Page 74 - IONIndieMagazine Vollume 41 Nov/Dec2017

This is a band that has been on my bucket list for quite some time. It's a band that if you’re a fan and you
hear that they are coming to town, you start making plans. I’m speaking of a band that is both brash and
bold -- and has the balls to go the distance. That band is the legendary Social Distortion. I was denied
credentials two years ago, so you can imagine how thrilled I was when I was approved to cover them here
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in El Paso, Texas on September 5 at our premier venue, Tricky Falls (www.trickyfalls.com).

The band was founded by Mike Ness in 1978 and was inspired by The Sex Pistols, one of my personal
favorites. Mike hails from Fullerton, California, also known as Orange County. In the many decades they
have been serving up their original brand of music, Social Distortion has produced 7 studio albums, 1
extended play, 2 compilation albums, 2 DVD’s and 24 singles. Which is a lot, considering the gaps in time
due to line up changes, personal issues, and several years in-between releases. The last release was 6
years ago, but regardless of that, bands that have been around for several decades tend to develop solid
fan bases, and Social Distortion is no exception. The line was wrapped around the building! Tricky Falls
holds 1500, and for the Social Distortion performance, close to 1300 were in attendance. Judging by the
crowd’s attire, which included slicked-back hair, Levi’s cuffed at the bottoms, short sleeves rolled up…and
of course, the girls. Well, let’s just say that everyone turned up for Social Distortion in retro rock style!

The best way for me to describe Social Distortion’s music is country and western meets punk
rock/pop/punk. Some may refer to it as “cow punk”. Still others may just call it straight-up rock and roll.
Call it what you will, Mike hit the fans smack between the eyes with classics like “Prison Bound,” “Ball and
Chain,” “Bad Luck,” and the crowd favorite, “Story of My Life.” Much like country music, these songs tell
a story, but with the punch of punk and with the attitude and swagger of rock and roll. One quick glance
revealed the crowd engagement – circle pit, fists in the air, every word to every song on everyone’s lips.
It was a hell of a show! Check that -- it was more of a PARTY…or rather, a family outing with Mike Ness
holding court over the festivities.

Social Distortion Summer Tour 2017 is out there and on the road, and should they have a stop-off in your
town, you too will have the same mindset as the 1300 party-goers here in El Paso did. Grab a chick and
get your kicks with Social D…the place to be!

Learn more about Social Distortion at www.socialdistortion.com and show them some love on Facebook
at www.facebook.com/socialdistortion

Check out the Social Distortion video for “Story of My Life” at https://youtu.be/oh8zcbC_Dcw