Channel 3, aka CH3, was formed in 1980 in suburban Cerritos, about 20 miles southeast of Los Angeles, with frontman Mike Magrann, guitarist Kimm Gardener, bassist Larry Kelly and drummer Mike Burton. Signing to Posh Boy in 1981, their eponymous EP had the hit ‘Manzanar,’ which was championed by John Peel on the BBC. Posh Boy founder Robbie Fields was in the producer’s chair for their excellent debut, Fear of Life, a blistering punk assault on American values. Free from the heavy metal leanings of their later work, this no-holds-barred debut is a must for all fans of So-Cal hardcore.