Social Distortion
Encyclopedia
Social Distortion is an American punk rock
band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California
. The band currently consists of Mike Ness
(vocals, guitars), Jonny Wickersham
(guitars), Brent Harding
(bass) and David Hidalgo, Jr.
(drums).
Social Distortion temporarily disbanded in 1985, due to frontman Ness' drug addiction and troubles with the law, which resulted in extended stints in various rehabilitation centers, that lasted for two years. However, the band reformed around 1986 and have continued being active today, even after the death of longtime guitarist Dennis Danell
, who succumbed to a brain aneurysm in 2000. Since its inception the band lineup has been a virtual revolving-door of talent, with many members coming and going – Ness has been the only constant member.
To date, Social Distortion has released seven full-length studio albums, two compilations
, one live album and two DVDs. The band released its debut album Mommy's Little Monster
in 1983, which was very popular in the United States. Social Distortion did not release a second album, Prison Bound
, until 1988. That album attracted the attention of Epic Records
, who signed the band in 1989 and issued their highly successful self-titled third album
a year later, which peaked at number 128 on the U.S. Billboard 200
, and featured their well-known hit singles "Ball and Chain", "Story of My Life" and the cover of Johnny Cash
's "Ring of Fire
." The next three albums, Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell
, White Light, White Heat, White Trash
, Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll
and the Greatest Hits
compilation (which spawned the previously unreleased hit "Far Behind
") were also well-received. Their most recent studio album is 2011's Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes
, which entered the Billboard 200 at #4, marking their highest entry on that chart. According to Ness, there is talk of an eighth studio album, which will likely be released in 2013.
, inspired by British punk bands and also by older acts such as The Rolling Stones
. The original lineup consisted of Ness on lead guitar, Rikk
and Frank Agnew
on guitars, and Casey Royer
on drums. Ness met Dennis Danell
, who was a year older, in high school and insisted he join the band on bass guitar even though Danell had never played an instrument before. When Danell was brought in, Frank, Rikk and Casey left to join The Adolescents
. Mike and Dennis remained the only constant members for the next two decades, with bass and drums changing hands every few years. The Adolescents song "Kids of the Black Hole" and Social Distortion song "The Playpen" chronicled this period of the band's history.
Its first single, Mainliner/Playpen featuring Ness on guitar and vocals, Dennis on bass, and Carrot on drums was released in 1981 on Posh Boy, the label responsible for releasing the first singles and albums of many of the local O.C. punk bands. A disc jockey by the name of Rodney Bingenheimer
of KROQ-FM
was responsible for much of the radio play in Orange County, California
, that punk received in the early 80's, and took a liking to Social Distortion, releasing the single "1945" on his 1981 compilation album, Rodney on the ROQ, Blood On The ROQ in 1983, and The Best Of Rodney On The ROQ in 1989.
In 1982, the band—now consisting of Ness, Danell (who now played rhythm guitar), Brent Liles
on bass, and Derek O'Brien on drums—embarked on their first national tour with fellow punk band Youth Brigade
, a trip chronicled in the punk rockumentary
Another State of Mind, which was not released until 1984.
. The album was released in early 1983 on their own label, 13th Floor Records. Mommy's Little Monster includes the title track as well as the song for which the previous tour was named, "Another State of Mind
". This was the album that "gained the band a national name in punk circles".
In 1984 the band was featured in the seminal punk rockumentary, Another State of Mind, which was written, produced and directed by Peter Stuart and Adam Small (co-creator of "Mad TV").
Ness mentions in his DVD commentary that he really had nowhere to stay when he got back to California after the tour ended, so he would crash on the couch of whoever would have him. He details how he plunged headfirst into serious drug addiction and ended up being strung out on heroin for weeks at a time. In 1983, Liles and O'Brien left the band in the middle of a show on New Year's Eve, and were replaced soon thereafter by Ness' high school friend John Maurer
and a man named Bob Stubbs. This line-up lasted only a short time until Christopher Reece
joined on drums. Ness's drug habit continued throughout 1984 and 1985 as the band continued to gain success with Another State of Mind appearing as one of the punk rarities on MTV, and touring in California and Arizona. As a result of Ness's escalating drug habit and troubles with the law, Social Distortion briefly went on hiatus in 1985. During this time, Ness was in and out of various rehabilitation centers and jails.
, two years later in 1988—over five years after their debut. The album included then-newcomers John Maurer on bass and Christopher Reece on drums. Although Prison Bound never charted on Billboard, the title track still receives extensive airplay on Los Angeles radio station, KROQ-FM
.
A notable style change takes place in Prison Bound. While Mommy's Little Monster falls under the general category of punk rock
or hardcore punk
, Prison Bound takes on a definite country/western
flavor and marks the start of the band's entrance into a style called "cowpunk
." Country legend Johnny Cash
and The Rolling Stones
' honky tonk
style became more prominent influences on Social Distortion's music at this time. There are references to Cash and the Stones in the songs "Prison Bound" and "On My Nerves," and they also cover a Stones song titled "Backstreet Girl," which has a major key
sound that foreshadows the more focused cowpunk sound of the later albums.
Five years had passed since releasing its debut. The success was just beginning and, in fact, taking time between albums became a pattern for Social Distortion. Ness acknowledges in a 2003 interview that it is a little backward, marketing-wise, to play songs for the fans for a few years before recording them—but it has always worked well for them. "We know which songs are going to be fan favorites on the record before we even record them."
and signed with Epic
. The band then returned to the studio around the summer/fall of 1989, with producer Dave Jerden
, to begin recording their self-titled third album, Social Distortion
, which was released in 1990. It was Social Distortion's first album that was not financed by the band. The album includes the singles "Ball and Chain" and 'Story of My Life" as well as a cover of Johnny Cash
's "Ring of Fire
". The self-titled album fared better than both Mommy's Little Monster and Prison Bound, and is often credited as Social Distortion's best known work, with sales continuing twenty-one years after its release. It is also sometimes cited as among the best rock albums of 1990—the album is said to "split the difference between rockabilly and Ramones-style punk."
The fourth album, Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell
, was released in 1992. The album included two hit singles—"Bad Luck", and "When She Begins". Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell surpassed all their previous albums in popularity. "Bad Luck". The album has a similar sound to the previous, eponymous, album, said to be a blend of "punk, blues, country and rockabilly". After the release of this album, drummer Christopher Reece
left Social Distortion in 1994 and was replaced by Randy Carr
. Carr toured with the band and played drums on live performances until he left in 1995.
The band took another hiatus after the release of Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell, and did not return to the studio until 1995. During the break, Social Distortion released a compilation album, Mainliner: Wreckage From the Past
(1995), featuring pre-Mommy's Little Monster
cuts. It contains two versions of "1945" and "Playpen" from their two indie labels, 13th Floor, and Posh Boy
, and also a cover of The Rolling Stones
' "Under My Thumb
".
In June 1994, the band began demoing songs for the fifth album, then returned to the studio in 1995 to record White Light, White Heat, White Trash
, which was released in 1996. The album is said to have taken on a harder sound than those preceding it, and to not focus as much on their previous blues and rockabilly sound. The single "I Was Wrong
" received wide radio play and is said to resemble "the classic sound more than any other track on the album". The album also features the singles "When the Angels Sing," which is said to be a tribute to Ness's grandmother, who was an avid supporter of the band, and "Don't Drag Me Down". The album also included a re-recorded version of "Under My Thumb", a cover of The Rolling Stones, as a hidden track
. Former Danzig
drummer Chuck Biscuits
joined the band between the recording and release of the album, and is credited in the liner notes although this album actually features session drummer Deen Castronovo
. White Light, White Heat, White Trash was the final Social Distortion album recorded with Dennis Danell
before his death.
for the first time in eight years. It released its first (and only) live album, Live at the Roxy
in 1998. Social Distortion went on hiatus again as Ness went solo, releasing two albums, Cheating at Solitaire
and Under the Influences
, featuring song covers, in 1999.
Dennis Danell died on February 29, 2000 in his Newport Beach home after apparently suffering a brain aneurysm
, leaving Ness as the only remaining original member of the band. There have been some rumors claiming that the band broke up again, following his death. He was replaced by former U.S. Bombs
, Cadillac Tramps and L.A.'s Youth Brigade
guitarist Jonny Wickersham
, who had previously been Danell's guitar technician. Biscuits also left during that time, and was replaced by Charlie Quintana
. After Danell's death, the band continued touring semi-frequently, playing sold-out shows in the Los Angeles area around the New Year for three straight years.
