Patrick Lew: An Asian-American Rock Trailblazer

 Patrick Lew: An Asian-American Rock Trailblazer

Patrick Lew Hayashi was born on November 15th, 1985, in San Francisco, California. He has emerged as a pioneer of indie rock band perseverance and originality. Since leading the Patrick Lew Band (PLB) and fathering the Lewnatic side project, Patrick has claimed territory in the world of independent music, influenced by punk rock, grunge, and J-Rock, while remaining strictly independent.

Early Years and Musical Genesis

Patrick's upbringing and passion for playing instruments originated from being born and raised in San Francisco, where people from different cultures co-exist. Patrick has Chinese blood on their father's side and Japanese blood on his mother's side, so he was listening to Western rock and East Asian pop constantly. The first influences were grunge bands, such as Nirwana, and famous British bands, like Beatles and Rolling Stones, as well as J-pop and Hong Kong Pop, which motivated him to become an artist who can unite different genres and nationalities.

Patrick started his music career at 15 when he formed his first band in high school. Born in London and raised in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, Patrick began making and recording music in his bedroom using a Tascam 4-track recorder his mother had bought. This was the birth of the Patrick Lew Band, which the youth has seen and enjoyed as a constant feature of the underground music scene.

The Rise of the Patrick Lew Band

PLB officially began in 2001 and was the real deal of garage punk. Early albums such as Curb Your Wild Life, Let It Rise, and Against showed Patrick's grunge influences and his riotous energy. With time, PLB transformed into a solo project online, taking on a virtual style and adding electronic and experimental rock to its music.

A critical moment in PLB was 2015 when Madeline Lew created Patrick's cross-dressing alter ego and virtual band member. Madeline added another concept to the band, underlining the very creative way Patrick told a story. With this development, PLB gradually climbed in fame to reach popularity all around the globe with hits that reached the streaming listeners of more than 50 countries, including Spotify and Apple Music subscribers.

Achievements and Impact

Patrick’s artistic and personal achievements have set him apart in the indie rock landscape:

Awards and Recognition: Patrick was inducted into CSU East Bay's 40 Under 40 Hall of Fame, becoming the first Japanese-American male to receive the honor. He also won the AkademiaMusic Award in 2016 for the experimental rock track “Game Changer.”

Media Presence: Patrick’s work has been featured in media outlets such as Ascendant Magazine, and he made cameo appearances in shows like The Man in the High Castle and White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch.

International Collaborations: Collaborating with Bentley Records under the Lewnatic banner, Patrick released Rapid Fire in 2022, further cementing his reputation as a dynamic musician.

Lewnatic: Expanding the Vision

Lewnatic, a project started in 2019, can be seen as a daring continuation of Patrick's journey into music. Starting off as a rap metal project, Lewnatic soon evolved into a colorful rock band with influences from City Pop and anime. They constantly perform, including their recent milestone of performing at DNA Lounge. Their work, like Rapid Fire, has explained how Patrick is able to bring in new audiences.

A Creative Partnership

Patrick's artwork is personal, and the artist's private life and art are inseparable. He has partnered with Manda Kay, a YouTuber and former actress on the stage. They make music videos and other online materials, where Patrick composes music, and Manda writes stories and performs. Their love for each other, art, and the lengths they go to support one another are adored by fans worldwide.

Challenges and Resilience

However, Patrick has had a few challenges throughout his journey, though he has enjoyed success. It's Monday morning when I drop by Patrick's house and interview him in his living room about his life as an ethnic minority in rock music. Nonetheless, through sheer commitment to his music, the man has been able to overcome these barriers and is now celebrated as a leader in the ASIAN AMERICAN MUSIC SCENE.

A Legacy of Innovation

As Patrick Lew Band celebrates its 20th year in the music industry, Patrick never stops reinventing indie sounds and styles. Regardless of the current festival concert, self-recorded albums, or collaborations, Patrick will continue to bring good vibes and creativity into the world. It is a sweet success story of sheer determination, innovation, and his love for music, which he never let go of. Patrick Lew’s impact transcends music, serving as a beacon for aspiring artists who dare to challenge conventions and redefine what it means to be an independent musician.

