Moving mercury

It's winter days like these in Buffalo that one needs something a little livelier to keep going until the ground thaws.

Enter Hot Hot Heat, an eclectic, quite dance-able rock act set to play Sunday at The Icon.

Despite being signed to Warner Bros. Records shortly after the release of their first album, "Make Up the Breakdown," Hot Hot Heat is still only well known on a subliminal level. The Victoria, British Columbia-based group has produced an eclectic mixture of keyboard-heavy dance pop and punk rock since they began in 1999. True to their name, the musicians have fired up listeners with increasingly catchy ditties like "Bandages," "No, Not Now" and "Talk To Me, Dance With Me."

Dustin Hawthorne, 28 year-old bassist of the group and founding member of Hot Hot Heat, discussed the band's recent years of international success.

"I had no idea it would be like this, to be honest," said Hawthorne, who was getting ready for a Thursday-night performance in Chicago. "Back when we started we had no clue it was going to get this big. Sometimes I wish I could go home, but then I think of all the bands who would die to be in this position."

The band switched from Sub Pop Records to Warner Bros. shortly after producing "Make Up the Breakdown" in 2002. Yet instead of becoming a sellout pop sensation, Hot Hot Heat manages to keep its reputation as an autonomous band.

Hawthorne said it has a lot to do with the band holding the reigns on management.

"We're still actively involved with almost every decision made," he said. "We basically dictate what we feel needs to be done. The funding (from Warner Bros.) is a lot bigger and better though."

The group's new album, "Elevator," is due April 25 and the bassist said they've been heavily working the new material into the set lists.

"We're playing about 60 percent new material and 40 percent of our old stuff," Hawthorne said. "It's a mixed reaction, but for the most part, audiences seem to like it."

Though "Elevator" is a step forward from their last album, Hawthorne said that they're still going to maintain their root sound that made them internationally successful in the first place.

"Obviously we've grown as individuals since our last album," he said. "We didn't turn into an acoustic band or anything, but we looked at 'Make Up the Breakdown' and improved on certain aspects of it."

Success isn't the only change the band has come to grips with. After founding the group in 1999, keyboardist Steven Bays took on the role of vocal front man. Guitarist Dante DeCaro was added to the mix of Bays, Hawthorne, and drummer Paul Hawley (who is credited with the name "Hot Hot Heat," according to Hawthorne), and the group was able to produce their edgy and cacophonous debut EP, "Knock Knock Knock" on Sub Pop.

However, since producing "Elevator," guitarist Dante DeCaro has decided to leave the band and chance a solo career. This will be the first tour Luke Paquin takes on guitar for the band.

"We work really well together now," Hawthorne said about the new roster. "We've really solidified the lineup and everything."

In the past, Hot Hot Heat has toured with bands like The Walkmen and Dismemberment Plan, which helped launch a movement towards international success. Now the headlining act, the bassist said that this tour has been met with hot prosperity.

"I think every performance on this tour so far has been sold out," he said of the tour, which began April 9 in Vancouver, British Columbia. "It's good, because we're a band in between albums right now."

Though Hawthorne also acknowledged that the bassist is often the understated musician of a band, he said that each band member contributes equally to the group.

"It's a collaborative effort on all our parts," he said. "I don't mind it. I don't really need the attention anyway."

This Sunday's performance will also feature Longwave and The Frame Up. Tickets can be purchased at Tops Supermarkets, www.tickets.com, or charged by phone at (888) 223-6000. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at The Buffalo Icon.