Social Distortion

Categories: American musical groups | Early punk groups | 1980s music groups | 1990s music groups | 2000s music groups

Social Distortion (often known as Social D) is an influental old school punk band, appearing in the early '80s and still active today.

History

The band was formed in late 1978 by frontman Mike Ness as a teenager. They played 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 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"). The band came to an end in 1985 due to Ness' drug habit overdoses and run-ins with the law, then ends up in prison.

Later, Ness would clean up his act so the band would finally return releasing their second album Prison Bound in 1988 with newcomers John Maurer on bass and Christopher Reece on drums. The album was not successful, but the song "Prison Bound" found airplay by the Los Angeles, California radio station KROQ. The band left TimeBomb Recordings and signed to Epic Records in 1989.

In the late 1980s they began to move in a more roots rock oriented direction, continuing in the 90s, and also began to include elements of grunge and cowpunk. 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 and the band has never broken up. In 2000 guitarist and long-time member Dennis Danell died, but the band overcame the loss and in 2004 released their latest album Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll. There have been no announcements from the band to see if their recent bassist Brent Harding would be a permanent member, but the band has been writing a new album of new material that is expected to be released sometime in 2006, according to one source (Ultimate-Guitar.com). According to an interview with Ness, he announced that the album may not be recorded until towards the end of 2006. 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 that album or not.

Their tracks appers 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.

Statistics

• Genre: Old school punk
• Country: USA
• Status: Active
• Time: 1978 –

Current Members

• Mike Ness - Vocals, Guitars
• Johnny Wickersham - Guitars (joined after former guitarist Dennis Danell died, see also Cadillac Tramps)
• Brent Harding - Bass (joined in 2005)
• Charlie Quintana - Drums (joined in 2000)

Past Members

• Tom Corvin - Vocals (joined in 1978, left the same year)
• Rikk Agnew - Guitars (joined in 1978, replaced in 1980)
• Frank Agnew - Guitars (joined in 1978, replaced in 1980)
• Timothy Maag - Guitars (joined in 1979, replaced in 1981)
• Dennis Danell - Bass & Guitars (joined in 1979 as bassist until 1984, he died on leap day 2000)
• Brent Liles - Bass (joined in 1980, replaced in 1984, see also Agent Orange)
• John Maurer - Bass (joined in 1984, left in 2004)
• Casey Royer - Drums (joined in 1978, replaced in 1980), see also D.I.
• Derek O'Brein - Drums (joined in 1980, replaced in 1984)
• Chris Reece - Drums (joined in 1984, replaced in 1993, see also The Lewd)
• Randy Carr - Drums (joined in 1993, replaced in 1995)
• Chuck Biscuits - Drums (joined in 1995, replaced in 2000, see also D.O.A., Danzig)
• Matt Freeman - Bass (joined in 2004, replaced in 2005, see also Rancid)

Discography

Studio Albums

Compilations

• Mainliner: Wreckage From the Past (1995) (EP of pre-Mommy's Little Monster material)

Live Albums

• Live at the Roxy (1998)
• Live in Orange County (2004) (also released on DVD)

Singles

External links

• Official Website
• Musicpix Interview with Mike Ness - Live Concert Photos
• unofficial website

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