What is Patrick Lew Band's legacy?

"Where does PLB stand as far as level of success and exposure is concerned..."

My place in history and in the scene is a rather interesting yet debatable topic.

I've been active in many different eras and trends in popular and underground music since my arrival in 2001. A lot of acts came, and a lot of acts went. One thing is for sure is what I definitely do have on me that a lot of people don't understand about Patrick Lew: longevity and the ability to adapt. 

The one issue facing PLB is drawing and star power. The numbers game. 

While I got my start in rock music at the height of popularity for pop punk and Emo, I almost benefitted from working alongside my peers , competition and elders than being a solo star capable of carrying things on my own. 

I was basically the dance partner and was the supporting act for the big dogs rather than being the star myself. 

Even during my more recent runs with Patrick Lew Band, beginning with a long heated rivalry against some of my personal enemies, I was always been the co-star on the middle of the bill. My losses with my rivals established and elevated their status higher supposedly at the time. My ability to work with and put over younger talent I was cool with was selfless and done with good intentions. I was basically out there building their character and making them a star out of good intentions. Because I was willing to work with young guys and girls and make something special out of them on their journey in this cut-throat business. 

Also. If you want to base a band's legacy and success based on numbers and algorithms on social-media (which is dumb), you will obviously notice my likes, comment (ex. testimonials) and followers on social-media are not on par in comparison with my peers and contemporaries. Either I don't get a lot on every new post on Facebook and Instagram, or they're non-existent at times. Obviously, those taped promos, those live performance videos, those shared Spotify links to my music, memes or whatever made some form of impression on those who've witnessed it online. But they're usually not meeting the algorithms based on the number of Facebook likes and comments. Here and there, I would have a purge on Instagram unfollowers who previously followed my Insta. If you wanna judge my legacy based on numbers and algorithms, that might lead people to believe or assume, "PLB wrote and recorded 200 songs but couldn't draw a dime." But in reality, it's not a useful source to dictate or verify any band's legacy and mark!

But therein lies one of the most admirable traits of PLB.

I have long possessed the skill, the drive and the persistence to outshine and actually outlived most of the roster and artists/bands (so far) I've shared the stage and digital age with since I first arrived onto the scene in 2001 as Patrick Lew Band. While a lot of the bands that once was active and on top of their game while I was still cutting teeth trying to make my mark and do something bankable creatively and just in general, a good percentage of those were with me on the roster when I started are no longer active. Aside from two lengthy sabbaticals, PLB is still standing and active as of 2019. 

Even if the numbers and algorithms are not meeting expectations and by music industry standard, there was no a single soul who could touch me from a performance standpoint. On the stage, whether on the mic or developing is craft, he was very much what he wanted or claimed to be: "Taiwan's G.O.A.T" As lofty and arrogant as it might sound, there is some small evidence and noticeable signs out there the can support my claim to the title. 

Also. I don't hog the spotlight. I'm a selfless person, performer and artist who would put over a young local band like Feedback to be slotted as the headliner and show support for the low-card acts on the same bill without being arrogant and macho. Then the week after, I would come out on social-media defending bands or artists who felt like they're not making it as a new band and call out (in character) in a taped monologue/promo towards the closed minded people for not shining light on this young band. To build up heel heat and to use it as momentum to tell everybody, "Hey, please check this new band out.

I put over younger talent in order to ensure the future of the music scene. Pretty much. Because I know and I'm aware that I won't be on top forever so I have to work with young guys and young girls to help elevate them later on in their musical journey.

Never for once in my music career did PLB feel like an equal to a One OK Rock or Baby Metal, primarily because I was never featured as prominently as those bands. I'm not a tour de force from a merchandising and marketing standpoint the way BTS was, nor did I ever captivate fans with an unmistakable aura the way Cthtonic did. 

What I was, is and always will be is a master at crowd manipulation and an exceptional, eccentric and persistent onstage performer and creatively driven recording artist who constantly finds new ways to provide a quality new record and story to tell. I'm definitely not the biggest star in music but most definitely a marquee and passionate performer and artist who the fans and others can count on getting the absolute best out of every night I go onstage or whenever a new single or album drops on Spotify and Apple Music. 

A versatile persona who die-hard fans of real punk rock music will always respect, appreciate and welcome back with open arms.

