Post-hardcore/emo-pop quintet Hawthorne Heights came to life in the summer of 2001. Originally called A Day in the Life, the Dayton, OH, collective saw numerous lineup changes and shifting music styles before settling on its current formation. Composed of drummer Eron Bucciarelli, bassist Matt Ridenour, vocalist/guitar player J.T. Woodruff, and guitarists Casey Calvert and Micah Carli, Hawthorne Heights built their fan base on a solid demo and a series of self-booked national tours that saw them sharing the stage with the likes of From Autumn to Ashes and the Descendents. In 2003, they signed with Chicago label Victory Records, resulting in the 2004 release of their powerful full-length debut, The Silence in Black and White. As the guys relentlessly toured behind it, the album became Victory's highest-selling debut, while their lead single, "Ohio Is for Lovers," slowly invaded ock radio, MTV, and teenage hearts across the country.

Their follow-up, If Only You Were Lonely, as well as the DVD =This Is Who We Are, arrived in 2006. Leading up to the album's release, Victory urged street team members to help it debut above urban singer Ne-Yo, whose own hyped release came out on the same day. Questionable promotional tactics included rearranging store displays to hide Ne-Yo's record and make Hawthorne Heights' more prominent. Lonely debuted at number three on the charts, though, unsurprisingly, more than a few eyebrows were raised in the band and label's direction. Regardless, the album continued to sell well, as its first single, "Saying Sorry," garnered airplay on many a modern ock radio station.