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Hawthorne Heights was formed from big dreams -- its members wanted to play music they were passionate about and take a shot at being a full time band. In two years, they have become much more than that; they have staked their claim as one of the leaders of the new rock scene. Their Victory Records debut, The Silence in Black and White, hit the music world with a bang in 2004, breaking sales records and receiving gold record status during the summer of 2005. The album continues its march toward platinum certification, supported by non-stop touring, television appearances and massive video support from MTV, Fuse and online giants Yahoo! Music and America Online. On January 10, Hawthorne Heights is proud to present their DVD, This Is Who We Are, featuring live concerts, behind the scenes footage and much more. The DVD sets the stage for the release of If Only You Were Lonely, their powerful sophomore album, in stores February 24th.

If Only You Were Lonely is a tour de force, showing remarkable achievement from a band that has scarcely left the road since their debut album was released. Written partially on their bus during last summer's Warped Tour, the disc is produced by veteran David Bendeth, known for his work with bands like Breaking Benjamin and Towers Of London. Musically, it tests the limitations of the emo and screamo music genres, adding deeper and darker subtle guitars and a more diverse selection of material. From the uber-catchy emo tracks they are known for to more metallic offerings and even a piano ballad reminiscent of the Beach Boys, Hawthorne Heights sought to built on the foundation laid on their debut album and expand from there. Influenced by bands that range from Led Zeppelin to Quicksand to Nirvana, Hawthorne Heights's brand of radiant and fiery post-hardcore is expansive and textural, and their triple guitar attack alone sets them apart from the rest. "With JT, Casey and Micah all playing guitar, we can add a lot of layering effects and intricacies to our music along with legitimately pulling in different musical styles," said drummer Eron Bucciarelli.

Signing to Victory Records was the first step towards realizing their goal of playing music for a living. Forming in Dayton, Ohio in June of 2001 under the name A Day In The Life, the band decided to rename their previous musical endeavor due to lineup changes and evolving musical styles. With the final lineup in place, Hawthorne Heights began playing out on several self-booked tours, sharing stages with bands like Descendents, From Autumn To Ashes and Coheed And Cambria. On a Saturday in November 2003, Victory Records' President Tony Brummel played Hawthorne Heights' demo. Hearing what he knew were hits, he invited them to Chicago to showcase for the label staff. Things went well, and they signed a record deal with Victory Records shortly thereafter.