Album/Song - Persona//Overflow by Lewnatic & Madeline Lew

San Francisco punk rocker and Asian-American musician and YouTuber Patrick Lew Hayashi (Lewnatic) releases his hard-hitting new album Persona/Overflow worldwide and in Japan on August 15, 2025.

# Setlist & Tracks

1. Xenophobe (Against the Hate)

2. The Eternal Guardians [feat. Madeline Lew]

3. Revelations...The End As We Knew It [feat. Madeline Lew]

4. Scattered

5. Unfriended

6. What Went Wrong (Blink 182 Cover)

7. Betty (The Vietnamese Girl Next Door!)

8. Tear It Apart!

9. Find Myself [feat. Madeline Lew]

10. Jesus Don't Want Me For A Sunbeam (Nirvana Cover) [Live]

"Get to really know the so-called Asian-American guitar hero and punk rock DJ from San Francisco in the solo band Lewnatic! Starring Patrick Lew Hayashi. And occasionally, his cross-dressing alter-ego (former-girlfriend-in-lore) Madeline Lew."

# Lewnatic: A Comprehensive Biography

## 1. History and Origins

Patrick Lew Hayashi, professionally known as Lewnatic, was born Patrick Allan Lew on **November 15, 1985** in San Francisco, California, to a Chinese father and a Sino-Japanese mother. These multicultural roots exposed him early to both Western rock and East Asian pop, laying the groundwork for his later genre-fusing style.

He began playing guitar at age **13**, teaching himself via guitar tabs and the mentorship of his cousin, who inspired him with Jimi Hendrix and Deep Purple riffs. This passion for rock solidified during his high school years at Raoul Wallenberg High School and Soko Gakuen Japanese School, culminating in a **B.A. in Philosophy** with a minor in Music Composition from California State University, East Bay in 2011.

Lew’s first formal project was **Band of Asians**, which self-released the album *REVENGE* on his 21st birthday in 2006. He soon rebranded this effort as the **Patrick Lew Band (PLB)**, a virtual collective where members tracked parts remotely. Between 2009 and 2012, PLB self-released multiple albums and an EP, showcasing his DIY ethos and grunge-pop/metal blend before entering a creative hiatus in late 2012 due to lineup changes and artistic differences.

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## 2. Formation of Lewnatic

In **Summer 2019**, Patrick teamed up with his friend Ahmed to form **Lewnatic**, originally conceived as a **rap-metal duo**. They combined Lew’s grunge-metal riffs with Ahmed’s rap verses, creating a bold sound that became a monthly residency at San Francisco’s DNA Lounge until the COVID-19 shutdown in March 2020.

The name “Lewnatic” is a portmanteau of his surname and “lunatic,” reflecting Patrick’s fearless approach to genre-mixing and performance art. After Ahmed’s departure post-pandemic, Lewnatic transitioned into Patrick’s **solo experiment**, integrating live-streamed performances and experimental rock elements.

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## 3. Founding Members and Lineup

- **Patrick Lew Hayashi (Lewnatic)**

Guitarist, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and primary producer.

- **Ahmed**

Rap-metal collaborator (2019–2020).

- **Madeline Lew**

Virtual alter ego introduced in 2015 during PLB era; occasional collaborator and featured vocalist/mascot.

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## 4. Patrick Lew Hayashi: Early Life and Education

Patrick Allan Lew was born and raised in San Francisco’s **Excelsior District**. His mother, a fan of The Beatles and Rolling Stones, and his father, an aficionado of Motown, provided a diverse musical backdrop. This multicultural household fostered Patrick’s desire to bridge **Eastern and Western** musical traditions.

He graduated high school in 2004 and pursued a **Philosophy degree** with a Music Composition minor at California State University, East Bay, completing his B.A. in June 2011. These academic pursuits reinforced his conceptual songwriting and DIY recording methods, which became hallmarks of both PLB and Lewnatic projects.

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## 5. Role of Ahmed in Lewnatic

Ahmed joined Patrick in 2019 to co-found Lewnatic as a **rap-metal duo**. His verses and stage presence complemented Patrick’s guitar-driven riffs, resulting in an energetic live show that resonated with San Francisco’s underground scene. Together, they built a monthly residency at DNA Lounge, showcasing Lewnatic’s genre-bending style until their amicable separation in early 2020.

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## 6. Development into Solo Act

In **early 2022**, Lewnatic transitioned into **Patrick’s solo project**, focusing on stripped-down instrumentation and live-streamed performances. On July 19, 2022, Patrick signed a **one-year Artist Development deal** with New York-based Bentley Records, marking his first major-label affiliation under the Lewnatic banner. This contract enabled three EP releases in 2022–2023 and expanded his virtual touring to global online audiences.

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## 7. Virtual Alter Ego: Madeline Lew

Patrick introduced **Madeline Lew** in 2015 as a cross-dressing, M2F virtual avatar for PLB. Created through **VOCALOID** and AI vocals, Madeline served as a fictitious cousin and band mascot, rebooting PLB’s image and catalyzing new blog features, press coverage, and Bay Area FM radio mentions. By 2020, Madeline’s viral appeal helped PLB amass 14 albums, a live album, and numerous EPs and singles as an influential “bedroom-producer collective”.

