some other part of his consciousness. Strange that it works for me because I just concentrate on his message which is here one of contentment. I don’t know that you can listen to Patrick for pleasure, but he will always let you know how he feels which is often a good purpose for anyone’s music. ” 
- Larry Ludwick, Soundclick Critics Corner (Jun 12, 2013) 

"The phrase, guitar hero has been tossed around lately with an almost casual disregard, but Patrick Lew embodies many of the qualities one needs to have to truly be a guitar hero. Through the years hes worked his way up from being a young Taiwanese boy with a passion for music, to a one-man, garage, punk, grunge, hard rock band. By always remaining true to himself, true to his music, and true to his artistic vision, Patrick Lew has created in the Patrick Lew Band and Heavy Sigma, a dynamic sound, unparalleled in the burgeoning music industry." - Heath Andrews (Reviewyou.com - Spring 2012) 

“Punk is still alive! There's something youthful and energetic about it that I've got to admire, but I've probably grown out of it myself, having discovered major sevenths and other stuff. Nice lyrics with a kicking tune. Kids having fun. That's how rock and roll was born. (commenting on "Build and Wash Away" by Heavy Sigma)” 
Tim - Soundclick Critics Corner 

“A very different take on the Patrick Lew Band; it’s good to see Patrick return.” 
Bill @ Soundclick.com - Soundclick Critics Corner Showcase 

“Haters are going to hate, People are going to say shit. F*** them. Don't let them get to you. Be this man. continue making more music. Be the musician you know you can be. do it for you. If you need/want to, do it for fans too. who gives a f*** if people talk? They are jealous of your creativity. I love you man. Thanks for being a friend and brother. i have a life so do you. Let's continue this road trip.” 
David Arceo (Bandmate/Friend) 

“Patrick Lew is the coolest rockstar I know, he's the f***ing most rad Japanese/Taiwanese person ever and I'm glad he's my brother. If you don't like his bands than you're just a dumb lil cat lackin glands. HE RAWKS!! much love.” Joe Chiodo - Fan Messages via Facebook 

“Compared to older tracks by Patrick, and you can't really compare him to anyone but himself, this is a shade or two more sophisticated, especially the drums. On the surface it sounds like angry protest music but the lyrics are quite the opposite. For some reason the term Surf Metal comes to mind. As far as the general sound goes I'd say it was phat enough.” 
Ralph Atkinson - Soundclick Critics Corner 

“Hi Patrick, Been checking out Heavy Sigma! Here's what I think, being your board is disabled. I think you have been practicing, your guitar sound has gotten bigger and tighter. The overall vibe I get, is of a real, in your face, punk aesthetic, reminiscent of the mid-eighties to early nineties. The drums are really good too, and the recordings are great. The drums sound miked really well. I think you are on the verge something really great here, and am looking forward to hearing what comes next.” 
- Scott, Silver Wheels Productions Reviews (Jul 25, 2012) 

“You guys are really cool!” 
- Monica Dupont (Blues Musician), ReverbNation.com Fan Messages (Nov 01, 2012) 

Formerly known as Heavy Sigma, now condensing both Patrick Lew Band and Heavy Sigma into one project. This is a conceptual project and San Francisco Bay Area rock band formed by Asian American-Canadian musician and artist Patrick Lew. Patrick Lew has been active in the Bay Area music scene since 2001, playing guitar and singing in a variety of different local bands, the most notable, being the Patrick Lew Band and Power Trip. Lew was active online on social-media heavily promoting his work with Patrick Lew Band since the early to mid 2000s. 

Originally, Heavy Sigma was a creative project which Lew recorded music in his studio that was rejected from former members of the Patrick Lew Band prior to their hiatus in 2012. Heavy Sigma released three albums during 2012: Oddities, Taiwanese Rebels and Voyager. All of the music on these albums consisted of material that was turned down by his former bandmates from the former lineup of the Patrick Lew Band. 

Patrick intended Steel Lions formerly known as Heavy Sigma to be a continuation of the Patrick Lew Band's signature punk rock style during their hiatus. Since 2015, he now intends it to a modern and polished update of the 80's and 90's rock bands he was inspired by growing up. The band uses modern musical gear such as computers, guitar synthesizers and more incorporated in their music, but maintains their self-described intentions and sound. A lot of the lyrics in Steel Lion's music discusses social issues in today's generation. 

For a short time, Anti-Nonsense Networking, an upstart indie label in Washington, handled the band's distribution on social-media. 

After the release of Voyager, Patrick Lew briefly retired from the music business for personal reasons. Following the return of the Patrick Lew Band in the Bay Area rock scene during 2015, Neverfade and former Distorted Harmony drummer Erick Salazar contacted Lew through a private message on Facebook about collaborating on new music together in his studio. Currently the band is recording their fourth album Play It Loud which is being produced by Erick with all music being written by both Patrick and Erick in the studio. 

