EX-TAKING BACK SUNDAY MEMBER REMEMBERS LATE HAWTHORNE GUITARIST

The musical community is mourning the extremely unexpected loss of Hawthorne Heights guitarist Casey Calvert, who died in his sleep on November 24th.

The musical community is certainly reeling on the unbelievably tragic news that Casey Calvert, guitarist for Hawthorne Heights passed away this past Saturday on the band’s tour bus outside the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. Casey was found unconscious roughly around 2 pm and the death remains uncertain, and a spokesperson for the city’s chief medical examiner’s office said the results of the guitarist’s death might not be known for 90 days, pending the results of an autopsy that has already been completed. Hawthorne Heights, which just started their Wintour 2007 Tour by performing a show in Detroit, Michigan, have cancelled all remaining dates on the tour as the band comes to grips with the reality of losing one of their band mates and best friends.

We caught up with former guitarist for Taking Back Sunday, Fred Mascherino, who has toured extensively with Hawthorne Heights and who is currently touring with his latest project The Color of Fred, to get his thoughts on losing a friend at such an early age so tragically.

“We’ve done some touring with Hawthorne Heights with Taking Back Sunday and actually I even played with some of those guys when I was in Breaking Pangea in their hometown, so I know the guys in the band. Casey I knew a little bit and that was really a bad day to hear about that. I definitely just sort of said a prayer for his band and his family. I couldn’t imagine anything worse happening to anyone. Yeah, it’s a hard thing and I wish everybody peace getting over it.”

Calvert joined Hawthorne Heights in 2003, when they were still known as A Day in the Life, playing guitar on both of their albums, ‘The Silence in Black and White’ and last year’s ‘If Only You Were Lonely,’ which debuted at #3 on the Billboard albums chart. Casey Calvert is survived by two stepsisters, his mother and father, and his stepmother. As of press time the band has no plans to attempt to find a replacement for the guitarist.

Hawthorne Height’s posted this response on the bands official website “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 soundcheck. 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. Sincerely, Hawthorne Heights: Eron, JT, Micah and Matt.”