Patrick
Patrick Lew Band on USANews.com
Jun 29
In the vibrant, ever-evolving world of indie rock, few stories are as uniquely woven with the threads of perseverance, cultural fusion, and creative disruption as that of Patrick Lew. Born in San Francisco to a Chinese father and Japanese mother, Patrick’s music journey has been shaped not only by his love for grunge, punk, and J-Rock but by his unwavering resilience in the face of adversity. Today, the Patrick Lew Band (PLB) stands as a testament to the power of determination, individuality, and artistic vision, redefining the landscape of indie music.
Origin and Mission: A Cultural Fusion and Musical Foundation
Patrick Lew’s story begins in the culturally rich environment of San Francisco. Raised amidst the diverse influences of East Asian pop and Western rock, Patrick was exposed to a musical spectrum that was as vast as it was varied. From the haunting riffs of Nirvana to the melody of The Beatles, his early love for music was as eclectic as his cultural background. Growing up with Chinese and Japanese roots, he often felt the tension of navigating between two worlds. This duality would go on to shape his music, which blends the rawness of punk and grunge with the infectious energy of J-Pop and the free-spiritedness of East Asian culture.
At 15, Patrick began experimenting with music, recording in his bedroom with a Tascam 4-track recorder gifted by his mother. It was here that the seeds of what would become the Patrick Lew Band (PLB) were planted, forming an integral part of his artistic evolution. From the very beginning, his approach was unique: independent, experimental, and committed to raw, authentic sound. What started as a passion project would soon evolve into a significant force in the underground music scene.
The Rise of the Patrick Lew Band: Garage Punk to Virtual Rock Phenomenon
The true inception of PLB came in 2001, during a time when garage punk and DIY ethos were at the forefront of the indie music movement. With early albums like Curb Your Wild Life, Let It Rise, and Against, Patrick captured the riotous energy of his youth, infusing the music with a rawness and sincerity that made his sound unmistakable. These albums served as a call to arms for anyone who ever felt like an outsider, with lyrics that spoke directly to the hearts of the disillusioned.
But it wasn’t just the music that set PLB apartit was Patrick’s willingness to innovate. As streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music gained prominence, PLB transitioned into a virtual band, incorporating electronic and experimental elements that captured the essence of the digital age. This shift marked a turning point in the band's trajectory. The idea of a virtual band wasn’t new, but Patrick's execution was. He introduced a creative concept in 2015 that would further distinguish PLB: the cross-dressing alter ego, designed by Madeline Lew, which added a layer of intrigue to the band’s identity. This move pushed PLB into new territory, gaining attention from listeners around the world.
By this time, PLB’s music had spread to more than 50 countries, resonating with a diverse global audience. It was a breakthrough moment, not just for Patrick but for independent artists everywhere. PLB had successfully built an international following without the backing of a major labela feat that remains a true testament to Patrick’s creative vision and DIY ethos.
Achievements and Impact: A Legacy Built on Persistence
Patrick Lew’s journey is marked by numerous accomplishments that speak to his talent and influence in the music world. One of the most notable recognitions came in the form of his induction into CSU East Bay's 40 Under 40 Hall of Fame. As the first Japanese-American male to receive this honor, Patrick became a trailblazer in the indie music scene, further cementing his role as a cultural icon. This was followed by an Akademia Music Award in 2016 for his track “Game Changer, which stood as a powerful example
Share
Post comment
Like
I'm done with my relationship with Manda Kay
Jun 29
I regret to inform everyone about my marital status.
It’s probably taking a nose dive.
I don’t want to be judged for all the mistakes I’ve made and held myself accountable for.
Look, I wasn’t cheating on anyone. All I did was tell my family about a “personal loss that me and my partner at the time had, and she got really mad at me unbeknownst to me about the matter, I said I was sorry.
This isn’t the first time we had fights. But lemme tell ya, it’s nothing I would wish on any couple.
Look man, I am not perfect.
But I apologized like a real human being. The other party just threw a tantrum like a little kid over it, gaslighting me about something I didn’t even mean to do.
Worse comes to worse, this wasn’t the first time we fought. We had many fights, and most of them were stupid and petty. And I can’t handle that shit, my mental health is more important than to deal with such stupidity on all shots fired.
I tried to fix the shit. But my mental health couldn’t take it anymore. I was trying to keep it real, but she wouldn’t even see where I was getting at. All she was doing was gaslight me and belittle me like a bully on a schoolyard making me out as a terrorist or something.
I am deeply sorry for this, maybe you are too, but I think she was the one who dumped me by blocking me on social-media. I just can’t handle the fighting anymore bro.
Worst of all, she would get mad at me for “changing the subject. What person gets mad at their partner for that shit? We’re not robots.
She would say some very mean things to me when things were not so great.
I feel like I’ve wasted my time and energy over petty behavior from one side, and I lost my train of thought.
I was the one trying to hold this shit like a fucking army, but guess what, she backed out on seeing me in San Francisco on my birthday last year, September this year, lied to me and changed her mind about moving to see me. It’s like god damn!
I am so sorry for even posting this on Facebook. I am sorry for those who were rooting for us too. I feel like an idiot now.
But at least, I can play shows again!
Share
Post comment
Like
PLB LIVE HISTORY
Mar 4, 2024
Right now because of COVID-19, we are hosting and live streaming Quarantine shows in our home studio and rehearsal space in San Francisco. Sometimes, we work with our promoters/booking agency Afton Shows to get them set up!
Before that. Patrick Lew Band rarely toured outside of NorCal and only occasionally played live. We weren't really much of a live band during most of our music career. But it wasn't until the mid-to-late 2010s where we actually began playing more shows outside our rehearsal space at the local dive bars and all here in the Bay. We also have toured internationally in our homeland Japan back in August 2019 for a few low-key gigs.
