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Patrick Lew — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:28:56 +0100

About Me: Just your introverted Taiwanese guy who is Rock And Roll and plays guitar. And makes music! I've been a Rock N' Roll musician in the Bay Area and promoting myself online for almost a decade.

Patrick Lew's Band. Solo Grunge musician who promotes his music via Internet on websites like this.

Internet Musician SINCE 2001. Been in bands, played some shows locally, promoted my music online. Now studying music and doing it as a solo musician in college at Cal State East Bay.

I was born in 1985 in San Francisco, California. I am currently in college working on a BA degree in Philosophy and Music at the moment. My interests is mainly art and music, I am in fact as struggling local musician trying to make music, put it online and learn my ropes and odyssey for fame in the music industry. I am of Asian descent, meaning I am Taiwanese American. Though I don't speak my ethnic languages. I mainly play guitar as a musician and write songs and make my music on the computer and put it up online. I've been through a lot of good and bad in my lifetime. But again, it's all been worth it! After 24 years in my life, I am taking the time to do some evaulation to cleanse myself after years of turmoil. I think personally! I am living for today, but have a strong sense of missing the Nineties! It's true.

I've been on Soundclick as a solo musician since August 2005, and I also been making music in garage bands. Getting ourselves noticed and heard to survive since 2001 locally and via Internet, on websites like this. We done some sporadic shows regionally in the Bay Area as musicians. I been making music since I started playing guitar at age 13, and I am a very unconventional musician and songwriter. Considering I know little about conventional music theory and etc. I love being a one-man band (Patrick Lew's Band) because, more freedom, creativity and artistically. And I don't work under timing issues. But I do miss playing shows. I mostly make Grunge, Hard Rock and Punk kind of music as a solo musician. With a few extra added electronics!

So let me start, I was born in November of 1985. I am currently 24 years of age, and I got into music (primarily Rock N' Roll) at a very young age. When most babies were in their diapers playing their toys and watching Sesame Street on their TV. When I turned 13 years old, around 1998 or whatever. I was a 7th grader at Rooftop Alternative School in my former hometown of San Francisco. My mom and I went to a Guitar Shop and bought me a Fender Strat bundle for my 13th birthday. I was going to Chinese school in SF Chinatown, where I was friends with my later high school buddy Tommy Loi. We were in the same language and music lessons program. So we began playing music together, as Tommy was learning Drums in his Band/Orchestra course. In the summer of 1999, we began an amateur garage band as musician hobbyists called Goldenweasel. Which later became, Silent Minister. Our high school band. I was getting guitar lessons at the time, and we knew this was FUN and INTERESTING.

When me and Tommy went to Wallenberg High School together, we began our teenage lives as high school students. I was so interested in music, it became a passion and sometimes hobbyist obsession. Other than my video games, cartoons and writing. Around early 2001 or something, my schoolmate Joey Fitzgerald introduced me formally to his friend Morgan's younger brother Eddie Blackburn. Due to my complaints and desire to form a REAL rock band of musicians to play and make music with! We were basically in our mid-teens, although Eddie was age 12 when he joined Silent Minister. So that became our high school band. And suddenly! I was recording on a 4-track Tascam Portastudio at home, yeah I know...I am old. Haha, but I found out I could promote my music all over the Internet. So one afternoon in May of 2001, I went on my old PC computer with 56K dial-up Internet. And made a website. Thus, beginning my music career.

We played shows sporadically whenever we could. Depending on time and etc. The first gig Silent Minister played were buskers at Vans Warped Tour 2001 at a tent filled with rock band instruments. 2001, was not only the start of my music career personally. But, also the first time I played in a REAL rock band. Garage band, local band...Whatever! I was coming-of-age at the time, angry with high school melodrama and bullshit. But I also was in LOVE when I met my high school girlfriend, Amy Sean. She even built the first website for my music (http://patallans.8k.com)! So anyways, making music was the main priority and project for us. Distributing and marketing it online and regionally was second. And playing shows and getting heard, third.

When I was 16 years old, close to my 17th birthday. Me and Silent Minister played "BATTLE OF THE BANDS" in San Francisco at some nightclub. It was a very short live performance of our amateur Garage Band music. Rock N' Roll style. There's no pictures of us playing live, we didn't own digital cameras until 2004 or 2005. They were expensive at retailers at the time. And none of our friends came to see us, live, had a camera on them. But snuck in a tape recorder to bootleg our gig. Which I still have the tape somewhere in my room in a cardboard box of my music career memorabilia. So there! The next few years, we would play gigs on occasion and record new music and put it online. Despite the fact, we were very undeveloped as songwriters and musicians back then. Tommy soon left the band for school, but we're still very close today. He's working on Business and Retail now. But soon...

Opportunity knocked on our email account on Yahoo, when Statue Records contacted us on our SC website (when Silent Minister still had a Soundclick) in early 2003, about a promotion record deal. We signed. And it made us even more dedicated, passionate and serious about making music and behind it all. Regardless what f***ing music critics and haters thought of us. 2003, I was in love with Amy. And I was doing cross-promotion and distribution of my music individually and Silent Minister. Amy and I were close, somehow I met a lot of groupies via Internet during this time alone. I had an ex-girlfriend Mikko, who I dated and met through Findapix.com at the time. When that ended, some issues would continue for me as I was graduating high school. Me and Amy broke up, and were completely estranged since then. Although we did briefly reconcile at the Wallenberg High School reunion for alumni's in 2008. Pictures up to show what was once beautiful, can come back, but gets lost again.

In the summer of 2004, I graduated from Wallenberg. And was off to cram school at City College of San Francisco. I didnt want to at first, but my high school transcripts were awful. Since I focused more on music and art than my education at the time. I nearly got accepted to San Jose State University, when I sent in my bad SAT and ACT testing scores and college application to them. But I f***ed it all up. I even went to rehab in September of that year, because I was unhappy with my family life and with love & romance parting company in not so friendly terms. But Silent Minister went back into the recording studio, and we recorded a 2nd album "Blizzard of Sound" which later became Ed's solo album "Personality" for disputed source and reason. I was making music solo, jamming with other local musicians from City College and Craigslist. Little did I know, it was the tail end of my high school band.

So in 2005, we finished a short tour across San Francisco high schools and City College. I met my FIRST close schoolmate and friend in college, Zack Huang. In my Ethnic Studies course for Asian Americans. We loved liberal arts, music, film and being creative as individuals. Silent Minister and I were barely making music at this point. Ed was doing solo projects, so was I. In May, me and Ed as Silent Minister worked on music one last time for jam sessions and fun hobbyist band practices. After that, despite how many times me as a solo artist/musician and with Silent Minister, promoted our recordings and story online. We came to a point where, we had to go part company and do whatever we loved individually. So I called Zack, and we began jamming on music and buying hella equipment from Guitar Center to prepare a very ambitious Rock Project. At first we were called AUDIO RAGE. We tried out a few guitarists we met on MySpace musician ads. But that didn't work out. Me and Zack, also, briefly played with my schoolmate Gray Eser's band TORM. We were mainly inactive for various events and experiences in our lives at the time, so we never recorded anything.

By the time, I took a year off college to focus on my music career. I went to Skyline College briefly, because of my parents demanding education as a priority for me. But I was in NO shape physically or mentally to go back to school yet to learn my education. But when I took a music and reading course, I met my close friend David Arceo. Which we founded the DJ and Electronic Arts club on campus. I called Zack, and this became our band known today by many independent music fanatics as BAND OF ASIANS...

Why this name?

Well, Patrick Lew is my REAL NAME. The BAND refers to the music and art I created either as a solo artist or playing guitar in my former local Bay Area garage bands.

Do you play live?

Right now, I'm keeping everything LOW-KEY. For many reasons. I have college, family and other opportunities to jam with schoolmates and online friends because of boredom to show our passion for making and playing Rock music on our gear. I don't have a lot of time to play gigs because, I am busy with college and my personal life at this time. But music will always be a passion for me, either recording or playing it center stage.

How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?

Changes everything. Helps unknown people who CREATE music get heard. By setting up a website and, writing a story and showcase our music on a computer and the Internet. It changes everything. Before, there wasn't easy ways to get your band's music heard unless you played lots of shows, had your song played on MTV or Radio and had a CD or tape sold in record stores. Now anyone, regardless, can record their music at home and put it up online with today's technology. God bless reality.