Social Distortion started work on the follow-up to White Light, White Heat, White Trash in 2000, which was originally to be released in the fall of that year, but it was not completed. Since 2001, due to the band's ongoing tour schedule, the album's release was put on hold several times. In the fall of 2003, after completing demos, Social Distortion returned to the studio with producer Cameron Webb to complete the album. Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll
, released on September 28, 2004, would be the band's first release with Wickersham and Quintana. Just a month before the release of the album, longtime bassist John Maurer
left the band to stay with his family, and was replaced by Rancid
's Matt Freeman
. He stayed until late 2004, and was replaced by current bassist Brent Harding
.
in Australia in February–March 2008, along with Incubus
and The Offspring
, but they cancelled their appearance and released the following statement:
During this time, the band played with various other bands, including Versus the World
, Tsar
, Shooter Jennings
, I Hate Kate
, The Black Halos
, Flogging Molly
, Nine Black Alps
, Supersuckers, Blackpool Lights
, The Lost City Angels
, The Street Dogs
, The Backyard Babies
, The Hangmen
, The Eyeliners
, Cooper, Mest
, Bullets and Octane
, and The Dead 60's.
In February 2006, Ness was injured and broke his wrist in a skateboard
ing accident. He had his good friend, TSOL
guitarist Ron Emory
fill his place on guitar for the tour while he continued to sing for the band with his arm in a cast and sling. As of July 2006, Emory was no longer filling for Ness. The Hangmen
's Bryan Small also filled in for Ness.
Original member Brent Liles
, who played bass on Mommy's Little Monster, died on January 18, 2007 after being hit by a semi truck
while riding a dirt bike in Placentia, California
.
Social Distortion released its first Greatest Hits
compilation on June 26, 2007. It includes hit singles from Mommy's Little Monster
to Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll
, yet lacks any song from Mainliner
. Along with a new studio recording of the song, "Far Behind
", new studio recordings of 6 of their classic songs are included as well. Rerecording these songs allowed the band to own rights to them again, instead of Epic (their former label) owning them. Through iTunes in the U.S., as a download only, the Greatest Hits also includes a new Social Distortion cover version of the Chuck Berry classic "Maybellene". Ness stated in an interview that this Greatest Hits technically means "what was good with radio." Ness also stated in the same interview that "we may follow this up with something that is more essential Social D. – songs that are the band's favorites."
In April 2009 the band announced that longtime drummer Charlie Quintana
was leaving the band:
Quintana's replacement was announced as Angels & Airwaves
drummer Adam "Atom" Willard, formerly of Rocket from the Crypt
and The Offspring
.
A European tour together with The Gaslight Anthem
followed in June 2009 as part of the band's 30th anniversary of underground Rock'n'Roll.
/Bruce Springsteen
/Johnny Cash
kind of feel with a punk edge ... but acoustic. Sometimes [the songs] are more powerful stripped down than with full volume." Ness also revealed plans for his next solo album, but he was not sure if it was going to be released before or after the follow-up to Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll or the acoustic album.
In July 2009, Ness revealed to Russian's Tarakany! Bad TV that Social Distortion was planning to enter the studio in December 2009 or the beginning of 2010 to begin recording a follow-up to Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll. In September that year, he confirmed that the album would be recorded in January 2010 at Studio 606, a studio owned by the Foo Fighters
. Asked when the album was expected to be released, Ness stated that it would "probably be out" in the spring or summer of 2010.
On December 29, 2009, Social Distortion announced on its official website that it would embark on its first South American tour in April. Ness commented, "The band and I are really looking forward to our tour of South America. From the overwhelming amount of emails we receive from our fans in South America, it's crazy to think that it's taken this long for us to come down and tour. We couldn't be more thrilled to announce that we're finally making it happen and we look forward to meeting our loyal fans in Brazil and Argentina for the first time. We hope to come home with a few new fans as well".
On February 7, 2010, Social Distortion announced on its Twitter
account that it would start recording a new album on February 8.
In a February 2010 interview with Spinner, Ness revealed that the band had just tracked 12 songs, and was "going to probably track another five". He says the self-produced, still-untitled album, which he hopes to release before the end of the year, will feature the classic Social Distortion sound – a combination of punk, rockabilly and country, presumably. He explained, "It's funny – the record reminds me very much of Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell
, but also I'm bringing elements of early New York '70s punk, influences that maybe haven't come out as prominently in my writing in the past. It's a little more Johnny Thunders
. Some of the early first wave of punk was very blues-based rock 'n' roll, but it had this urban snottiness to it." Ness also explained what happened to the acoustic album, which was announced back in 2008, "The acoustic thing is just a future project, which I think will be significant and equally important. But as far as the priority goes, it's more important now to get a studio record out that is a regular record".
While recording the album, Social Distortion announced in March 2010 that Adam Willard "...will no longer be able to continue on drums...", "...due to many foreseeable scheduling conflicts with his band Angels And Airwaves...". Fu Manchu
drummer Scott Reeder
filled in for Willard for the South American tour.
On April 1, 2010, it was reported on the official Social Distortion website that the band is taking a break from the studio to rehearse for their South American tour.
Social Distortion will be one of the headliners at Lollapalooza 2010. Prior to this, they will embark on an East Coast tour that July and August.
On May 11, 2010, Epitaph Records
officially announced that they have signed Social Distortion.
On May 20, 2010, Social Distortion updated their Twitter with this post saying, "the album is tracked... finishing up writing and getting ready to head back into the studio to record vocals." The album is said to be a return to their punk rock roots and will focus on the New York punk of the 70's and early 80's.
Social Distortion has announced a full US tour in the fall of 2010 in support of their new album. The tour will be supported by Frank Turner
and Lucero
.
As of July 2010, Scott Reeder
is no longer in Social Distortion and is now being replaced by David Hidalgo, Jr.
, formerly of Suicidal Tendencies
.
At a show in Poughkeepsie, New York on July 27, 2010, frontman Mike Ness
revealed that the new Social Distortion album would be called Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes
. Despite being planned for a November 2010 release, the band announced that the album would be released on January 18, 2011. They also mentioned that "Machine Gun Blues
" would be the album's first single and available for download via iTunes
on November 16. On December 6, Social Distortion made their network television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live! performing Machine Gun Blues and Story of My Life.
Social Distortion will once again be joining the ritual at The Voodoo Experience 2011
which is held at City Park in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 28–30, 2011.
Also in a January 2011 interview with Exclaim, Mike Ness
said that there will not be another seven or eight year wait between Social Distortion albums. Ness stated, "Although this record
is out, I'm going to continue the process of writing so maybe there won't be such a large gap between records. Even when the record's done, it doesn't mean the creativity of writing is." In his interview with Frank Turner
, Ness stated that his goal is to make a new Social Distortion album in two years and wants it to be different than Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes. In an August 2011, interview at his home in Los Angeles, Ness said that he does not want "too many years to go by before the next Social D record. I'm really trying to be a little bit more disciplined. That's really what it comes down to. It's not like it takes me eight years to write a record. Once I get out of that mode, I'm out of that mode completely. Then of course, it's hard to get back and write a record. This time, when this record was finished, the creative process didn't end just because the record was done."
, a skeleton
holding a cigarette
and a martini glass. It is frequently featured in live performances as well as album covers.
, and their style closely associated with The Dickies
, The Germs
, and other bands from that place and time. In the mid-'80s there was a notable change in their style of music – taking more from their country music
and classic rock and roll
roots. Mike Ness admits in the DVD commentary from Another State of Mind that he may have even tried too hard on the Prison Bound album. They did eventually find their niche, and the majority of their albums from the mid-80's on to the early '90s are considered to be cowpunk
or rockabilly
– a melodic punk sound that is distinctly – and distinctively – their own.
The music was mostly initially inspired equally by Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan
, Eddie Cochran, and The Rolling Stones, as well as early punk bands like the Sex Pistols
, The Clash
and Ramones
, and it has influenced various contemporary artists such as Alkaline Trio
, Pearl Jam
, Rise Against
, Sum 41
, The Offspring
, Avenged Sevenfold
, Superman Is Dead
, Pennywise
, Rancid
, Thrice
and Volbeat. The band began playing with fellow Orange County, California
bands such as The Adolescents
, China White
, and Shattered Faith as part of the nascent hardcore movement. The music was fast, angry and energetic.
Most of Social Distortion's songs are written and sung by Mike Ness. There is a common theme in most of his lyrics about "impulsiveness, its consequences and the hard struggle for maturity". Other band members who have co-written Social Distortion songs are Dennis Danell
("1945", "Lude Boy", "Mass Hysteria", "Mainliner", "Playpen", "Another State of Mind", "Moral Threat", "All the Answers", "Anti-Fashion", "Hour of Darkness", "It Wasn't a Pretty Picture", "Telling Them", "The Creeps", "Indulgence", "Justice for All", "Like an Outlaw (For You)", "On My Nerves", and "I Want What I Want"); John "Carrot" Stevenson ("Playpen"); Jonny Wickersham
("Nickels and Dimes", "Faithless", "Angel's Wings", "Machine Gun Blues" and "Take Care of Yourself"); and John Maurer
("So Far Away").
