Love Equals Death
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Headquarters | Petaluma, California , United States |
| Products | Punk rock music, albums, EPs |
Love Equals Death was a punk rock group originating from Petaluma, California, known for merging elements of classic rock with horror punk. Established in 2003, their discography includes two EP releases, a compilation album, and the 2006 studio album Nightmerica. In 2007, founding bassist Dominic Davi was arrested and subsequently dismissed; he was succeeded by Ryan Sinn, formerly of The Distillers and Angels & Airwaves, which facilitated a European tour. After Sinn's exit, the band participated in the 2008 Warped Tour with a revamped lineup but ultimately disbanded when original vocalist Chon Travis departed in January 2009. Travis later revived the band in 2019, issuing new recordings via SBAM Records.
2003–05: Formation and EP Releases
Love Equals Death came together in Petaluma, California in 2003. The initial roster featured vocalist Chon Travis (previously of Loose Change and Envain), guitarist John Rosser, bassist Dominic Davi (formerly with Tsunami Bomb), and drummer Tonio Garcia-Romero. Their first appearance was a rendition of "Dammit Janet" included on the compilation The Rocky Horror Punk Rock Show released in December 2003. Their debut EP, 4 Notes on a Dying Scale, was launched through Popsmear Records, supported by performances across the San Francisco Bay Area and a nationwide U.S. tour in September 2004. A subsequent tour ran from February to April 2005.
Following Rosser’s replacement by Duffs, the band maintained their touring schedule. In July 2005, Japan’s Treasure Trunk label issued The Prelude, a compilation merging their initial EP with demo recordings. The next month brought out The Hucklebuck EP under Popsmear Records. Fat Wreck Chords signed Love Equals Death in August 2005 after label founder Fat Mike was impressed by their live performances. Between October and December 2005, they toured the United States supporting The God Awfuls and The Eyeliners.
2006: Release of Nightmerica
In November 2005, Love Equals Death recorded their full-length album Nightmerica at The Blasting Room studio located in Fort Collins, Colorado, working with producers Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore. Prior to the album’s launch, they toured the U.S., opening for bands such as Pennywise, No Use for a Name, and The Suicide Machines in January 2006, followed by shows with Tiger Army in March.
Nightmerica was officially released on March 21, 2006. Corey Apar from Allmusic characterized it as "significantly more engaging than their faux horror film image implies," highlighting its combination of late-1990s skate punk influences with innovative elements. Chris Moran of Punknews.org commended Travis’ vocal versatility and the band's precise instrumentation but noted that the album’s diverse styles resulted in an unfocused overall direction. Both critics drew parallels between Nightmerica and early works by AFI.
To promote the album, Love Equals Death produced a music video for "Pray for Me" and performed alongside groups like the Mad Caddies, Mercy Killers, Verse, Rise Against, Strike Anywhere, and Sick of It All. From May to June 2006, they toured with Time Again. In August, they opened for Death by Stereo, followed by releasing a second video for "Bombs Over Brooklyn" in October. Their touring continued through November with labelmates the Mad Caddies across the U.S.
2007: Departure of Davi
In January 2007, Love Equals Death embarked on a tour across California and the southwestern United States alongside Fat Wreck Chords artists such as NOFX, Strike Anywhere, and Dead to Me. Near the conclusion of this tour, their vehicle was broken into while in Sacramento, California, resulting in the theft of personal items. The music video for "Truth Has Failed" included guest appearances from members of Pennywise, AFI, The Suicide Machines, and No Use for a Name. Plans were underway to release a split album with Death by Stereo. That March, they toured the West Coast with AFI, Smoke or Fire, Viva Hate, The Shook Ones, and Love Me Destroyer.