Would you sign a record contract with a major label?

I would say, yes and no. Because, while I love being an independent rock musician after all. Promoting my songs and writing my story on websites like this. I still want recognition and make an IMPACT with whatever I am doing. But I say no, because I am a very complicated Asian guy who is against the traditions and politics of the music industry. I had many friends growing up in the San Francisco music scene who wanted to get signed to a major or indie record label, in bands, but many of whom didn't get far from just playing gigs at bars and clubs. I also am against people suddenly sucking up to me, after years of alienation and hardships I've experienced not only in the music industry. But in reality. But I still want success and recognition for my music and me. Yeah.

Your influences?

Mostly the Beatles, 70's and 80's Hard Rock, Alternative Rock and Punk. Some METAL such as Metallica along the way. But I mainly create music with my own individuality. I been making music since I was 13, but my musical interests are always expanding. I like 70's and 80's Hard Rock like AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Rush, Guns And Roses and Aerosmith. I like early 90's Grunge like Pearl Jam and Nirvana. I like Punk such as The Clash and Minor Threat. I even listen to underground Hip Hop. Everything man, as long as it's up my alley. I like all music except, some Country and this decade's pop music. Meaning most of the 2000s.

Favorite spot?

East Bay, California. Anywhere else? School, only with the company of close schoolmates and friends. Other than that, home sweet home in Antioch, playing my Xbox 360. Reading and playing guitar in my room. And going on Facebook.com to keep in contact with friends online on my computer. And being in my home studio making crappy but interesting music, and playing a gig onstage when time permits me to do so. I love to entertain and give art and music to the people, and earn appreciation for what I do.

Equipment used:

Gibson Les Paul guitar. Epiphone Les Paul "hotWheels" guitar. Marshall MG10 amp. Boss DS-2 distortion pedal. Digitech RP50 multi-effects pedal. Acoustica Mixcraft for PC. My DELL laptop running Windows Vista....And I record using Line6 TonePort GX for my guitar when using Mixcraft. And I program the drum loops. I also use Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 to record, and Native Instruments Guitar Rig 3.

Anything else...?

MySpace or Facebook me today. For the latest news. And follow me through this endless love and journey.

MySpace -- www.myspace.com/patricklewsband
www.myspace.com/guns_n_samurai

Facebook -- www.facebook.com/patricklewsband

Other Music Websites

Soundclick -- www.soundclick.com/itsonlypatricklew

PureVolume -- www.purevolume.com/dexter_rotten

iLike -- http://www.ilike.com/patricklewsband

Patrick Lew's Band

Patrick Lew — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:26:59 +0100

Patrick Lew's Band (sometimes known as The Lew Crue) is the solo project of Taiwanese American musician, songwriter, artist and writer Patrick Lew. He has also played guitar and pursued music in other projects with other musicians such as Band of Asians, Silent Minister and other lesser known local San Francisco rock/metal bands. His music is known production and recording wise, chaotic and unconventionally recorded and mixed like a jigsaw puzzle. But stylistically by sound and lyrically, is Alternative Rock and Pop Punk music with socially conscious and idiosyncratic themes. In addition to music, Lew is also an amateur Philosophy and creative writer and contributed small acting roles in plays locally for his schools.

<b>History

Musically, guitarist and songwriter Patrick Lew has been pursuing his music and creative activities in a few short-lived local bands as early as 1999, by making sporadic live performances and hosting his music and former bands via Internet. When those local bands he played guitar and wrote songs in didn't work out. Lew took an extended hiatus from pursuing music full-time for college and to spend more time with his family.

While Lew was a freelance musician at the time, recording tracks alone in his home studio. He was still keeping his audience and fans updated via Internet through Twitter and Facebook, as a method to get himself active in his latest musical developments. Thus beginning the second era for Lew's music career and studio band years. In the summer of 2008, Lew transferred out of City College to CSU East Bay. And later relocated from his hometown of San Francisco 45 miles Northeast to a small town in the East Bay, Antioch. After unsuccessful attempts to get a record deal and becoming a sort of careerist in music, he would decide to remain indepedent as an unsigned band. But is willing to be open towards right opportunities for his music. Depending on the nature of the opportunity, such as creative rights and ethics over his music and possibly a limited touring schedule to play shows.

Lew would play and record all the instruments in his solo project. And solely promote his own works individually without other music industry oulets and support and work from others. Much of the promotion is done via Internet.

The time spent in the home studio yielded many new tracks and song ideas. It also helped Lew better his songwriting skills and guitar playing, which he was initially a very primitive musician. On January 11, 2009, Lew released a solo album, "Curb Your Wild Life." He would publicly promote his new record by creating a Listening Party event on his Facebook profile, allowing fans and friends to be aware and hearing the latest work that Lew had created. He however, did not play shows to hype or promote the record because, of the extended hiatus. This also marked a change in musical direction and sound in Lew's works. Unlike his earlier albums, his music and audio diary began more experimentation and sprawling attempts musically. Lyrically, the songwriting was more self-righteous and maturing. Around this same time or earlier, underground rock musician Patrick Lew began an idea for a possible new band to play guitar and pursue music in called Your Audio 2 Riot.

This nearly became an aborted project due to lack of resources and ideas to properly plan. Your Audio 2 Riot was a rock band idea that Lew created during the summer of 2008, because Lew wanted to do music solo and have a 2nd band to pursue his artistic creations in. Initially, Your Audio 2 Riot was a planned project Lew had with former Scarlett Bombs drummer Kelsey Mitchell. Which they went into the studio to jam and rehearse, but was an unsuccessful attempt at starting something new musically. The Your Audio 2 Riot project remained inactive, as Lew began recording and promoting his solo project to a certain audience and outlet. On February 10, 2009, Lew played live for the first time as an artist in 18 months at the library at CSU East Bay with just him, his guitar and portable amp.

At times, Lew would hide related memorabilia of his past music career in a cardboard box locked in his closet. Because, he wanted to move forward and progress with the future. He left in his closet several unheard and unreleased tapes of song ideas, sketches and jams his former bands done.

Patrick Lew Biography. Written By Steve Weatherford.

Patrick Lew — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:26:23 +0100

Patrick Lew is a rock band from Antioch, California active making music since 1999. While mainly a one-man project for Lew, it also consisted of other musicians before. He began promoting his music online around 2001 at 15 years old and a high school freshmen. His music and art is classified best as Hard Rock, Grunge, Pop Punk and Alternative Metal.

He is the self-proclaimed rebellious Taiwanese rock musician and artist from the Bay, and he?s living for the moment in his music and work as he listens to a collection of 80?s Hair Metal bands and their records on his iPod Nano, as he sits on the computer recording a sketch of guitar riffs and posting his story and basement-made Rock music via Internet. Patrick Lew has been on radar in his hometown of San Francisco?s Bay Area pummeling sludgy riffs and self-expressing his audio diary of struggle, change and final fantasies for about 11 years already. Lew has been in a variety of short-lived garage bands playing guitar and writing songs and Rock N? Roll music, and embarked on a long and winding Asian headbanger?s journey to stay strong and wise on where ever he?s at! Always staying true to his underground DIY rock roots and ethics, Patrick Lew produces, composes and promotes his own music (Patrick Lews Band) without the assistance of record labels, the Bay Area music scene and a band of studio musicians. And co-writes and makes music in the Pop Punk and Alternative Metal duo DEXTER ROTTEN. He is a primitive, yet somewhat trained songwriter, contributing his work to a few schoolmates looking to make some rockin? music with the aid of a computer and Facebook! And also, Patrick Lew himself landed a few small acting roles in his school plays and theater courses. In 2003, his hard work paid off with his high school band Silent Minister landed a short-term distribution deal with Statue Records when promoting and hyping their song ?Tokyo Pop Princess? via Internet on MP3.com and Soundclick. In the next few years, Lew?s music and consistent Internet promotion led him to earn a few awards with his former bands despite being terribly overlooked and going through struggles as an individual and Rock musician. Although never very popular with certain audiences on the websites he promotes his music on, and lack of support from the local regional music scene and other outlets. He?s strong-willed and is passionate about what he creates and does. And continues to rock out and make music no matter what gets in his way. Patrick Lew?s Band has also been featured on MTV U?s ?Best Music On Campus,? Recording Magazine?And also! Had a few of his tracks played on CCSF?s indie rock station and Pirate Cat Radio.

