Staff

ERIC SNIPES: Owner/Producer/Engineer/Musician

Owner Eric Snipes spent the early years of his childhood banging on pots and pans he removed from his family's kitchen cabinets in the then small Georgia community of Snellville. Eric's parents realized his musical gift and at the age of six presented him with his first set of drums. Thirty years later, this accomplished drummer is still playing for audiences all across the Southeast performing with a popular band that he started ten years ago and continues to lead, Rhythm Nation.

Throughout his developmental years as a drummer, Eric was influenced by some of the world's greatest drummers: John Bonham, Keith Moon, Buddy Rich and Steve Gadd.

Eric's passion for all aspects of the music industry grew as did his need for knowledge. He received an Associates Degree in Recording in the late eighties, accepted his first studio job working for Webb 4 Studios in Atlanta and then became an editing engineer for O'Connell Productions. Eric was honored with a national award for the years best radio campaign spot while working at O'Connell Productions..

It was at this point that Eric made the decision to devote his life to music and with great determination to succeed, he and childhood friend Derek Brooks (currently a member of the Ernie Ball Music Man organization) proceeded to open his first recording studio, Valhalla. During this time in his life, Eric could also be found at Purple Dragon Studios where he worked as an engineer.

During the early recording years, Eric continued to devote time to performing as well as learning the business of recording. He was the drummer for several local bands, the Peace Dogs, Brand X and Vs. {versus} and was fortunate in 1995 to tour with Donna Watson on her multi stop Asian Tour. Eric has had the privilege to perform on stage with Edwin McCain, John Popper, Phil Grande {guitarist for Joe Cocker}, Mark Dannells {current guitarist for Skid Row}, David Caaradine {actor, guitarist} and Mark Van Allen {pedal steel guitarist for Sugarland}.

Eric strives to be the best and is proud to have learned recording skills from some of the best in the industry during his twenty years in the recording business. He has worked as an assistant engineer for Dallas Austin, Brendon O'Brien, Nick Dadia, Mark Richardson and Jim Gaines. Eric's engineering credits include:99X Live X {The Church & Lenny Kravitz}, Phil Ehart {drummer for Kansas}, Phil Grande {guitarist for Joe Cocker}, Moses MO {guitarist for Mothers Finest}, Angie Aparo {singer, songwriter}, Caroline Aiken {singer, songwriter}, Mark Dannells {guitarist for Skid Row, Butch Walker, Angie Aparo, Brand New Immortals & Warm Gunns}, The Greatful Dread and Urban Grind. Eric's unique perspective on producing a great record comes from years of working as a musician. He strives to achieve a "live" sound by creatively integrating high end vintage gear with modern Pro Tools recording techniques. By helping the artist become "one" with the song, Eric is able to release the best performance out of all artists. Eric posses great leadership skills, maintains an energetic work environment, holds a strong work ethic and is a gentle spirit. Eric believes that a strong mind, body and soul are essential to a healthy and prosperous life.

LEE BANKS: Musician/Songwriter/Producer

Atlanta native Lee Banks, now thirty three, has been playing music since the tender age of eleven and writing/producing for seventeen years. Lee thanks his mom for introducing him to the inspiring works of Earth ,Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder and the Doobie Brothers

Lee is a seasoned Bass Guitar player and honors graduate of The Atlanta Institute of Music. He exercises his playing skills as a performing member of an Atlanta band, Rhythm Nation and as a sought after session player. The artists who have influenced him the most as a bassist are James Jamerson, Larry Graham, John Pattitucci, Verdine White, Bootsy Colins, Jaco, JohnPaul Jones, Paul McCCartney and Doug Pannick.

Although the Bass Guitar is his main instrument, Lee is also proficient on drums, guitar and the keys and attributes his working knowledge of these instruments as a key to his song writing capabilities. He is a fan of many musical styles from jazz to heavy metal and funk to folk. Lee's main rule for writing a great song is "Styles keep musicians from getting bored but the hook is what keeps listeners from getting bored".

Lee has had the privilege to perform on stage with Edwin McCain, John Popper and David Carridine , open for The Doobie Brothers, Evanescence, White Zombie and Lit and has been a performing member of Crawlspace {Sevendust}. While a member of Crawlspace, he recorded an album worth of material with Butch Walker.

CHRIS BANKS: Musician/Songwriter/Producer

Atlanta native Chris Banks, now thirty three, picked up his first instrument, the saxophone at the young age of ten. He continued to play the saxophone for three years and was a member of the school orchestra. However, Chris's life long love affair with music began at age thirteen when his mom bought him his first guitar. Chris spent the next four years engulfed in private guitar lessons and spent countless hours practicing, composing and learning music with his twin brother and bassist, Lee Banks.

Chris's determination to make music his career, drove him to attend and excel at the Atlanta Institute of Music. Chris and his brother Lee were quickly recognized by the AIM instructors as extremely gifted and exceptional players. The Banks brothers graduated with Honors at the top of their class.

The first few years after graduating from AIM found Chris writing and performing with the highly popular rock band, Pound {formerly known as Myriad}.

Chris redirected his focus after the break up of Pound and began to concentrate strictly on playing guitar and composing. Chris is a lover of all genres of music and artists including Jimi Hendrix , Jeff Buckley, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Earth,Wind & Fire, Frank Zappa and Stevie Wonder to name a few . Chris is comfortable playing and writing in all types of musical situations.

Chris is a musician who must stay busy playing his guitar. The past eight years have provided Chris with the opportunity to challenge his guitar skills by performing with the Atlanta based band, Rhythm Nation. In 1999, along with his brother Lee and two long time friends ,he helped form the band Superconductor. Chris composed, recorded and performed with the band for two years. The year 2004 found Chris, brother Lee, singer Christie Cook and drummer Jeff Beach forming the Christie Cook Band. The band opened for The Doobie Brothers, Evanescence, Lit and Heavy Mojo. One of the bands songs was chosen to be included on the Atlantis Music Conference compilation CD in 2005.

Chris believes that you can not gain anything worthwhile without first giving something back so he chooses to teach guitar lessons to young musicians in his spare time.

DEBORAH LAVOIE: Co-Owner/Project Coordinator

Originally from Boston, MA, Deborah has called Atlanta home since 1998. Utilizing the organizational and business skills she learned while earning a BS in Business from Husson Business College in New England and then while attending The Massachusetts School of Law, Deborah acts as the liaison between the studio, artist(s) and producer(s) to ensure a trouble free and memorable recording experience at LAVA Room Recordings. Whether writing contracts, scheduling sessions or meeting artists at the airport, no job is too large or too small for her to accomplish. Deborah, along with husband and co-owner Eric Snipes, strive to create a recording environment that promotes artistic inspiration and musical excitement for all.