PLB STORY

 Born to a Chinese father and a Japanese mother of mixed descent, Patrick Lew's journey in music really began in 2001 while he was still in high school and eventually playing in various bands. He later attended California State University East Bay in Hayward, CA, and graduated with a B.A in Philosophy and minored in Music Composition. After the creation of his fictional twin sister Madeline Lew through special effects and Photoshop Patrick then transitioned into making his own music with the Patrick Lew Band. It was during this period of evolution that the Band’s creativity and undeniable talent began to shine through. They ultimately developed a style of making music that is transparent, daring, full of hope and reflective of their experiences. The band’s goal is to become a voice of the Asian-American community and shed light to an underrepresented minority. The band is focused on becoming a worldwide phenomenon and touching as many lives as possible regardless of race, age, religion and sexual orientation. The music is an encapsulation of their thoughts and ambitions, turning pain into purpose and lessons into studio sessions.

They will be releasing more music that will serve as motivation to face the new challenges that every day brings. This is the music that will push the boundaries of our perception as well as inspire and drive us to introspective conversations. It’s the music that may not change the world, but can change the people in the world.

Lewnatic In The House!

 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 is 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. 

By Summer 2019, Patrick Lew Hayashi formed Lewnatic with Filipino-American rapper A.K.AYE 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.”

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.

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 and arrangements consisting of beats and instrumentals on the AUX cables.

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.

