PureVolume

Members: Patrick Baxley, Mike Schaming, Wes Pellerin, Andy Dumiak

Hot Lava Monster is the creation of lead vocalist Patrick Baxley, guitarist Hot Lava Mike, and drummer Josh Brannon. For the past six years, Hot Lava Monster has churned out their vintage-sounding power-rock to prove that Rock n Roll will never die! The result is nothing less than expected; after releasing two well received albums, their debut "firstbreathofwater" in 2001 and The Way of the Dinosaur in 2004. Hot Lava Monster can usually be found dishing our their brand of combustive rock n' roll all over the Southeast. When performing live, the band goes at it in force, leaving their mark on any stage that can contain their explosive energy. "I've learned that the audience wants exactly what I want when I go see a show," Baxley notes. "I'm having the time of my life, by being completely unguarded."

Its their "unguarded" live shows that have earned the band an intense following and numerous accolades around the region. According to the Southeast Performer, vocalist Patrick Baxley has an intensity that will serve him well in the future. Otis Taylor of The State Newspaper, when citing The Way of the Dinosaur as one of the top 10 local albums of 2004, summarized the bands efforts as a rekindling of the rock senses that doesnt leave you feeling cheated. The force of Pat Baxleys voice is true. Its like he's really singing to you.

After its release, The Way of the Dinosaur was also the focus of a successful national radio campaign that put Hot Lava Monster into rotation at 40 college radio stations and, not surprisingly, cracking the Top 10 at a few. The same effort put the record in the Top 30 for most spins on commercial specialty shows in only its second week of being played. Added to that, phones were flooded with requests at KACV FM in Amarillo, TX; HLM's "Sin" held strong as the 3rd most requested song for four weeks in a row, and upon a fifth week in rotation jumped to the number 2 spot, receiving a whopping 37 spins a week! HLM was also honored by invitation to the 2004 Dewey Beach (DE) Music Conference and Festival and the Atlantis Music Conferences (Atlanta, GA) in 2005. The Way of the Dinosaur track, Ocean is featured on the 2005 Atlantis Music Conference CD Sampler.

2006 found Hot Lava Monster at a crossroad. Since the release of The Way of the Dinosaur, Hot Lava Monster welcomed a new rhythm section consisting of bassist Wes Pellerin (Sunday Driver) and drummer Andy Dumiak (The Soul Mites). Since the new additions the band wasted no time before returning to the stage, opening for such bands as Three Days Grace and Cracker. With their new rhythm section in place, Hot Lava Monster has reunited with producer John Briglevich (Sevendust, Goo Goo Dolls, Double Drive, Red Letter Agent) and is exploring new musical ideas while sticking with their vintage rock roots. Hot Lava Monster has completed their third album "The Belly of a Whale" and will release it on October 24, 2006.