Mesa Boogie Mark 2B

Here's the deal...
I need multiple volume levels while playing, but the clean channel is too clean and a mild overdrive pedal in the line sounds like crap (with no volume difference) on the distortion channel. I'm not much into the idea of setting up both channels through a pedal that's already on either.
Would a boost pedal work? An EQ pedal? So far, I've been playing through the 'lead' channel with a sound that I like, and just playing harder or lighter for dynamics. I'm still finding that I'm needing a boost.
Apparently, with that particular model, I can hook a volume pedal into my effects loop and control the volume manually, but that sounds like a pain. I might try it though...
I've never needed to do this before, as I've always been a 'one channel' kinda guy. So... some suggestions/ideas would be appreciated.

I have this amp. I've found that with a lower output guitar the clean channel does indeed stay very clean all the way up to high volume. I have one guitar that has a broadcaster pickup in it and that won't break up at all, my other guitar has DiMarzio Super Distortions (or some '70s Ibanez OEM variation thereon) and that will break up some once I have the input gain past 7 or 8. So you could try getting a higher output guitar. If you don't want to change your guitar you could try swapping the internal speaker. The EV ones that come in those amps are stupidly efficient (which is why the things are so heavy) so you could try putting in a lower rated speaker or running an external cab, and maybe running the amp in 60 watt mode if it has that option.

Pedal wise I've done fairly well with an MXR Distortion + into the clean channel, so if you've not tried one of those with it, give it a go.