Jump, Rattle and Roll: From The Garage To Leading Man (PLB & TheVerse)

One of my major accomplishments as a member of TheVerse that I never achieved during most of my run with Patrick Lew Band: go on tour and play shows at traditional venues locally! 🥰

I achieved my success and solidified my status in the music scene a little later than some of my peers in bands. But it was well worth the wait. I just turned 30 and that’s when I began cementing my status as a musician and artist. While others may disagree with me, there’s solid proof and signs that can validate what I’m trying to say here! 😊😋🎸🎧🎶💕

Before TheVerse. My music career was in danger. I just got divorced, came back. But had to rebuild whatever potential left that was once great about Patrick Lew Band and had to go back to square one after a three year hiatus. And I endured another huge backlash on social-media (first time since 2010) shortly after returning to music as PLB and after my one year relationship with my then-girlfriend Pitalu ended on abrupt and unceremonious circumstances. I could have floundered again had Janny and I did not talk about starting a band together, and TheVerse saved my ass from repeating the PLB losing streak. That was my second chance in my music career at paying my dues and making an impact in the scene! 🤟🤟🤟

Why the Patrick Lew Band originally broke up in 2012.

The original plan for Patrick Lew Band in 2012 was to grab a permit and become a regional touring band that performed at very small venues in Antioch/East Bay region and I had little creative control over the band, as I foolishly stepped down and gave my former friend Greg the leadership role because I didn't want to be too selfish or absorbed and he was my good friend at the time. 

Also Alan Kao from the then red hot SF band Seeking Empire put me on blast and gaslighted me while hanging out one afternoon with my then wife and that was one of the early signs of me losing my passion for playing music at first. Because I thought he was a homie but he did something I didn't expect and it was super uncool of him to do that. To have someone of that status in the scene to do you dirty like that was pretty uncool ya know?

Anyways.

The plan was to involve me, Greg and David Hunter into the PLB lineup which was the original plan and idea for the long run. David Arceo, my close friend at the time, I wanted him to be a part of it but for undisclosed and disputed reasons. It was just whittled down the core trio of me, Greg and Little David.

Throughout 2012, PLB was sporadically rehearsing at Greg's house in Pittsburg, CA. But nothing was materializing from the sessions and plans. 

The year before, I sent Greg some tapes I've been working on for a possible follow up album and to properly feature Greg and maybe Little David into the creative process but the ideas were rejected because of "religious" and "creative" reasons. 

So me and David Arceo formed Steel Lions as an experiment outside of PLB whenever there was too much downtime. And I took the ideas I played for Greg on my hard drive and laptop to Steel Lions instead. Concluding with a few self released works of music on the Internet under the Steel Lions name: Taiwanese Rebels (2012) and Voyager (2013).

In July 2012 while attending the same church that Greg and David were attending in Brentwood, me and Greg had a major spat over him criticizing my skills as a musician and down talked my passion for playing music. It became apparent that PLB wasn't going to be what it was intended to be under Greg's leadership. No original music ever was recorded at 3700 Pieta Ct. When we did came down to rehearsing, all we were really doing was cover songs of fucking Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez with me on bass and Greg singing and playing it by ear on guitar! Greg also made an extremely insensitive statement about my beloved deceased paternal grandfather, "he is in hell because he wasn't a follower of Jesus!" while doing Bible Study. 

To avoid causing public scrutiny and to cover up the drama behind the music behind closed doors, me and Greg discussed the long term plans for Patrick Lew Band under Greg Lynch's leadership. Turns out there weren't any at all! No one wanted to pursue a serious music career outside of church, except me who had bigger ambitions in mind. The Patrick Lew Band first broke up or went on an indefinite hiatus (depending on who you ask) on September 5, 2012. 

The Patrick Lew Band wasn't even active in 2013 or 2014 at all. I'm sure it was a thought on some people's minds. So in the interim, I was sporadically playing with Steel Lions and dealing with a rock bottom: my ex wife Faith. But I also came super close to retiring from music. All because of PLB's first breakup, Faith and my disillusionment with the music business, the haters and the then current state of my music career. I lost my passion for rock and roll. Focusing on getting a real day job for the first time in my life, walking away what made me the Pariah and potential and focusing on my other passion: Smart TV and home theater. 

It wasn't until closer to the end of 2014 when I told Greg to go fuck off on the phone and I went online hours later to file a patent to claim my title and ownership to Patrick Lew Band and finally return after a 2 1/2 year break to clear my mind, cut ties with all my toxic circle and clear all my personal demons.

The Definitive Patrick Lew Band Story

I am Japanese and Taiwanese. Born in 1985. San Francisco native. Musician, actor, artist and TV lover. I play hard rock in a local garage band.

My music is Patrick Lew Band/The Steel Lions/TheVerse and right now you are viewing my story on social-media.

Please to meet all of you!


BAND LINE-UP:
Patrick Lew (劉冠達): Guitars, Lead Vocals (2001-2012; 2015-2018; 2019-Present); Bass Guitar, Synthesizers, Piano (2015-2018; 2019-Present)
Madeline Lew: Mascot, Live Backing Tracks, "Ghost" DJ (2015-2018; 2019-Present)

Definition of a Garage Band: 


1) a rough-and-ready amateurish rock group.
2) an amateur rock band typically holding its rehearsals in a garage and usually having only a local audience.