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California
Fullerton, California
Fullerton is a city located in northern Orange County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 135,161.It was founded in 1887 by George and Edward Amerige and named for George H. Fullerton, who secured the land on behalf of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway...
. The band currently consists of Mike Ness
Mike Ness
Mike Ness is an American guitarist, vocalist, and chief songwriter for the punk rock band Social Distortion, which was formed in 1978. As of Dennis Danell's death in 2000, he is now the only original member of the band...
(vocals, guitars), Jonny Wickersham
Jonny Wickersham
Jonny "2 Bags" Wickersham is the current guitarist for the Californian punk rock band Social Distortion. He joined Social Distortion after the death of founding member and longtime friend, Dennis Danell, in February 2000. Previously, he had been a guitarist for U.S...
(guitars), Brent Harding
Brent Harding
Brent Harding is the current bass player for the California punk group Social Distortion, which he joined in late 2004.-Biography:...
(bass) and David Hidalgo, Jr.
David Hidalgo, Jr.
David Hidalgo, Jr. is an American drummer currently playing in Social Distortion. Hidalgo replaced former drummer Scott Reeder, who had been busy with his main project Fu Manchu. Prior to joining Social Distortion, he played drums in The Drips and Suicidal Tendencies. He is the son of David...
(drums).
Social Distortion temporarily disbanded in 1985, due to frontman Ness' drug addiction and troubles with the law, which resulted in extended stints in various rehabilitation centers, that lasted for two years. However, the band reformed around 1986 and have continued being active today, even after the death of longtime guitarist 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...
, who succumbed to a brain aneurysm in 2000. Since its inception the band lineup has been a virtual revolving-door of talent, with many members coming and going – Ness has been the only constant member.
To date, Social Distortion has released seven full-length studio albums, two compilations
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
, one live album and two DVDs. The band released its debut album 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...
in 1983, which was very popular in the United States. Social Distortion did not release a second album, Prison Bound
Prison Bound
Prison Bound is the second studio album by Social Distortion, was released in 1988. This is the first album with bass guitarist John Maurer and drummer Christopher Reece...
, until 1988. That album attracted the attention of Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
, who signed the band in 1989 and issued their highly successful self-titled third album
Social Distortion (album)
Social Distortion is the eponymous third studio album by the American punk rock band Social Distortion, released on March 27, 1990, through Epic Records. After touring in support of its previous full-length studio album, Prison Bound , Social Distortion signed with Epic in 1989 and began work on...
a year later, which peaked at number 128 on the U.S. Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, and featured their well-known hit singles "Ball and Chain", "Story of My Life" and the cover of Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
's "Ring of Fire
Ring of Fire (song)
"Ring of Fire" or "The Ring of Fire" is a country music song popularized by Johnny Cash and co-written by June Carter Cash and Merle Kilgore. The single appears on Cash's 1963 compilation album, Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash...
." The next three albums, Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell
Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell
Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell is the fourth studio album by the American punk rock band Social Distortion, released on February 11, 1992. It continues the melding of country and rockabilly influences with punk that began two albums before with Prison Bound. Clear influences include Hank...
, White Light, White Heat, White Trash
White Light, White Heat, White Trash
White Light, White Heat, White Trash is the fifth album by American punk rock band, Social Distortion, released on September 17, 1996, by Epic Records. The album was produced by Michael Beinhorn. White Light, White Heat, White Trash is the last Social Distortion album to feature guitarist Dennis...
, Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll
Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll
Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll is the sixth album by American punk rock band Social Distortion. It is their first studio album in eight years, since the release of White Light, White Heat, White Trash in 1996, the longest gap between Social Distortion's studio albums to date...
and the Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits (Social Distortion album)
-Personnel:* Mike Ness - vocals, guitar* Dennis Danell - guitar * Brent Liles - bass guitar * Derek O'Brien - drums * John Maurer - bass guitar * Christopher Reece - drums...
compilation (which spawned the previously unreleased hit "Far Behind
Far Behind (Social Distortion song)
"Far Behind" is a previously unreleased composition from the veteran punk rock band Social Distortion. It is the closing track from their 2007 Greatest Hits album. According to the booklet of Greatest Hits, "Far Behind" was only recorded for that compilation...
") were also well-received. Their most recent studio album is 2011's Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes
Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes
Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes is the seventh studio album by the American punk rock band Social Distortion, released on January 18, 2011. It is the band's first album recorded with bassist Brent Harding, their first album of new material since 2004's Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll, and their first...
, which entered the Billboard 200 at #4, marking their highest entry on that chart. According to Ness, there is talk of an eighth studio album, which will likely be released in 2013.
Early years (1978–82)
Social Distortion was formed in late 1978 by frontman Mike NessMike Ness
Mike Ness is an American guitarist, vocalist, and chief songwriter for the punk rock band Social Distortion, which was formed in 1978. As of Dennis Danell's death in 2000, he is now the only original member of the band...
, inspired by British punk bands and also by older acts such as The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
. The original lineup consisted of Ness on lead guitar, Rikk
Rikk Agnew
Richard Francis Agnew, Jr. , more commonly known as Rikk Agnew, is an American guitarist who has played in some of the most influential bands of the Orange County hardcore punk scene, as well as the influential deathrock band Christian Death.- Biography:With Casey Royer, Agnew played in Social...
and Frank Agnew
Frank Agnew
Frank Agnew is an American guitarist, best known for being a member of punk band The Adolescents.Agnew joined The Adolescents in 1980 after leaving Social Distortion. He left when The Adolescents broke up in the summer of 1981, and joined the band Legal Weapon with Steve, and then played with TSOL...
on guitars, and Casey Royer
Casey Royer
Casey Royer is an American musician who began his career playing drums for punk band, Social Distortion at age 21 in 1979. He then moved on to play for The Adolescents from 1980–87. While The Adolescents were on hiatus from 1981–86, Casey went on to form D.I. in 1982, a Southern California punk...
on drums. Ness met 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...
, who was a year older, in high school and insisted he join the band on bass guitar even though Danell had never played an instrument before. When Danell was brought in, Frank, Rikk and Casey left to join The Adolescents
The Adolescents
The Adolescents are an American punk band formed in 1980 in Fullerton, California. It is a punk supergroup, made up of early members of Agent Orange and Social Distortion. They are often credited as one of the leading bands of the 1980s hardcore punk scene....
. Mike and Dennis remained the only constant members for the next two decades, with bass and drums changing hands every few years. The Adolescents song "Kids of the Black Hole" and Social Distortion song "The Playpen" chronicled this period of the band's history.
Its first single, Mainliner/Playpen featuring Ness on guitar and vocals, Dennis on bass, and Carrot on drums was released in 1981 on Posh Boy, the label responsible for releasing the first singles and albums of many of the local O.C. punk bands. A disc jockey by the name of Rodney Bingenheimer
Rodney Bingenheimer
Rodney Bingenheimer, born December 15, 1947, is a radio disc jockey on the long-running Los Angeles rock station KROQ who is notable for helping numerous iconic bands become successful in the American market. His contribution to the music business has been described as important...
of KROQ-FM
KROQ-FM
KROQ-FM — branded 106.7 KROQ — is a commercial modern rock radio station licensed to Pasadena, California serving the Greater Los Angeles. The call sign is pronounced "kay rock." It is the flagship station of Loveline hosted by Dr...
was responsible for much of the radio play in Orange County, California
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
, that punk received in the early 80's, and took a liking to Social Distortion, releasing the single "1945" on his 1981 compilation album, Rodney on the ROQ, Blood On The ROQ in 1983, and The Best Of Rodney On The ROQ in 1989.
In 1982, the band—now consisting of Ness, Danell (who now played rhythm guitar), Brent Liles
Brent Liles
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...
on bass, and Derek O'Brien on drums—embarked on their first national tour with fellow punk band Youth Brigade
Youth Brigade (band)
Youth Brigade is a Southern California punk music trio formed in 1980 by brothers Mark Stern, Adam Stern, and Shawn Stern. The band subsequently founded BYO , which served both as their record label and as a statement of their attitude toward the young people involved in the punk subculture, which...
