Danger Zone is the debut EP by the American hardcore punk band China White.
A longer early version of the title track, "Dangerzone", recorded in June 1980, would be later released as "Danger Zone" on the 1983 New Underground Records compilation album Life Is Beautiful So Why Not Eat Health Foods?
Contents
Production and release
Record producer by Mike Patton and Thom Wilson, Danger Zone was recorded at Redondo Pacific Studios in Redondo Beach, California.
The EP was released by Frontier Records in 1981 on 12-inch vinyl disc..
Cover art
The photo on the front cover, portraying a murder scene, was taken by Southern Californian punk photographer Edward Colver.
"The most interesting attribute of 1981's Dangerzone 12" ... was its Edward Colver cover shot of a murder scene he came across after a Fear show, using the available light of a police car."
The band members photographs on the back cover were taken by Glen E. Friedman, another American photographer.
Critical reception
Charles P. Lamey of Trouser Press was of the view that:
"China White ... was an early force on the California beach-punk scene. These six songs show them to be a solid hardcore unit, playing loud, fast and spirited, lacking only distinctiveness."
Reissues
In 1996, Danger Zone was re-released on a split CD shared with the Flyboys' self-titled EP from 1980.
In 2013, Frontier, in collaboration with Burger Records, reissued the original EP as a 300-copy limited edition, hand-numbered cassette.
Personnel
China White
Marc Martin (name misspelled as Mark) – vocals
Frank Ruffino (surname misspelled as Raffino) – guitar
James Rodriguez – bass
Joey Ruffino (surname misspelled as Raffino) – drums
Production
Mike Patton – Record producer
Thom Wilson – production
Diane Zincavage – graphic design
Edward C. Colver – photography (front cover)
Glen E. Friedman – photography (back cover)