Love Equals Death

Last updated
Love Equals Death
Love Equals Death 01.jpg
The band's Nightmerica lineup, left to right: Travis, Duffs, Davi, and Garcia-Romero
Background information
Origin Petaluma, California
Genres Punk rock
Years active2003 (2003)–2009 (2009), 2019 (2019)-present (present)
Labels SBÄM Records, Popsmear, Treasure Trunk, Fat Wreck Chords
Past membersChon Travis
John Rosser
Dominic Davi
Tonio Garcia-Romero
Duffs
Ryan Sinn
Sean Jordon
Bryan Kelly-Holden
Website loveequalsdeath.net

Love Equals Death was a punk rock band from Petaluma, California, whose music drew influence from classic rock and horror punk. [1] The group formed in 2003 and released two EPs, one compilation album, and one studio album, 2006's Nightmerica . They toured the United States several times, but encountered problems when founding bassist Dominic Davi was arrested in March 2007 on allegations of rape and subsequently dismissed from the band. He was replaced by former Distillers and Angels & Airwaves bassist Ryan Sinn, and the band toured Europe and the United Kingdom. After Sinn left, a retooled Love Equals Death lineup performed on the 2008 Warped Tour and planned to record a second album, but disbanded after singer and founding member Chon Travis quit in January 2009. Lead singer Chon Travis, reformed the band in 2019 and the band has new releases on SBAM records. Website www.loveequalsdeath.net

Contents

History

2003–05: Formation and EPs

Love Equals Death formed in Petaluma, California in 2003, and generally celebrated Halloween as the anniversary of their formation. [1] [2] The band's initial lineup consisted of vocalist Chon Travis (formerly of Loose Change and Envain), guitarist John Rosser, bassist Dominic Davi (formerly of Tsunami Bomb), and drummer Tonio Garcia-Romero. [1] [2] Their first release of recorded material was a cover version of "Dammit Janet" on the compilation album The Rocky Horror Punk Rock Show , released that December. [2] [3] Their debut EP, 4 Notes on a Dying Scale, was released through Popsmear Records, and the band supported it with shows in the San Francisco Bay Area and their first United States tour in September 2004. [1] [4] [5] A second tour followed from February to April 2005. [6]

Rosser was replaced by Duffs, and the group continued to tour. [1] A compilation album titled The Prelude was released in Japan in July 2005 through the Treasure Trunk label, consisting of 4 Notes on a Dying Scale along with demo tracks. [1] [7] The Hucklebuck EP was released the following month through Popsmear. [1] [8] Love Equals Death signed to Fat Wreck Chords in August 2005 after label head Fat Mike was impressed by their live performance. [1] [7] A United States tour followed from October to December 2005, supporting The God Awfuls and The Eyeliners. [9] [10]

2006: Nightmerica

Love Equals Death recorded their full-length album Nightmerica in November 2005 at The Blasting Room in Fort Collins, Colorado, with producers Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore. [11] Leading up to the album's release, they toured the United States as an opening act for Pennywise, No Use for a Name, and The Suicide Machines in January 2006, and for Tiger Army that March. [12] [13]

Nightmerica was released March 21, 2006. [1] [14] Corey Apar of Allmusic called it "way more interesting than their fake horror film façade would suggest ... Love Equals Death is really more like a multifaceted version of a late-'90s skate punk band ... promising and refreshing in its mix of old and new sounds, Nightmerica is a breath of fresh air among the ironic screamo bands of the world." [14] Chris Moran of Punknews.org complemented the range of Travis' vocals and the musicianship as "extremely tight", but felt that the songs went in too many musical directions to give the band a firm identity: "This record is just all over the map. One minute we've got some Goth Bay hardcore, the next we've got Morrissey ... Nightmerica has some really good songs. But the album itself lacks direction and seems almost rushed ... there's just too much going on for one album. Especially from a band that many are not too familiar with." [15] Both reviewers likened Nightmerica to the first four albums by AFI. [14] [15]

Love Equals Death supported the album with a music video for the song "Pray for Me" and by playing shows with the Mad Caddies, Mercy Killers, Verse, Rise Against, Strike Anywhere, Sick of It All, Stretch Arm Strong, and First Blood before touring with Time Again from May through June 2006. [16] [17] They also opened for Death by Stereo that August and released a second music video in October, for the song "Bombs Over Brooklyn". [18] [19] A tour across the United States with labelmates the Mad Caddies followed through November. [20]