, a trip chronicled in the punk rockumentary
Rockumentary
The term rockumentary is a neologism denoting a documentary about rock music or its musicians. The term was used by Bill Drake in the 1969 History of Rock & Roll radio broadcast, and by Rob Reiner in the 1984 mockumentary film This Is Spinal Tap....
Another State of Mind, which was not released until 1984.
Mommy's Little Monster and first hiatus (1983–85)
Upon its return from the Another State of Mind tour in 1982, they recorded their debut album, Mommy's Little MonsterMommy'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...
. The album was released in early 1983 on their own label, 13th Floor Records. Mommy's Little Monster includes the title track as well as the song for which the previous tour was named, "Another State of Mind
Another State of Mind (song)
"Another State of Mind" is a song by the American punk rock band Social Distortion. It is the second track on their 1983 debut album Mommy's Little Monster, and was released as a 7" single that year on their then-record label 13th Floor Records. The single was released again in 1989 on Triple X...
". This was the album that "gained the band a national name in punk circles".
In 1984 the band was featured in the seminal punk rockumentary, Another State of Mind, which was written, produced and directed by Peter Stuart and Adam Small (co-creator of "Mad TV").
Ness mentions in his DVD commentary that he really had nowhere to stay when he got back to California after the tour ended, so he would crash on the couch of whoever would have him. He details how he plunged headfirst into serious drug addiction and ended up being strung out on heroin for weeks at a time. In 1983, Liles and O'Brien left the band in the middle of a show on New Year's Eve, and were replaced soon thereafter by Ness' high school friend John Maurer
John Maurer
John Maurer was the long time bass guitar player for Social Distortion from 1984 to 2004. He was replaced by Rancid's Matt Freeman. He joined Social Distortion after the departure of Brent Liles....
and a man named Bob Stubbs. This line-up lasted only a short time until Christopher Reece
Christopher Reece
Christopher Reece is an American musician. He was the drummer of The Lewd and Social Distortion ....
joined on drums. Ness's drug habit continued throughout 1984 and 1985 as the band continued to gain success with Another State of Mind appearing as one of the punk rarities on MTV, and touring in California and Arizona. As a result of Ness's escalating drug habit and troubles with the law, Social Distortion briefly went on hiatus in 1985. During this time, Ness was in and out of various rehabilitation centers and jails.
First comeback and Prison Bound (1986–88)
The band reformed in or around 1986, once Ness finished his drug rehabilitation program. It released its second album, Prison BoundPrison Bound
Prison Bound is the second studio album by Social Distortion, was released in 1988. This is the first album with bass guitarist John Maurer and drummer Christopher Reece...
, two years later in 1988—over five years after their debut. The album included then-newcomers John Maurer on bass and Christopher Reece on drums. Although Prison Bound never charted on Billboard, the title track still receives extensive airplay on Los Angeles radio station, KROQ-FM
KROQ-FM
KROQ-FM — branded 106.7 KROQ — is a commercial modern rock radio station licensed to Pasadena, California serving the Greater Los Angeles. The call sign is pronounced "kay rock." It is the flagship station of Loveline hosted by Dr...
.
A notable style change takes place in Prison Bound. While Mommy's Little Monster falls under the general category of punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
or hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
, Prison Bound takes on a definite country/western
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
flavor and marks the start of the band's entrance into a style called "cowpunk
Cowpunk
Cowpunk or Country punk is a subgenre of punk rock and New Wave that began in the UK and California in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It combines punk rock or New Wave with country music, folk music, and blues in sound, subject matter, attitude, and style...
." Country legend Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
and The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
' honky tonk
Honky tonk
A honky-tonk is a type of bar that provides musical entertainment to its patrons...
style became more prominent influences on Social Distortion's music at this time. There are references to Cash and the Stones in the songs "Prison Bound" and "On My Nerves," and they also cover a Stones song titled "Backstreet Girl," which has a major key
Major scale
In music theory, the major scale or Ionian scale is one of the diatonic scales. It is made up of seven distinct notes, plus an eighth which duplicates the first an octave higher. In solfege these notes correspond to the syllables "Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti/Si, ", the "Do" in the parenthesis at...
sound that foreshadows the more focused cowpunk sound of the later albums.
Five years had passed since releasing its debut. The success was just beginning and, in fact, taking time between albums became a pattern for Social Distortion. Ness acknowledges in a 2003 interview that it is a little backward, marketing-wise, to play songs for the fans for a few years before recording them—but it has always worked well for them. "We know which songs are going to be fan favorites on the record before we even record them."
Major label years and mainstream success (1989–96)
After the release of Prison Bound, Social Distortion left Restless RecordsRestless Records
Restless Records was started in El Segundo, California in 1981 by Enigma Records and primarly released alternative, metal and punk records. Restless also licensed and released records from Bar/None Records, Metal Blade Records and Mute Records...
and signed with Epic
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
. The band then returned to the studio around the summer/fall of 1989, with producer Dave Jerden
Dave Jerden
Dave Jerden is an American record producer, engineer and mixer who mostly works with artists in the alternative rock, punk rock and metal genres....
, to begin recording their self-titled third album, Social Distortion
Social Distortion (album)
Social Distortion is the eponymous third studio album by the American punk rock band Social Distortion, released on March 27, 1990, through Epic Records. After touring in support of its previous full-length studio album, Prison Bound , Social Distortion signed with Epic in 1989 and began work on...
, which was released in 1990. It was Social Distortion's first album that was not financed by the band. The album includes the singles "Ball and Chain" and 'Story of My Life" as well as a cover of Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
's "Ring of Fire
Ring of Fire (song)
"Ring of Fire" or "The Ring of Fire" is a country music song popularized by Johnny Cash and co-written by June Carter Cash and Merle Kilgore. The single appears on Cash's 1963 compilation album, Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash...
". The self-titled album fared better than both Mommy's Little Monster and Prison Bound, and is often credited as Social Distortion's best known work, with sales continuing twenty-one years after its release. It is also sometimes cited as among the best rock albums of 1990—the album is said to "split the difference between rockabilly and Ramones-style punk."
The fourth album, Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell
Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell
Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell is the fourth studio album by the American punk rock band Social Distortion, released on February 11, 1992. It continues the melding of country and rockabilly influences with punk that began two albums before with Prison Bound. Clear influences include Hank...
, was released in 1992. The album included two hit singles—"Bad Luck", and "When She Begins". Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell surpassed all their previous albums in popularity. "Bad Luck". The album has a similar sound to the previous, eponymous, album, said to be a blend of "punk, blues, country and rockabilly". After the release of this album, drummer Christopher Reece
Christopher Reece
Christopher Reece is an American musician. He was the drummer of The Lewd and Social Distortion ....
left Social Distortion in 1994 and was replaced by 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...
. Carr toured with the band and played drums on live performances until he left in 1995.
The band took another hiatus after the release of Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell, and did not return to the studio until 1995. During the break, Social Distortion released a compilation album, Mainliner: Wreckage From the Past
Mainliner: Wreckage From the Past
Mainliner: Wreckage From the Past is a collection of early recordings by Social Distortion. It was released on July 18, 1995, and contains songs which were recorded in 1981. It is a collection of singles and B-sides that had never appeared on any of the band's full-length albums...
(1995), featuring pre-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...
cuts. It contains two versions of "1945" and "Playpen" from their two indie labels, 13th Floor, and Posh Boy
Posh Boy Records
Posh Boy Records was a Hollywood, California based record label owned by Robbie Fields, a high school substitute teacher and former copyboy at the L A Times who took an interest in the emerging punk rock scene in Orange County, California during the late 1970s...
, and also a cover of The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
' "Under My Thumb
Under My Thumb
"Under My Thumb" is a song written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards for The Rolling Stones. Its first appearance was as an album track on 1966's Aftermath...
".
In June 1994, the band began demoing songs for the fifth album, then returned to the studio in 1995 to record White Light, White Heat, White Trash
White Light, White Heat, White Trash
White Light, White Heat, White Trash is the fifth album by American punk rock band, Social Distortion, released on September 17, 1996, by Epic Records. The album was produced by Michael Beinhorn. White Light, White Heat, White Trash is the last Social Distortion album to feature guitarist Dennis...
, which was released in 1996. The album is said to have taken on a harder sound than those preceding it, and to not focus as much on their previous blues and rockabilly sound. The single "I Was Wrong
I Was Wrong
"I Was Wrong" is a song by the punk rock band, Social Distortion, originally released as a CD5 by Sony 550 Music in 1996. It then appeared on the studio release, White Light, White Heat, White Trash, followed by Live at the Roxy. The 2007 re-recording of this song is a playable track on Rock Band...
