Laura Beard (October 6, 1979 – March 23, 1997) was an American musician, renowned for her roles as a bassist, guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. She gained prominence as the co-founder of the post-hardcore/emo/punk band The Fall On Deaf Ears (FODE), which she established in 1996 alongside Cedric Bixler-Zavala, known for his work with At The Drive-In, and Clint Newsom, who was associated with Rhythm Of Black Lines and The Hades Kick. Beard collaborated closely with her lifelong friend Sarah Reiser, who contributed guitar to FODE. One of their early projects, Rope, made history as the first all-female band to achieve recognition within the male-dominated West Texas punk scene. In addition to their musical endeavors, Laura and Sarah published a feminist "riot grrrl" zine titled Femme Fatale. Tragically, both artists lost their lives in a car accident at the age of 17; following their deaths, Bixler and Newsom released posthumous material and dedicated several songs and records to them.

Raised in El Paso, Texas, Laura began her musical journey with Sarah during their early teenage years. They first formed Rope and later joined The Glitter Girls, an all-girl punk band initiated by Laura's classmate, Kristin Woodward. This band included Clint Newsom, whose cousin Amanda was also a member. As Rope gained traction in the local scene, Laura and Sarah crossed paths with Cedric Bixler-Zavala, an influential drummer and vocalist involved in multiple bands, including Foss, Dregtones, and the acclaimed At The Drive-In. Laura and Sarah provided backing vocals for ATDI's second 7" single, "The Bedlam in Goliath," released on Cedric's label Western Breed Records in 1995, and soon began performing alongside him. Newsom joined soon after, leading to the formation of The Fall On Deaf Ears. Although the band had a brief existence, it was notably active, performing live extensively. In May 1996, FODE recorded a five-song demo tape with Mike Major at Rosewood Studios. They amicably disbanded later that year, with their final performance taking place at The Rugburn in El Paso.

In early 1997, Laura resumed making music with Sarah, focusing on acoustic guitars and vocals. The duo managed to perform one concert, opening for Long Hind Legs and Thrones. Their lives were cut short in a car accident while returning home from Austin to El Paso, merely 20 miles from their destination, resulting in their vehicle rolling over near Fabens, Texas. A third passenger survived the crash. Laura Beard and Sarah Reiser were interred at Memory Gardens of the Valley in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, resting under a shared tombstone adorned with a guitar and a ribbon that reads: "Best friends." That same year, Clint Newsom and Cedric Bixler released a commemorative 7" split on Western Breed, featuring Rope and two tracks from FODE on the B-side. The third single from ATDI, "One Armed Scissor," and a 7" split by Ex Impetus and Egon were both dedicated to Laura and Sarah. Additionally, Cedric Bixler later penned the song "Napoleon Solo" for ATDI's second album, which reflected on the tragic loss. In 2002, Newsom facilitated the release of a self-titled CD EP by Fall On Deaf Ears, which included the band's May 1996 demo, published by Post-Parlo Records based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.