Music Profile Monday: Social Distortion

A troubled band that left their mark on the Orange County rock scene, and continue to influence rockers today.

Like any music lover, Guitar Hero had a massive influence on the music we later consumed in life such as "Slow Ride" by Foghat, "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" by Pat Benatar, and "Story Of My Life" by Social Distortion.

Social Distortion hails from Orange County suburbia, Fullerton, California, about an hour drive away from Los Angeles. A deeply troubled band with a rotating lineup with one consistent, Mike Ness.

Social Distortion is a punk rock band that was one of the original bands to reach success from the Orange County punk rock scene in the late 70s to early 80s. Heavily influenced by the Sex Pistols, Rolling Stones, the Clash and Johnny Cash, Social Distortion's sound resonates deeply with the British influence while still contributing to the hard punk rock sound of the 70s and 80s in SoCal, which add to the stark contrast of music at the time and the stereotypical look of Southern California.

All of the songs, written by Ness, describe a life of loss, addiction, and love as Ness writes about events in his own life. The song, “Ball and Chain”, takes inspiration from Johnny Cash and his Folsom Prison Blues album, describing a life about the struggle of addiction and the struggle of getting one’s life together to get clean, and the strong craving to go back to how life once was.

Best listened as an adult after a hard couple years post-college. Listener discretion is advised.

Social Distortion Recommendations

1. Story of My Life

2. Ball and Chain

3. Don’t Drag Me Down