Channel Three / Spider / Love Equals Death – The Sardine, San Pedro, CA, November 18th 2022

The small shows are always the best because you can get right up next to the band, get hit with a microphone, exchange banter with band members, and not get thrown out for occasionally stepping on the stage. That’s how it was at this cozy, intimate, and explosive show at The Sardine in the shipping port city of San Pedro, California. The Sardine is a clean little corner bar that caters to the aging punk rock crowd like me, located in the somewhat grimy seaport section of Los Angeles county. I rarely drink, but I often imbibe in quality punk rock, preferably served fast and loud, right in my face. All three bands on the bill made my dreary one and a half hour drive from Rancho Cucamonga worth the time, effort, and price of gas. Upon entering, I noticed the free play foosball table, then the cool punk rock/skateboard influenced artwork throughout, a record bin with punk rock albums for sale, and Randy Stodola, of the legendary Alley Cats mingling about.

The stage area was behind the bar wall, also decorated with punk-inspired artwork, and the stage itself had a bit of ironic homespun flavor with a decorative lamp sitting atop an antique-looking endtable sitting at stage right. It was here that I discovered another band to love: Love Equals Death. These three guys churn out high-energy, steady-driving and melodic punk rock, with vocals you can actually understand. It is led by the affable bassist/vocalist Chon Travis who channels both talent and charisma from his instrument. I did detect just a hint of metal from time to time, but overall, Love Equals Death churns out no-fills, crunchy and pleasantly buzz-filled punk ‘n’ roll with thoughtful and evocative lyrics. You can slam dance while pondering existence if you like. I particularly liked the song Flight of the Banshee because it conjured a mental image of a warlike female spirit that wanted to destroy me…just like a couple of former girlfriends. Check out Love Equals Death on Facebook, but if you go on YouTube, be careful because there is also a bro-punk band with the same name (they are pretty good too.) Love Equals Death‘s full length album, Gravity And Grace, is avalible via SBÄM Records.

Spider was up next and was without question the most energetic and explosive band of the night. Vocalist Hector Martinez, guitarist Karl Izumi, bassist Brian Seidel and drummer Alf Silva create an astounding malestrom of coordinated sound in the punk rock vein that rides the boundary of chaos and extreme precision. All band members are in perpetual motion except for the occasional moments when the music slows down so it can build and explode again with the angry hornet guitar, beast of bass, and drums of detonation. These guys move and jump around so much it is a show in itself just to watch them move. If you are in the audience when Spider plays, you better move too. Move because the music demands it and move because if you don’t, Hector’s swinging microphone might hit you in the face when he throws it forward and quickly jerks it back again. (He usually catches it too.) Standout tunes include Energy Gone Wrong (you know it’s good just by the title), the ominously-building The Reeperbahn, and a new one entitled Riptide. Fun fact: Hector uses an electronic megaphone for intriguing effect during the last two mentioned songs. It is not an exaggeration to say that Spider is one of the best punk rock bands I have ever heard. Judge my judgement by listening for yourself via Bandcamp, while you are there, pick up the eponmyous EP on super-cool colored vinyl, and don’t forget to experience Spider live!

When Channel Three was ready to play, guitarist/vocalist Mike Magrann asked me to chant some Buddhist suttras before the band began its set. Somehow, Mike knew that I used to be a Buddhist monk, so I got onstage and explained to the audience that I really was a Buddhist monk at one time, but I missed skateboarding and music….so I eventually ended up on The Sardine stage. I sang the introduction to evening chanting, and some of The Four Protective Mediations. The audience response was silence and many bewildered expressions. On the CH3 blog, Mike claims I said: “Om mani padme hum…” but I that’s not correct because I don’t do that Tibetan stuff. Just before launching into the old favorite Out of Control, Mike created a backyard party ambiance with his self-depreciating humor, continued dialogue with audience members, and overall casual presence.

The audence was anything but casual with the old timers singing along to every song and the old guy pit began and continued with a strong swirl. Audience favorites (based on crowd chorus volume) were Fear of Life, Indian Summer, Catholic Boy, Manzanar, You Make Me Feel Cheap and the show closer, I’ve Got A Gun. But let’s back up a bit. Before the band began The Last Time I Drank (I Thought of You), Mike explained that back in 1985, the band took a strange turn and put out a “hair metal album.” That album of the same name as the title song was not really hair metal, but the cover was hair metal-ish and humorously cringeworthy. Mike laughed and said they lost half of their fans because of that one. After finishing, he said: “Not so bad….right?” Right. During You Make Me Feel Cheap, the boys were backed up by San Pedro local Alisha Truman, who also sings for a band named Fired. Of course we all shouted the lyrics in unison, and afterward, Mike proclaimed: “These songs are older than your fuckin’ mother!” While that is true, for me, I felt 18 again and the night turned back into  the early ’80s for about one wonderful hour. Of course, as I mentioned, the set ended with I’ve Got a Gun. No encore. That was okay, it was late.

Channel Three is still out there plugging away, so if you get a chance drive on over and check it out. A new double album is set for release sometime after the holidays and will be titled: 40 on Hostage Records. Mike also informed me of an upcoming book he is working on that is near completion. However, he is tight-lipped about the specific contents so you will have to keep your eyes open for that. One more thing, check out the Channel Three blog. I’m amazed that the lamp and endtable were not destroyed by the end of this show.

Live photography courtesy of Jeff Terranova who can be found on Instagram and Flickr