Hawthorne Heights guitarist Casey Calvert passed away Friday (November 23). The cause has yet to be determined, but "illegal activity" has been ruled out by the band, and Calvert's asthma is currently being ruled as a possibility. The band gave a statement regarding their sad loss:
"Today is probably the worst day ever. It's with our deepest regrets that we have to write this. Casey Calvert passed away in his sleep last night. We found out this afternoon before sound-check. We've spent the entire day trying to come to grips with this and figure out as much as possible. At this time we're not sure what exactly happened. Just last night he was joking around with everyone before he went to bed. We can say with absolute certainty that he was not doing anything illegal. Please, out of respect to Casey and his family, don't contribute or succumb to any gossip you may hear. We don't want his memory to be tainted in the least.
Casey was our best friend. He was quirky and awesome and there will truly be no others like him! His loss is unexplainable. As soon as we know more we will let you know."
Calvert's death comes at a rough time for the band. Last year the band sued their label Victory, who they feel damaged their reputation by trying to manipulate the charts. In a marketing scheme to promote sales for HH's If Only You Were Lonely, Victory issued a statement encouraging fans to misplace Ne-Yo CDs (the band's main rival in the charts) in record stores to help boost the band's sales figures. However, Victory is now countersuing HH alleging they still owe the label two albums, despite signing to Virgin.
In addition, last month Wild Justice Records sued the band for breach of a verbal contract, stemming from a dispute over the management company's share of the band's revenues.
Now word has been given as to what the next step for the band will be, but currently their tour has come to a halt.
Hawthorne Heights "Saying Sorry"
"Today is probably the worst day ever. It's with our deepest regrets that we have to write this. Casey Calvert passed away in his sleep last night. We found out this afternoon before sound-check. We've spent the entire day trying to come to grips with this and figure out as much as possible. At this time we're not sure what exactly happened. Just last night he was joking around with everyone before he went to bed. We can say with absolute certainty that he was not doing anything illegal. Please, out of respect to Casey and his family, don't contribute or succumb to any gossip you may hear. We don't want his memory to be tainted in the least.
Casey was our best friend. He was quirky and awesome and there will truly be no others like him! His loss is unexplainable. As soon as we know more we will let you know."
Calvert's death comes at a rough time for the band. Last year the band sued their label Victory, who they feel damaged their reputation by trying to manipulate the charts. In a marketing scheme to promote sales for HH's If Only You Were Lonely, Victory issued a statement encouraging fans to misplace Ne-Yo CDs (the band's main rival in the charts) in record stores to help boost the band's sales figures. However, Victory is now countersuing HH alleging they still owe the label two albums, despite signing to Virgin.
In addition, last month Wild Justice Records sued the band for breach of a verbal contract, stemming from a dispute over the management company's share of the band's revenues.
Now word has been given as to what the next step for the band will be, but currently their tour has come to a halt.
Hawthorne Heights "Saying Sorry"