" received wide radio play and is said to resemble "the classic sound more than any other track on the album". The album also features the singles "When the Angels Sing," which is said to be a tribute to Ness's grandmother, who was an avid supporter of the band, and "Don't Drag Me Down". The album also included a re-recorded version of "Under My Thumb", a cover of The Rolling Stones, as a hidden track
Hidden track
In the field of recorded music, a hidden track is a piece of music that has been placed on a CD, audio cassette, vinyl record or other recorded medium in such a way as to avoid detection by the casual listener...
. Former Danzig
Danzig (band)
Danzig is an American heavy metal band, formed in 1987 in Lodi, New Jersey. The band serves as a musical outlet for the singer/songwriter Glenn Danzig. Danzig can be seen as the third stage in Glenn Danzig's musical career, preceded by the horror punk bands The Misfits and Samhain...
drummer Chuck Biscuits
Chuck Biscuits
Chuck Biscuits is a Canadian-born drummer, now a U.S. citizen, who is best known as an original member of the heavy metal/hard rock band Danzig. Most recently, he was a member of the punk rock band Social Distortion in the late 1990s...
joined the band between the recording and release of the album, and is credited in the liner notes although this album actually features session drummer Deen Castronovo
Deen Castronovo
Deen Castronovo is an Italian American drummer who has played in various bands, including Kandles at Nine, Cacophony, Bad English, Journey, The Enemy, Wild Dogs, Dr. Mastermind, Hardline, Planet Us, Soul Sirkus, Social Distortion, and Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler's G/Z/R, as well as in...
. White Light, White Heat, White Trash was the final Social Distortion album recorded with 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...
before his death.
Second hiatus, aftermath of Danell's death and Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll (1997–2004)
In 1997, Social Distortion left Epic and returned to Time Bomb RecordingsTime Bomb Recordings
Time Bomb Recordings is a Laguna Beach, California based record label founded by Social Distortion manager Jim Guerinot in a 1994 joint-venture agreement with Arista Records...
for the first time in eight years. It released its first (and only) live album, Live at the Roxy
Live at the Roxy (Social Distortion album)
Live at the Roxy is a live album by the Southern California punk rock group Social Distortion. It was released on June 30, 1998, on their own Time Bomb label...
in 1998. Social Distortion went on hiatus again as Ness went solo, releasing two albums, Cheating at Solitaire
Cheating at Solitaire
Cheating at Solitaire is the first solo album from Social Distortion frontman Mike Ness. Released in 1999, it bypasses much of Social Distortion's punk muscle in favor of a more roots-oriented approach to rock and roll. It features cameos by Bruce Springsteen, Brian Setzer, and members of Royal...
and Under the Influences
Under the Influences
Under the Influences, the second solo album from Social Distortion's Mike Ness, is a compilation of country, rock, and bluegrass covers released just six months after his first solo effort, Cheating at Solitaire. As the title implies, Ness intends the album to be an illustration of the music that...
, featuring song covers, in 1999.
Dennis Danell died on February 29, 2000 in his Newport Beach home after apparently suffering a brain aneurysm
Aneurysm
An aneurysm or aneurism is a localized, blood-filled balloon-like bulge in the wall of a blood vessel. Aneurysms can commonly occur in arteries at the base of the brain and an aortic aneurysm occurs in the main artery carrying blood from the left ventricle of the heart...
, leaving Ness as the only remaining original member of the band. There have been some rumors claiming that the band broke up again, following his death. He was replaced by former U.S. Bombs
U.S. Bombs
U.S. Bombs are an American punk rock band, formed in 1993 in Orange County, CA. U.S. Bombs consist of vocalist Duane Peters, guitarists Kerry Martinez and Jonny "Two Bags" Wickersham, bass guitarist Wade Walston and drummer Chip Hanna. Vocalist Duane Peters is a legendary professional...
, Cadillac Tramps and L.A.'s Youth Brigade
Youth Brigade (band)
Youth Brigade is a Southern California punk music trio formed in 1980 by brothers Mark Stern, Adam Stern, and Shawn Stern. The band subsequently founded BYO , which served both as their record label and as a statement of their attitude toward the young people involved in the punk subculture, which...
guitarist Jonny Wickersham
Jonny Wickersham
Jonny "2 Bags" Wickersham is the current guitarist for the Californian punk rock band Social Distortion. He joined Social Distortion after the death of founding member and longtime friend, Dennis Danell, in February 2000. Previously, he had been a guitarist for U.S...
, who had previously been Danell's guitar technician. Biscuits also left during that time, and was replaced by Charlie Quintana
Charlie Quintana
Charlie Quintana was born in 1962, in El Paso, TX. Quintana was A drummer for the old school punk band Social Distortion, who joined in 2000 as the replacement of Chuck Biscuits , following the death of the band's former guitarist Dennis Danell...
. After Danell's death, the band continued touring semi-frequently, playing sold-out shows in the Los Angeles area around the New Year for three straight years.
Social Distortion started work on the follow-up to White Light, White Heat, White Trash in 2000, which was originally to be released in the fall of that year, but it was not completed. Since 2001, due to the band's ongoing tour schedule, the album's release was put on hold several times. In the fall of 2003, after completing demos, Social Distortion returned to the studio with producer Cameron Webb to complete the album. Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll
Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll
Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll is the sixth album by American punk rock band Social Distortion. It is their first studio album in eight years, since the release of White Light, White Heat, White Trash in 1996, the longest gap between Social Distortion's studio albums to date...
, released on September 28, 2004, would be the band's first release with Wickersham and Quintana. Just a month before the release of the album, longtime bassist John Maurer
John Maurer
John Maurer was the long time bass guitar player for Social Distortion from 1984 to 2004. He was replaced by Rancid's Matt Freeman. He joined Social Distortion after the departure of Brent Liles....
left the band to stay with his family, and was replaced by Rancid
Rancid (band)
Rancid is an American punk rock band formed in Berkeley, California in 1991. Founded by Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, both of whom previously played in the ska punk band Operation Ivy, Rancid is credited—along with Green Day and The Offspring—for reviving mainstream interest in punk rock in the...
's Matt Freeman
Matt Freeman
Matthew "McCall" Freeman is an American musician. He is best known for his bass guitar work with the punk rock bands Operation Ivy, Rancid and as the frontman of Devil's Brigade.-Playing style:...
. He stayed until late 2004, and was replaced by current bassist Brent Harding
Brent Harding
Brent Harding is the current bass player for the California punk group Social Distortion, which he joined in late 2004.-Biography:...
.
Subsequent activities and departure of Quintana (2005–09)
Social Distortion continued touring on and off between 2005 and 2007. The band was scheduled to headline the Soundwave FestivalSoundwave Festival
Soundwave Festival, held every year at the Scarborough Spa Ocean Room, Scarborough, UK, is a music and arts festival created by the DIY Collective, a group of young people from around the Scarborough area. It was first held in 1999 on South Bay Beach, Scarborough and was moved to the Spa Complex...
in Australia in February–March 2008, along with Incubus
Incubus (band)
Incubus is an American rock band from Calabasas, California. The band was formed in 1991 by vocalist Brandon Boyd, lead guitarist Mike Einziger, and drummer Jose Pasillas while enrolled in high school and later expanded to include bassist Alex "Dirk Lance" Katunich, and Gavin "DJ Lyfe" Koppell;...
and The Offspring
The Offspring
The Offspring is an American punk rock band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1984. Known as Manic Subsidal until 1986, the band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Dexter Holland, lead guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman, bassist Greg K. and drummer Pete Parada...
, but they cancelled their appearance and released the following statement:
Due to circumstances beyond our control, Social Distortion is regrettably unable to perform at Soundwave Festival 2008 in Australia and must officially withdraw from the bill. We apologise for any inconvenience to our Australian fans and hope to make it there as soon as possible.
During this time, the band played with various other bands, including Versus the World
Versus the World (band)
Versus the World is a punk rock band from Santa Barbara, CA on Kung-Fu Records. The band combines post-hardcore with pop punk. They released their debut album, "Versus the World", in September 2005. Mike Davenport was the long time bassist from The Ataris....
, Tsar
Tsar (band)
Tsar is a rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1998, with Jeff Whalen on lead vocals and guitar, Daniel Kern on vocals and guitar, Jeff Solomon on bass, and Steve Coulter on drums. They released an eponymous album on Hollywood Records in 2000, which, although a financial disappointment...
, Shooter Jennings
Shooter Jennings
Waylon Albright "Shooter" Jennings is an American singer-songwriter active in the country music and Southern rock genres as well as making his first foray into psychedelic rock in 2009...
, I Hate Kate
I Hate Kate
Darling Thieves, formerly known as I Hate Kate, is an alternative rock band from Huntington Beach, California. The band was founded in November 2004 by former Zebrahead frontman Justin Mauriello.-History:...