Believing in the philosophy as a BA major in Philosophy at CSU East Bay of ?Never let anyone drag you down, and do what you love no matter what.? Patrick Lew works, writes and is serious about the music, art and self-expression whenever an idea comes to mind, or something he experiences is popping the creative juices. Patrick Lew got into music at a very early age of 2 years old, growing up on his Asian parent?s baby boomer Classic Rock such as The Beatles. And then moving onto Metal, such as Glam, Thrash and NWOBHM. Along with 90?s punk rock and Grunge bands like Green Day, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soundgarden and Blink 182. To Patrick Lew, music is universal and no matter what you like or dislike or feel interest for. It satisfies your life with creativity and spiritual soul-seeking, and never letting anyone discourage you or get in the way of it.

A very unique artist in his own right, Patrick Lew is also an avid blogger and digital photographer. Growing up as a kid drawing comic books and Anime, he also been artistic in creative fields outside of music as well during his 24 years in this universe! Not only just an artist, Lew is also a slightly highly-educated and knowledgeable person as well. Through self-education based on experience and others, and school. And he has been promoting and marketing his own music on the Internet since 2001.

Patrick Lew's Band -- Short Bio

Patrick Lew — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:56:44 +0100

Patrick Lew's Band is a rock band from Antioch, California active making music since 1999. While mainly a one-man project for Lew, it also consisted of other musicians before. In this news article for the Patrick Lew's Band fanzine, this will summarize a quick story of the life, music and times of Patrick Lew's music and time.

Patrick Lew's Band Statistics

Origin -- San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA

Genres -- Hard Rock, Alternative Rock, Pop Punk, Punk Rock, Alternative Metal

Years Active -- 1999-present

Labels -- Unsigned

Associated Acts -- Dexter Rotten, Band of Asians, Silent Minister, The Nocturnal Rock Turtles, Eddie Blackburn

Website -- www.patricklewsband.com

(Members)

Patrick Lew - Everything Almost

(Former Members)

Tommy Loi - Drums

Eddie Blackburn - Lead Guitar

Mayumi - Bass

Zack Huang - Keyboards

Cory Gaitan - Bass

Dave Arceo - Drums

Origins and Psychotic Love (1999-2003)

Because it is a solo project mainly for Taiwanese rock musician and guitarist Patrick Lew, the one-man rock band is called Patrick Lew's Band. He started making music with the group in the summer of 1999. When he was taking a few guitar lessons at his Chinese school, where he met original Silent Minister drummer and his musician schoolmate Tommy Loi, in the music department at the Chinese school. He began writing his own songs and recording his ideas on a tape recorder soon after learning basic chords and elements on playing guitar.

In 2001, Patrick Lew's Band recorded a demo tape on a Portastudio which was sent to his schoolmates and social-networkings in his former hometown of San Francisco. And hopes of finding another band to play music in. These demo tapes are rare, since only 25 copies were reportedly manufactured. And these home recordings were the only ones to feature original drummer Tommy Loi. Early on, Lew was a busker playing his music in public where ever he could locally. And his high school girlfriend Amy Sean, created the first Patrick Lew music page around that same time. His first gig was a busker at Vans Warped Tour in his hometown on June 30, 2001.

From 2002 to 2003, Lew and his other band Silent Minister were playing local shows and recorded a handful of demo tapes during their rehearsals. And began promoting their music online. Their biggest gig around this time, was at a regional "Battle of the Bands" in a club. Although they didn't win the contest, but some of their performance was bootlegged by a friend who snuck in a tape recorder.

Patrick Lew's Band released their first album "Psychotic Love" in April 2003. Lew's other band Silent Minister at the time, alternating high school with music, landed a small promotion deal with indie record company Statue Records. Resulting in the high school band's bootleg "Tokyo Pop Princess" sold in independent record shops.

High School Band (2003-2005)

Following the release of Silent Minister's bootleg album "Tokyo Pop Princess" Lew devoted most of his musical and artistic adventures in Silent Minister. Leaving his solo project inactive at times. His high school band began playing many local low-key shows in the Bay Area, mainly in high school talent shows and bars. Although the then-teenage musicians were underage at the time, their parents mainly carpooled the band and their equipment to their shows. The band spent much of 2003 touring and doing public promotion appearances to advertise Silent Minister, and sometimes Lew's solo work. They played 27 concerts that year, before taking a break to pursue their high school education at a reliable pace. In May 2003, Silent Minister made a Soundclick music page and account (although Lew began advertising Patrick Lew's Band around August 10, 2005). The public and local music scene became aware of Silent Minister, and Lew became a notable Internet celebrity. Reportedly, his Findapix webpage attracted thousands of views for 24 weeks. Leading to Lew's indulgent affairs with groupies and female fans.

Lew eventually graduated high school on June 3, 2004. Earlier that year, Lew had a minor acting role in the local teen play "Picking" from his high school's theater department. After graduating, Lew went to City College. Painfully estranging himself from his high school friend Amy Sean, whom created the first Patrick Lew website online, Lew focused on music. In the summer of 2004, Lew took guitar lessons at a local music store near his former house in the Excelsior District of San Francisco, because he felt his guitar playing was very poor. Returning work with Silent Minister, they recorded a second album "Blizzard of Sound" at their lead guitarist Eddie Blackburn's home studio in October. And began a short tour across City College and a few San Francisco public high schools. A main weakness of this fruitful period was, no pictures exist of this time frame. Due to Lew not owning a digital camera until the start of 2005, to use as historical reasons to film his music and bands. On February 13, 2005, the high school band Silent Minister played a gig at Balboa High School. The last concert the high school band would play. Eventually, Lew would focus on music as a solo musician and took part in extra projects with other musicians and schoolmates.

Band of Asians (2005-2007)

By this time, Patrick Lew's Band and Silent Minister withdrew from Statue Records after it was learned they were scamming musicians and unsigned bands on various indie music websites for "fake" record deals. An unauthorized recording was published and sold to retailers from Patrick Lew, called "Tokyo Pop Princess." But Lew claims he hates the recording for butchered sound quality from demo tapes and live recordings taken from that time. Patrick and Eddie would not play music together again, until May 2007, where Patrick joined Eddie's new band Logic's Enemy onstage for a gig at Civic Center.

He took a year-long break from community college to focus on his music career and personal life to evolve. Patrick Lew and his friend from City College, Zack, formed a new band called Band of Asians and Patrick took music in his new band seriously. Looking for a lead guitarist, Lew tried social-networking website MySpace.com by placing an ad. But the guitar player they jammed with twice whom was met online, never went long-term as a musical project. Lew was also a part-time band member of his schoolmate Gray Eser's Metal band TORM, whom had a few music websites on the Internet somewhere. And considered ambitions musically, but never recorded any music together and they, had only done three band practices for various "debatable" reasons behind the garage band.

Instead, Lew began to be determined to get better and improve as a guitar player to play guitar leads in Band of Asians. He even took a three-week guitar lesson at a school near his house called Vibo Music. Lew began going to Skyline College in early 2006, which he protested against attending for cram school. Feeling he wasn't ready to go back to community college yet to focus on his new music. He did however meet his closest friend and Band of Asians drummer Dave Arceo and bassist Augusto Hernandez, finally creating the Band of Asians as a Rock Band. They began upgrading their musical equipment, buying a lot of digital technology such as synthesizers and computer programs to record on. On February 10, 2006, Patrick Lew's Band began a short leg of gigs in Skyline College and some house party in Daly City.

On May 8, 2006, the Band of Asians played a live electronic recital at Vibo Music. Which Augusto and Patrick could be heard arranging their instruments and parts when playing their music live. This recital, featuring tape loops, samples, electronic elements along with amateur-ish rock band performances. Became a Band of Asians live EP, and Patrick Lew's only live album to date. Much of 2006 was a turbulent time for Lew and Arceo, who became very close friends but dealt with personal problems separately in their personal lives.

