The L.A. punk band Social Distortion has endured several personal quakes, beginning the demise of the Los Angeles hardcore scene that spawned them and ending with the drug addiction of singer/guitarist/bandleader Mike Ness, to achieve mainstream acceptance for their uncompromising punk. Ins... More
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The L.A. punk band Social Distortion has endured several personal quakes, beginning the demise of the Los Angeles hardcore scene that spawned them and ending with the drug addiction of singer/guitarist/bandleader Mike Ness, to achieve mainstream acceptance for their uncompromising punk. Inspired by the fertile L.A. punk scene, Ness formed the group in 1978 with drummer Casey Royer and brothers Frank and Rikk Agnew.
When Social Distortion finally recorded its debut album, Mommy's Little Monster in 1983, the band consisted of Ness, guitarist Danell, bassist Brent Liles, and drummer Derek O'Brien. However, the band took four years to record a follow-up, as Ness descended into addiction. Liles and O'Brien left, and Ness, after straightening himself out, regrouped in 1988 with John Maurer on bass and Chris Reece on drums. This lineup recorded Prison Bound, broadening Social Distortion's rock influences with a country feel. Their self-titled 1990 effort included a cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire". Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell (1992) became their most popular album to date, producing a minor radio hit "Bad Luck" and keeping with their now-established blend of punk, blues, and country.
Social Distortion took an extended hiatus and returned in 1996 with White Light, White Heat, White Trash, be a moderate hit on MTV and modern-rock radio. Danell died in February of 2000 of an apparent brain aneurysm at 38-years-old. In the fall of 2000, Jonny Wickersham signed on as the group's new guitarist, and Charlie Quintana took over on drums from the often busy Biscuits. After extensive touring, the band went back into the studio in 2004 to record Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll. They are currently on the lineup to headline 2010’s Lollapalooza and have confirmed that an album is in the works, said to be returning to the NY ‘70s and ‘80s punk roots. Social Distortion will be headlining a show at the House of Blues in Boston on November 1st, debuting new material, mixed in with the old.
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