We usually perform with just Patrick onstage using his guitar, voice and backing tracks through his laptop connected to the venue's sound system through an AUX cable. Madeline is there with us in spirit for sure! The musical arrangements and tech setup is very different and more streamlined as a live band compared to our more intricate studio recordings and production.
LIVE CONCERT TIMELINE:
May 25 2023 Edge Studios in San Francisco, CA
Dec 01 2022 "Metaverse" in San Francisco, CA / Tokyo, Japan
Aug 27 2022 Lewnatic HQ in San Francisco, CA
May 20 2022 YMCA 4th & Mission in San Francisco, CA
May 01 2022 Lewnatic HQ in San Francisco, CA
Feb 20 2022 DNA Lounge in San Francisco, CA
Aug 05 2020 Lewnatic HQ in San Francisco, CA
Jul 26, 2020 Lewnatic HQ in San Francisco, CA
Mar 26, 2020 Lewnatic HQ in San Francisco, CA
Mar 22, 2020 Lewnatic HQ in San Francisco, CA
Dec 15 2019 DNA Lounge in San Francisco, CA
Nov 03 2019 DNA Lounge in San Francisco, CA
Aug 22, 2019 ESP Guitar Shop / Akihabara Street Corner, Tokyo, Japan
Aug 20, 2019 Shibuya Street Corner, Tokyo, Japan
Oct 08, 2017 Brick & Mortar in San Francisco, CA
Aug 06, 2017 Brick & Mortar in San Francisco, CA (CANCELED)
Jul 30, 2016 Best Buy in Colma, CA
May 10, 2016 Lewnatic HQ in San Francisco, CA
Jan 11, 2016 Lewnatic HQ in San Francisco, CA
Oct 28, 2015 Music Touch at Shops At Tanforan in San Bruno, CA
Aug 14, 2015 Cafe International in San Francisco, CA
Sep 13, 2013 Mama Art Cafe in San Francisco, CA [billed as The Steel Lions]
Feb 04, 2012 Dolores Park in San Francisco, CA
Aug 05, 2011 Chichibu Park in Antioch, CA
Jun 25, 2011 3700 Pieta Ct in Antioch, CA
Jun 12, 2011 Barnes & Nobles in Antioch, CA
Jun 04, 2011 3700 Pieta Ct in Antioch, CA
Feb 09, 2011 California State University, East Bay in Hayward, CA
Aug 30 2010 University of California, Berkeley in Berkeley, CA (CANCELED)
May 10, 2010 3700 Pieta Ct in Antioch, CA
Sep 01, 2009 California State University, East Bay in Hayward, CA
Oct 10, 2007 City College of San Francisco in San Francisco, CA
Aug 11, 2007 Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA
Aug 10, 2007 Bazaar Cafe in San Francisco, CA
May 25, 2007 San Francisco City Hall in San Francisco, CA
May 02, 2007 City College of San Francisco in San Francisco, CA
Apr 13, 2007 Glen Park Recreational Center in San Francisco, CA
Mar 25, 2007 City College of San Francisco in San Francisco, CA
May 08, 2006 Vibo Music in San Francisco, CA
Feb 04, 2006 Skyline College in San Bruno, CA
Feb 13, 2005 Balboa High School in San Francisco, CA
Sep 12, 2004 Promisedland Inc in San Francisco, CA
May 27, 2004 Raoul Wallenberg High School in San Francisco, CA
May 04, 2004 Raoul Wallenberg High School in San Francisco, CA
Jun 16, 2003 Ocean Beach in San Francisco, CA
Dec 08, 2002 Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA
Jun 30, 2001 Pier 30/32 in San Francisco, CA
Share
Post comment
Like
Patrick Lew Band's Third Run
Jul 19, 2019
I'm currently at Phase 3 of my indie music career with Patrick Lew Band.
This is now basically an "Anything Goes" run as an active band in punk rock music. And this could very well be my last hurrah with PLB. I will be now recording every new album and playing every show like it could be my very last.
No one knows when we officially die and leave Planet Earth. While I'm only in my mid 30's right now. I feel that I still got it in me at this stage of my life and music career. I'm cutting some of my best HEEL promos and monologues right now via Facebook Live! I just became a Hall of Fame inductee at age 34 at my alma mater. I'm literally at my "indie" peak as we speak!
However, most of my talents and work has drifted to other band(s) and vanity related ventures (ex. Lunatic Damage).
Since 2017 ended and 2018 kicked into gear, Patrick Lew Band went from full-time status in the local music scene to more a part-time or sporadic role. It's like when Nintendo begins phasing out the 8-bit NES and focuses more on SNES and N64. Just an analogy! While still active, Patrick Lew Band is a part-time solo project and I only go back to it whenever I feel like I'm ready to showcase new music or a new major event. I really don't have to do PLB full-time anymore to please everybody and be fully contractually obligated to do so in the business. I have this band I'm doing guitar for, I'm playing guitar under this new alias as a solo artist (B or C material), I now work a full-time traditional day job as a chocolatier and I'm 100% content with doing that and where I work.
I've been doing Patrick Lew Band for well almost 20 years. It's always going to be around. I'm not going anywhere. It's just more part-time and occasional these days considering the current stage of life where I'm at! I'm focused on a lot of different areas as a musician and artist. It doesn't always mean TOURING. I'm making my mark most of the time without having to leave my home studio Promisedland and the digital age in our hands!
So any gig or any album or any EP I do now with Patrick Lew Band could be my last day on Earth. All I know is, I'm gonna keep it going until I'm dead and buried 6 feet under and when the BBW lady sings on my grave. I also am aware, I won't be on top forever. So one of my missions now in the future is to "put over" young talent and shine light on the new kids in the scene.
Share
Post comment
Like
