Story Of The Year

What’s the sound of Story Of The Year? Loud guitars, massive singalong choruses, and uplifting perseverance.

Few records helped build the post-hardcore scene as swiftly as the band’s debut, Page Avenue—one of the first of its kind to sell a million copies. “Until the Day I Die” endures as both an anthem and mission statement.

Tours with Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance, Deftones, and The Used cemented Story Of The Year’s reputation as a stunning and engaging live act. The connection between the band and audience transformed them from teenagers working in a St. Louis pizza chain into hard rock headliners.

Fans grew alongside Dan Marsala, Ryan Phillips, Josh Wills, and Adam Russell through each release: Page Avenue (2003), In the Wake of Determination (2005), The Black Swan (2008), The Constant (2010), Wolves (2017), and Tear Me to Pieces (2022).

They specialize in intense, passionate, confessional compositions that inspire and empower. Songs like “The Antidote,” “Real Life,” “Miracle,” “The Ghost of You and I,” “Anthem of Our Dying Day,” and “Take Me Back” resonate with anyone determined to triumph over adversity.

Until the day I die, indeed.

Hawthorne Heights is an American rock band from Dayton, Ohio, known for shaping the sound of early 2000s emo and post-hardcore. Formed in 2001, the band first broke into the national spotlight with their 2004 debut album The Silence in Black and White, featuring the anthems “Ohio Is for Lovers” and “Niki FM.” Their blend of emotionally charged lyrics, melodic hooks, and heavy guitars quickly earned them a devoted following and a defining place in the alternative scene.

The band followed up with the 2006 release If Only You Were Lonely, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and cemented Hawthorne Heights as one of the leading voices of the emo generation. Known for their cathartic live shows and raw emotional honesty, they’ve built a career on connection, nostalgia, and evolution.

With releases like Fragile Future, Zero, and The Rain Just Follows Me, Hawthorne Heights continues to blend nostalgia with renewal, connecting with both lifelong fans and new listeners alike. Their most recent work expands their sonic landscape while staying true to the emotional core that made them a cornerstone of the midwestern emo movement.

Forever rooted in their DIY ethic and love for the community that built them, Hawthorne Heights continues to tour relentlessly, bringing their heartfelt energy to stages around the world — a reminder that even in the darkest times, music can bring light, healing, and hope. Since 2003, come hell or fire, Hawthorne Heights has never given up and has been dedicated to giving their fans every last drop.