"Revenge!" and Bandalisms (2007-2008)

Using digital technology, electronics and what they read to make better music. They released their Instrumental Rock album "Revenge" through CDBaby.com on Lew's 21st birthday on November 15, 2006. Although this was Patrick Lew's second major album (he later shared joint credits to the record with Band of Asians as both their project's recorded work). It was a stylistic departure from the early days of Lew's music as digital music technology and the tools and experience learned in later years, gave Patrick Lew's Band and the music a sound that remained unto themselves. The appearance of singles "Revenge," "War!" and "Night Vision" shown hints of artistic progression in the Band. Lew was voted by Dmusic.com as one of 2006's "Artist Picks."

When "Revenge" was released by the end of 2006, the Band of Asians and Lew especially were asked by a local concert promoter KLC to play some gig dates opening up for their peers and Lew's high school friends Screamo band Scarlett Bombs. The big concern was, that the music from "Revenge" was very difficult to present live without backing tapes or without a whole ensemble of live musicians playing certain parts, 60% of the record was done on a computer. So instead, Lew and the Band of Asians chose to write new songs to perform on tour, during band rehearsals. The Band of Asians however, lost their original bassist Augusto Hernandez, who'd left to join another local Bay Area band and focus on his college studies. Arceo and Lew were however, attending City College again, and met their schoolmate and close friend Cory Gaitan. Whom replaced Hernandez on bass and also, became the group's 2nd singer. Patrick Lew as a solo artist, also jammed with his some of his bandmates and other musicians he met through networking. The Band of Asians toured San Francisco with Scarlett Bombs through recreation centers and their school, City College from early 2007 until October of that year.

By this time, the Band of Asians were originally supposed to play club gigs in early 2008. But with the dwindling lineup and personal problems the musicians were experiencing separately, forced a cancellation of those prospects. Overtime, Patrick Lew was experiencing discrimination from various music critics and third-party music industry people and its audiences, as a solo artist. Lacking focus, and more focused on their own long-term goals alone, on March 29, 2008. Arceo announced his departure from Band of Asians due to personal and professional differences with Lew. Although the two remained friends sporadically, despite dissolving the Band of Asians on unfriendly terms.

In the middle of 2008, former bandmates Gaitan and Lew began a reconnected relationship when he returned from overseas. However, the two lost contact when Lew began attending a new school and the two schoolmates focused on their personal lives. And Lew's family however, purchased a new house in Antioch, a small town in East Bay, CA. Lew decided, after the years with the BAND ON THE RUN and ups and downs with his personal life and music. He would take an extended hiatus from playing live, and focus on finishing college with a Bachelors Degree. Lew left City College in the summer of that year, but did not receive his Associates Degree mainly for not finishing college-level math and algebra, a subject Lew disliked since grade school.

Solo Career and Subsequent Projects (2008-Present)

After the breakup of Band of Asians, Patrick Lew became a solo musician. Withdrawing himself from the local music community's spotlight from playing shows and doing public events to promote his music or varied projects. Lew decided he to take an extended hiatus from live performing for various reasons, mainly the lack of a live band to perform his music onstage. And little support from the music industry and other outlets. Thus beginning the studio band years of Patrick Lew's music solo.

Lew returned to his solo musician priority, but also took college seriously. He began attending CSU East Bay in Hayward, CA. And was now living in the Lone Tree Way suburbs of Antioch, CA. About 42 miles from his fomer hometown of San Francisco. Most of his leisure time was spent on recording music and making ART in his home recording studio at his KB Homes house. And using his laptop to advertise his solo musician output, or publish MP3's of songs he wrote online. Lew is currently ranked #730 most notable local band from his region, the Bay Area, as reported by local music scene stats from ReverbNation.com. IStardom.com listed Patrick Lew to be the #10,144 most famous musician online.

In 2009, Lew compiled recordings from his laptop and burned DVDs of various studio sessions at home making music, to put together his 3rd album as Patrick Lew's Band "Curb Your Wild Life." Released on iTunes and other digital shops in January, followed by an "Online Listening Party" event advertised and created on Lew's Facebook profile for fans and friends. In the summer of that year, Lew formed the "virtual" rock band Dexter Rotten. Which he collaborates with friends and other Internet musicians online, to make revisions to Lew's music generally. On Halloween 2009, Lew is currently engaged to his long-time female friend Faith.

Patrick Lew's Band -- The High School Years

Patrick Lew — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:52:59 +0100

Patrick Lew is a rock band from Antioch, California active making music since 1999. While mainly a one-man project for Lew, it also consisted of other musicians before. In this news article for the Patrick Lew's Band fanzine, this will summarize a quick story of the early years and high school band days of Patrick Lew's music and time.

Patrick Lew's Band Statistics

Origin -- San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA

Genres -- Hard Rock, Alternative Rock, Pop Punk, Punk Rock, Alternative Metal

Years Active -- 1999-present

Labels -- Unsigned

Associated Acts -- Dexter Rotten, Band of Asians, Silent Minister, The Nocturnal Rock Turtles, Eddie Blackburn

Website -- www.patricklewsband.com

(Members)

Patrick Lew

(Former Members)

Tommy Loi

Eddie Blackburn

Mayumi

Zack Huang

Cory Gaitan

Dave Arceo

Origins and Psychotic Love (1999-2003)

Patrick Lew's Band released their first album "Psychotic Love" in April 2003. Lew's other band Silent Minister at the time, alternating high school with music, landed a small promotion deal with indie record company Statue Records. Resulting in the high school band's bootleg "Tokyo Pop Princess" sold in independent record shops.

High School Band (2003-2005)

Following the release of Silent Minister's bootleg album "Tokyo Pop Princess" Lew devoted most of his musical and artistic adventures in Silent Minister. Leaving his solo project inactive at times. His high school band began playing many local low-key shows in the Bay Area, mainly in high school talent shows and bars. Although the then-teenage musicians were underage at the time, their parents mainly carpooled the band and their equipment to their shows. The band spent much of 2003 touring and doing public promotion appearances to advertise Silent Minister, and sometimes Lew's solo work. They played 27 concerts that year, before taking a break to pursue their high school education at a reliable pace. In May 2003, Silent Minister made a Soundclick music page and account (although Lew began advertising Patrick Lew's Band around August 10, 2005). The public and local music scene became aware of Silent Minister, and Lew became a notable Internet celebrity. Reportedly, his Findapix webpage attracted thousands of views for 24 weeks. Leading to Lew's indulgent affairs with groupies and female fans.

Lew eventually graduated high school on June 3, 2004. Earlier that year, Lew had a minor acting role in the local teen play "Picking" from his high school's theater department. After graduating, Lew went to City College. Painfully estranging himself from his high school friend Amy Sean, whom created the first Patrick Lew website online, Lew focused on music. In the summer of 2004, Lew took guitar lessons at a local music store near his former house in the Excelsior District of San Francisco, because he felt his guitar playing was very poor. Returning work with Silent Minister, they recorded a second album "Blizzard of Sound" at their lead guitarist Eddie Blackburn's home studio in October. And began a short tour across City College and a few San Francisco public high schools. A main weakness of this fruitful period was, no pictures exist of this time frame. Due to Lew not owning a digital camera until the start of 2005, to use as historical reasons to film his music and bands. On February 13, 2005, the high school band Silent Minister played a gig at Balboa High School. The last concert the high school band would play. Eventually, Lew would focus on music as a solo musician and took part in extra projects with other musicians and schoolmates.

Self-Interview Behind Patrick Lew's Music!

Patrick Lew — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:29:05 +0100

If you take 80's Metal from Hollywood such as Motley Crue, Warrant, Guns N' Roses and Aerosmith and throw it in a time machine at Guitar Center and technology to the 2010s with the Pop Punk music and culture of Green Day, Sum 41 and Blink-182. Add a little bit of Psychedelic Rock back to the mid-to-late 1960s when Internet was NOT around and unsigned Rock Bands had a harder time getting heard without digital electronics, and musicians can only record their music in a REAL recording studio using 4-track analog machines. And yeah.....Those time machine warps in creating music as a bluebook. You basically cook up my sound!

Current Bands?