2007: Davi's departure

In January 2007 Love Equals Death toured California and the southwestern United States with fellow Fat Wreck Chords acts NOFX, Strike Anywhere, and Dead to Me. [21] Towards the end of the tour, the band was robbed in Sacramento, California, when their tour van was broken into and personal belongings were stolen. [22] A music video was released for the song "Truth Has Failed", featuring cameos by members of Pennywise, AFI, The Suicide Machines, and No Use for a Name. [23] A split album with Death by Stereo was planned. [22] [24] That March they toured the west coast with AFI, Smoke or Fire, Viva Hate, The Shook Ones, and Love Me Destroyer. [25] [26] On Love Equals Death's penultimate night of the tour, bassist Dominic Davi was arrested in Fullerton, California, on charges stemming from an alleged rape of a Virginia woman in June 2006. [27] [28] Singer Chon Travis issued a statement saying "We at camp LED stand by [Davi] and hope that this will all clear up soon. We will not pass any judgement on anyone until this is settled". [28] However, less than two weeks later he announced Davi's separation from the band:

We would like to make it perfectly clear here at camp LED that we do not in any way condone any such behavior related to these charges. We, however, are not a judge or a jury and don't want to be one any time soon. We are however a band that really just wants to continue playing music. We know that these times have been severely trying for Dominic and the accuser. We hope for the best outcome for all parties. However, Dominic will no longer be playing music or working on behalf of Love Equals Death. This matter that he faces requires all of his attention right now and we wish him well as I know all of you do. [29]

In a July 2008 statement, Davi maintained his innocence and said that the charge of rape had been dropped and gave his thoughts on his departure from the band:

I want to make this absolutely clear, I never raped anyone. Ever. And the charges of rape were dropped against me back in December [2007]. Even the state prosecutor involved in this case admitted that he didn't believe I ever raped anyone. The person that made these accusations against me changed her story about what happened that night every single time she told it... It's fair to say that the guys in Love Equals Death freaked out when all of this happened. I don't blame them for that – there isn't a guide book to follow in a situation like this. They made it clear to me that they needed to focus on the band and their career as best as they could, and that it would be best for me to focus on my defense. It hurt at the time, but I knew I did have to focus on defending myself. [30]

2008–09: Lineup changes and disbanding

Love Equals death remained active, scheduling a May 2007 performance with the Germs and stating they had written new songs and would still be releasing a split album with Death by Stereo. [31] In June 2007 Ryan Sinn, formerly of The Distillers and Angels & Airwaves, joined the band as Davi's replacement. [32] [33] The group premiered a new song, "Last Dance", that October through their Myspace profile, while Sinn also formed a supergroup called The Innocent with Brooks Wackerman of Bad Religion, Brandan Schieppati of Bleeding Through, and Dave Nassie of No Use for a Name. [34] [35] Love Equals Death toured with Tiger Army in November, then travelled to Europe and the United Kingdom for a headlining tour through December. [36]

By March 2008 Sinn had been replaced by Sean Jordon, and Bryan Kelly-Holden had joined the band as rhythm guitarist. [37] This lineup played seven dates of the 2008 Warped Tour and planned to record their follow-up to Nightmerica that August with producers Travis Richter and Lee Dyness. [37] [38] However, Chon Travis left Love Equals Death in January 2009, citing a desire to pursue a solo project:

Love Equals Death proved to be a strong band and a fun band to be in, but I never felt comfortable in the band. I never felt like it was my band or that I was really a part of everyone else here ... Right before I joined LED, I started a solo project that I put on the back burner, because things were going well with LED and I ended up getting too busy to focus on it. I kept writing songs for both LED and the solo shit, knowing one day I would have to part ways with LED to fulfill my desire to express myself the way I had always dreamed. I was going to do this sooner and then [Davi was arrested]. So I stayed to help get the band back on track and I never leave anything on a negative note. [39]

That April Love Equals Death announced their breakup, saying "It's been a back and forth battle with everyone here to move on or to let go of this thing we love so much. We have decided to let go of Love Equals Death and preserve the good times we had and the hurdles we had to overcome. We will no longer be functioning as a band and will be calling it quits." [40]

Post-breakup activity

Following Love Equals Death's disbanding, Duffs, Jordon, and Kelly-Holden formed a new band, Good Knives, with singer Shaun Phillips of British punk rock band The Ruined. [41] [42] Using songs they had written for Love Equals Death's proposed second album and working with producer Lee Dyness, the group released an eponymously titled album in March 2010 and toured Europe. [41] [43] [44]

