Love Equals Death

Love Equals Death
The band's Nightmerica lineup, left to right: Travis, Duffs, Davi, and Garcia-Romero
Background information
Origin	Petaluma, California, United States
Genres	Punk rock
Years active	2003 (2003)–2009 (2009)
Labels	Popsmear, Treasure Trunk, Fat Wreck Chords
Associated acts	Loose Change, Envain, Tsunami Bomb, Eye Defy, 26 mph, The Distillers, Angels & Airwaves, The Innocent, Good Knives
Website	myspace.com/loveequalsdeath
Past members	Chon Travis John Rosser Dominic Davi Tonio Garcia-Romero Duffs Ryan Sinn Sean Jordon Bryan Kelly-Holden

Love Equals Death was a punk rock band from Petaluma, California, whose music drew influence from classic rock and horror punk. 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.

Love Equals Death formed in Petaluma, California in 2003, and generally celebrated Halloween as the anniversary of their formation. 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. 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. 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. A second tour followed from February to April 2005.

Rosser was replaced by Duffs, and the group continued to tour. 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.The Hucklebuck EP was released the following month through Popsmear. Love Equals Death signed to Fat Wreck Chords in August 2005 after label head Fat Mike was impressed by their live performance. A United States tour followed from October to December 2005, supporting The God Awfuls and The Eyeliners.