The bandname Dexter Rotten was taken from the first and last names of two Punk musicians, (Dexter) Holland of The Offspring and Johnny (Rotten) of The Sex Pistols. Dexter Rotten was supposed to be the 3rd "official" local Bay Area rock band I play music in. Although, I've been receiving opportunities to play guitar and music with schoolmates of mines at CSUEB, mainly playing in a hardcore/thrash garage band. So I am more limited on what I can do musically and personally if I do join another Rock Band here in the Bay Area. Just to avoid Bandalisms and bad dramas with your bandmates. So I decided, Dexter Rotten will be exclusively a "Patrick Lew" solo project with sometimes, some participation with studio musicians I call upon to help out a guitar part or something in my bedroom.

The band was originally named and classified as "Your Audio 2 Riot" but I hated how the bandname sounded, I thought it was LAME. So I decided to brainstorm some ideas in my scrapbook and box of musical ideas and writings I had for a fictional Rock Band, which is also a novel I am writing called "The Musician." I had a comic book idea called "Dexter Rotten" way back in high school about a punk rocker who plays guitar and sings in a punk band, but fights the institution and the NORM. So I got that idea to call my new band that.

Do you play live?

I however, had played one Dexter Rotten concert at CSUEB for my Humanities Philosophy course inside my classroom, on 09/01/2009. Which was a "stripped down" one-man musician show with my guitar and portable amp. In front of 70 students in a crowded classroom. But right now, I'm keeping everything LOW-KEY. For many reasons. I have college, family and other opportunities to jam with schoolmates and online friends because of boredom to show our passion for making and playing Rock music on our gear.

How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?

Helps unknown people who CREATE music get heard. By setting up a website and, writing a story and showcase our music on a computer and the Internet. It changes everything. Before, there wasn't easy ways to get your band's music heard unless you played lots of shows, had your song played on MTV or Radio and had a CD or tape sold in record stores. Now anyone, regardless, can record their music at home and put it up online with today's technology. God bless reality.

Would you sign a record contract with a major label?

It's a dream for me since I began my amateur music career as a rebellious Taiwanese rock musician since 2001. And the Internet was grateful to my music in terms of exposure. But of course, I want some form of opportunity. Call me careerist or not, talent or no talent. I still want some fame with what I do. Depends on my mood though. But with Internet and all those websites, I don't think I need to sell myself short to doing music to impress indie or major record labels anymore, for opportunity. Because, it's a rough business and tournament for those opportunities and being a struggling Bay Area rock band to earn them.

So I guess I am against the music industry sort of. I hate it absolutely! But I do love being independent and all. But it's a damn shame, the record companies and the music industry is ONE of the most corrupt people in this world. There's countless number of musicians and unsigned bands that's our friends on Soundclick that deserve to be signed to lucrative record deals by now, with indie or major record labels.

Band History:

www.patricklewsband.com
Still under heavy construction though. It's like BART agreeing to build a train to go all the way to the BART railway station to San Jose, but it's been 13 years and not even damn near built yet. Well timing is everything and timing is essential to my music.
This website will be a comprehensive fan club to Dexter Rotten once it has its grand opening.

Favorite spot?

Equipment used:

Anything else...?

www.myspace.com/patricklewsband

www.myspace.com/guns_n_samurai

www.facebook.com/patricklewsband

www.purevolume.com/dexter_rotten

Follow me through this endless journey...

Dexter Rotten - Patrick Lew's OTHER Band

Patrick Lew — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:23:51 +0100

Dexter Rotten. Five college students from the Bay Area making Rock N' Roll music for fun. Promoting our music on the Internet on many websites for everyone to hear and support the local music and stuff. This is the official Dexter Rotten music website on Soundclick. We make a style of Hard Rock music where we fuse Punk, 80's Glam Metal and other stuff to create our OWN original music. Like we have shitty musical instruments from the pawnshop, and play distorted Metal-ish guitar riffs added with Dave's manic drums. And heavy-edged pop songwriting about life, the universe and romance. Typical stuff. We been promoting our music for quite awhile online...

Why this name?

The bandname Dexter Rotten was taken from the first and last names of two Punk musicians, (Dexter) Holland of The Offspring and Johnny (Rotten) of The Sex Pistols. Figures!

Do you play live?

Right now, we're doing exclusively "virtual" musical collaboration as former schoolmates attending City College, and somewhat reunited musicians creating music together. We're basically a studio recording GarageBand making Punk music for FUN, doing this as an extra hobby away from the serious nature of the music we make in our other projects. We might play live, depending on the reliability of getting all 5 of us to play and rehearse our music together in the studio, before a gig at a nightclub, Rock-It Room or 924 Gilman's locally here in the East Bay. But most likely it's going to be us as musicians with Patrick and Jeremy doing much of the musical creation and input. The former members of Patrick's band, the Band of Asians, however! Have a small involvement in the Dexter Rotten project. Not let them feel left out of history. Although their musical creation input in Dexter Rotten varies. Due to school, work and other shit. But mainly, Patrick would play guitar and vocals and write the songs. Record just those parts on his computer running Acoustica Mixcraft. Send the MP3 files of his musical arrangement to Jeremy, and he adds overdubs of his guitar and a backing virtual rock band of instruments off his Macbook running GarageBand via Email, Skype or Facebook.

In short, Dexter Rotten is an ONLINE collaboration musically of Patrick Lew's musical output. With extra assistance from his schoolmate from CSUEB Jeremy, and sometimes but rarely. His former bandmates in Band of Asians. Making "virtual" garage rock bands come alive!

Would you sign a record contract with a major label?

Music is universal. And we make music and art. But we probably won't EVER let the record labels butcher our MUSIC. Everything we do is INDEPENDENT and making music and writing our textbook history through D.I.Y promotion. Because there's Internet, it helps all everyday people who makes music. To find a new way to get their music and band history heard out there with this digital technology they call MP3's, computers and Internet. Who needs record labels nowadays? Music is everywhere online. So what? But maybe Patrick would love to become mainstream and earn the opportunity and awards for his music if he chooses to, from the record companies and mixed media industry. That's his ambition. But us as a whole, we knock mainstream and don't dump the underground.

Band History:

In 2001, Taiwanese rock musician and artist Patrick Lew began his music career and resume. Playing rhythm guitar, bass and singing in a variety of unsuccessful short-lived San Francisco garage bands playing and creating music. Although did earn some notable recognition and achievements locally in the Bay Area and Internet, for consistent promoting of his music and autobiography of his ART on different websites and advertising his former local bands he played guitar in.

In 2005, the precursor to DEXTER ROTTEN was created as a musical franchise known as Band of Asians. When alumni's from City College, Patrick Lew and Zack Huang had an IDEA to form an ambitious Rock Band by purchasing a crapload of new musical equipment from Guitar Center and other retailers! And networking with other musicians locally through the community and social-networking and indie music websites like MySpace and PureVolume. They formed Band of Asians once Patrick Lew met drummer and DnB turntablist Dave Arceo at Skyline College, calling Zack about the news. Leading to the former group Band of Asians' creation into musical textbook history! While playing a few shows locally in the Peninsula towns such as San Bruno, Daly City and Millbrae in 2006. They recorded music in the studio. Sending their portfolio to anyone who would offer an opportunity to the struggling college musicians.

In 2007, their schoolmate Cory Gaitan joined on bass. And the Band of Asians began a local concert tour across San Francisco's various theaters and recreational centers with their peers Tinkture and Scarlett Bombs from the SF indie music community. The band continued playing music and enjoying life as schoolmates and amateur college musicians playing music in Band of Asians, until Cory and Zack left the band to focus on their personal issues and long-term ambitions outside the project. Patrick and Dave would continue their extracurricular activities as Band of Asians until early 2008, when the two schoolmates and close friends parted company to pursue solo careers musically, personally and creatively for their different options in life.

Lew began his QUEST and ODYSSEY without his close schoolmates as Band of Asians. He was more concerned and focused with higher-level college education than music at the time. So he decided to NOT play live shows as a solo musician due to lack of resources for hiring a backup band of sidemen rock musicians on bass, drums and lead guitar. And lack of support from the Bay Area independent music community/networking along with, lack of music industry support on different websites where he advertised himself on. And a lack of presence with attracting a certain audience for his music. So, Lew decided. He would make music as a solo artist/musician in PATRICK LEW'S BAND in the studio, and promote the new recordings and storybook news on the Internet. Along with keeping fans and friends updated through social-networking websites like Twitter abd Facebook.