, The Black Halos
The Black Halos
The Black Halos are a Vancouver, BC based punk rock band founded in 1993 by lead singer Billy Hopeless and guitarist Rich Jones as The Black Market Babies. The band was briefly on Sub Pop Records, and later signed with History Music...
, Flogging Molly
Flogging Molly
Flogging Molly is a seven-piece Irish-descendant band from Los Angeles, California, that is currently signed to their own record label, Borstal Beat Records.-Early years:...
, Nine Black Alps
Nine Black Alps
Nine Black Alps are an English alternative rock band formed in Manchester, named after a line in The Couriers by Sylvia Plath and fronted by Sam Forrest.-Career:...
, Supersuckers, Blackpool Lights
Blackpool Lights
Blackpool Lights is an indie rock band founded in Kansas City, Missouri, by Get Up Kids guitarist Jim Suptic, bassist Brian Everard, and drummer Billy Brimblecom.-Formation and This Town's Disaster :...
, The Lost City Angels
Lost City Angels
Lost City Angels were a punk rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. Their most well known lineup consisted of members, Ron Ragona, Adam Shaw, Chris Duggan, Drew Indingaro, Scott Vierra and Nick Bacon.- History :...
, The Street Dogs
Street Dogs
Street Dogs are a punk rock band originally from Boston, Massachusetts. The band's current line-up includes Mike McColgan, former lead singer of Dropkick Murphys, Johnny Rioux, Marcus Hollar, Tobe Bean III and Paul Rucker.-History:...
, The Backyard Babies
Backyard Babies
Backyard Babies are a rock band, from Nässjö, Sweden. The band was formed in 1987 and over the years they have released five studio albums and won a Swedish Grammy. The band is now located in Stockholm, Sweden....
, The Hangmen
The Hangmen
The Hangmen are a punk rockabilly band from the North East of England. The Hangmen play punk/rockabilly music under the generic term of ‘Psychobilly’...
, The Eyeliners
The Eyeliners
The Eyeliners are an American pop punk band from Albuquerque, New Mexico formed in 1995 under the name Psychodrama. In 1996 their name was changed their name to The Eyeliners after having released one single under the Psychodrama name. The group has released EPs on Sympathy for the Record Industry...
, Cooper, Mest
Mest
Mest was a pop punk band from Blue Island, Illinois. The band's lineup, prior to their breakup in 2006, consisted of vocalist and guitarist Tony Lovato, guitarist Jeremiah Rangel, bassist Matt Lovato, and drummer Nick Gigler...
, Bullets and Octane
Bullets and Octane
Bullets and Octane are a punk/hard rock band originally from St. Louis, Missouri and now based in Southern California . They originate from the band Ultrafink...
, and The Dead 60's.
In February 2006, Ness was injured and broke his wrist in a skateboard
Skateboard
A skateboard is typically a specially designed plywood board combined with a polyurethane coating used for making smoother slides and stronger durability, used primarily for the activity of skateboarding. The first skateboards to reach public notice came out of the surfing craze of the early 1960s,...
ing accident. He had his good friend, TSOL
TSOL
TSOL is an American punk rock band which formed in 1978 in Long Beach, California. TSOL is short for True Sounds of Liberty although they are rarely referred to by their full name....
guitarist Ron Emory
Ron Emory
Ron Emory is an American rock musician and guitarist for the punk rock band T.S.O.L. . An original member of the band, founded in Southern California in 1979, Emory left in 1987 prior to the release of the album Hit and Run. In 1996, he joined the other original members of T.S.O.L. to reform the...
fill his place on guitar for the tour while he continued to sing for the band with his arm in a cast and sling. As of July 2006, Emory was no longer filling for Ness. The Hangmen
The Hangmen
The Hangmen are a punk rockabilly band from the North East of England. The Hangmen play punk/rockabilly music under the generic term of ‘Psychobilly’...
's Bryan Small also filled in for Ness.
Original member Brent Liles
Brent Liles
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...
, who played bass on Mommy's Little Monster, died on January 18, 2007 after being hit by a semi truck
Semi-trailer truck
A semi-trailer truck, also known as a semi, tractor-trailer, or articulated truck or articulated lorry, is an articulated vehicle consisting of a towing engine , and a semi-trailer A semi-trailer truck, also known as a semi, tractor-trailer, or (in the United Kingdom and Ireland) articulated truck...
while riding a dirt bike 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...
.
Social Distortion released its first Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits (Social Distortion album)
-Personnel:* Mike Ness - vocals, guitar* Dennis Danell - guitar * Brent Liles - bass guitar * Derek O'Brien - drums * John Maurer - bass guitar * Christopher Reece - drums...
compilation on June 26, 2007. It includes hit singles from 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...
to Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll
Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll
Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll is the sixth album by American punk rock band Social Distortion. It is their first studio album in eight years, since the release of White Light, White Heat, White Trash in 1996, the longest gap between Social Distortion's studio albums to date...
, yet lacks any song from Mainliner
Mainliner: Wreckage From the Past
Mainliner: Wreckage From the Past is a collection of early recordings by Social Distortion. It was released on July 18, 1995, and contains songs which were recorded in 1981. It is a collection of singles and B-sides that had never appeared on any of the band's full-length albums...
. Along with a new studio recording of the song, "Far Behind
Far Behind (Social Distortion song)
"Far Behind" is a previously unreleased composition from the veteran punk rock band Social Distortion. It is the closing track from their 2007 Greatest Hits album. According to the booklet of Greatest Hits, "Far Behind" was only recorded for that compilation...
", new studio recordings of 6 of their classic songs are included as well. Rerecording these songs allowed the band to own rights to them again, instead of Epic (their former label) owning them. Through iTunes in the U.S., as a download only, the Greatest Hits also includes a new Social Distortion cover version of the Chuck Berry classic "Maybellene". Ness stated in an interview that this Greatest Hits technically means "what was good with radio." Ness also stated in the same interview that "we may follow this up with something that is more essential Social D. – songs that are the band's favorites."
In April 2009 the band announced that longtime drummer Charlie Quintana
Charlie Quintana
Charlie Quintana was born in 1962, in El Paso, TX. Quintana was A drummer for the old school punk band Social Distortion, who joined in 2000 as the replacement of Chuck Biscuits , following the death of the band's former guitarist Dennis Danell...
was leaving the band:
After ten amazing years behind the drum kit for Social Distortion, Charlie "Chalo" Quintana has announced he’s moving on to explore other musical opportunities. Charlie had this to say about his departure, "Playing with Social D for ten years was a good time in my life. I was lucky to play on two Social D records and the second solo album, and I am proud to have been part of the band. We hit some spectacular heights which I will never forget – adios amigos!"
Quintana's replacement was announced as Angels & Airwaves
Angels & Airwaves
Angels & Airwaves is an American alternative rock supergroup led by Blink-182 guitarist/vocalist Tom DeLonge, also including guitarist David Kennedy from Over My Dead Body, Hazen Street and Box Car Racer, bass guitarist Matt Wachter from 30 Seconds to Mars and former Lostprophets and Nine Inch...
drummer Adam "Atom" Willard, formerly of Rocket from the Crypt
Rocket from the Crypt
Rocket from the Crypt was an American rock band led by John Reis, formed in 1989 in San Diego, California and disbanded in 2005.The band gained critical praise and the attention of major record labels after the release of their 1992 album Circa: Now!, leading to a recording contract with Interscope...
and The Offspring
The Offspring
The Offspring is an American punk rock band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1984. Known as Manic Subsidal until 1986, the band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Dexter Holland, lead guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman, bassist Greg K. and drummer Pete Parada...
.
A European tour together with The Gaslight Anthem
The Gaslight Anthem
The Gaslight Anthem is an American rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey, consisting of Brian Fallon , Alex Rosamilia , Alex Levine and Benny Horowitz...
followed in June 2009 as part of the band's 30th anniversary of underground Rock'n'Roll.
Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes (2009–present)
In April 2008, Ness told Spinner that Social Distortion was planning an acoustic album to be released in 2009, stating "I think it could be really, really neat. It's almost like a Bob DylanBob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
/Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
/Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
kind of feel with a punk edge ... but acoustic. Sometimes [the songs] are more powerful stripped down than with full volume." Ness also revealed plans for his next solo album, but he was not sure if it was going to be released before or after the follow-up to Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll or the acoustic album.
In July 2009, Ness revealed to Russian's Tarakany! Bad TV that Social Distortion was planning to enter the studio in December 2009 or the beginning of 2010 to begin recording a follow-up to Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll. In September that year, he confirmed that the album would be recorded in January 2010 at Studio 606, a studio owned by the Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
. Asked when the album was expected to be released, Ness stated that it would "probably be out" in the spring or summer of 2010.