Definition of a One-Man Band.

1) a street entertainer who plays several instruments at the same time.
2) a person who runs a business alone.


Asian-American males are not always one-dimensional model minority types who have careers in the medical or engineering field and making six figures and living large in the status quo. They're also not always nerdy, asexual and totally undesirable citizens of society. Sometimes, you find Asian-American men that rock like hurricanes and remind you how thrilling and universal music can be with guitars, bass, drums and impassioned vocals. And there's a second generation Asian-American male of Japanese, Chinese and Taiwanese descent looking to pull a Y2J move: "Stir up the pot and break the walls down" and become that self-proclaimed GNR of his kind. That man in his one-man rock and roll freak show known as Patrick Lew and this is how we do. Loud. Abrasive. Proud. Talented. And uber youthful and charismatic.

Patrick Lew Band (stylized as PLB) is an American rock band formed in San Francisco, California in 2001. The band currently consists of Patrick Lew who is the band’s only constant member. In addition to currently being the band’s only constant member, Lew plays most of the instruments on the recordings and performs live as PLB using backing tracks from a laptop alongside his guitar and voice. 

The Patrick Lew Band initially was formed in 2001 from three high school friends: Patrick Lew (guitar/vocals), Eddie Blackburn (lead guitar) and Tommy Loi (drums). Several lineup changes took place in the band’s history in indie music, with drummer David Arceo being the longest-tenured member of the band between 2005 to 2016. The band initially started their career playing lo-fi punk rock but eventually branched out to recording and playing many different styles of rock music, ranging from post-grunge to melodic hard rock to chiptunes to power ballads.

The band was originally recording and performing locally under the names Famiglia and Samurai Sorcerers. On Patrick Lew Band’s blog on August 2008, the band was officially rechristened as Patrick Lew Band.

HISTORY

The Patrick Lew Band story is an age old rock and roll tale that some people can probably relate to. It’s an age old tale of a 15 year old boy coming from a dysfunctional and troubled childhood finding out that rock and roll music was cooler than what was going on at the time. Picking up the guitar. Working on his craft and honing it. And doing whatever it took to get somewhere with a lifelong passion and dream in life during hard times and facing opposition to get there. 

EARLY LIFE (1985-2001)

Patrick Lew (born November 15, 1985 in San Francisco, CA) was just another face in the crowd struggling to find his own voice and niche. He is a second generation Asian-American of Japanese and Chinese-Taiwanese descent raised in a loving yet somewhat dysfunctional family and home. Growing up, Patrick Lew was very close to his mother and paternal grandfather during his first few years of his life. His father was predominantly absentee throughout his childhood. Although Patrick and his father maintained contact and cordial relations recently, his past tensions with his father remain unresolved. 

His life tragically was altered forever when his paternal grandfather passed away when Patrick was only four. He spent most of his childhood battling a mental disability only further strained when he was bullied in school and getting into trouble and misadventure with his peers and elders. To escape the trauma he faced early on in life, Patrick turned to rock music, WWE and cable TV as a source of comfort. He would read about the success stories of his favorite rock bands growing up and listened to CDs from bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Metallica, Guns N Roses, Oasis, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Green Day, U2 and many others. He began frequenting punk shows in his early teens and found a hobby in skateboarding and playing sports. Injuries however, cut his dreams to one day become a professional athlete short.

One day. Patrick began playing guitar while in 8th grade when his maternal cousin Andrew was living with his family one Summer and would play Jimi Hendrix songs on an old Fender guitar and amp that Patrick’s older brother Ricky left sitting dusty in the living room. Shortly thereafter, Patrick Lew began playing guitar and immediately fell in love with it. Largely a self-taught musician and singer/songwriter, he quickly began writing his own songs and tape recording them on an old boombox live and loud.

PATRICK LEW BAND (2001-2012)

EARLY YEARS (2001-2004)

When Patrick Lew began attending Wallenberg High School. He was desperate and very insistent to start a punk band with people to play music in. His classmate Joey Fitzgerald (now a journalist for the San Francisco Examiner) overheard his requests and quickly afterwards, Patrick became acquainted with his classmate’s best friend’s younger brother Eddie. Eddie was 12 at the time but was quite the guitar prodigy at his age. Patrick’s close friend from Chinese class named Tommy Loi was convinced to become the drummer, and all three Wallenberg High School alumnus formed a Garage Punk band known as the Samurai Sorcerers. 

Around May 2001. With the blessings of being tech-saavy and introduced to a new world of indie music through the World Wide Web. Patrick Lew began uploading some home demos of his band Samurai Sorcerers online. Thus beginning the story and headbanger’s journey known as the Patrick Lew Band. 