The Patrick Lew Band Story - REVISED BUT ACCURATE

We are a Metaverse-themed rock band from San Francisco.  PATRICK LEW BAND ALSO KNOWN AS:  Famiglia (2001-2003), Samurai Sorcerers (2003-2006), Silent Minister (2005), The Band of Asians (2006-2008), The Steel Lion (2013-2017) ORIGIN:  San Francisco, California, USA  (formerly Antioch, California, USA) GENRES:  Punk, Electronic Music, Instrumental, Alternative Rock, Grunge, K-Pop, J-Pop, Rock And Roll, Hard Rock, Emo. YEARS ACTIVE: 2001-present (hiatuses: 2013-15; 2017-19) OFFICIAL MEMBERS:  Patrick Lew/Madeline Lew - All Instruments, Guitar, Lead Vocals  (2001 onward) FORMER MEMBERS:  Tommy Loi - Drummer (2001-2005) Eddie Blackburn - Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals (2001-2005; 2007) David Arceo - Drummer (2005-2016) Madoku Raye - Lead Vocals (2021-2024) CAREER HIGHLIGHTS July 2016 Akademia Music Awards Best Experimental Rock Song - "Game Changer" Class of 2019 Cal State East Bay 40 Under 40 Inductee  Class of 2023 Akademia Music Awards Hall of Fame Inductee  Antennas Direct Celebrity Ambassador (2015) Quarter Finalist - Soundclick.com's 10th Anniversary Songwriting Contest  (2007) Born 1985 in San Francisco as Patrick Allan Lew, Patrick was raised in the Bay Area to a Chinese father and Japanese mother of mixed descent. He became a passionate fan of Grunge, Punk, J-ROCK, and American and British Classic Rock music as a child. His favorite bands growing up were Nirvana, The Rolling Stones, X Japan, Green Day, Guns N’ Roses, Motley Crue, The Beatles, Pearl Jam, Oasis, Silverchair, BEYOND, B’z, and Led Zeppelin.  He began playing guitar at the age of 13 and studied guitar and music composition at Vibo Music Center and California State University East Bay (B.A., 2011). While attending Raoul Wallenberg High School in San Francisco during the early 2000s, he formed what would become the first incarnation of the Patrick Lew Band (PLB) with his classmates. While a student in college in 2007, he began uploading online content on YouTube related to his music.  Patrick graduated from Raoul Wallenberg High School in 2004, and also graduated from Soko Gakuen Japanese School that same year.  By the early-to-mid 2000s, the Patrick Lew Band began putting their music online on many different websites. In 2005 at the tender young age of 19, the group was briefly signed to Statue Records. The group would relocate to Antioch, CA during the late 2000s, and would perform and record locally in Contra Costa County’s garage band circuit. After many false starts on-and-off, personal struggles, and a rotating line-up of sidemen and potential band members, the Patrick Lew Band briefly took a two-year break from making music by the end of 2012.  During 2013 and 2014, Patrick Lew focused on his mental health and working on self-improvement. He also experienced a bitter and acrimonious breakup with his then-girlfriend. That breakup was the catalyst for Patrick Lew Hayashi wanting to return to making music.  Patrick Lew Hayashi also played locally in other musical projects outside of the Patrick Lew Band: TheVerse (2015-2019), Pleasure Gallows (between mid-to-late 2018 until early 2019), and Crazy Loser in a Box! (2018-2024). He also made a brief uncredited cameo appearance on Season 4 and Episode 1 of the critically acclaimed Amazon TV series The Man in the High Castle as an extra.  In 2015, he officially introduced his fictitious relative Madeline Lew (his M2F cross-dressing alter-ego) as a virtual band member and mascot of the Patrick Lew Band. That same year, he also rebuilt and rebranded the Patrick Lew Band (PLB) as an Internet-based virtual rock band, performing live sporadically, but more focus on home recording and producing unique music that’s been described, “as a dynamic and anthemic fusion of classic rock, J-Pop, and grunge.” After Madeline’s arrival in the project, PLB began achieving exposure in the local music scene that long eluded them. By 2020, the Patrick Lew Band (PLB) became relatively prolific in the indie music community and on the Internet, as numerous press and bloggers began curating PLB and writing about them. Madeline’s singing voice was created on VOCALOID and A.I. singing technology, whereas, her likeness is mainly created by Gender Swapping on very popular iPhone/Android smartphone apps, alongside Photoshopping.  By 2017, at the height of PLB's initial strides in the music scene, the Patrick Lew Band took an extended leave of absence, which lasted until St. Patrick's Day 2020. Which was directly caused by his mother Winnie's passing on April 8, 2017. And also, because of creative burnout and personal demons resurfacing. Following a show at Brick & Mortar in October, Patrick began playing guitar for TheVerse and Crazy Loser in a Box full-time.  The Patrick Lew Band has recorded 13 CDs as a prolific home recording act and as bedroom producers: Jump! Rattle! And Roll! (2006), Let It Rise and Against (2009), Murder Bay (2011), Angry Yellow (2012), Bubblegum Babylon (2015), Oakland (2017), Cold Sirens (2017), Immortality (2020), Codebreaker (2020), Rolling Thunder (2020), No Sleep Till San Francisco! (2021), Exclamation (2021), Adrenaline (2022), and Forbidden Door (2024).  The Patrick Lew Band was inducted in the Akademia Music Hall of Fame in September 2023. A few years earlier in 2019, Patrick adopted his mother’s maiden name Hayashi (林) legally into his name, and created a touring and live-streaming solo project as a musician under the stage-name LEWNATIC, touring Japan and performing live shows once-a-month at San Francisco’s historic DNA Lounge, until the COVID-19 pandemic happened a year later. The band’s name Lewnatic is a spoonerism of Patrick’s father’s surname and “Lunatic.” During 2021, Patrick and Madeline's close friend Madoku Raye joined the band as an occasional lead singer and contributor. She made her first appearance on their 2022 album Adrenaline. Between 2020-22, the Patrick Lew Band was heavily active as an Internet-based rock band.  By 2022, he reactivated his solo project LEWNATIC and quickly began making music and live-streaming as a recording artist on social-media. By July that year, he signed with Bentley Records and quickly produced and released three mini-albums (EPs) during 2022 and 2023: Rapid Fire! (2022), Getcha Mood On Right (2023), and The Lost Souls (2023).  He rebranded LEWNATIC as a more simplified version of the Patrick Lew Band, and as the spin-off/offshoot band related to the PLB. Most of LEWNATIC’s music tends to be Instrumental Rock, with some lead vocals on Patrick’s behalf on selective songwriting ideas. In LEWNATIC, like with post-2015 era Patrick Lew Band, he plays most or all of the instruments on the studio recordings. Onstage, Patrick plays guitar, sings occasionally, and uses a laptop running all the backing tracks as musical and rhythmic arsenal, performing a setlist of his more recent classic output with the Patrick Lew Band and all his selective musical work with LEWNATIC. During 2023, Lewnatic performed a few live-stream performances on Patrick's YouTube channel. And also, performed and were interviewed extensively for Luke Sauer's podcast at San Francisco's Edge Studios streamed worldwide on Memorial Day. He recently renewed his recording contract with Bentley Records in August that year. Patrick Lew also reconnected with his long-time bandmate Madeline Lew from PLB, and regrouped the Patrick Lew Band going forward. In December 2023, Patrick was interviewed by Recording Artist Guild magazine. Shortly after, Patrick Lew Band began releasing new songs occasionally on Spotify, which were mainly covers of 90's alt-rock and 90's J-Pop. Madeline Lew, on the otherhand, pulled back from the Patrick Lew Band back in August 2022. In storyline, she relocated back to Osaka and focused more on herself. In reality, Patrick Lew semi-retired her character and the alter-ego in PLB, feeling she served her purpose in his life and music. Nonetheless, Madeline still makes recurring appearances in Patrick Lew Band, on selective new music especially, and was given a lifetime membership in the project. On March 25, 2024, Patrick reconnected with his long-time girlfriend Manda Kay (YouTuber and former stage actress) after a 6 month sabbatical. They met on social-media in mid-2021. The long-awaited 3rd album STARCADE from Lewnatic was released worldwide from Bentley Records on July 26, 2024. Patrick Lew Band is still sporadically active in the Internet music scene, as a "special attraction" to those all who've supported them since day one.  Lewnatic currently remains a solo project for Patrick Lew Hayashi, as there are no other members onstage and in the home studio with him. Patrick Lew Hayashi boldly describes Lewnatic, “a one-man rock and roll machine.” The musical arrangements are very simple and straight-forward, Patrick plays guitar and occasionally raps/sings. And he handles the backing tracks and beats on his old laptop like a DJ. The main motives for doing the band is to have fun, play heavy music and not take life and music in general so seriously. And the occasional punk rock show, whether it be a webcast or at the local dive bar! Expect more from the Sino-Japanese rock and roll pariah and icon himself. They're not going anywhere any time soon!