In November 2011 Chon Travis was arrested in Ukiah, California, and jailed on charges of methamphetamine and ecstasy use, possession and transport of methamphetamine for sale, and driving with a suspended license, after police reportedly found more than 11 grams of methamphetamine in his car. [45] [46] Travis denied the accusations, claiming the evidence had been planted and that he had tried to cooperate with the police. [45]

Reformation

In 2019 Chon Travis reformed Love Equals Death with a new lineup. A compilation, The Hour of Resurrection(2021) and a new full length album, Gravity and Grace(2022), were released on SBAM Records.

Members

Discography

Studio album
Compilation album
Splits

(October 2020 , Say-10 records ,SBAM records )

EPs
Other appearances
Music videos

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NOFX</span> American punk rock band

NOFX is an American punk rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1983. Bassist/lead vocalist Fat Mike, rhythm guitarist Eric Melvin and drummer Erik Sandin are original founding and longest-serving members of the band, who have appeared on every release of the band, although Sandin departed briefly in 1985, only to rejoin the following year. El Hefe joined the band in 1991 to play lead guitar and trumpet, rounding out the current line-up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guttermouth</span> American punk rock band

Guttermouth is an American punk rock band formed in 1989 in Huntington Beach, California. They have released nine full-length studio albums and two live albums and have toured extensively, including performances on the Vans Warped Tour. They are infamous for their outrageous lyrics and behavior which are deliberately explicit, offensive and intended to shock, though usually in a humorous and sarcastic manner. This behavior has sometimes resulted in high-profile problems for the band, such as being banned from performing in Canada for eighteen months and leaving the 2004 Warped Tour amidst controversy over their political views and attitudes towards other performers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Explosion</span> American punk rock band

The Explosion is an American punk rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. On February 13, 2007, the band announced that they had left Virgin Records, and on April 30, 2007, that they were to split up. On September 4, 2007, the band played their final show in New York though they have subsequently played multiple reunion shows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Social Distortion</span> American punk rock band

Social Distortion is an American punk rock band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California. The band currently consists of Mike Ness, Jonny Wickersham, Brent Harding, David Hidalgo Jr. (drums), and David Kalish (keyboards).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rufio</span> American rock band

Rufio was an American rock band from Rancho Cucamonga, California, United States, in 2000. They released four studio albums: Perhaps, I Suppose (2001); MCMLXXXV (2003); The Comfort of Home (2005); and Anybody Out There (2010).

Tsunami Bomb is an American punk rock band from Petaluma, California. They were formed in 1998 by bassist Dominic Davi, with keyboardist/vocalist Oobliette Sparks and later joined by drummer Gabe Lindeman. With vocalist Emily Whitehurst aka "Agent M" they would become a staple of Warped Tour and toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan, going through a number of lineup changes until they disbanded in 2005 after releasing two full length albums and a number of EP's. In 2015 the band reformed with new vocalist Kate Jacobi and later guitarist Andy Pohl and has remained active since, touring and appearing on a variety of festivals.

Trustkill Records was an American independent record label that started as a hardcore punk fanzine in April 1993. It started releasing hardcore, metal and rock records and merchandise in 1994. In 2010, the president of Trustkill, Josh Grabelle, formed a new label called Bullet Tooth Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atom Willard</span> American drummer (born 1973)

Adam David "Atom" Willard is an American drummer who has been a member of several notable musical acts. His career began in 1990 when he joined Rocket from the Crypt, with whom he remained until 2000. Subsequently, he joined the Special Goodness, the Offspring, and in 2005 became a founding member of Angels & Airwaves. In 2007 Willard departed from the Offspring to focus on his work with Angels & Airwaves, and in April 2009 he also joined Social Distortion, but left the following March. In June 2011, he joined the band Danko Jones and in October 2011 amicably left Angels & Airwaves. From 2013 to 2020, he was the drummer for Against Me! until their indefinite hiatus. Currently he is playing in the bands Plosivs, Lektron, and Alkaline Trio.

Ryan Sinn is the bassist for The Distillers. He currently resides in San Diego, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Clavin</span> American musician

Chris Clavin is an American musician and record label owner from Indiana, United States, with a strict DIY (do-it-yourself) punk ethic. He has been involved in numerous punk bands and ran Plan-It-X Records, a label founded in 1994.