Most of the time on the weekends especially on Saturdays. The Samurai Sorcerers would practice, jam and rock out either at Eddie’s basement at his house in the Marina District in San Francisco or they would play at Patrick’s bedroom on the other side of San Francisco in the Outer Mission. Tape recording everything that coming out of the ruckus they were playing. 

School life was not easy for Patrick Lew however. He was still experiencing a lot of disposition from his peers for his mixed East Asian heritage and other personal reasons. And he was also feeling desperate to find a supportive girlfriend like some kids his age. Patrick also came down a severe bout of chicken pox two months prior to graduating from high school, nearly succumbing to the virus. Also, he did not have enough credits to graduate and came close to dropping out. Until his coach from the high school baseball team and Economics teacher Mr. Fanderl gave him a second chance to make up for it. 

Patrick Lew eventually graduated from Wallenberg High School in June 2004. Whilst he was supposed to graduate a year earlier, he was held back one grade because of some personal issues with his education. He quickly enrolled at City College of San Francisco but quickly at first realized college life wasn’t for him and he was still struggling to find that niche. 

One day while browsing the Internet, the Samurai Sorcerers was offered a record deal from Statue Records in late 2004. At the tender young age of 19, Patrick Lew released his first indie-level debut album with the Samurai Sorcerers: Tokyo Pop Star (Watashi No Ongaku). However, the band would later part ways from their label. 

BAND OF ASIANS (2005-2008)

Eventually, Samurai Sorcerers became a sporadic on-and-off project and mostly intermittent while Patrick Lew was attending junior college. He met his former friend Zack Huang (currently works at an ARCO gas station) and quickly began jamming with him at his house playing and attempting to compose some Metal/Punk music. That eventually became the brainchild of the short-lived San Francisco based post-hardcore group Band of Asians. Which was joined by fellow classmates from City College of San Francisco. With a huge debt piled onto Patrick’s credit card and other weight on their shoulders, the Band of Asians booked time in a local recording studio. Which became the only LP that the Band of Asians ever self-released online: Revenge (2006). 

Patrick Lew knew that the only way in that era to put himself out there as an amateur-not-yet-so-indie level musician was through the Internet. He quickly began putting himself out there on the World Wide Web and largely self-taught himself how to get better at playing the guitar, writing songs, social-media marketing and home recording! 

There’s one man responsible for early PLB shows coming into existence we all have to thank for: Bay Area living legend Diamond Dave. He was responsible for booking all of PLB’s early live performances on campus at Patrick’s alma mater City College of San Francisco throughout 2007. Patrick Lew would also participate on Soundclick.com’s 10th Anniversary Songwriters Contest and was a Quarter Finalist before getting eliminated. That same year, defunct website DMusic.com handpicked Patrick Lew as the Rising Artist of the Year.  

While Patrick was enjoying his time playing live and loud onstage on campus, he wanted his then-band Band of Asians to go somewhere further. However, nothing came out of the masterplan and eventually Band of Asians amicably split in April 2008 mainly because of creative differences and everyone in the band having different long-term plans ahead. 

Critical Jackpot, Controversy and Peak Years (2008-2012)

Depressed, unsure of himself and defeated by the opposition and hardships. Patrick Lew laid low for a short period. He quickly found an outlet for rearranging Chiptunes music on FL Studio on his old laptop for a short while. He was also experiencing a lot of polarizing and lukewarm reactions on social-media for his music for mainly “invalid” reasons. But he was not going down without a fight and was willing to do whatever it takes! Even if he was trying to figure out life while in his early 20s. He left the city he was born and raised and re-located to Antioch, CA in the East Bay with his mother. 

Patrick Lew decided the only way to go as a creative outlet for his solo compositions and ideas was to start something new and fresh. He was still performing and recording under the Samurai Sorcerers name all over the Internet. Even after Tommy and Eddie have moved onto other things in life. Patrick really thought the band name Samurai Sorcerers was very tacky, possibly ethnocentric and that nobody would take his band seriously with that kind of name. One morning after grabbing a cup of Strawberry Boba, Patrick Lew decided to rechristen the Samurai Sorcerers officially as the Patrick Lew Band on a MySpace blog. He also began home recording and doing everything himself. Until he reacquainted with someone from his past to become the Patrick Lew Band’s drummer and while attending CSU East Bay, a few of his rather uncool and unsupportive classmates. 

The Patrick Lew Band’s peak years in the indies (maybe still amateur?) between 2009 to 2012 can be summarized in lots of detail. The PLB was primarily an online collaboration type of band where everyone involved would communicate via Facebook private messages, AOL instant messenger and etc etc. They would record each part separately in their own home studios, email each other all the files and Patrick would copy, cut and paste everything together with his own input. Patrick Lew dated his college sweetheart Samantha during Summer 2009 but eventually got into a “faux” marriage with his then-partner Faith on October 30, 2009. He was misused in the dating scene for quite a long while with names we are definitely not going to mention of course! This six year relationship was derailed by religious differences, manipulative and emotionally abusive tendencies and other controversial subject matter. 