Patrick Lew Hayashi Profile - Written By Against PR

 

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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.

LEWNATIC - The ingenious music of Asian-American icon and YouTuber Patrick Lew Hayashi

 NAME: PATRICK LEW HAYASHI

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

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

RELATIVES: Ricky (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, Grocer, 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, Crazy Loser in a Box!

FORMERLY OF: 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 Steam Laptop (2021), Fender Telecaster, PreSonus Audiobox iOne, Logic Pro, Marshall CODE50 Amp, VOCALOID (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: lewnatic@bentleyrecordsred.net

LEWNATIC415 is a virtual-based punk rock band that was created by Patrick Lew Hayashi, who is best known for his indie music career and his work with the Patrick Lew Band and TheVerse. He is also an online content creator, mainly on his YouTube channel.

Born to a Chinese father and Japanese mother of mixed descent, Patrick began playing guitar at age 13 when his cousin Andy was living with his family while studying at a community college as an International Student. He began his indie music career in 2001, playing guitar and singing in his high school band, which later would evolve into the Patrick Lew Band. Patrick is also a moderately known influencer, having been making YouTube videos online since 2007 at age 21.

In July 2019, during the second year of Patrick Lew Band’s (PLB) hiatus, Patrick began brainstorming ideas to go “back-to-basics” with his music as a solo artist. After parting ways with his previous band amicably, Patrick started Lewnatic as a personal solo recording project. And quickly began performing under the LEWNATIC banner once-a-month at DNA Lounge in San Francisco until the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

The band’s name Lewnatic is a spoonerism of Patrick’s father’s surname and “Lunatic.”

