Social Distortion

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Social Distortion (often known as Social D or SxDx) is a punk band that originally formed in 1978 by frontman Mike Ness. They are (along with Minor Threat, Black Flag, Dead Kennedys, Bad Religion, and many others) often credited as one of the leading bands of the 1980's Punk Revival.

The band has remained silent three times and once broke up in 1985, due to frontman Ness' drug addiction. However, they reformed around 1987 and have continued being active today, especially after longtime guitarist Dennis Danell passed away from brain aneurysm in 2000. Since their inception the band lineup has been a virtual revolving-door of talent, with many members coming and going; however, Ness has remained.

So far, Social Distortion released six full-length studio albums, one live and compilation album and two DVDs. Their last album, Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll, came out on September 28, 2004 and is their first release with current guitarist Jonny "2 Bags" Wickersham, the replacement of the late Danell. The band is also rumored to record and a release their seventh studio album and a greatest hits compilation sometime in 2007.

[edit] History

[edit] Early career and first hiatus (1978-1988)

The band was formed in late 1978 by frontman Mike Ness and early lineups included Ness (guitar), Rikk and Frank Agnew(guitars), vocalist Tom Corvin, Casey Royer on drums and Dennis Danell on bass. One year later, Ness took on vocal duties in addition to lead guitar when Corvin left for graduate school, 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.

For Prison Bound, a notable style change takes place. 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' honk tonk style became more prominent influences on Social Distortion's music at this time, with references to Cash and the Stones in the songs "Prison Bound" and "On My Nerves." For the Prison Bound album, Social Distortion also performs a cover of a Stones song titled "Backstreet Girl," which has a major key sound that foreshadows the more focused cowpunk sound of the later albums.

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." <ref>Steininger, Alex. "Mike Ness on politics, new album, and touring, " In Music We Trust. Issue 63, November-December 2003. Accessed June 19, 2006.</ref>

[edit] Mainstream success (1989-1996)

Social Distortion left Restless Records 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". The self-titled album is a prime example of Social Distortion's honed-in cowpunk style, a key factor in allowing Social Distortion to become more accessible to the masses.

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, Mainliner: 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".

In the summer of 1994, the band began recording sessions for their fifth album. <ref>Social Distortion & Mike Ness Trade List. Retrieved on July 29, 2006.</ref> The album White Light, White Heat, White Trash, taking on a harder sound than those preceding it, was released in 1996 featuring Danzig drummer Chuck Biscuits. The album included only one hit single "I Was Wrong", but was well received by critics. The album also included a re-recording of "Under My Thumb" as a hidden track.

[edit] 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 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 current guitarist Jonny Wickersham and Biscuits also left during that time and was replaced by Charlie Quintana.

[edit] Aftermath of Danell's death (2001-2004)

Since 2001, Social Distortion would continue touring semi-frequently, playing sold-out shows in the Los Angeles, California area around the New Year for three straight years.

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 late 2004 and was replaced by current bassist Brent Harding.

[edit] Recent history (2005-present)

In February 2006, Ness was injured and broke his wrist in a skateboarding accident. He had his good friend, TSOL guitarist Ron Emory to fill his place on guitar for the tour while he continuing to sing for the band with his arm in a cast and sling. As of July 2006, Emory is no longer filling for Ness. The Hangmen's Bryan Small was also filling for Ness.

Social Distortion has spent much of summer 2006 playing with Nine Black Alps and The Supersuckers on various tour dates. The band recently finished their fall tour with Blackpool Lights and the The Supersuckers between September 27th and November 7th.

The band is currently writing and rehearsing a new studio album, which is due for release sometime in 2007.<ref>Social Distortion: 30 years of evolving rock. Accessed September 20, 2006.</ref> They also plan to release a greatest hits album, but it is unknown whether it will surface before or after the new album.<ref>What's in store for '06?. SxDx.com, January 26 2006</ref>

[edit] Line-Ups

[edit] Discography

For full discography, see Social Distortion discography.

Mommy's Little Monster (1983)	Prison Bound (1988)	Social Distortion (1990)	Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell (1992)
White Light, White Heat, White Trash (1996)	Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll (2004)	Untitled seventh studio album (scheduled for release in 2007)

[edit] 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: 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 Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba, ALL, Big Drill Car, blink-182, Chemical People, Dropkick Murphys, Face to Face, MxPx, Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, My Chemical Romance, No Use for a Name, The Offspring, Pennywise, Rancid, The Suicide Machines, Sum 41 and Thrice.

[edit] Trivia

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

• A line in the song Riot Girl by Good Charlotte goes: 'She likes Minor Threat, She likes Social Distortion'.

• The song "Story of My Life" was featured in the movie Reality Bites, starring Winona Ryder.

• The song "Story of My Life" was also featured in the movie Orange County, starring Colin Hanks, Jack Black, and Schuyler Fisk

• 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.

• Social Distortion's tracks appear on several video games. For example, track "Don't Drag Me Down" was featured on Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX video game and "Mommy's Little Monster" was featured on Tony Hawk's Underground.

• The song "Story of My Life" appeared in the movie The Break-Up, starring Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston. The song played when Vaughn's character was playing billiards with his friends at his condo.

• The song, "Ball and Chain" is also played asthe background music for The Break-Up trailer.

• The song "Reach for the Sky" appeared on the television show Smallville (TV series) in the fourth season.

• Kevin Bacon's character in the film Stir of Echoes wears a Social Distortion t-shirt during one of the scenes.

• Kubo Tite, author of the hit shounen manga Bleach (manga) used the song "Don't Drag Me Down" as a theme song for one of the characters (Isshin Kurosaki), and even said that one of the main characters (Ichigo Kurosaki) favorite celebrity is frontman Mike Ness.

[edit] External links

• Official Website
• Musicpix Interview with Mike Ness - Live Concert Photos
• unofficial website
• Social Distortion at Oivision.de (german)
• Social Distortion Lyrics
• Concert review of Social Distortion at Standard Time
• Social Distortion at Last.fm

[edit] References

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