The creativity did not stop however. During the PLB’s peak years of 2009 through 2012, the band self-released three albums on the Internet: Curb Your Wild Life (2009), Let It Rise and Against (2009) and Murder Bay (2011). After a three and a half year absence from live performances and touring, Patrick Lew began occasionally playing live again. Making a comeback gig at his alma mater CSU East Bay on February 9, 2011 performing an improvised version of the song “Matchmaker.” A small-scale tour was in the works apparently for the PLB as plans were being discussed. Such as grabbing a permit to play live shows where ever they can. The PLB was actually offered to play a benefit concert at UC Berkeley some time during Fall 2010, but was cancelled when none of the bandmates could agree or co-exist to do the performance. To make up for it. PLB would busk a little in their former hometown of Antioch, CA during June 2011. These performances were taped and some of it has been uploaded on Patrick Lew’s YouTube page. 

The Patrick Lew Band began receiving notice through online media outlets such as AbsolutePunk and were interviewed by renowned British music critic Leicester Bangs. Things were apparently looking up...

First Band Hiatus (2012)

The masterplan initially was to reinvent and rebrand Patrick Lew Band as an actual performing and home recording band. Playing shows locally and recording songs in their own home studio in the East Bay. However, creative and personal differences and some band drama ripped apart the former PLB. Patrick wanted to further reach his goals as an artist whereas his former bandmates at the time were rather uninterested in pursuing a secular area in the music business. 

THE STEEL LIONS (2012-2017)

Patrick responded to the implosion of the Patrick Lew Band lineup by forming The Steel Lions to get back at his disgruntled colleagues. He quickly landed a distribution deal with an upstart small label based in the Pacific Northwest and took some of his “rejected” music and demos to The Steel Lions. His relationship with his then-partner Faith looked to be on the brinks of improving and becoming solid at the time. However, that did not turn out to be the case. 

Amidst the transitional period and rebuilding, Patrick Lew graduated college with a B.A. in Philosophy at CSU East Bay and passed his driving test at the Pittsburg California DMV on September 24, 2012. His relationship with his then-partner Faith declined considerably at an accelerated pace by the end of 2012. She became the apparent “Yoko Ono” of the PLB but in her own kind of way. Frustrated with his status in life and disillusioned with the politics of the music business and feeling unhappy with his role in the scene. Patrick Lew took time away from his passion for music. Focusing on adulting and working a real day job.

He wouldn’t disappear however. Because of his circle of friends clamouring for Patrick to get back onstage. His band The Steel Lions was booked to play at Mama Art Cafe on September 13, 2013 which a video recording of his performance has since been leaked all over the Internet. The next day however, his then-partner Faith and Patrick had a terrible argument over him doing the gig and feeling more discouraged. Patrick Lew decided to stay away from indie music once again. Even his acquaintance Salvador Martinez tried to coax Patrick into playing with his new band Kings of Malevolence during late 2013, it was obvious that Patrick’s heart was not into music at the time.

Patrick Lew would sporadically record material in his home studio in San Francisco, CA. Having invested in a Macintosh computer and new musical gear gained from his salary from his day job secretly behind closed doors. It was around this time, Patrick went into a Guitar Center and bought him a cherry red Epiphone Les Paul Junior which would become his signature guitar. 

The Steel Lions was intermittently active during this time frame. With occasional Facebook posts being updated with memes and Patrick Lew's other passion in life: Smart TV and professional wrestling. Since Patrick Lew Band's first hiatus in September 2012, the band's Facebook page was reportedly never updated and left blank and unmaintained until PLB officially returned to the indie music scene during early 2015.

Thankfully, Patrick knew enough was enough. His six year “faux” marriage and relationship with his then-partner Faith ended on July 17, 2014 and Patrick has since never looked back and moved forward. He also acquired the rights to the Patrick Lew Band name and on January 2, 2015, the Patrick Lew Band (now a solo project for Patrick himself) returned to performing and recording in the indie circuit. 

Patrick Lew would collaborate with former Distorted Harmony drummer Erick Salazar in his recording studio in mid 2015. Working on new musical ideas with Erick for a future Steel Lions LP. These recording sessions resulted in the Steel Lions album Unfinished Relics which was released on CDBaby and streaming services and apps worldwide on May 12, 2016. 

By this time, the original and former Steel Lions Facebook page was merged with Patrick Lew Band's official and verified Facebook page. Patrick described Steel Lions as a "stop gap" band. Comparing the transition to Sega 32X being a stop gap for the Sega Saturn. The Steel Lions quietly disbanded in early 2017 as Patrick Lew was concentrating more on his indie music career with TheVerse and the revived Patrick Lew Band.

