Hawthorne Heights Brings Emo Nostalgia Poolside At The STRAT’s Swim & Social

Emo rock favorites Hawthorne Heights are returning to The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower’s Swim & Social for a stop on their tour on May 3. Fans can look forward to an unforgettable poolside performance filled with nostalgia, energy, and all the hits, Vegas-style!

JT Woodruff, vocalist and guitarist for the band, had some time to chat with The Blast about how they got their start in music, what's changed throughout their journey, what they love about visiting Las Vegas, and more.

Hawthorne Heights, an American emo-rock band from Ohio, got their start together in 2001 and are still going strong. They're best known for their emotional lyrics, hardcore sound, and playing a major role in the 2000s emo scene. Their music blends heavy guitar riffs with screaming vocals and catchy hooks.

Woodruff shared a little insight into how the group met and got their start.

"We were all playing in local bands in the Dayton, Ohio music scene and just kind of eventually morphed together," he told The Blast exclusively. "Back then, the internet wasn't really a way to discover people or music, so it just happened by being in a lot of the same rooms together."

He said that he credits "hanging out at all night diners after local shows, sharing mutual friends, and finding the right team of people who wanted to hit the road and live in chaos" is how it all began.

"Sometimes people enter your life forever, and sometimes it's just more faces in the halls," he continued. "But Dayton has always been our spot."

Woodruff explained that something the group is most proud of is "how we have maintained our core musical values."

"We love melody, reality, screaming, singing, loud guitars, and the beautiful blend of sandpaper and silk," he shared. "We have never really wavered from that. We didn't get too neon, never added a keyboard or banjos when the scene changed, we just remained Hawthorne Heights."

He also explained that "aggression changes as you get older" naturally, so sometimes you scream and sometimes you don't.

"I think if you are trying to write true songs, about true life issues, your palette never really gets tired or stale," he said.

Their approach to songwriting is a process that's like a "tropical storm" in the sense that it never gets "too violent," but rather always eventually becomes, "cloudy with a chance of sun."

"Hawthorne Heights is weird, because three of us write songs in different ways. I am always trying to tell a story. Matt is always trying to find a groove. Mark is trying to write the next great guitar riff," he explained. "One of the things that drive us is our ability to collaborate under extreme pressure. Sometimes it gets tense and chaotic, sometimes it flows like a gentle rain."

The band has been touring the east coast but will soon bring their show to Sin City for a night of entertainment at Swim & Social at The STRAT.

"First of all, we love Vegas. We steep ourselves in the full experience by doing everything we can. We are card sharks, coffee drinking, and neon light junkies," Woodruff told The Blast. "Being from Ohio, there is still some magic left out there for us. It doesn't really get any better than playing by a pool deck, at a world class casino."

Hawthorne Heights is excited to once again perform in Sin City, as well as hit the tables for some fun gambling while visiting.

"We are super excited to help The Strat launch their live musical adventures, in what seems like a fever dream.  We will be playing hits, swimming, and hitting the tables," he said. "We might actually stay out late for this! We are stoked to be in Las Vegas, at The Strat, and living the dream. See you at the pool."

After this tour is completed, the band has some big plans.

"2026 will be a big anniversary year for us, so we are spending 2025 writing and recording new music," Woodruff said. "We are finishing up a full USA tour with Chiodos right now, so we have scratched the itch. Festivals are always on the horizon, especially Warped Tour. Fun times abound."

Not only are they performing at Swim & Social, but fans will also have the opportunity to join the band for an exciting night of table games and then head to REMIX Lounge to keep the emo party going strong into the night.

While visiting Vegas, the band have a few spots that are a must for them.

"We have MANY spots. NOBU is a banger. Our favorite coffee is Mothership. Traveling into the desert to see all of the reds and golds is always on the schedule," Woodruff shared. "We love The STRAT, Golden Nugget, Flamingo, the classics. The punk rocker in us still hits the In-N-Out Burger late at night, along with the Punk Rock Museum."

When asked what's one thing they would love to do while visiting Sin City but haven't been able to yet, Woodruff's answer was similar to many others who visit. "We still haven't been able to get a reservation at The Golden Steer," he said. (For reference, The Blast has a reservation there in late August that was made in February. Many people book their reservation and then plan their visit to Vegas around it.)

 As far as what gambling the guys enjoy when in Vegas, they each have their favorites.

"Matt and I really like the flashing lights of the slot machines. Wheel of Fortune always draws me in, but I never win," he said. "If I am playing a table game, it's 3-card poker for me. It's fun, fast, and easy to stay even. My tip is that you don't have to bet every single hand. Sometimes you just fold."

He added, "I go to the casinos to have fun, and if I can stay above water for hours at a time, I am entirely entertained. I never leave rich, and I never leave poor. I always leave tired and fulfilled."

The STRAT Hotel, Casino, & Tower is located on the north end of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip.

The STRAT offers a unique mix of adventure, nightlife, and panoramic views. In addition to the rooftop bar and multiple dining options, The STRAT is home to Top of the World, an award-winning restaurant located 800 feet above the streets of Las Vegas. This fine dining option not only features amazing menu options and unparalleled views, but the restaurant also revolves 360 degrees every 80 minutes.

Guests can also enjoy multiple attractions, shows, and Swim & Social.

For more information on The STRAT, visit their website.