<i>This Is a Stick Up... Dont Make It a Murder</i> 2006 studio album by Hit the Lights

This Is a Stick Up... Don't Make It a Murder is the first full-length album from Hit the Lights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Modern Life Is War</span> American hardcore punk band

Modern Life Is War is an American hardcore punk band formed in Marshalltown, Iowa, in 2002. During Modern Life Is War's six-year original run, the band released three full-length albums and one self-titled 7-inch EP. Despite a growing profile on the underground hardcore circuit, and garnering critical acclaim from numerous musical outlets, Modern Life Is War announced its dissolution in early 2008; however, the band reunited in 2012.

The Static Age are an American post punk band originally from Burlington, Vermont and now based in Chicago, IL. The band's style blends elements of post-punk, alternative, shoegaze, synth pop and indie rock and they have released five albums and a handful of EPs and singles as well as toured extensively across both North America and Europe.

<i>Mutiny!</i> 2006 album by Set Your Goals

Mutiny! is the debut studio album by the rock band Set Your Goals. Within the first three months of 2006, the band signed to independent label Eulogy Recordings and recorded the album with Barrett Jones in Seattle, Washington. Immediately following recording, the band embarked on two tours across the United States. Before releasing Mutiny in July, the album was preceded by the single release of the title track. The band subsequently toured the US, either as a supporting act or headlining, into mid-2007. After appearing on that year's Warped Tour, the group toured across Europe before closing out the year with another US tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Menzingers</span> American punk rock band

The Menzingers are an American punk rock band from Scranton, Pennsylvania, formed in 2006. The band consists of Greg Barnett, Tom May, Eric Keen (bass) and Joe Godino (drums). To date, the band has released eight studio albums, with their most recent, Some Of It Was True, released on October 13, 2023.

<i>Mariachi El Bronx</i> (2009 album) 2009 studio album by The Bronx

Mariachi El Bronx is the fourth studio album by the Los Angeles rock band The Bronx, released on September 1, 2009 through Swami Records in the United States and Wichita Recordings in the United Kingdom. It marks a divergence from the band's usual hardcore punk and hard rock sound in favor of a mariachi style. To promote and perform the album the band adopted the alter ego persona "Mariachi El Bronx", and have performed under both identities concurrently.

<i>Agents of the Underground</i> 2009 studio album by Strung Out

Agents of the Underground is the 7th studio album from American punk band, Strung Out. This album celebrates the 20th anniversary of the band, and was released on September 29, 2009 through Fat Wreck Chords. This was notably their second album to chart on Billboard, reaching #196.

<i>...Is a Real Boy</i> 2004 studio album by Say Anything

...Is a Real Boy is the second studio album by American rock band Say Anything, released on August 3, 2004.

<i>Nightmerica</i> 2006 studio album by Love Equals Death

Nightmerica is the only studio album released by American punk band Love Equals Death. It was released in 2006 on Fat Wreck Chords.