On December 29, 2009, Social Distortion announced on its official website that it would embark on its first South American tour in April. Ness commented, "The band and I are really looking forward to our tour of South America. From the overwhelming amount of emails we receive from our fans in South America, it's crazy to think that it's taken this long for us to come down and tour. We couldn't be more thrilled to announce that we're finally making it happen and we look forward to meeting our loyal fans in Brazil and Argentina for the first time. We hope to come home with a few new fans as well".
On February 7, 2010, Social Distortion announced on its Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
account that it would start recording a new album on February 8.
In a February 2010 interview with Spinner, Ness revealed that the band had just tracked 12 songs, and was "going to probably track another five". He says the self-produced, still-untitled album, which he hopes to release before the end of the year, will feature the classic Social Distortion sound – a combination of punk, rockabilly and country, presumably. He explained, "It's funny – the record reminds me very much of Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell
Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell
Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell is the fourth studio album by the American punk rock band Social Distortion, released on February 11, 1992. It continues the melding of country and rockabilly influences with punk that began two albums before with Prison Bound. Clear influences include Hank...
, but also I'm bringing elements of early New York '70s punk, influences that maybe haven't come out as prominently in my writing in the past. It's a little more Johnny Thunders
Johnny Thunders
Johnny Thunders, born John Anthony Genzale, Jr. , was an American protopunk guitarist, singer and songwriter.He came to prominence in the early '70s as a member of the New York Dolls...
. Some of the early first wave of punk was very blues-based rock 'n' roll, but it had this urban snottiness to it." Ness also explained what happened to the acoustic album, which was announced back in 2008, "The acoustic thing is just a future project, which I think will be significant and equally important. But as far as the priority goes, it's more important now to get a studio record out that is a regular record".
While recording the album, Social Distortion announced in March 2010 that Adam Willard "...will no longer be able to continue on drums...", "...due to many foreseeable scheduling conflicts with his band Angels And Airwaves...". Fu Manchu
Fu Manchu (band)
Fu Manchu is a Southern Californian stoner rock band, who released their debut single "Kept Between Trees" in 1990. They have been featured on compilations put together by Tony Hawk and ESPN's X Games, and invited to perform on the US television program Monster Garage...
drummer Scott Reeder
Scott Reeder (drummer)
Scott Reeder is a drummer, who joined southern Californian stoner rockers Fu Manchu in 2002.Scott is known for his heavy drumming style, and refers to John Bonham of Led Zeppelin as one of his great influences....
filled in for Willard for the South American tour.
On April 1, 2010, it was reported on the official Social Distortion website that the band is taking a break from the studio to rehearse for their South American tour.
Social Distortion will be one of the headliners at Lollapalooza 2010. Prior to this, they will embark on an East Coast tour that July and August.
On May 11, 2010, Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
officially announced that they have signed Social Distortion.
On May 20, 2010, Social Distortion updated their Twitter with this post saying, "the album is tracked... finishing up writing and getting ready to head back into the studio to record vocals." The album is said to be a return to their punk rock roots and will focus on the New York punk of the 70's and early 80's.
Social Distortion has announced a full US tour in the fall of 2010 in support of their new album. The tour will be supported by Frank Turner
Frank Turner
Frank Turner is an English folk/punk singer-songwriter from Meonstoke, Winchester. Initially the vocalist of post-hardcore band Million Dead, Turner embarked upon a primarily acoustic-based solo career following the band's split in 2005. To date, Turner has released four solo albums, two rarities...
and Lucero
Lucero (band)
Lucero is an American punk/Texas Country infused rock band that is based in Memphis, Tennessee.-Biography:Lucero's punk rock roots flavor their now "country-ish" music, while their Southern roots give them the twang that they have come to be known by. They had their start in Memphis, TN. The band...
.
As of July 2010, Scott Reeder
Scott Reeder (drummer)
Scott Reeder is a drummer, who joined southern Californian stoner rockers Fu Manchu in 2002.Scott is known for his heavy drumming style, and refers to John Bonham of Led Zeppelin as one of his great influences....
is no longer in Social Distortion and is now being replaced by David Hidalgo, Jr.
David Hidalgo, Jr.
David Hidalgo, Jr. is an American drummer currently playing in Social Distortion. Hidalgo replaced former drummer Scott Reeder, who had been busy with his main project Fu Manchu. Prior to joining Social Distortion, he played drums in The Drips and Suicidal Tendencies. He is the son of David...
, formerly of Suicidal Tendencies
Suicidal Tendencies
Suicidal Tendencies is a U.S. crossover thrash band founded in 1981 in Venice, Los Angeles, California by Mike Muir, its leader and only permanent member. The band is sometimes credited as one of "the fathers of crossover thrash"...
.
At a show in Poughkeepsie, New York on July 27, 2010, frontman Mike Ness
Mike Ness
Mike Ness is an American guitarist, vocalist, and chief songwriter for the punk rock band Social Distortion, which was formed in 1978. As of Dennis Danell's death in 2000, he is now the only original member of the band...
revealed that the new Social Distortion album would be called Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes
Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes
Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes is the seventh studio album by the American punk rock band Social Distortion, released on January 18, 2011. It is the band's first album recorded with bassist Brent Harding, their first album of new material since 2004's Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll, and their first...
. Despite being planned for a November 2010 release, the band announced that the album would be released on January 18, 2011. They also mentioned that "Machine Gun Blues
Machine Gun Blues
"Machine Gun Blues" is a song by Social Distortion. It was the first single from their seventh studio album, Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes, which was released on January 18, 2011. It was made available for download via iTunes on November 16, 2010. The song reached number 10 on Billboard's...
" would be the album's first single and available for download via iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
on November 16. On December 6, Social Distortion made their network television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live! performing Machine Gun Blues and Story of My Life.
Social Distortion will once again be joining the ritual at The Voodoo Experience 2011
Voodoo Experience
Voodoo Experience, also commonly referred to as Voodoo or Voodoo Fest, is a multi-day music and arts festival held in City Park, New Orleans, Louisiana. It was first held on Halloween weekend in 1999. It has since moved between the weekend before Halloween and Halloween weekend throughout the years...
which is held at City Park in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 28–30, 2011.
Future eighth studio album
Asked in a January 2011 interview with Performer Magazine if Social Distortion intends to record more albums for Epitaph, Ness replied, "I would suspect so, yes."Also in a January 2011 interview with Exclaim, Mike Ness
Mike Ness
Mike Ness is an American guitarist, vocalist, and chief songwriter for the punk rock band Social Distortion, which was formed in 1978. As of Dennis Danell's death in 2000, he is now the only original member of the band...
said that there will not be another seven or eight year wait between Social Distortion albums. Ness stated, "Although this record
Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes
Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes is the seventh studio album by the American punk rock band Social Distortion, released on January 18, 2011. It is the band's first album recorded with bassist Brent Harding, their first album of new material since 2004's Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll, and their first...
is out, I'm going to continue the process of writing so maybe there won't be such a large gap between records. Even when the record's done, it doesn't mean the creativity of writing is." In his interview with Frank Turner
Frank Turner
Frank Turner is an English folk/punk singer-songwriter from Meonstoke, Winchester. Initially the vocalist of post-hardcore band Million Dead, Turner embarked upon a primarily acoustic-based solo career following the band's split in 2005. To date, Turner has released four solo albums, two rarities...
, Ness stated that his goal is to make a new Social Distortion album in two years and wants it to be different than Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes. In an August 2011, interview at his home in Los Angeles, Ness said that he does not want "too many years to go by before the next Social D record. I'm really trying to be a little bit more disciplined. That's really what it comes down to. It's not like it takes me eight years to write a record. Once I get out of that mode, I'm out of that mode completely. Then of course, it's hard to get back and write a record. This time, when this record was finished, the creative process didn't end just because the record was done."
Logo
The band has consistently used, as their logoLogo
A logo is a graphic mark or emblem commonly used by commercial enterprises, organizations and even individuals to aid and promote instant public recognition...
, a skeleton
Skeleton
The skeleton is the body part that forms the supporting structure of an organism. There are two different skeletal types: the exoskeleton, which is the stable outer shell of an organism, and the endoskeleton, which forms the support structure inside the body.In a figurative sense, skeleton can...
holding a cigarette
Cigarette
A cigarette is a small roll of finely cut tobacco leaves wrapped in a cylinder of thin paper for smoking. The cigarette is ignited at one end and allowed to smoulder; its smoke is inhaled from the other end, which is held in or to the mouth and in some cases a cigarette holder may be used as well...
and a martini glass. It is frequently featured in live performances as well as album covers.