For the next two years, Patrick returned to performing, recording and live-streaming webcasts with the Bay Area band that made him sort of famous globally with his fictitious cousin (in reality, his alter-ego), Madeline Lew, with the Patrick Lew Band. Embarking on their most prolific stage as artists. By this point, the Patrick Lew Band began receiving recognition and exposure worldwide and online. As bloggers and curators began writing about PLB more positively and they began putting Patrick Lew Band’s music more out there to the public.

By the end of 2022, PLB was put on hold as Patrick mainly put most of his energy and focus with the Lewnatic project.

Lewnatic would eventually return from hiatus in early 2022, as COVID-19 pandemic began winding down considerably and quietly in the San Francisco Bay Area. He began working with his booking agents Afton Shows again. The band Lewnatic once again performed live music at DNA Lounge on February 20, 2022.

Lewnatic is intended as the touring and live-streaming spin-off related to the Patrick Lew Band. Alongside, a touring and live-stream concert experiment as a solo artist. Whereas, with PLB, due to sophisticated nature such as the technical inability to present Madeline Lew's likeness onstage, and other complicated myriad of reasons backstage, cannot tour or perform live.

The band’s live setup and tech rider is based on minimalism and convenience when traveling with Patrick’s guitar rig. Instead of bringing his 50 watt Marshall amp and lots of gear in an Uber ride to venues he’s booked to perform for the evening, most of Lewnatic’s live gear is based off a virtual guitar amp and backing tracks on Patrick’s laptop. Alongside, an inexpensive audio DI box and Fender Telecaster.

As a live musical act, the band Lewnatic performs a mix of PLB and spontaneously rearranged performances of Lewnatic's material. The band Lewnatic makes sure that every one of their live-stream or onstage performances are not exact replicas of their albums on CD.

During the end of March 2022, Lewnatic began recording their second album Strictly Prohibited at their home studio in San Francisco. On one of the new upcoming tracks “As Gritty As I Want To Be,” Patrick’s relative Madeline Lew makes a guest appearance as a lead singer. The music creation for the entire album was finished in less than a week reportedly, and was released worldwide in April 2022 on Spotify, Apple Music and everywhere else.

On July 19, 2022, Lewnatic signed a 1-year record contract with Bentley Records. LEWNATIC released their first album under a record label (and their third LP) titled Rapid Fire worldwide tentatively on August 19, 2022! Featuring six all-new guitar-based instrumental rock compositions with a strong CITY POP and Anime-like theme. The album was briefly promoted by both Bentley Records and Patrick Lew himself on social-media.

On August 28, 2022, Lewnatic live-streamed directly through Patrick Lew Hayashi’s YouTube channel, performing two rearranged songs off Patrick Lew Band’s 2022 EP Pariah Vol. 2 (“Are You Down With Me” and “Love Yourself”). Another virtual concert on his YouTube channel commenced a month later, where Lewnatic live-streamed a cover of the Elvis Presley song That’s All Right Mama.

Most of my Lewnatic’s virtual concerts are pre-recorded on Patrick’s 2017/18 iPad or his iPhone 13 PRO. And edited on iMovie on his old laptop before being posted online. The band’s colleague and friend James Conrad also handles videography and photography for the solo project locally in San Francisco.

On September 24, 2022, Lewnatic filmed an MV for their first single off their album Rapid Fire in San Francisco’s Chinatown. The music video world premiered in mid-October, and amassed a decent number of views on YouTube. The MV for their single We The People served as a #StopAsianHate and #BLM anthem during the post-pandemic aftermath affecting minorities in the United States. Two more live-stream performances followed at PLB HQ (Patrick Lew’s personal rehearsal space) in San Francisco that month also.