SECOND RUN WITH PATRICK LEW BAND (2015-2018)

Madeline Lew Joins, Cementing Status, Formation of TheVerse (2015-2016)

Continuing where he left off. Lew was putting himself more out there on social-media platforms like Facebook and received an endorsement and became a spokesmodel for Antennas Direct, a digital HDTV antenna maker. Lew rebuilt his home studio and rehearsal space in his residence in San Francisco. And began playing music again. More determined to become better at what he's been doing. In 2015, the new Patrick Lew Band began self-releasing new music on social-media and through iTunes, Spotify and other digital platforms (including their albums "To the Promised Land" and "Bubblegum Babylon").

After dabbling with side-projects and some personal demons. The Patrick Lew Band returned to the scene better than ever. Lew won the award for "Best Experimental Rock Song" in July 2016 with the Akademia Music Awards. That same year, the PLB released their first official DVD and began working with booking company Afton to help get the PLB some shows to play locally. Even local Bay Area rock radio station 107.7 THE BONE mentioned the Patrick Lew Band on air. Patrick Lew’s crossdressing alter ego Madeline Lew (his “kayfabe” wife) joined the PLB around 2016 as well and began making a buzz on social-media in a small way too!

Patrick Lew would also be a fill-in as a touring bass player for the San Francisco punk band The Tortured for two shows in October 2016 after their former bassist Danville Dan left the band to move to Portland, OR for other life avenues. Patrick was close friends with Johnny Lawrie (The Tortured's Frontman) and the two spoke to each other through Facebook about doing the gig and playing some music for the time being. Eventually, Patrick and Johnny's friend Derek Zender would become The Tortured's official new bassist. And Patrick Lew was too busy writing and recording new music in his home studio.

Loss of Patrick's Mother, "OAKLAND" and Further Regional Success (2016-2018)

Tragically, Patrick Lew's beloved mother Winnie Hayashi passed away on April 8, 2017. 

The loss of his mother and a scabies scare took a toll on Lew temporarily and for brief period, he laid low. But never the man to surrender his passion for rock and roll despite what he's gone through, he performed a blistering five-song set at San Francisco's Brick & Mortar Music Hall on October 8, 2017 and released perhaps the best PLB album to date "OAKLAND."

When he's not playing one-man band with his jump, rattle and roll freak show. Lew is playing guitar in his other band TheVerse with some of his friends from the scene. TheVerse has played The Stork Club in Oakland, CA and recently played a bewildering high octane setlist at Brick & Mortar on November 26, 2017. One of the reasons why Lew had to return to music and be in a band again was to play shows once again because in today's world, touring has become the main attraction for bands and musicians. Nearing the end of 2017, Lew has officially reached semi-pro status as a musician and live performer. Be on the lookout for TheVerse's debut EP sometime in 2018 digitally!

Side-Projects, Pleasure Gallows and TheVerse's Intermittent Non-Stop Touring (2018-2019)

After several years of heartbreak, divorce and taking a sabbatical from the dating scene. In mid 2018, Lew began dating his recent former girlfriend and current friend Sigyn and joined her esoteric and experimental garage band based in San Jose, CA known as Crazy Loser in a Box. He also lent his voice as an actor for her cult YouTube animated series Deceiver of Fools, playing the eccentric Japanese-American comedic role of Tokiomi. Aside from being very musically active with three totally different bands: PLB, TheVerse and Crazy Loser in a Box. Lew also began contributing as a voice actor for a few friends' creative projects and recently has been potentially casted as an Extra for an upcoming Amazon Prime TV series The Man in the High Castle.

After a brief Summer tour across San Francisco with his band TheVerse, Patrick and Sigyn quietly ended their relationship for private reasons but remain friends. On September 7, 2018, Patrick drove his car to the TV studio in San Francisco to film a cameo appearance for the Emmy Award winning Amazon TV series Man in the High Castle. TheVerse took another off season from touring and playing music together to pursue solo projects and some adulting to do. 

During TheVerse's short break from each other, Patrick Lew decided to record and work on more new ideas for songs in his home studio, deciding to return to his Punk Rock roots as a solo artist. A flurry of singles were leaked and released on Spotify and Apple Music, including a cover of the late great Japanese Pop/Rock singer Yutaka Ozaki's song "I LOVE YOU" and a Taiwanese Mandarin sung version of "Everyone Loves Ashley." Patrick knew he wanted something fun and productive to do and that's why he kept making music and putting himself out there.