While doing his resume as Patrick Lew's Band solo, he got his college application accepted at CSUEB, a CSU college in Hayward. And enjoyed his new life at his new school at a California State University school in the East Bay. He also, moved to his new hometown in the East Bay. Antioch, CA. During 2009 for personal reasons for his departure from his hometown of San Francisco. The City! Now living in Antioch, in the Lone Tree Way community and village of Walmarts, fast food restaurants and other retailers. He was now making music as a solo musician. Left the spotlight of touring and doing public promotion events for his music. Only to use the Internet as a technological tool and option to get his music out there.

With advancements in digital music-making technology, Lew wanted to make a "virtual" rock band with his schoolmate from Cal State East Bay, Jeremy. And began a MOST excellent adventure making music digitally through their electronics. And doing musical collaboration and making via Internet virtually through e-mail, Skype, Facebook and other tools online. Also, Patrick got some help from his friends from Band of Asians. As Zack, Cory and David would also have some musical input in the Dexter Rotten project. Although with some limitations and restrictions when making the music. However, Dexter Rotten most of the time is a ROCK DUO of Patrck and Jeremy making the music. And it's getting better as time flies by.

Your influences?

Punk, Metal, Rock, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Underground Hip Hop, Underground "Independent" Music.

And anything that your grandma or mom used to play on her turntable, which you can find at an Antique Shop, music from an old '45 vinyl record.

Favorite spot?

The Bay Area.

Equipment used:

Cheap musical instruments and gear to play Rock music with. All from the pawnshop. And we record all our music with shitty production on our Apple computer laptop (the Macbook!) running the computer program Audacity. Though we're making music on digital equipment, we don't computerize and electronically digitized all the recordings of Garage Rock music we make. It's all BASIC.

Anything else...?

Check out our RELATED sources online. The propaganda to get the "underground" rockers and their music heard.

== > Patrick
www.myspace.com/patricklewsband
www.myspace.com/guns_n_samurai
www.facebook.com/patricklewsband
www.purevolume.com/dexter_rotten

== > Jeremy
www.myspace.com/woodwithstring
www.myspace.com/retrogradefire

== > OTHER MEMBERS

-- Will list later.

Follow us through this endless journey...

Patrick Lew's Anthology - The Story (Part 1)

Patrick Lew — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:13:15 +0100

Internet Musician SINCE 2001. Been in bands, played some shows locally, promoted my music online. Now studying music and doing it as a solo musician in college at Cal State East Bay.

I was born in 1985 in San Francisco, California. I am currently in college working on a BA degree in Philosophy and Music at the moment. My interests is mainly art and music, I am in fact as struggling local musician trying to make music, put it online and learn my ropes and odyssey for fame in the music industry. I am of Asian descent, meaning I am Taiwanese American. Though I don't speak my ethnic languages. I mainly play guitar as a musician and write songs and make my music on the computer and put it up online. I've been through a lot of good and bad in my lifetime. But again, it's all been worth it! After 24 years in my life, I am taking the time to do some evaulation to cleanse myself after years of turmoil. I think personally! I am living for today, but have a strong sense of missing the Nineties! It's true.

I've been on Soundclick as a solo musician since August 2005, and I also been making music in garage bands. Getting ourselves noticed and heard to survive since 2001 locally and via Internet, on websites like this. We done some sporadic shows regionally in the Bay Area as musicians. I been making music since I started playing guitar at age 13, and I am a very unconventional musician and songwriter. Considering I know little about conventional music theory and etc. I love being a one-man band (Patrick Lew's Band) because, more freedom, creativity and artistically. And I don't work under timing issues. But I do miss playing shows. I mostly make Grunge, Hard Rock and Punk kind of music as a solo musician. With a few extra added electronics!

So let me start, I was born in November of 1985. I am currently 24 years of age, and I got into music (primarily Rock N' Roll) at a very young age. When most babies were in their diapers playing their toys and watching Sesame Street on their TV. When I turned 13 years old, around 1998 or whatever. I was a 7th grader at Rooftop Alternative School in my former hometown of San Francisco. My mom and I went to a Guitar Shop and bought me a Fender Strat bundle for my 13th birthday. I was going to Chinese school in SF Chinatown, where I was friends with my later high school buddy Tommy Loi. We were in the same language and music lessons program. So we began playing music together, as Tommy was learning Drums in his Band/Orchestra course. In the summer of 1999, we began an amateur garage band as musician hobbyists called Goldenweasel. Which later became, Silent Minister. Our high school band. I was getting guitar lessons at the time, and we knew this was FUN and INTERESTING.

When me and Tommy went to Wallenberg High School together, we began our teenage lives as high school students. I was so interested in music, it became a passion and sometimes hobbyist obsession. Other than my video games, cartoons and writing. Around early 2001 or something, my schoolmate Joey Fitzgerald introduced me formally to his friend Morgan's younger brother Eddie Blackburn. Due to my complaints and desire to form a REAL rock band of musicians to play and make music with! We were basically in our mid-teens, although Eddie was age 12 when he joined Silent Minister. So that became our high school band. And suddenly! I was recording on a 4-track Tascam Portastudio at home, yeah I know...I am old. Haha, but I found out I could promote my music all over the Internet. So one afternoon in May of 2001, I went on my old PC computer with 56K dial-up Internet. And made a website. Thus, beginning my music career.

We played shows sporadically whenever we could. Depending on time and etc. The first gig Silent Minister played were buskers at Vans Warped Tour 2001 at a tent filled with rock band instruments. 2001, was not only the start of my music career personally. But, also the first time I played in a REAL rock band. Garage band, local band...Whatever! I was coming-of-age at the time, angry with high school melodrama and bullshit. But I also was in LOVE when I met my high school girlfriend, Amy Sean. She even built the first website for my music (http://patallans.8k.com)! So anyways, making music was the main priority and project for us. Distributing and marketing it online and regionally was second. And playing shows and getting heard, third.

When I was 16 years old, close to my 17th birthday. Me and Silent Minister played "BATTLE OF THE BANDS" in San Francisco at some nightclub. It was a very short live performance of our amateur Garage Band music. Rock N' Roll style. There's no pictures of us playing live, we didn't own digital cameras until 2004 or 2005. They were expensive at retailers at the time. And none of our friends came to see us, live, had a camera on them. But snuck in a tape recorder to bootleg our gig. Which I still have the tape somewhere in my room in a cardboard box of my music career memorabilia. So there! The next few years, we would play gigs on occasion and record new music and put it online. Despite the fact, we were very undeveloped as songwriters and musicians back then. Tommy soon left the band for school, but we're still very close today. He's working on Business and Retail now. But soon...

Opportunity knocked on our email account on Yahoo, when Statue Records contacted us on our SC website (when Silent Minister still had a Soundclick) in early 2003, about a promotion record deal. We signed. And it made us even more dedicated, passionate and serious about making music and behind it all. Regardless what f***ing music critics and haters thought of us. 2003, I was in love with Amy. And I was doing cross-promotion and distribution of my music individually and Silent Minister. Amy and I were close, somehow I met a lot of groupies via Internet during this time alone. I had an ex-girlfriend Mikko, who I dated and met through Findapix.com at the time. When that ended, some issues would continue for me as I was graduating high school. Me and Amy broke up, and were completely estranged since then. Although we did briefly reconcile at the Wallenberg High School reunion for alumni's in 2008. Pictures up to show what was once beautiful, can come back, but gets lost again.

In the summer of 2004, I graduated from Wallenberg. And was off to cram school at City College of San Francisco. I didnt want to at first, but my high school transcripts were awful. Since I focused more on music and art than my education at the time. I nearly got accepted to San Jose State University, when I sent in my bad SAT and ACT testing scores and college application to them. But I f***ed it all up. I even went to rehab in September of that year, because I was unhappy with my family life and with love & romance parting company in not so friendly terms. But Silent Minister went back into the recording studio, and we recorded a 2nd album "Blizzard of Sound" which later became Ed's solo album "Personality" for disputed source and reason. I was making music solo, jamming with other local musicians from City College and Craigslist. Little did I know, it was the tail end of my high school band.