Two more mini-albums (EPs) followed during 2023, the 70's rock inspired Getcha Mood On Right and the critically acclaimed circa 1992 reminiscent hard rock and grungy gem, The Lost Souls. During 2023, Lewnatic performed a few live-stream performances on Patrick's YouTube channel. And also, performed and were interviewed extensively for Luke Sauer's podcast at San Francisco's Edge Studios streamed worldwide on Memorial Day.

Lewnatic currently remains a solo project for Patrick Lew Hayashi, as there are no other members onstage and in the home studio with him. Patrick Lew Hayashi boldly describes Lewnatic, “a one-man rock and roll machine.” The musical arrangements are very simple and straight-forward, Patrick plays guitar and occasionally raps/sings. And he handles the backing tracks and beats on his old laptop like a DJ.

The main motives for doing the band Lewnatic is to have fun, play heavy music and not take life and music in general so seriously. And the occasional punk rock show, whether it be a webcast or at the local dive bar! Expect more from the Sino-Japanese rock and roll pariah and icon himself. The Lewnatic is coming to town!

Who is the Patrick Lew Band?

 Patrick Lew Band (PLB) is an Asian-American rock band from San Francisco, California. The band was formed in 2001 by Patrick Lew Hayashi, who is also a singer, guitarist, and YouTuber. Their music is a mix of rock, grunge, and K-Pop. 

The band's debut album, Jump, Rattle, and Roll, was released on CDBaby in 2006. They began playing small shows in the San Francisco area in 2007. Since 2016, the Patrick Lew Band has transitioned exclusively into an Internet-based project. The band also features a virtual member, mascot, and bassist named Madeline Lew, marketed as Patrick's younger relative or sibling. 

The band's YouTube channel has over 500 videos. Their music is influenced by the Seattle grunge band Nirvana. 

Some of their songs include: Glaring Dream, Simply Ravishing, Badlands, Cartoon Catastrophe, Orgasm. 

In 2022, they released a cover of Bryan Adams' "Cuts Like A Knife".

PATRICK LEW BAND

ORIGIN:  San Francisco, California, USA

GENRES:  Punk, Electronic Music, Instrumental, Alternative Rock, Grunge, K-Pop, J-Pop, Rock And Roll.

YEARS ACTIVE: 2001-present (hiatuses: 2013-15; 2017-19)

OFFICIAL MEMBERS: 

Patrick Lew/Madeline Lew - All Instruments, Guitar, Lead Vocals  (2001 onward)

Madoku Raye - Lead Vocals (2021-Present)

FORMER MEMBERS: 

Tommy Loi - Drummer (2001-2005)

Eddie Blackburn - Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals (2001-2005; 2007, declared deceased in absentia in 20??) 

David Arceo - Drummer (2005-2016)

DISCOGRAPHY:

STUDIO ALBUMS...

Jump, Rattle, And Roll! (2006), Let It Rise and Against (2009), Murder Bay (2011), Angry Yellow (2012), No Sleep Till San Francisco! (2013) Bubblegum Babylon (2015), Oakand (2017), Cold Sirens (2017), Immortality (2020), Codebreaker (2020), Rolling Thunder (2020), Xclamation! (2021), Adrenaline (2022), Forbidden Door (2024)

LIVE ALBUMS...

IN YOUR HOUSE! (2021)

COMPILATIONS AND EP's...

Up The Wazoo! (2007), History Vol. 1 (2018), To the Moon and Back (2020), Pariah: The Kamikaze Guitarist Strikes Back (2022)

GEAR:  Epiphone Les Paul * Fender Telecaster * 2012 MacBook Pro * 2014 MacBook Air * Apple GarageBand * Apple Logic Pro X * Apple MainStage 3 * Vox AC50 * Boss DS-2 * Marshall CODE50 * Boss Dr. Rhythm Drum Machine * PreSonus Audiobox iOne * iPhone 13 PRO * Fender Jazz Bass * VOCALOID (to create Madeline Lew's voice) * A.I. Music Generators 

Want to enjoy new and interesting songs or unique and entertaining YouTube content? Patrick Lew Hayashi is the guy for you. He has been creating amazing and amusing content in terms of songs and videos for 20 years. The idea of making a fictional character of his sister Madeline and starting a band named Patrick Lew Band (PLB) with her is humorously intelligent. This idea is getting a lot of attention.

