We are a rock and roll garage band from Taiwan. Creating adrenaline fueled and testosterone pumping Instrumental hard rock. No, we won't change America or become poster boys for the scene. But we will rock you.
Our music career can be summed like this: Patrick started out as a fan of rock music and then he went out and bought a guitar and amp. Then he began playing music with a few friends in a garage band. Making a bunch of random sh*** and recording some actually decent songs on a computer. And because everything is all digital now, we put ourselves out there on the Internet. If they were lucky and have it all together...They would get to play a show at a bar/club here in the Bay Area.
Basically, we're a garage band making some ratchet noise here in San Francisco. But with the power of social-media, there's people from Hong Kong all the way to Latin America who listened to Patrick Lew Band and The Steel Lions on Spotify.
In Patrick's words... I started doing music equivalent to what kids do with backyard wrestling. Playing punk rock music untrained on an instrument in my garage. Mimicking the sh*** I heard on the radio in a bad way. That was in high school. I'm mostly a hobbyist when it comes to music but to a certain extent, I could be semi-pro now as of last year.
What I mean by semi-pro: Playing live in front an audience at a local venue that features local music, having a CD sold in a record store, winning an award related to the music business. And etc etc.
THE STEEL LIONS
Active: 2010s
Formed: 2012 in Antioch, CA
Genre: HARD ROCK
Group Members:
Patrick Lew: lead vocals, guitar, bass
Madeline Lew: virtual drums, electronics
Former Members:
David Arceo: drums, electronics
Discography
Taiwanese Rebels (2012)
Voyager (2013)
Unfinished Relics (2016)
Our music career can be summed like this: Patrick started out as a fan of rock music and then he went out and bought a guitar and amp. Then he began playing music with a few friends in a garage band. Making a bunch of random sh*** and recording some actually decent songs on a computer. And because everything is all digital now, we put ourselves out there on the Internet. If they were lucky and have it all together...They would get to play a show at a bar/club here in the Bay Area.
Basically, we're a garage band making some ratchet noise here in San Francisco. But with the power of social-media, there's people from Hong Kong all the way to Latin America who listened to Patrick Lew Band and The Steel Lions on Spotify.
In Patrick's words... I started doing music equivalent to what kids do with backyard wrestling. Playing punk rock music untrained on an instrument in my garage. Mimicking the sh*** I heard on the radio in a bad way. That was in high school. I'm mostly a hobbyist when it comes to music but to a certain extent, I could be semi-pro now as of last year.
What I mean by semi-pro: Playing live in front an audience at a local venue that features local music, having a CD sold in a record store, winning an award related to the music business. And etc etc.
THE STEEL LIONS
Active: 2010s
Formed: 2012 in Antioch, CA
Genre: HARD ROCK
Group Members:
Patrick Lew: lead vocals, guitar, bass
Madeline Lew: virtual drums, electronics
Former Members:
David Arceo: drums, electronics
Discography
Taiwanese Rebels (2012)
Voyager (2013)
Unfinished Relics (2016)
Why this name?
Patrick: The Steel Lions name is a hybrid of two hair metal bands I grew up listening to: Steelheart and White Lion.
Do you play live?
Patrick: I've had some experience with live performing as a member of Patrick Lew Band between 2009 to 2012 and filling in on bass for the SF punk band The Tortured for two gigs in 2016. But 95% of my musical output and creative process is at my home recording studio in good ol San Francisco. Where me and my friends is often jamming and throwing our own garage band party. And of course, we would be recording here too as well. Most of the time, I'm the type of artist who focuses solely on recording and putting myself out there on social-media. Guess I got that influence from The Beatles.
David: I think there's one show we did back in 2013. We played at the Mama Art Cafe.
Madeline: We don't really play shows much, but we do jam and play music a lot in our garage.
David: I think there's one show we did back in 2013. We played at the Mama Art Cafe.
Madeline: We don't really play shows much, but we do jam and play music a lot in our garage.
How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?
Patrick: You're hearing us right now. That's how! But the little fish in the little pond can finally get themselves heard and put themselves more out there than they could have imagined. A lot of my friends know more about good music now because of the Internet.
Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
Patrick: I will never sign with another label again. Ever! I'm keeping myself independent as a musician. Seeing where it goes from here since technology opened up many different possibilities to put ourselves out there. That's why we created our own label, The Promised Land Recordings. To have 100% ownership over everything we do and do the business ourselves.
David: No. We're keeping ourselves underground.
Madeline: It depends. Maybe. We'll see!
David: No. We're keeping ourselves underground.
Madeline: It depends. Maybe. We'll see!
Band History:
We created The Steel Lions originally as a side project for Patrick's ideas that were rejected by his ex-bandmates from the old Patrick Lew Band when Greg was the band's co-leader. It eventually evolved into a reboot of PLB later on, with Patrick and David involved. Think of Steel Lions like Foxboro Hot Tubs is for Green Day. Then in 2015, our friend from the band Neverfade Erick began producing and helping out with our music in the studio. After we had a hard time trying to complete the album Unfinished Relics at Erick's studio, he sent us the files via email and we began finishing the album at Patrick's home studio doing all the self-production, engineering, overdubbing and everything else on our own time. Kind of like how Patrick Lew Band would record their album Murder Bay in separate home studios.
The Steel Lions, which is us of course! Would put ourselves out there online and release the album Unfinished Relics on May 12, 2016 through CDBaby, iTunes and Spotify.
The Steel Lions, which is us of course! Would put ourselves out there online and release the album Unfinished Relics on May 12, 2016 through CDBaby, iTunes and Spotify.
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 Band) *The Fall * U2 * Bon Jovi.
Favorite spot?
Our home recording studio in San Francisco. Where we run our band and business.
Anything else...?
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
“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
