Casey decided after he parted ways with TREOS to devote his time and abilities to The Dear Hunter and make it his full-time band.

In September 2006, the band released its first album Act I: The Lake South, The River North on Triple Crown Records.

The album was widely praised by critics, despite negative feedback from fans due to its irregular and unique styles, which, though not completely unlike those of TREOS, were distinguishably different from his former band.

The Dear Hunter exploded onto the music scene in May 2007 when the band released their first full-length album, Act II: The Meaning of, and All Things Regarding Ms.

Leading, a prostitute like his mother who misleads him into believing that she loved him after a night spent alone together that ended in a loss of the boy's virginity.