Shea, a singer, skater, and longtime fixture in the Bay Area rock and punk scenes, saw the split as an opportunity to start a new band with some longtime friends with whom he'd always wanted to collaborate. Inspired by their mutual love for heavy-riffing bands like Blue Cheer and UFO and their common interest in skate culture, Shea recruited his new bandmates from various other local bands that shared his aesthetic. Rounding out Hot Lunch are guitarist Aaron Nudelman (Men's Club), bassist Charlie Karr (Harold Ray Live in Concert), and drummer Rob Alper (SLA, the Fells). The group began honing its heavy punk 'n' roll sound, frequently gigging with other like-minded skate-rock bands before catching the attention of New York's Tee Pee Records, which released Hot Lunch's self-titled debut in 2013. ~ Timothy Monger