Musical style, influences, and impact
Social Distortion's musical style began as decidedly punk rock or hardcore punk when the band formed in the late 1970s. They are thought to be one of the pioneering bands of the original Southern California punk rock movement out of Orange County, CaliforniaOrange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
, and their style closely associated with The Dickies
The Dickies
The Dickies are an American punk rock group formed in San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California, U.S. in 1977.-History:The Dickies were among the first punk rock bands to emerge from Los Angeles...
, The Germs
The Germs
The Germs are an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California, originally active from 1977 to 1980. The band's early lineup consisted of singer Darby Crash, guitarist Pat Smear, bassist Lorna Doom, and their most consistent drummer Don Bolles. Germs have since reformed in 2005 with Shane...
, and other bands from that place and time. In the mid-'80s there was a notable change in their style of music – taking more from their country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
and classic rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
roots. Mike Ness admits in the DVD commentary from Another State of Mind that he may have even tried too hard on the Prison Bound album. They did eventually find their niche, and the majority of their albums from the mid-80's on to the early '90s are considered to be cowpunk
Cowpunk
Cowpunk or Country punk is a subgenre of punk rock and New Wave that began in the UK and California in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It combines punk rock or New Wave with country music, folk music, and blues in sound, subject matter, attitude, and style...
or rockabilly
Rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...
– a melodic punk sound that is distinctly – and distinctively – their own.
The music was mostly initially inspired equally by Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
, Eddie Cochran, and The Rolling Stones, as well as early punk bands like the Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians...
, The Clash
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
and Ramones
Ramones
The Ramones were an American rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first punk rock group...
, and it has influenced various contemporary artists such as Alkaline Trio
Alkaline Trio
Alkaline Trio is an American punk rock band that formed in McHenry, Illinois, in 1996. The band's line-up consists of Matt Skiba , Dan Andriano , and Derek Grant...
, Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
, Rise Against
Rise Against
Rise Against is an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. The band currently consists of Tim McIlrath , Zach Blair , Joe Principe and Brandon Barnes .Rise Against spent its first five years signed to the independent record label Fat Wreck Chords, on which it...
, Sum 41
Sum 41
Sum 41 is a Canadian rock band from Ajax, Ontario. The band was formed in 1996 and currently consists of members Deryck Whibley , Tom Thacker , Jason McCaslin and Steve Jocz .In 1999, the band signed an international record deal with Island Records...
, The Offspring
The Offspring
The Offspring is an American punk rock band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1984. Known as Manic Subsidal until 1986, the band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Dexter Holland, lead guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman, bassist Greg K. and drummer Pete Parada...
, Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band from Huntington Beach, California. Formed in 1999, the group consists of vocalist M. Shadows, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, bassist Johnny Christ....
, Superman Is Dead
Superman Is Dead
Superman is Dead is a punk rock pioneers of Bali, were born and bred in Kuta Rock City. The band is three chord attitude-heavy young men, by name : Bobby Kool , Eka Rock Superman is Dead (sometimes referred to simply as S.I.D) is a punk rock pioneers of Bali, were born and bred in Kuta Rock City....
, Pennywise
Pennywise (band)
Pennywise is a Californian punk rock band from Hermosa Beach, California, formed in 1988. The name is derived from the monster, It, from the Stephen King novel of the same title....
, Rancid
Rancid (band)
Rancid is an American punk rock band formed in Berkeley, California in 1991. Founded by Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, both of whom previously played in the ska punk band Operation Ivy, Rancid is credited—along with Green Day and The Offspring—for reviving mainstream interest in punk rock in the...
, Thrice
Thrice
Thrice is an American rock band from Irvine, California, formed in 1998. The group was founded by guitarist/vocalist Dustin Kensrue and guitarist Teppei Teranishi while they were in high school....
and Volbeat. The band began playing with fellow Orange County, California
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
bands such as The Adolescents
The Adolescents
The Adolescents are an American punk band formed in 1980 in Fullerton, California. It is a punk supergroup, made up of early members of Agent Orange and Social Distortion. They are often credited as one of the leading bands of the 1980s hardcore punk scene....
, China White
China White (band)
China White is a punk rock band from Huntington Beach, California, famous for their EP Dangerzone and their violent gigs. They were, along with TSOL, the most preeminent figures of Orange County punk.-Biography:...
, and Shattered Faith as part of the nascent hardcore movement. The music was fast, angry and energetic.
Most of Social Distortion's songs are written and sung by Mike Ness. There is a common theme in most of his lyrics about "impulsiveness, its consequences and the hard struggle for maturity". Other band members who have co-written Social Distortion songs are 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...
("1945", "Lude Boy", "Mass Hysteria", "Mainliner", "Playpen", "Another State of Mind", "Moral Threat", "All the Answers", "Anti-Fashion", "Hour of Darkness", "It Wasn't a Pretty Picture", "Telling Them", "The Creeps", "Indulgence", "Justice for All", "Like an Outlaw (For You)", "On My Nerves", and "I Want What I Want"); John "Carrot" Stevenson ("Playpen"); Jonny Wickersham
Jonny Wickersham
Jonny "2 Bags" Wickersham is the current guitarist for the Californian punk rock band Social Distortion. He joined Social Distortion after the death of founding member and longtime friend, Dennis Danell, in February 2000. Previously, he had been a guitarist for U.S...
("Nickels and Dimes", "Faithless", "Angel's Wings", "Machine Gun Blues" and "Take Care of Yourself"); and John Maurer
John Maurer
John Maurer was the long time bass guitar player for Social Distortion from 1984 to 2004. He was replaced by Rancid's Matt Freeman. He joined Social Distortion after the departure of Brent Liles....
("So Far Away").
Current line-up
- Mike NessMike NessMike Ness is an American guitarist, vocalist, and chief songwriter for the punk rock band Social Distortion, which was formed in 1978. As of Dennis Danell's death in 2000, he is now the only original member of the band...
– vocals, guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
(1978–present) - Jonny "2 Bags" WickershamJonny WickershamJonny "2 Bags" Wickersham is the current guitarist for the Californian punk rock band Social Distortion. He joined Social Distortion after the death of founding member and longtime friend, Dennis Danell, in February 2000. Previously, he had been a guitarist for U.S...
– guitar (2000–present) - Brent HardingBrent HardingBrent Harding is the current bass player for the California punk group Social Distortion, which he joined in late 2004.-Biography:...
– bass (2004–present) - David Hidalgo, Jr.David Hidalgo, Jr.David Hidalgo, Jr. is an American drummer currently playing in Social Distortion. Hidalgo replaced former drummer Scott Reeder, who had been busy with his main project Fu Manchu. Prior to joining Social Distortion, he played drums in The Drips and Suicidal Tendencies. He is the son of David...
– drums, percussion (2010–present)
Discography
- Mommy's Little MonsterMommy's Little MonsterMommy'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...
(1983) - Prison BoundPrison BoundPrison Bound is the second studio album by Social Distortion, was released in 1988. This is the first album with bass guitarist John Maurer and drummer Christopher Reece...
(1988) - Social DistortionSocial Distortion (album)Social Distortion is the eponymous third studio album by the American punk rock band Social Distortion, released on March 27, 1990, through Epic Records. After touring in support of its previous full-length studio album, Prison Bound , Social Distortion signed with Epic in 1989 and began work on...
(1990) - Somewhere Between Heaven and HellSomewhere Between Heaven and HellSomewhere Between Heaven and Hell is the fourth studio album by the American punk rock band Social Distortion, released on February 11, 1992. It continues the melding of country and rockabilly influences with punk that began two albums before with Prison Bound. Clear influences include Hank...
(1992) - White Light, White Heat, White TrashWhite Light, White Heat, White TrashWhite Light, White Heat, White Trash is the fifth album by American punk rock band, Social Distortion, released on September 17, 1996, by Epic Records. The album was produced by Michael Beinhorn. White Light, White Heat, White Trash is the last Social Distortion album to feature guitarist Dennis...
(1996) - Sex, Love and Rock 'n' RollSex, Love and Rock 'n' RollSex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll is the sixth album by American punk rock band Social Distortion. It is their first studio album in eight years, since the release of White Light, White Heat, White Trash in 1996, the longest gap between Social Distortion's studio albums to date...
(2004) - Hard Times and Nursery RhymesHard Times and Nursery RhymesHard Times and Nursery Rhymes is the seventh studio album by the American punk rock band Social Distortion, released on January 18, 2011. It is the band's first album recorded with bassist Brent Harding, their first album of new material since 2004's Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll, and their first...
(2011)