Patrick was reached out by Rick Vain on his personal Facebook from the band Pleasure Gallows around his 33rd birthday about auditioning and jamming with his band. On December 1, 2018, Patrick Lew went into Lennon Studios to jam and rehearse with Pleasure Gallows and was offered a role as the bass player for Pleasure Gallows. He would eventually learn all the songs from their setlist at an 80%-90% level by ear listening to their tracks on Soundcloud on bass guitar tabbing out parts. Pleasure Gallows often rehearsed at Music City San Francisco to fulfill their plans ahead. As the bass player for Pleasure Gallows, Lew was given the stage name "RYU KILMISTER" and performed two shows with the band, his final performance with the band being at Hotel Utah in San Francisco on February 19, 2019. Amidst vague sources claiming a major lineup change and change in musical direction, Lew was released from Pleasure Gallows a week after the Hotel Utah gig because of "creative differences" between himself and the rest of his bandmates. 

THIRD RUN WITH PATRICK LEW BAND (2019-Present)

Currently, TheVerse is working on a new EP in the studio. Writing and demoing new ideas at Patrick Lew's home recording studio Promisedland as we speak! And is looking to hopefully book shows locally to perform in the near future.

To commemorate the 10 year anniversary of its self-release online, Patrick Lew Band reissued a 10th anniversary edition of their breakthrough 2009 album Let It Rise and Against on CDBaby and through digital streaming apps such as Spotify and Apple Music. Featuring a brand new track list and remastered from the original master tapes via BandLab.com. A good way to celebrate the humble and turbulent road to success, pain and glory with his PLB

Patrick Lew was reportedly offered to join and audition for a Grindcore band called GODS OF F**K as a bassist or rhythm guitarist in March 2019. Around the that same time, Patrick sined a long-term deal and commitment with his main band TheVerse as a member. Which also allows him to make sporadic appearances in the Patrick Lew Band.  

Since his departure from Pleasure Gallows. Patrick Lew has kept busy by doing a YouTube podcast, continuing to write and record at Promisedland (ex. home studio) and enlightening his followers and fans with every new post on his Instagram and Facebook. On June 7, 2019, Patrick Lew will officially become a 40 Under 40 recipient and Hall of Famer at his alma mater CSU East Bay for his accomplishments so far with Patrick Lew Band! When one door closes, another one definitely opens. And that's what exactly PLB has been doing to keep busy and to stay in the loop in indie music!

All we can really say to you is #STAYTUNED for more!

THE FUTURE? (2019-20XX)

PLB is looking to refine and hone his craft and put himself more out there and stick it to the man and break the walls down for everyone who has always felt awkward in society. Musically speaking. There's only more to come when it comes to new music, more shows and more of everything else. Stay tuned for the latest exciting developments fellow PLB Army. 

Always believe in yourself during the face of adversity and disposition. Always do you. Be you. And set out to work hard and make your dreams come true. 

My Personal Views On Success

Success and recognition in music doesn't bother me at all. I welcome it with open arms and bravado indeed. 

Some bands I grew up liking were so caught up on credibility and worrying about "selling out" because more people know who they are in the rock scene. They just glorified being pessimistic as human beings. I always liked those bands and their music, but I didn't wanna be a total Debbie Downer about life and playing music or whatever. Lol. I saw and read about how many faces bands like The Beatles, The Stones, Oasis, Led Zeppelin and Queen rocked all across the globe. 

Self-guilt was the farthest thing from my band(s) and my mindset. Yes, it's true I grew up unhappy, came from a dysfunctional family and had little to look forward to socio-economically. But that's what made me want to be on top of my game and I wanted to be as big as those bands were some way or another! If not, "big enough to be cool. Less is more." For me personally, success and recognition regardless of the level didn't mean "selling-out" or "being less authentic" or even "less rock and roll." It's a reassurance that I'm doing my job and my passion right and I'm good at what I do! Yes, I've been through hell and back. But I live only once, and I live it to the fullest man! 

Not to quote DX from wrestling. If you're not down with PLB, I've got two words for ya. Lol.

Looking Back At Patrick Lew's Final Show With Pleasure Gallows

My last gig with Pleasure Gallows was not a fun night. 

Normally, I'd get very excited to play a show with any band. But that night did not go very well. 

I politely asked this one bass playin White boy from the band Musavi, "Hey dude, is it cool if you take a video or photos on my phone of our band's performance later on tonight?" Nigga was like saying in a terse and rude tone, "No, just no." I also had an argument with Ricky from Pleasure Gallows the night before on text about dining before the show and all, I was called a "tweaker" and "I ask for more money than a homeless person." 

I honestly didn't wanna play that night at Hotel Utah because how I was treated by a tall Honkie in plaid posing as rock and roll and what happened between me and Ricky Vain the night before on text. I just sucked it up, played and gave it my all. 

It was hands down a terrible night for me. One of those moments where I didn't wanna really be there playing a show but was contractually obligated to do so in a professional sense. 