About

Patrick Lew is an Asian-American multitalented artist, possessing the incredible skills of a singer, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and YouTuber. His style is mostly Hard Rock as he has a fondness for all the genres. His sole purpose is to create vibe music to save people from negativity by amusing them through entertaining songs. Regardless of no support from around him, he smiles and puts smiles on other people’s faces. Patrick Lew was born and grew up in San Francisco to a Japanese mother and a Chinese father on November 15, 1985. Being a 90’s kid, he creates many nostalgic videos, such as the one he recently made, a 90's themed documentary about his journey.

Childhood

Patrick fell for music at an early age. The childhood of Patrick Lew seemed good enough to an outsider, but he was facing a lot. His grandfather, who was as close as a best friend to him, died in his childhood. Plus, he was facing a lot of racism and negativity in school and other surroundings. Patrick turned to video games, television, and professional wrestling to get rid of all the negativity. He also fell for music as it distracted him.

Patrick’s parents’ love for music also played a part in creating a music fondness in him. He grew up listening to his mother’s favorite genre, classic rock, by The Beatles and Stones, and his dad’s favorite funk, R & B, and Motown music.

The Start of a Musical Journey

Patrick’s musical journey began in 2001 when he was just 16 years old. He would create mixes for solo and high school bands and upload them on social media sites under multiple band names. After finishing his schooling at Wallenberg High School, he got admission to CSU East Bay and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy with a minor in Music Composition. The band also ended up with the name Patrick Lew Band then.

The Patrick Lew Band (PLB), which hails from the thriving American city of San Francisco, is a major player in the Rock music scene. They have built out a unique sound with their fusion of Rock, J-POP, and Alternative Rock that makes them stand out from the competition. The Patrick Lew Band's music engulfs you from the moment you press play, grabbing your attention and refusing to let go.

They produce an exhilarating atmosphere with their unbridled energy and contagious songs that leaves fans wanting more. The group's versatility and musical aptitude are demonstrated by their ability to smoothly combine parts of Rock, J-POP, and Alternative Rock. Their music has a life of its own, driven by the mysterious frontman Patrick Lew. Every song is given a sense of passion and intensity by Patrick's strong vocals and his captivating songwriting. The Patrick Lew Band's songs touch listeners on a profound emotional level, whether they are gritty, hard-hitting Rock anthems or more reflective and melodic works.

Today, he has a number of songs uploaded on various music websites such as Apple Music, Spotify, etc. His most famous works are Glaring Dream, Badlands, Try a Little Harder, Chasing Reality, Orgasm, and many more.

Madeline Lew

Patrick has one real brother, Ricky Lew, but he always says that he has two siblings. The other is his fictional sister Madeline, whom he created to make entertaining content. Madeline is Patrick dressed as a girl. He used this character for making music as well as making YouTube content. He even made a separate channel on YouTube in her name where he uploads funny content.

Achievements

Patrick received a number of naming achievements which spread his fame a lot. For example, he was the first Japanese-American male to receive the honor of 40 Under 40 Hall of Fame in 2019. He got a lot of appreciation for his work under Patrick Lew Band at the age of 33. At age 38, his project PLB was included in the Class of 2023 Akademia Music Awards Hall of Fame. 

The Patrick Lew Band is an absolute force in the Rock music world thanks to their distinctive sound and outstanding talent. They stand out from their colleagues because of their capacity to push limits and give exceptional performances. As this innovative band continues to create waves and leave their impact on the worlds of Rock and Alternative music, keep an eye out for them.

Patrick is not stopping here though. He is ready for more struggles in the future for his fans. He is currently working on a project (LEWNATIC) which he is going to launch soon. And he is also planning to continue making music with the Patrick Lew Band going forward. Keep following him on social media for more updates. CLICK HERE: https://linktr.ee/patricklewband/