A Partial Victory for Hawthorne Heights

Screamo heavyweights Hawthorne Heights won a partial victory in court when a federal judge in Chicago declared they were free to leave their label Victory. Filing a lawsuit against the label last summer, the band claimed label head Tony Brummel used "tactics” and "scheming” to increase record sales for the band, thus severely damaging the band’s reputation and relationship with their fans. In addition, the members asked the judge to declare their contract with Victory non-exclusive, giving them leeway to pursue other labels. Additionally, the band sought that the label turn the copyright of their first two albums over to the band, however, the court ruled against that claim citing additional evidence was required. Victory, on the other hand, has sued Virgin and EMI Music North America stating that the major label impeded its relationship with Hawthorne Heights, and "poached” the band from Victory despite the fact that they were still under contract to deliver two more albums.