Alongside his pursuits and activity with the newly revived Patrick Lew Band on the Internet and with the Bay Area music scene, he is also dedicated and passionate about his upcoming musical work with Erick producing. Stay tuned for the latest news on our Facebook page!
Why this name?
Patrick: Well, I typed "Heavy" on a band name generator online and got the name Heavy Sigma when I saw it on the computer screen, liked it, and declared my one-man band under that moniker. At first, Heavy Sigma was named Chaos In Chinatown, which my Facebook friend Candace suggested when I posted a Facebook status about my ideas to do music outside of PLB. But I was worried it would offend Asian people and I'm very self respecting of my culture and my ethnicity, so I decided to change the name of my new garage band. I was thinking of calling it Your Audio 2 Riot, but I f***ing hated that idea. It sounded too much like a Bay Area metalcore band name, and this music that I am doing isn't modern metal. So when I went on one of those name generators on the Internet while I was browsing for King of Queens reruns to watch on my laptop on YouTube, that's how the band name Heavy Sigma came to be. 

At one point, Heavy Sigma used to be known as Chaos In Chinatown, which a friend named Candace suggested. But I was scared shitless that it was gonna cause controversy, so I had to change it right away. 

There has been rumors that I got the name Heavy Sigma based on an old grudge I had with someone from the scene, or it was a parody of Mick Jagger's supergroup Super Heavy. Or I was watching too much GI Joe, and was inspired to name my band after an old school cartoon from the 80's. 

But the whole Heavy Sigma name was completely random and thought of without any real meaning. 

And then suddenly, I thought maybe it would be better to change the band's name again because I got tired of the name Heavy Sigma. So I condensed PLB and Heavy Sigma into a garage band known as The Steel Lions. Which is combines the names of two 80's hair metal bands that I love: Steelheart and White Lion.

Do you play live?
Patrick: Not really. I'm more into producing my own original music at home. I have too many limitations and things that hold me back from playing live. I like recording more. Plus I'm not really that good at playing sometimes, but practice makes perfect right? But I played shows sporadically with Patrick Lew Band and Power Trip in the San Francisco Bay Area. We sounded like a punk band playing at a bar. Definitely not like the Rolling Stones playing Madison Square Garden, but we were definitely a no nonsense local rock and roll band from the Bay. Some of our live performances can be found on my YouTube page. Because I work 32 hours a week in retail trying to keep a roof over my head and pay the bills, sometimes I don't have a lot of time to pursue a career as a professional musician. But I'm still willing to take opportunities if someone throws a good deal.

How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?
I came during a generation, where bands and musicians didn't need to sucker themselves into signing with a major record label, getting on TV and radio, and doing mass live performing as a way of bigger exposure. I came during a time where the computers and social-media made it more possible for the little or middle fish in the pond to get themselves heard. Despite my love for 90's rock, I highly doubt I would have been recognized back then like I am now supposedly, and it's not a money thing either. It's recognition and building an audience. And for bands who use social-media to get themselves out there, it increases chances of getting booked to play shows locally and other things. 

Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
Maybe. Who knows. If someone really appreciates what I do musically and gives me a chance to grow bigger as an artist. I would certainly do it.

Band History:
I'm a freelance rock musician who began making music on my own in 2009 after several flops with a local band I used to be in. I'm always trying my best to get better when recording and when it comes to playing the guitar. I always use social media to put my music and every band I played guitar and sang in out there. 

Originally, I did Heavy Sigma as a creative outlet for my musical ideas that were rejected by former bandmates in my old band. I began making music with both Patrick Lew Band and Heavy Sigma, and my former bandmates and myself had creative and personal differences along with my dysfunctional relationship with my former fiancee at the time, so I quit creating music and playing guitar for about 2 or 3 years. I picked up the guitar again and started using my MacBook Air running GarageBand and began producing demos and new musical ideas again. Then one day in early 2015, my friend Erick Salazar who also plays drums in the San Francisco based punk band Neverfade sent me a private message on my Facebook profile talking about collaborating and working on new music together. 

So in May of that year, me and Erick began creating music under the Heavy Sigma name in his home recording studio. Erick isn't an official member of the band, but he plays a big role in creating the music and business related things when getting it out there! And the rest is history!

Your influences?
Mother Love Bone, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Guns N Roses, Green Day, Blink 182, The Sex Pistols, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The White Stripes, Marilyn Manson, Tesla, Def Leppard, Silverchair, Metallica, White Lion, The Sex Pistols, Oasis, Beyond (Hong Kong Group), The Fall, U2, Bon Jovi.

Favorite spot?
San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, NYC, London, Taipei, Hong Kong, and Tokyo.

Equipment used:
My musical gear. I use this equipment as a Bay Area musician... 

GUITARS: 
- Epiphone HotWheels Les Paul 
- Red Epiphone Les Paul Special Edition 

BASSES: 
- Rogue RBX200 Bass Guitar 

AMPS: 
- Fender 25 Watt Frontman 

PEDALS: 
- Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion 
- Digitech RP50 Multi-Effects 
- Digitech Death Metal Distortion 

RECORDING GEAR: 
- Line6 TonePort Silver DI 
- Peavey XPort DI (used rarely) 
- Line6 POD Farm 
- Acoustica Mixcraft 6 (2009-2012) 
- Apple GarageBand (2013-present) 
- LANDR.com (for mastering all of my tracks) 
- Toshiba PC Laptop (2009-2013) 
- Early 2009 Macbook (2013-present) 
- 2014 MacBook Air (since 2015) 
- Apple Logic Pro (when collaborating with Erick at his studio) 
- Radioshack Microphone 
- Logitech USB Microphone 

INSPIRATION: 
- 32 GB Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Smartphone 
- My BIG CD collection (mostly ROCK) 
- Watching local bands live! 
- Finding out about new music on the social-media or through friends.