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Social Distortion (often known as Social D) is an influential punk rock band that was formed in the 1978 and is still together today. The band (along with Bad Religion, Black Flag, Dead Kennedys, and others) is often credited for leading the revival of 80s punk rock. Since their inception the band lineup has been a virtual revolving-door of talent, with many members coming and going; however, frontman Mike Ness has remained. The band has remained silent three times and once broke up after releasing their first album Mommy's Little Monster.

History

Early career and first hiatus (1978-1988)

The band was formed in late 1978 by frontman Mike Ness and originally included Mike (vocals and lead guitar), Casey Royer on drums and Dennis Danell on bass. One year later, Dennis was moved to rhythm guitar, Brent Liles was brought in to play bass, with Derek O'Brien replacing Royer on drums. Mike and Dennis remained the only constant members for the next two decades, with bass and drums changing hands every few years.

The music was initially inspired equally by British punk like the Sex Pistols and classic acts such as The Rolling Stones. They began playing with fellow Orange County, California bands such as the Adolescents, China White, and Shattered Faith as part of the nascent hardcore movement. Their music was fast, angry and energetic. In 1982 the band embarked on their first national tour with fellow punk band, Youth Brigade. The trip was chronicled in the seminal punk rockumentary, Another State of Mind. The film was written, produced and directed by Peter Stuart and Adam Small (co-creator of "Mad TV").

Upon their return from the tour in 1982, they recorded their debut album, Mommy's Little Monster, which released in early 1983 on their own label, 13th Floor Records. The album included the title track as well as the song, "Another State of Mind," for which the documentary was named. Mike Ness mentions in his DVD commentary that he really had nowhere to stay when he got back to California so he would stay with whoever would have him. He plunged headfirst into serious drug addiction and ended up being strung out on heroin for weeks at a time. As a result of his escalating drug habit and troubles with the law, Social Distortion broke up in 1985. This resulted in an extended stint in a rehabilitation center, which would last for at least two years.

The band reformed in or around 1987 once Ness was clean. They released their second album, Prison Bound in the following year, over four years after their debut. The album included newcomers John Maurer on bass and Christopher Reece on drums. Prison Bound was not commercially successful, but the title track found airplay by the Los Angeles, California radio station, KROQ.

Taking time between albums became a pattern for Social D. 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." Steininger, Alex. "Mike Ness on politics, new album, and touring, " In Music We Trust. Issue 63, November-December 2003. Accessed June 19, 2006.

Mainstream success (1989-1996)

Social Distortion left Time Bomb Recordings and signed with Epic Records in 1989. Later that year, the band began recording their third album, simply titled Social Distortion, and released it in 1990. The album included the singles "Ball and Chain" and "Story of My Life" as well as a cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire".

Their fourth album, Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell, was released in 1992. The album included two hit singles "Bad Luck" and "When She Begins". After the release of the album, drummer Christopher Reece left Social Distortion in 1993 and was replaced by Randy Carr. He toured with the band and played drums on live performances until he left in 1995.

In 1995, Social Distortion released a compilation album, Wreckage From the Past, 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".

The band released their fifth album, White Light, White Heat, White Trash, in 1996 featuring Danzig drummer Chuck Biscuits. The album included only one hit single "I Was Wrong", but from a commercial standpoint was their most successful record to date. The album also included a re-recording of "Under My Thumb" as a hidden track.

Second hiatus and the death of Dennis Danell (1997-2000)

In 1997, Social Distortion left Epic Records and returned to Time Bomb Recordings for the first time in eight years. They released their 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 one featuring song covers, Under the Influences in the following year.

Dennis Danell died on February 29, 2000 in his Newport Beach home after apparently suffering a brain aneurysm, now leaving Ness as the original remaining member of the band. There have been some rumors claiming that the band broke up again, following his death.

Reunions, recent history and future plans (2001-present)

Around 2001, Social Distortion once again reunited and current guitarist Johnny Wickersham joined the band as Danell's replacement. Biscuits also left during that time and was replaced by Charlie Quintana. The band has since then continued touring.

There have been rumors of a follow-up to White Light, White Heat, White Trash and Ness was planning to release it in fall 2000, but nothing surfaced. The album was finally released in 2004, titled Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll. Before the release of the album long-time bassist John Maurer left the band to stay with his family and was replaced by Rancid's Matt Freeman. He stayed until early 2005 and was replaced by current bassist Brent Harding.

In February 2006, Ness was seriously injured and broke his wrist in a skateboarding accident. He has since had his good friend TSOL guitarist Ron Emory to fill his place on guitar for the tour while he continues to sing for the band with his arm in a cast and sling.

Social Distortion is currently working on their follow-up to Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll, which is due for release in late 2006 or early 2007. As of now, the official title and release date are unconfirmed. According to an interview with Ness, he announced that the album may not be recorded until towards the end of 2006, making it likely that it would surface in 2007. The band played an unreleased song "Diamonds in the Rough" at a concert at Royal Oak Music Theatre in Royal Oak, Michigan on September 27, 2005 and Ness does not know if it will appear on the new album. In January 2006, Ness also stated that there will be a greatest hits album and will contain some songs from the upcoming album.

Members

Current members

Past members

Discography

For full discography, see Social Distortion discography.

Image:Social Distortion Mommy's Little Monster.jpg|

Mommy's Little Monster
(1982)
Image:Social Distortion Prison Bound.jpg|
Prison Bound
(1988)
Image:Social Distortion Self-Titled.jpg|
Social Distortion
(1990)
Image:Social Distortion Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell.jpg|
Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell
(1992)
Image:Social Distortion White Light, White Heat, White Trash.jpg|
White Light, White Heat, White Trash
(1996)
Image:Social Distortion Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll.jpg|
Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll
(2004)
Image:Nocover.gif|
Untitled seventh studio album
(scheduled for release in late 2006/early 2007)

Influences

Social Distortion's main influence is mostly from a roots rock oriented direction, as well as from hardcore punk, psychedelic rock, blues, hard rock, modern rock, grunge and cowpunk. Though, they have never considered themselves a hardcore punk band. Bands that have influenced Social Distortion are: The Beatles, Johnny Cash, The Clash, KISS, Led Zeppelin, New York Dolls, Queen, Ramones, The Rolling Stones, Sex Pistols and Neil Young.

The band has been mentioned by many contemporary and later punk bands as an influence, including ALL, Big Drill Car, blink-182, Chemical People, Dropkick Murphys, Face to Face, MxPx, My Chemical Romance, No Use for a Name, The Offspring, Pennywise, Rancid, The Suicide Machines, Sum 41 and Thrice.

Trivia

  • The Offspring started in 1984 by founders Brian "Dexter" Holland and Greg K. The decision came outside of a Social Distortion concert, when both were refused entry.

  • A section of the song "Story of My Life" was played in the movie Life or Something Like It starring Angeline Jolie. The song was featured when Jolie's character finds herself having a midlife crisis, and decides to return to her high school punk roots. She wore a Social Distortion t-shirt during this scene, as well.

External links

References

1980s music groups | 1990s music groups | 2000s music groups | 1978 establishments | American musical groups | Early punk groups | California musical groups | Hardcore punk groups | Reunited musical groups

Social Distortion | Social Distortion | Social Distortion | Social Distortion | Social Distortion | Social Distortion | Social Distortion

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Social Distortion".

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