On the second-to-last night of the tour, bassist Dominic Davi was taken into custody in Fullerton, California on allegations connected to an alleged sexual assault of a woman from Virginia in June 2006. Initially, vocalist Chon Travis expressed support for Davi but announced his departure from the band less than two weeks later:
We do not support any conduct related to these accusations. While we are neither judges nor jurors, we wish to continue making music. Dominic will no longer be part of Love Equals Death as this situation requires his full attention. We extend our best wishes to him.[1]
By July 2008, Davi asserted his innocence, revealing that the rape charge had been dismissed and that even the state prosecutor questioned the validity of the claim. He acknowledged that the band's choice was motivated by their need to concentrate on their career while he focused on his legal defense:
I did not commit rape. The charges were dropped in December 2007. The accuser altered her story multiple times. The band needed to prioritize their career and requested I focus on my defense. It was painful but understandable at the time.[2]
2008–09: Changes in lineup and dissolution
Love Equals Death continued their activities, scheduling a performance with the Germs in May 2007 and moving forward with plans for a split album alongside Death by Stereo. In June 2007, Ryan Sinn, previously affiliated with The Distillers and Angels & Airwaves, joined as bassist following Davi’s exit. In October, the band debuted a new track titled "Last Dance" on their Myspace page. Sinn also participated in forming the supergroup The Innocent, featuring members from Bad Religion, Bleeding Through, and No Use for a Name. November saw Love Equals Death touring with Tiger Army, followed by a headlining European tour in December encompassing 20 shows across eight countries and culminating in Bocholt, Germany.
By March 2008, Sean Jordon had replaced Sinn on bass, and Bryan Kelly-Holden was added as rhythm guitarist. This lineup performed seven dates during the 2008 Warped Tour and intended to record their follow-up to Nightmerica that August with producers Travis Richter and Lee Dyness. However, in January 2009, Chon Travis departed to pursue solo endeavors, explaining that he never fully connected with the band and sought an outlet for personal artistic expression.
In April 2009, Love Equals Death declared their disbandment, announcing their decision to "release Love Equals Death and cherish the positive experiences we shared." They officially ceased operations as a group to move past ongoing difficulties.
Activities Following the Breakup
Following the dissolution of Love Equals Death, members Duffs, Jordon, and Kelly-Holden collaborated with Shaun Phillips from the British punk group The Ruined to establish Good Knives. Drawing on tracks originally meant for Love Equals Death's sophomore album and partnering with producer Lee Dyness, Good Knives launched their self-titled record in March 2010 and embarked on a European tour.
In November 2011, Chon Travis was apprehended in Ukiah, California, facing accusations involving possession and transportation of methamphetamine and ecstasy, along with driving on a suspended license. Authorities reportedly discovered more than 11 grams of methamphetamine in his vehicle. Travis contested the allegations, asserting that the evidence was fabricated and emphasizing his cooperation with law enforcement.
Band Reformation
In 2019, Chon Travis revived Love Equals Death with an entirely new ensemble. The group issued a compilation titled The Hour of Resurrection in 2021, followed by a full-length album, Gravity and Grace, released in 2022 under SBAM Records.
Travis passed away on August 11, 2024, amid a European tour. His body was discovered alongside his guitar in a hotel room located in Stafford.
Lineup
Current
- Chris Ivy – guitar
- Matt Brown – bass guitar
- Tony Heckerman – drums
Past
- Chon Travis – lead vocals, guitar
- Johnny Myers – drums
- Tom Arnott – guitar
- Jeremy Lantz – bass
- Tim Parks – guitar
- John Rosser – guitar
- Dominic Davi – bass guitar
- Tonio Garcia-Romero – drums
- Justin "Duffs" Levine – guitar
- Ryan Sinn – bass guitar
- Sean Jordon – bass guitar
- Bryan Kelly-Holden – guitar
Discography
- Studio Albums
- Nightmerica (March 2006, Fat Wreck Chords)
- The Hour of Resurrection (October 4, 2021, SBAM Records)
- Gravity and Grace (July 2022, SBAM Records)
- Compilation Album
- The Prelude (July 2005, Treasure Trunk Records)
- Split Releases
- Love Equals Death / The Static Age (October 2020, Say-10 Records, SBAM Records)
- EPs
- 4 Notes on a Dying Scale (January 2005, Popsmear Records)
- The Hucklebuck EP (August 2005, Popsmear Records)
- Other Contributions
- The Rocky Horror Punk Rock Show (December 2003, Springman Records) – cover version of "Dammit Janet"
- Music Videos
- "The Outsiders" (2006)
- "Pray for Me" (2006)
- "Bombs Over Brooklyn" (2006)
- "Truth Has Failed" (2007)
- "Saliendo in Crastinum" (2022)
- "3420" (2024)