Casey Calvert, lead guitarist, died on the day after they launched their tour in Detroit, Michigan. It was said that he died from combined drug intoxication. After this tragedy, the band began writing songs for Calvert. The first song was 'Four Becomes One' on their album Fragile Future. Another song, 'Sugar In The Engine' was also dedicated to Casey.
Hawthorne Heights first album 'The Silence In Black And White' was released in 2004. The album had a slow start but gained popularity by being aired on MTV and by being played on the radio. The singles 'Niki FM' and 'Silver Bullet' were released in 2005
The band Hawthorne Heights was formed in Dayton, Ohio. They started as 'A Day In The Life' but changed it to Hawthorne Heights because of line-up changes and the evolving music style. Drummer Eron Bucciarelli said that they got their current name from the author Nathaniel Hawthorne.