HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS
rock
26/05/26
O’Sullivans By The Mill, 92 bis bd de Clichy - Paris
Hawthorne Heights, formed in Dayton, Ohio, in 2001, has built a reputation for emotionally raw songwriting, combining the urgency of post-hardcore with the melodic sensibilities of 2000s emo and punk. Singer JT Woodruff’s lyrics often explore themes of distance, identity, and perseverance, drawing on his personal experiences as well as the band’s deep roots in the alternative music scene.
Throughout their long and eventful career, Hawthorne Heights have overcome obstacles at every turn—but these difficulties often stemmed from external factors, ranging from unscrupulous record labels and changing musical trends to unimaginable personal tragedies that nearly brought them down.
Despite the difficulties, the band—JT Woodruff (vocals, guitar), Mark McMillon (guitar, backing vocals), and Matt Ridenour (bass, backing vocals)—persevered. They earned two gold-certified albums (“The Silence in Black and White,” 2004, and “If Only You Were Lonely,” 2006), wrote some of the genre’s most iconic anthems (“Ohio Is for Lovers,” “Saying Sorry”) and remained a force to be reckoned with on stage, nearly twenty years after their formation.
In 2026, Hawthorne Heights will celebrate the 20th anniversary of “If Only You Were Lonely”.