The group quickly earned a devoted fan following on the strength of their intense live show, and by year's end self-released a five-song eponymous EP, selling in excess of 1,000 copies. After a second EP followed in mid-2003 and surpassed sales of its predecessor, As Cities Burn quit their respective day jobs to focus on music full-time. Dixon nevertheless exited the lineup to join Oceans Firing, and with new drummer Aaron Lunsford, the quintet toured the U.S., playing some 250 dates in 2004 alone. Their growing grassroots following ultimately brought As Cities Burn to the attention of the Tooth and Nail label's Solid State subsidiary, and in June 2005, the label issued the band's debut LP, Son, I Loved You at Your Darkest. However, in June 2006 As Cities Burn posted a message to their website outlining their breakup, a decision brought on by T.J. Bonnette's pending marriage and desire to retire from the road. The group still honored their commitment to the annual Warped Tour, and played their farewell gig at New Orleans' House of Blues on August 19, 2006. ~ Jason Ankeny