I've had more fun times playing with TheVerse and PLB live. While the first gig with Pleasure Gallows was fun and amazing. The second and final gig was an unmitigated personal disaster. I just didn't show it!

Patrick Lew Band EPK

San Francisco’s very own Patrick Lew Band/Steel Lions are the first and only Asian-American grunge and punk rock band in the world. They offer hard-hitting beats, anthemic hard rock ready hooks and a chaotic, unpredictable yet bewildering live show thou shalt not miss (Watch their “Brick & Mortar” concert video on YouTube) with socially conscious and introspective lyrics. PLB always likes to offer something special and new and fresh to the table by tinkering in their home studio crafting punk-fused arena rock anthems or sentimental slow jams. And putting it out there on social-media and the digital age! The music is a perfect marriage and fusion of 70’s and 80’s traditional American and British classic hard rock and melodic metal with the grit, angst and anger of the Seattle grunge sound (ex. Nirvana, Pearl Jam) and contemporary hard-edged punk rock from the 90’s. Frontman Patrick Lew likes to call it: “Jump, Rattle and Roll.”

They’ve been featured on 107.7 THE BONE. Which is a Bay Area FM hard rock radio station. The PLB/Steel Lions has also been featured on a past issue of Recording Magazine and IndieRockCafe.com. They have also made a televised appearance for 24 HR K-POP in the San Francisco Bay Area’s over-the-air TV market promoting their love for Smart TV’s at San Francisco’s historic Chinatown with their endorsement with Antennas Direct. They can also be easily found online: “If you’re near your computer or phone. Just Google “Patrick Lew Band.” In July 2016, the Patrick Lew Band won an Akademia Music Award for Best Experimental Rock song for their single “Game Changer.”

Aside from music, members of the band has also delved into other creative avenues. Frontman Patrick Lew has acted in community theater and has filmed an uncredited cameo on the Emmy Award winning Amazon TV series Man in the High Castle. And also done social activism and charitable causes as well. Alongside writing a lot of the band biographies in regards to PLB and Steel Lions under a pseudonym. Bassist and DJ Madeline Lew has done semi-professional photography, amateur modeling and JAV videos on Pornhub.

While predominantly a home recording band, the PLB/Steel Lions has also toured sporadically all over the San Francisco Bay Area. While seen live and onstage by relatively very few people, the band puts on one helluva rock and roll show at any dive bar or punk rock venue. Exploding in punk rock chaos and rocking their guitars out on that stage like it were themselves playing at a Coliseum.  

Active as an indie-level rock band for almost two decades, the band has experienced many ups and downs since their formation in San Francisco, CA back in 2001. From revolving  lineup changes, personal tragedies and hardships and a critical backlash in the indie music scene over invalid reasons. But not going down without a fight, Patrick Lew Band maintains authenticity and finds his own success and recognition on his own terms. Staying true to himself, never conforming to please antiquated mindsets from society, the dating world and even the music business. This has made him sort of a pariah online and in indie music, but also what benefitted his music and his band in the long run. With stellar results in the end!

Whether it’s rocking at the bingo hall in the Excelsior, being the “Jump, Rattle and Roll” show with every new post on Instagram or Facebook or just in the studio trying to make some good rock and roll music before it’s ready to go live on social-media, Spotify and Apple Music. It’s abundantly clear that Patrick Lew Band/Steel Lions infectious and brash brand of rock and roll will leave you all wanting some more. Their mission is to make it bigger, better and badder as an Asian-American in music!

Patrick Lew Band: A 2010s Indie Band In Rock & Roll

I only did EDM and some extreme metal because my bro and former drummer wanted to steer me into that direction in Steel Lions and PLB. I gave it a shot, since I'm open to trying new ideas and concepts as an artist. 

But I think he was possibly only doing that because it was the flavor of the moment or so. I was always the straight ahead punk rock/grunge kind of guy musically. I didn't care about the trends of the moment, other than Visual Kei back home. Lol. But I gave him a pass just because I had to open my ears and mind to trying new things in music. Even if it was a trendy thing to do.

If you follow my musical journey well enough on Facebook or whatever...You will hear noticeable Dubstep/Drum N Bass and some modern extreme metal in mid 2010s PLB and Steel Lions records. To mixed results, of course. The song "The Lover That Failed" (I selfishly call it my "Helter Skelter" or anti love song) was based off extreme thrash and death metal. It's probably the most "METAL" song I've ever composed and recorded. Other songs, like "Big $ur" and "Little Seoulja" was based off rave music influences. 

I don't really fuck with modern metal or EDM as much these days. The 2010s might have been the decade for Patrick Lew Band and his other side band hustles. But it was also when I made some artistic experimentation that either went good or bad. 

I just play rock and roll, man. Lol.