The
late ‘70’s…
The first raw, sloppy, speeding guitar chords announcing
an Orange County punk scene blared from Huntington Beach and Fullerton
California in 1978. They echoed the sound forged in 1976-77 in the seminal
punk undergrounds of New York City, London and Los Angeles.
In the early days, O.C. punk’s unyielding musical force slammed up
against an immovable cultural object: the Orange County dream of quiet,
well-oriented, economically impregnable suburban living.
Treating rowdy, often outrageous fans as a gang element, local authorities
shut down a series of clubs that championed the music. But O.C. punk proved
too hardy to erase.
In 1979, Mike Ness forms Social Distortion with drummer Casey Royer and
brothers Rikk and Frank Agnew.
Police arrive to break up the first ever gig by Social Distortion, at
a house party in Yorba Linda, CA. A 17 year-old Mike Ness spits in a plainclothesman’s
face and is carted off to jail.
"Basically, they’re into violence," a Huntington Beach
police sergeant told the LA Times in 1979. "They have a hatred virtually
for everybody. There’s no motive, no rationale. They just do whatever
they feel like at the time." The officer went on to plea: "We
can’t do anything with out the public’s help. It’s the
only way we’re going to stop it." Misjudging punk as a gang
movement, police in Huntington Beach and Newport Beach detained kids on
the streets snapping their mug shots for police files.
The ‘80’s…
Mike Ness was the original tenant of "the Black
Hole" a one-bedroom pad in a nondescript Fullerton apartment complex.
The walls were said to have witnessed wild experimentation with sex and
intoxicants.
After meeting Dennis Danell, a punk loving classmate, Ness insisted Danell,
who at the time didn’t play an instrument, be included in the band
as the Bass player. Not wanting to pause to break in a novice, Royer and
the Agnews left and formed their own band instead.
The next few years saw a revolving-door membership.
Ness, now almost 18, went into a rage at "the Black Hole." He
started slamming a knife into the wall. The knife got stuck, Ness’
hand sliped and his left index finger is sliced.
KROQ-FM deejay Rodney Bingenheimer embraced Orange County music, playing
highlights from its major local bands on his Sunday night radio show.
Robbie Fields, a small-time music entrepreneur, saw potential in suburban
punk. Fields combed the clubs and backyard parties, signing many of the
significant local bands to his Posh Boy label for their initial singles
or albums.
In the early ‘80’s, Mike Ness was brawling outside of the Cuckoo’s
Nest with a rival punk rocker who wrestled him to the ground and bite
off a chunk of his left ear.
1981, Social Distortion release their first single "Mainliner/Playpen"
on the Posh Boy label.
In 1982 Social Distortion, along with LA’s Youth Brigade and DC’s
Minor Threat, filmed the documentary "Another State of Mind,"
which follows the band’s first stormy cross-continental tour.
In early 1983 Mike Ness punched out a bouncer before a Social Distortion
club gig in San Diego. The triumph was short lived. After the show, a
posse of bouncers grabbed Ness, beat him up and called the police.
By late1983, Social Distortion’s first recording line up consisted
of Mike Ness, Danell (now on rhythm guitar), bassist Brent Liles, and
drummer Derek O’Brien. Released on 13th Floor, "Mommy’s
Little Monster" gained the band a national name in punk circles.
New Year’s Eve 1983, a fed-up Brent Liles and Derek O’Brien
bailed out of the band in the middle of the show.
At the beginning of 1984, Ness and Danell recruited John Maurer, another
old school buddy from Fullerton to play bass and Christopher Reece came
in on the drums. This lineup weathered Social Distortion’s worst
years.
1984 "Another State Of Mind" was one of the few punk videos
to air on Mtv.
1984 Social Distortion continued to play locally and on weekend get-aways
to Arizona and Northern California.
Late 1985, Mike Ness, after a series of hospitalizations and brief jailings,
had put on the brakes by going into a drug recovery program.
1988, Social Distortion release "Prison Bound," an album whose
moving title cut about a wasted life is one of the greatest songs ever
to come out of Orange County, Ness turned Social Distortion’s albums
into an ongoing dialogue about impulsiveness, it’s consequences and
the hard struggle for maturity.
The ‘90’s…
In 1990, "Social Distortion," SD’s
first album on a major label (Epic), the first not financed by the band
itself was released.
In 1992 Social Distortion released "Somewhere Between Heaven and
Hell." The second release on the major label Epic.
Although Social Distortion proudly proclaimed its Fullerton origins, other
upwardly mobile rockers played down their O.C. connections.
July 1995, Time Bomb Recordings re-issues "Mommy’s Little Monster,"
"Prison Bound," and releases the single compilation "Mainliner,
Wreckage from the Past."
Social Distortion took an extended hiatus following the release of "Somewhere
Between Heaven and Hell," and returned to the studios in the fall
of 1995 to record "White Light, White Heat, White Trash."
August1996 Chuck Biscuits becomes the new drummer for Social Distortion.
Summer of 1997, Social Distortion play the Vans Warped Tour. Other bands
on the bill include Pennywise, Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Helmet.
February 1998, Time Bomb Recordings re-issues the punk classic "Hell
Comes To Your House."
April 7,8,9 1998, Social Distortion record three nights at the Roxy and
release it as an album on Time Bomb Recordings.
Early 1999, Mike Ness records and releases his first solo record "Cheating
At Solitaire."
Late 1999, Mike Ness records and releases the cover collection "Under
The Influences."
The ‘00’s…
February 29, 2000 Dennis Danell, the 38-year old
guitarist, died of natural causes. "I am saddened beyond any possible
form of expression. Dennis and I have been friends since boyhood, starting
Social Distortion while we where in high school. My deepest regrets to
his family." - Mike Ness
May 6, 2000 "When The Angels Sing" a benefit for the family
of Dennis Danell. Bands who were on the bill include Social Distortion,
The Offspring, X, Pennywise, TSOL, Punk Rock Karoke, Agent Orange and
Rock Star BBQ.
Fall of 2000, Jonny "2 Bags" Wickersham becomes the new guitarist
for Social Distortion.
Fall of 2000, Charlie Quintana becomes the new drummer for Social Distortion.
January 2001 – Social Distortion play 20 sold out nights in Anaheim,
CA., San Diego, CA., Los Angeles, CA . and Las Vegas, NV.
Fall of 2001 Social Distortion rehearse and prepare for their new record.
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RECORD
COMPANY:
Time Bomb Recordings
31652 2nd Ave.
Laguna Beach, CA
92651
ph: (949) 499-8338
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PUBLISHING
INFORMATION:
songs from Social Distortion, Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell, White
Light White Heat White Trash:
Sony Music Publishing (310) 449-2100
All else:
Wixen Music Publishing (818) 591-7355
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BOOKING:
US: Andy Somers / The AgencyGroup
INTERNATIONAL: Martin Horne / ITB
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OFFICIAL WEBSITE:
www.socialdistortion.com
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