The Bombpops are an American punk rock band formed in San Diego, California, United States in 2007. The band was formed by co-front women Jen Razavi and Poli van Dam, and has seen many formation changes since 2007. The band is signed to Fat Wreck Chords.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Apar, Corey. "Biography: Love Equals Death". Allmusic . Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  2. 1 2 3 "Ex-Tsunami Bomb and Envain Members Form Love Equals Death". Punknews.org. 2004-01-25. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  3. 1 2 "The Rocky Horror Punk Rock Show". Allmusic . Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  4. 1 2 "4 Notes on a Dying Scale". Allmusic . Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  5. ↑ "Tours: Love Equals Death on the Road Supporting New EP". Punknews.org. 2004-08-27. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  6. ↑ "Tours: Love Equals Death on the Road, New Demos Online". Punknews.org. 2005-02-26. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  7. 1 2 Paul, Aubin (2005-08-10). "Fat Signs Love Equals Death". Punknews.org. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  8. 1 2 "The Hucklebuck EP". Allmusic . Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  9. ↑ "Tours: God Awfuls with The Eyeliners and Love Equals Death". Punknews.org. 2005-09-14. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  10. ↑ "The Eyeliners Continue Tour with The God Awfuls, Love Equals Death". Punknews.org. 2005-11-07. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  11. ↑ "Love Equals Death in the Studio with Producer Bill Stevenson". Punknews.org. 2005-11-07. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  12. ↑ Paul, Aubin (2005-11-24). "Tours: Pennywise Tour with No Use for a Name, Suicide Machines, Love Equals Death; Australian dates". Punknews.org. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  13. ↑ "Tours: Love Equals Death Dates with Tiger Army; Tiger Army Opening for Morrissey". Punknews.org. 2006-02-13. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Apar, Corey. "Review: Nightmerica". Allmusic . Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  15. 1 2 Moran, Chris (2006-03-31). "Review: Love Equals Death – Nightmerica". Punknews.org. Retrieved 2011-11-26.
  16. ↑ "Love Equals Death Music Video, New Website, Interpunk Giveaway". Punknews.org. 2006-03-24. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  17. ↑ "Tours: Love Equals Death / Time Again". Punknews.org. 2006-05-03. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  18. ↑ "Death by Stereo Regroups with Jarod Alexander, Jim Miner". Punknews.org. 2006-08-30. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  19. ↑ "Media: Love Equals Death Post New Video". Punknews.org. 2006-10-18. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  20. ↑ "Tours: Mad Caddies / Love Equals Death / Sicker Than Others depart on the Autumn's Up Tour". Punknews.org. 2006-10-29. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  21. ↑ "Tours: NOFX / Strike Anywhere / Love Equals Death / Dead to Me (California, Southwest US)". Punknews.org. 2006-12-21. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  22. 1 2 "Love Equals Death Robbed". Punknews.org. 2007-01-31. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  23. ↑ "Media: Love Equals Death Release Video for 'Truth Has Failed'". Punknews.org. 2007-01-18. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  24. ↑ "Death by Stereo Plans Split with Love Equals Death, Recording with Original Lineup". Punknews.org. 2006-12-24. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  25. ↑ "Tours: Love Equals Death with AFI, Smoke or Fire". Punknews.org. 2007-02-06. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  26. ↑ "Tours: Smoke or Fire". Punknews.org. 2007-02-15. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  27. 1 2 Moran, Chris (2007-03-26). "Love Equals Death Bassist Arrested and Held in Alleged Rape of VA Woman". Punknews.org. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  28. 1 2 "Love Equals Death Bassist Arrested on Rape Allegation". Alternative Press . 2007-03-26. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  29. 1 2 "Love Equals Death Parts Ways with Dominic Davi". Punknews.org. 2007-04-08. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  30. ↑ Paul, Aubin (2008-07-08). "Dominic Davi Talks About Last Year's Rape Accusation". Punknews.org. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  31. ↑ "Love Equals Death Continuing On, Plans Shows with the Germs". Punknews.org. 2007-04-19. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  32. 1 2 "Ryan Sinn Joins Love Equals Death". Punknews.org. 2007-06-13. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  33. ↑ "Ryan Sinn (Ex-Angels & Airwaves) Joins Love Equals Death". Alternative Press . 2007-06-13. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  34. ↑ "Media: Love Equals Death: 'Last Dance'". Punknews.org. 2007-10-13. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  35. ↑ Paul, Aubin (2007-10-16). "No Use, Bad Religion, Love Equals Death, Bad Religion Members Form The Innocent". Punknews.org. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  36. ↑ "Tours: Love Equals Death". Punknews.org. 2007-11-08. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  37. 1 2 "Love Equals Death Join Warped Tour, Welcome New Members". Punknews.org. 2008-03-30. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  38. ↑ "Love Equals Death Set to Record New Full Length in August". Punknews.org. 2008-05-19. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  39. ↑ "Vocalist Leaves Love Equals Death". Punknews.org. 2009-01-09. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  40. ↑ "Break-ups: Love Equals Death (2003-2009)". Punknews.org. 2009-04-27. Retrieved 2011-11-25.
  41. 1 2 "Who Are These Guys?". goodknivesband.com. Good Knives. Retrieved 2011-11-26.
  42. ↑ "Good Knives (Ex-Love Equals Death) Preview New Tracks from Upcoming Album". Punknews.org. 2010-01-26. Retrieved 2011-11-26.
  43. ↑ "Good Knives". Allmusic . Retrieved 2011-11-26.
  44. ↑ "Tours: Good Knives (Europe)". Punknews.org. 2010-10-04. Retrieved 2011-11-26.
  45. 1 2 "Former Love Equals Death Vocalist Charged with Meth Possession". Punknews.org. 2011-11-21. Retrieved 2011-11-26.
  46. ↑ "Police Roundup". The Ukiah Daily Journal. 2011-11-18. Retrieved 2011-11-26.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.