So in 2005, we finished a short tour across San Francisco high schools and City College. I met my FIRST close schoolmate and friend in college, Zack Huang. In my Ethnic Studies course for Asian Americans. We loved liberal arts, music, film and being creative as individuals. Silent Minister and I were barely making music at this point. Ed was doing solo projects, so was I. In May, me and Ed as Silent Minister worked on music one last time for jam sessions and fun hobbyist band practices. After that, despite how many times me as a solo artist/musician and with Silent Minister, promoted our recordings and story online. We came to a point where, we had to go part company and do whatever we loved individually. So I called Zack, and we began jamming on music and buying hella equipment from Guitar Center to prepare a very ambitious Rock Project. At first we were called AUDIO RAGE. We tried out a few guitarists we met on MySpace musician ads. But that didn't work out. Me and Zack, also, briefly played with my schoolmate Gray Eser's band TORM. We were mainly inactive for various events and experiences in our lives at the time, so we never recorded anything.

By the time, I took a year off college to focus on my music career. I went to Skyline College briefly, because of my parents demanding education as a priority for me. But I was in NO shape physically or mentally to go back to school yet to learn my education. But when I took a music and reading course, I met my close friend David Arceo. Which we founded the DJ and Electronic Arts club on campus. I called Zack, and this became our band known today by many independent music fanatics as BAND OF ASIANS...

Interview

Patrick Lew — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:21:57 +0100

Patrick Lew's Band. Solo Grunge musician who promotes his music via Internet on websites like this.

Why this name?

Well, Patrick Lew is my REAL NAME. The BAND refers to the music and art I created either as a solo artist or playing guitar in my former local Bay Area garage bands.

Do you play live?

How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?

Would you sign a record contract with a major label?

Band History:

Patrick Lew's Band. Behind the Music.
The history of Patrick Lew's Band begins with two former garage bands: Silent Minister and Band of Asians. Starting their music careers during the tail end of the 1990s, Silent Minister was an indepenent garage rock band founded in San Francisco, California. At the time, the musicians playing and making the music were teenagers and alternated between high school and music. Silent Minister consisted of four band members; Patrick Lew (guitar/vocals), Eddie Blackburn (lead guitar), Shawn Blacharski (bass) and Tommy Loi (drums). When their drummer Tommy parted company with the high school band Silent Minister to focus on school, they used a drum machine purchased at a music store to accompany their live and studio musical performances. Silent Minister played local events and once landed a record deal with a fraudulent Los Angeles indie record company called Statue Records. And consistently promoted their music online on many websites. Lew was passionately interested in music, more than any other hobby he had besides electronics and video games. In the early high school yearbooks and pre-MySpace days of promoting music online. He would sit next to his old PeoplePC computer with 56K dial-up Internet to promote his high school band and his solo music via Internet on many websites he could find as good resources.

Silent Minister disbanded in 2005, due to musical and career option differences between Lew and newly-added MIDI keyboardist Zack Huang with the other musicians Blackburn and Blacharski. Which split Silent Minister into two different garage bands in the local Bay Area music scene, with Eddie and Shawn creating their Jam Band, Logic's Enemy. Playing live shows sporadically in their hometown of San Francisco and pursuing music under their own option.
And schoolmates from City College, Patrick Lew and Zack Huang founded the Nu Metal band Band of Asians. And began creating many music websites online on their computer, and began recording music in the studio along with hiring Patrick Lew's close friend from Skyline College, Dave Arceo, to play drums in the band. The revised version of Silent Minister called Band of Asians, released and published a total of three CDs (a live EP and two albums) and played several shows locally in the Bay Area, and sent their music and resume to various major record companies to little response and public attention from the A&R working in the music industry. Eventually, after a local concert tour in San Francisco with a few local bands Lew were friends with, and some time spent recording music in the studio and Bandalisms, the Band of Asians decided to separate and part company. Lew left City College three years after he formed Band of Asians in the summer of 2008, and moved out of his hometown of San Francisco for very personal reasons. And took higher-level college education seriously for the first time.

While Huang, Arceo and Lew's other former bandmates went onto pursue other career and college options. Lew continued to work on music originally intended to be the third Band of Asians album, and began purchasing more equipment and musical gear to build a home recording studio to create semi-professional and amateur hobbyist Rock music at home, before he could promote his music via Internet on his computer. After spending a budget of $1,000 at the music store to build his own recording studio and musical equipment to make new music. And inspired by 80's hard rock and various independent rock bands from the alternative rock universe when browsing the Internet and various sources, after he mastered his demo recordings. He began putting his music online on many websites as a solo artist, under the 'guise' Patrick Lew's Band. Lew sent his demo to various third-party musical resources, "Curb Your Wild Life" as the album was to be called, was widely disregarded by both the music industry and the general public. Defeated by his frustrations to get his music some recognition and success, along with personal life melodramas, Lew semi-retired from the music business and went back to college at California State University, East Bay. And worked as a computer lab technician at his University's school library. He put the remaining copies of demo recordings he made as a musician and anything related to his musical past, in a cardboard box. Where they would remain for awhile.

While soul-searching in 2009, Lew rediscovered the box of music website pamphlets and demo tapes of music he created he packed in his closet a few months prior while getting a college education at CSUEB, his University. In a final act of desperation, Lew would reconsider doing music full-time in a smaller independent musical universe. By recording music at home, and putting his recordings of songs he written on his computer through the digital technology and electronics age of social-networking website MySpace and Internet on various music websites. And keep his friends and audience updated through social-networking websites Facebook and Twitter during an absence of playing live shows due to lack of musician and live Rock ensemble resources locally and on the Internet and lack of support from music industry outlets. He would put copies of his music website pamphlets on bulletin boards across his college campus and various record and music stores locally. He would exclusively become a studio recording "Art School" solo project (or one-man band) to create music and record his masterpieces at home in his bedroom with his guitar gear and computer. And put it up for the world to hear who browses the Internet onto his music website on their computers and laptops. Patrick Lew decided now as a local Alternative Rock musician, he would do music no longer to satisfy the mainstream pop culture and independent or major record companies chasing his opportunity in the music industry to get his music heard and promoted. But he wouldn't mind getting opportunity from them, but since college and his current "blogging" life personally and professionally taken much of his schedule. He would make and promote music 100% independently via Internet and promote music by re-educating from reading books and tutorials on himself how to promote his band and creations in a digitally electronic world and live life one day at a time.

Your influences?

Favorite spot?

Equipment used:

Anything else...?

Love and Passion For ROCK Music

Patrick Lew — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:20:54 +0100

We are Bayshore Echoes. Two Asian college students at CSUEB, our University, and schoolmate friends on social-networking website Facebook.com. We are musicians and we create music in our own individual solo projects and bands we play guitar or other instruments in. In Bayshore Echoes, we are two die-hard fanatics of The Beatles music and history. And we are using Fender guitars, Vox amps and other musical gear we picked up from Guitar Center, along with digital electronics such as a Macbook and Apple GarageBand, we are currently because we worship The Beatles and all kinds of music across the universe, we are in the recording studio making early "Beatles" style music on our pawnshop guitars and gear from the music store. Mainly, we are doing 60's rock and trying something different from our music.
And we're obviously promoting our other projects and music online!

It all started when rhythm guitarist and songwriter Patrick Lew rediscovered his LOVE for The Beatles on 9.9.2009 when his favorite band of all time, had their holiday by having all their albums of timeless music and art remastered on CD, sold in Walmart and other fine retailers. And Patrick went to Walmart to purchase The Beatles ROCK BAND video game for his Xbox 360. Which his Xbox 360 sits along with his other various game systems and electronics from Game Alley and eBay. Patrick, a lifelong fanatic of The Beatles, purchased the entire Beatles Stereo Remasters BOXED SET of CDs at the record store. And began his journey and odyssey as an underrated Bay Area local and Internet rock musician. Away from his solo project making Hair Metal music, Patrick Lew's Band. To convincing his schoolmate from CSUEB, Jeremy, to start a NEW BAND after chatting on the computer on social-networking website Facebook.com. And booking weeks of band rehearsals at their own private recording studio, to create NEW music. Except, in Beatles "Merseybeat" sound.

This is NOT a tribute band to The Beatles or other 60's rock bands. This is all ORIGINAL music by Patrick and Jeremy. Two Internet musicians and artists with love for making music, and promoting their stories and recordings online on many websites. Don't forget to check out Patrick Lew's Band (Patrick's solo project) and Jeremy's Thrash Metal band Retrograde Fire on various music pages via Internet! Google it!

