Brent Liles
Encyclopedia
Brent Harrold Liles was the bassist
for Social Distortion
from 1981–1984 and later was the bassist for Agent Orange
from 1988 - 1992. He appeared on Social Distortion's 1983 classic debut Mommy's Little Monster
before leaving the band on New Year's Day 1984, with the band's drummer Derek O'Brien. The two would once again be bandmates from 1989 to the early 1990s with Agent Orange. The Palm/Liles/O'Brien lineup of Agent Orange can be heard on the album Real Live Sound. It was Liles who originally came up with the idea of Agent Orange recording their little-known and never released album, Living in Total Darkness. This was a re-recording of the songs on their 1981 album Living in Darkness
with some newer material mixed in. This recording was made on Christmas of 1988, which is somewhat interesting due to the fact that Mommy's Little Monster was coincidentally recorded on Christmas Eve of 1982. Liles also briefly played guitar for the band Easter and Chaotic Stature. Brent also played Bass for a band in 1984 to 1986 called The Harlots, who were managed by Monk Rock, Brent's manager from his Social Distortion
days. The Harlots put out a 12 E.P. around March 1985 which was entitled Roger Roomper's Really Catchy Tunes.
He also appeared in the 1984 documentary Another State of Mind. His songwriting credits include "Mass Hysteria" with Social Distortion and "Broken Dreams" with Agent Orange. He was known for playing a Rickenbacker
fretless bass, which is rarely seen in punk rock.
Liles had been out of the musical scene since the mid 1990s, working at a convalescent home in Placentia, California
. He died on January 18, 2007, after being hit by a truck while cycling. A Social Distortion
benefit concert was held for his family at the Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana, California
on March 8, 2007. He is survived by his mother Carol Liles and daughter Maddie Liles.
Liles is the fourth member of Social Distortion to have died. Other deceased Social Distortion members include Dennis Danell
in 2000 (brain aneurysm), Randy Carr
in 2002 (Cushing's Syndrome
), and original bassist Mark Garrett (unknown cause). Additionally, former producer and organist on Mommy's Little Monster
Chaz Ramirez died in 1993 after sustaining a broken neck and head injuries in a warehouse fall.
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
for Social Distortion
Social Distortion
Social Distortion is an American punk rock band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California. The band currently consists of Mike Ness , Jonny Wickersham , Brent Harding and David Hidalgo, Jr...
from 1981–1984 and later was the bassist for Agent Orange
Agent Orange (band)
Agent Orange is an American punk rock band formed in Orange County, California in 1979. The band is one of the first to mix punk rock with surf music. They first gained attention with their song "Bloodstains" which they released on their own 7" E.P. An early demo of the song was presented to...
from 1988 - 1992. He appeared on Social Distortion's 1983 classic debut Mommy's Little Monster
Mommy's Little Monster
Mommy's Little Monster is the first album by American punk rock band Social Distortion, released in 1983 .The album was critically acclaimed but was, however, not commercially successful...
before leaving the band on New Year's Day 1984, with the band's drummer Derek O'Brien. The two would once again be bandmates from 1989 to the early 1990s with Agent Orange. The Palm/Liles/O'Brien lineup of Agent Orange can be heard on the album Real Live Sound. It was Liles who originally came up with the idea of Agent Orange recording their little-known and never released album, Living in Total Darkness. This was a re-recording of the songs on their 1981 album Living in Darkness
Living in Darkness
Living in Darkness is the 1981 release by the hardcore punk band Agent Orange. It was released on Posh Boy Records in 1981. It showcases their punk sound with its metal and surf influences....
with some newer material mixed in. This recording was made on Christmas of 1988, which is somewhat interesting due to the fact that Mommy's Little Monster was coincidentally recorded on Christmas Eve of 1982. Liles also briefly played guitar for the band Easter and Chaotic Stature. Brent also played Bass for a band in 1984 to 1986 called The Harlots, who were managed by Monk Rock, Brent's manager from his Social Distortion
Social Distortion
Social Distortion is an American punk rock band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California. The band currently consists of Mike Ness , Jonny Wickersham , Brent Harding and David Hidalgo, Jr...
days. The Harlots put out a 12 E.P. around March 1985 which was entitled Roger Roomper's Really Catchy Tunes.
He also appeared in the 1984 documentary Another State of Mind. His songwriting credits include "Mass Hysteria" with Social Distortion and "Broken Dreams" with Agent Orange. He was known for playing a Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker International Corporation, also known as Rickenbacker, is an electric and bass guitar manufacturer based in Santa Ana, California...
fretless bass, which is rarely seen in punk rock.
Liles had been out of the musical scene since the mid 1990s, working at a convalescent home in Placentia, California
Placentia, California
-Local: Placentia is a Charter city with an elected city council and professional city manager. Placentia City Council*Mayor- Scott W. Nelson*Mayor Pro Tem- Jeremy Yamaguchi*Council Member- Joe Aquirre*Council Member- Constance Underhill...
. He died on January 18, 2007, after being hit by a truck while cycling. A Social Distortion
Social Distortion
Social Distortion is an American punk rock band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California. The band currently consists of Mike Ness , Jonny Wickersham , Brent Harding and David Hidalgo, Jr...
benefit concert was held for his family at the Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana, California
Santa Ana, California
Santa Ana is the county seat and second most populous city in Orange County, California, and with a population of 324,528 at the 2010 census, Santa Ana is the 57th-most populous city in the United States....
on March 8, 2007. He is survived by his mother Carol Liles and daughter Maddie Liles.
Liles is the fourth member of Social Distortion to have died. Other deceased Social Distortion members include Dennis Danell
Dennis Danell
Dennis Eric Danell was the founding guitarist for the Southern California punk rock band Social Distortion.Danell formed Social Distortion in 1979 with frontman Mike Ness while attending high school together...
in 2000 (brain aneurysm), Randy Carr
Randy Carr
Randy Carr was born in Santa Monica, California and started playing drums at the age of 12 years old. Over the years he played drums in many rock music groups in the Orange County area of Southern California including 7th Grade, Silicone Silos, 16 Tons, and Social Distortion. Randy also played...
in 2002 (Cushing's Syndrome
Cushing's syndrome
Cushing's syndrome is a hormone disorder caused by high levels of cortisol in the blood. This can be caused by taking glucocorticoid drugs, or by tumors that produce cortisol or adrenocorticotropic hormone or CRH...
), and original bassist Mark Garrett (unknown cause). Additionally, former producer and organist on Mommy's Little Monster
Mommy's Little Monster
Mommy's Little Monster is the first album by American punk rock band Social Distortion, released in 1983 .The album was critically acclaimed but was, however, not commercially successful...
Chaz Ramirez died in 1993 after sustaining a broken neck and head injuries in a warehouse fall.
With Social Distortion
- Mainliner: Wreckage from the Past bass, backing vocals
- Mommy's Little Monster bass