Echo Lake Drummer Pete Hayes Dead at 25

British band Echo Lake suffered a tremendous loss over the weekend when drummer Pete Hayes passed away at the age of 25.

The band broke the news via Facebook, where guitarist Thom Hill posted a note saying, "I can’t believe I’m actually typing these words, we’re all completely devastated and shocked."

Although the cause of death has not been disclosed, Hill's note made reference to an extended hospital stay for Hayes ("Even in his last few weeks he would be sitting up in his hospital bed smiling and having a laugh with me"), and a fundraising effort in Hayes' name has been announced for the British Heart Foundation.

Hayes' death casts a shadow over what should have been a week of celebration for Echo Lake; their full-length debut album, 'Wild Peace,' is being released in the U.K. today (June 25), with a U.S. release scheduled for tomorrow. (Our American readers can stream 'Wild Peace' now, courtesy of the Huffington Post.)

Echo Lake's full statement follows below:

I can’t believe I’m actually typing these words, we’re all completely devastated and shocked.

If you knew Pete, then you’ll know what an amazing person he was.

If you didn’t know Pete then all I can say is that he was a total one off.

Always caring, always giving, always straight up and always with such a positive outlook on life. That was the thing with Pete, he just got on with it. Even in his last few weeks he would be sitting up in his hospital bed smiling and having a laugh with me.

It was this outlook on life that made me perhaps take advantage of our time spent together. This situation never seemed possible because he never ever stopped being positive and joyful. He never moaned, or acted ill and was an incredibly hard worker. It’s a really rare thing to find all of these qualities in someone and he deserved more time to live his life to the full, which he always did.

If you ever saw us play live then you’ll know what a great drummer he was.

I’ve been in 4 different bands over the past 10 years and while the line ups changed around us, me and Pete were always playing together. It was such a privilege to play music with him.

I’ll always remember in our first band me, Kier and Steve lying to promoters that we were over 18 and that we were old enough to play in pubs. We were 16 and Pete was even younger than us! I remember sneaking Pete in the venue hoping nobody would ask any questions and after the gig Pete’s dad Antony would pick him up and take him home because he had his year 10 GCSE exam later that week! I still can’t believe we got away with it really. He was like a younger brother to us and we always had a lot of fun.

I’m really glad that the four of us moved to London, met Linda and formed Echo Lake. I know he was really excited about the album finally coming out and the possibilities that lay ahead of us. I can’t believe that he won’t be around anymore to see them out with us.

I could go on writing about him and the amazing memories forever, but another part of me is struggling to find the words to do him justice. So I’ll just say that he put everything into Echo Lake and always played his heart and soul out. I’ll always appreciate that and will always owe him so much for helping us get as far as we have in the past 2 years.

Finally, I’d just like to send all my love to Pete’s family, who I am lucky to have gotten to know well over the years. When we were kids, your place was a home away from home for me (as it was for all of our friends who just loved being there so much!)

And to Pete’s girlfriend Caroline. I’m so glad that you guys met each other, you made him incredibly happy.

All the love Pete, we’ll all miss you so much.

Rest in peace and thanks for everything man, it’s been awesome!

♥ ♥ ♥ Echo Lake

Listen to Echo Lake's 'Wild Peace'