Why this name?

There was an unknown and underrated Beatles influenced rock band from 1973 called Liverpool Echoes. Patrick first became aware of this band of unique and artistic musicians when he was watching a DVD copy of The Beatles Story he bought from Amazon.com and watching it on the boob tube on his Xbox 360, serving as his DVD player to watch videos. This documentary about The Beatles however, did not contain original Beatles music in the film. But used original Beatles "Merseybeat" style music from a band called Liverpool Echoes. After awhile later, Patrick went on the computer to find this relatively unknown band from the 70's who sounded like The Beatles! On the archives of Google, he found two or three websites relevant to Liverpool Echoes, including their MySpace music page. Patrick Lew's music is on there too, everyone pretty much is. Yeah! So, after reading their musical history and the band Liverpool Echoes itself. Like John Lennon in Beatles history naming it The Beatles after a pun on Buddy Holly's garage rock band The Crickets. Patrick paid tribute to his hometown of the Bay Area and its community, cities and independent music by calling it "Bayshore Echoes." Before, we were called "Artists Are Not Architects." But now, with our gear and musical tools of mass production. We're aiming to create music that has the atmosphere nostalgia of Merseybeat style Beatles with modern technology and time capsule, the 2010s!

Do you play live?

Maybe not now. But Patrick and Jeremy does play live shows individually with their other musical projects and bands they play guitar or bass in. They're also promoting their music online as well outside of Bayshore Echoes on many different websites. We're still working on jamming and band practices to figure out this fun rock band project. By improving our songwriting and musical experience and expertise on our instruments. And possibly, upgrading our gear as a Garage Band act and playing bars.

How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?

Would you sign a record contract with a major label?

Patrick: I would say, yes and no. Because, while I love being an independent rock musician after all. Promoting my songs and writing my story on websites like this. I still want recognition and make an IMPACT with whatever I am doing. But I say no, because I am a very complicated Asian guy who is against the traditions and politics of the music industry. I had many friends growing up in the San Francisco music scene who wanted to get signed to a major or indie record label, in bands, but many of whom didn't get far from just playing gigs at bars and clubs. I also am against people suddenly sucking up to me, after years of alienation and hardships I've experienced not only in the music industry. But in reality. But I still want success and recognition for my music and me. Yeah.

Band History:

GunsNSamurai85 (2:07:21 AM): i was hoping to do like maybe a side project with somebody if interested.
BluePinoy26 (2:07:48 AM): what would it consist of?
GunsNSamurai85 (2:08:03 AM): ummm.....i would probably step out as a guitarist. play the bass.
GunsNSamurai85 (2:08:08 AM): and someone could do guitar
GunsNSamurai85 (2:08:19 AM): and then, use the drum loops or program drums off the computer
GunsNSamurai85 (2:08:34 AM): and i dunno who'd sing.
GunsNSamurai85 (2:08:45 AM): most likely a short-term thing
GunsNSamurai85 (2:08:52 AM): but maybe longer, if the reception is good
GunsNSamurai85 (2:09:46 AM): honestly, i dont know any drummers.
BluePinoy26 (2:11:35 AM): ohh
BluePinoy26 (2:11:42 AM): what would the musical style be like?
GunsNSamurai85 (2:11:48 AM): anything really.
GunsNSamurai85 (2:11:54 AM): depends on what we feel like
GunsNSamurai85 (2:12:10 AM): or suitable for the project's intent or concept
GunsNSamurai85 (2:13:29 AM): i mean im down for thrash/hardcore and stuff like that. or even pop punk.
BluePinoy26 (2:14:35 AM): ooh
BluePinoy26 (2:14:48 AM): well, i'm down if you want me
GunsNSamurai85 (2:15:10 AM): thanks man. i actually would appreciate it.
GunsNSamurai85 (2:15:22 AM): cuz i need something to keep me preoccupied away from Dexter
GunsNSamurai85 (2:15:36 AM): since the thing i am doing now is a one-man band/.
BluePinoy26 (2:16:32 AM): alright :P
GunsNSamurai85 (2:17:13 AM): well school starts in 2 weeks, so we got 2 weeks to nail down a basic EP possibly. if not, we can figure out what ideas we have already we could tweak up a bit or use.
GunsNSamurai85 (2:17:28 AM): depending if we have free time on our hands
BluePinoy26 (2:18:18 AM): well see how the week turns out
BluePinoy26 (2:18:22 AM): i may be free friday
GunsNSamurai85 (2:18:30 AM): hm. sounds like a plan.
GunsNSamurai85 (2:18:40 AM): should i bring my Tascam? lol
BluePinoy26 (2:19:02 AM): haha, sure, why not
BluePinoy26 (2:19:15 AM): we could see how our mini amps work out
GunsNSamurai85 (2:19:22 AM): mini amps
GunsNSamurai85 (2:19:23 AM): ?
GunsNSamurai85 (2:19:32 AM): i have a honeytone from Danelectro
BluePinoy26 (2:20:44 AM): i've a microcube
BluePinoy26 (2:20:49 AM): portable tone!
GunsNSamurai85 (2:20:56 AM):
GunsNSamurai85 (2:21:11 AM): hmmm. i never recorded my parts on a portable amp before.
GunsNSamurai85 (2:21:20 AM): it wouldnt hurt to try
BluePinoy26 (2:24:34 AM): i like to do it for some of my parts when I really need dynamics
BluePinoy26 is available (2:27:04 AM)
GunsNSamurai85 (2:27:24 AM): thats cool. so who will sing?
GunsNSamurai85 (2:27:29 AM): i can sing a tenor, but.....man.
BluePinoy26 (2:27:38 AM): haha
BluePinoy26 (2:27:49 AM): i guess whichever one of us feels the most confident at the time
GunsNSamurai85 (2:28:04 AM): ah okay. a mix of lennon/mccartney in our own way. lol.
GunsNSamurai85 (2:28:17 AM): i got a few songs i might need to add an extra "bang" to it.
GunsNSamurai85 (2:28:36 AM): i might want you to play the guitar parts i originally did, but readjust them most likely.
GunsNSamurai85 (2:29:10 AM): but the solos could be possibly. more different. i am not a lead like i said.
BluePinoy26 (2:30:24 AM): haha, alright
GunsNSamurai85 (2:30:59 AM): cool man. anyways, what programs you use to record
BluePinoy26 (2:31:09 AM): just garageband
BluePinoy26 (2:31:27 AM): i have a plugin demo called GTR solo for some lead parts
BluePinoy26 (2:31:39 AM): otherwise i use a microcube
BluePinoy26 (2:31:56 AM): i stitch together drumloops too
GunsNSamurai85 (2:32:26 AM): awesome. so, if anything gets recorded. how are we gonna distribute them online. think its too early to ask, but oh well
BluePinoy26 (2:33:21 AM): haha, however you feel like
GunsNSamurai85 (2:33:34 AM): first, of course. there has to be a bandname.
GunsNSamurai85 (2:33:54 AM): and second, myspace, purevolume and soundclick are where i normally promote my clips on.
GunsNSamurai85 (2:34:07 AM): we could make like a bunch of burned CDs and hand them to people we know at school
BluePinoy26 (2:35:25 AM): oooh
BluePinoy26 (2:35:33 AM): that'd be cool
GunsNSamurai85 (2:35:45 AM): yup.
BluePinoy26 (2:36:07 AM): haha, well, I'd be looking forward to friday then!

Your influences?

Patrick: Mostly the Beatles (obviously!), 70's and 80's Hard Rock, Alternative Rock and Punk. Some METAL such as Metallica along the way. But I mainly create music with my own individuality. I been making music since I was 13, but my musical interests are always expanding. I like 70's and 80's Hard Rock like AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Rush, Guns And Roses and Aerosmith. I like early 90's Grunge like Pearl Jam and Nirvana. I like Punk such as The Clash and Minor Threat. I even listen to underground Hip Hop. Everything man, as long as it's up my alley. I like all music except, some Country and this decade's pop music. Meaning most of the 2000s.

Favorite spot?

The Bay Area.

Equipment used:

Fender guitars, VOX amp, Apple GarageBand, Macbook, M-Audio Interface, Line6 GuitarPort Riff Tracker.