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## 8. Discography and Key Releases

1. **Band of Asians / PLB Era (2006–2012)**

- *REVENGE* (2006)

- *Jump! Rattle! And Roll!!!* (2006; retconned 2019)

- EP: "Up the Wazoo!" (2007)

- *Curb Your Wild Life* (2009)

- *Let It Rise and Against* (2009)

- *Murder Bay* (2011)

- EP: *Angry Yellow* (2012)

2. **Virtual PLB Era (2015–2024)**

- 14 full-length home-recorded albums

- 1 live album

- Several EPs and singles

3. **Lewnatic Solo Releases (2022–Present)**

- EP: *Rapid Fire!* (Aug 2022)

- EP: *Getcha Mood On Right* (2023)

- EP: *The Lost Souls* (Mar 2023)

- Full album: *STARRCADE* (July 26, 2024)

- EP: *I Feel Like Playing* (May 30, 2025)

- Full album: *Persona//Overflow* (Aug 15, 2025)

- Various singles and live recordings

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## 9. Label Signing and Bentley Records Partnership

On July 19, 2022, Patrick signed with **Bentley Records** under the Lewnatic name. This Artist Development deal facilitated the production and release of three instrumental EPs, virtual touring, and a CD/QR promo tour in Los Angeles in May 2024. Under Bentley, Lewnatic’s music reached streaming platforms worldwide, expanding his fanbase across North America, Japan, and beyond.

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## 10. Live Performances and Residencies

Lewnatic evolved from sporadic shows at local dive bars to **monthly residencies** at San Francisco’s DNA Lounge from 2019 until the pandemic. These high-energy events featured Patrick on guitar and vocals, backed by laptop-driven tracks and AI instrumentals. In addition to in-person gigs, Lewnatic pioneered virtual concerts on YouTube, continuing livestream performances through 2023 and into 2024.

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## 11. Musical Style and Influences

Lewnatic’s sound fuses **1990s grunge**, **pop-metal riffs**, and **classic rock anthems**, layered over electronic beats and AI-generated landscapes. He draws inspiration from:

- Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Silverchair

- Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Oasis

- The Beatles, X Japan, Miyavi

- Modern hybrids: BTS, J-Pop/chiptune fusions

His lyrics often explore **alienation**, **resilience**, and **identity** in a digital age, reflecting both personal and cultural narratives.

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## 12. Gear, Equipment, and Production Techniques

Patrick records mostly in his **bedroom studio**, using:

- Guitars: Fender Telecaster, Epiphone Les Paul

- Amps: Marshall CODE50, Vox AD50VT

- Laptops: 2012 MacBook Pro, 2015 MacBook Air, HP Victus (2022)

- Interface: PreSonus AudioBox iOne, Logic Pro X, GarageBand

- Vocals: VOCALOID for Madeline, AI music generators for beats

- Accessories: Boss DS-2 pedal, Glarry practice amp, Launchpad iOS app.

He integrates **analog guitar tracking** with digital AI backing, mixing and mastering within Logic Pro to achieve a polished yet raw aesthetic.

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## 13. Media Coverage and Interviews

Lewnatic and PLB have been featured in:

- Music Review World artist spotlights

- Top Music Japan online profiles

- Press releases on ArtistPR.com and MUSIC PR Japan

- MuzicNotez and BuzzSlayers interviews detailing EP releases and creative process

- Luke Sauer’s podcast (Memorial Day 2023).

These platforms have showcased his **genre-defying approach** and contributions to Asian-American representation in rock.

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## 14. Online Presence: YouTube and Social Media

Since 2007, Patrick has managed a YouTube channel with over **700 videos**, including music videos, livestream concerts, and behind-the-scenes content. He remains active on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitch under the Lewnatic and PLB handles, engaging a global audience and leveraging social platforms for direct fan interaction.

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## 15. Cultural and Community Engagement

Patrick balances his music career with active participation in the **Asian-American arts scene**, gaming communities, and underground wrestling events. He often incorporates cultural motifs into his music videos and performances, advocating for diversity and visibility of marginalized voices in the rock genre. He credits his day job at Costco for funding studio upgrades and sustaining his creative pursuits.

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## 16. Notable Achievements and Milestones

- **Induction** into the **Akademia Music Hall of Fame** (2023) at age 37, recognizing PLB’s innovative virtual model and prolific output.

- First Japanese-American male recipient of CSU East Bay’s **40 Under 40 Award** (2019) alongside Madeline Lew.

- **AcademiaMusic Award** (2016) for experimental track “Game Changer.”

- Release of **STARRCADE** worldwide on all major streaming services (July 26 2024).

These milestones underscore Patrick’s resilience and ability to redefine independent rock in the digital era.

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## 17. Other Relevant Information

Beyond music, he continues working full-time at **Costco Wholesale** while managing his musical projects. His unique blend of personal narrative, cultural advocacy, and digital-first performance has cemented Lewnatic’s status as an **Asian-American guitar hero** and punk rock DJ in the modern indie landscape.