July 26, 2004 - Line up rumor!
Various sources have stated that John Maurer, bass player for Social Distortion since 1984, has left the band. He will reportedly be replaced by Matt (Operation Ivy, Rancid) Freeman. At this point there is no official confirmation of this rumor.

July 21, 2004 - Another State Of Mind DVD pre-orders!
"Another State Of Mind," the documentary covering a cross-country trip with Social Distortion and Youth Brigade in the early 80's is now set for a DVD release on August 24, 2004.  Pre-order you copy from the SxDx.com store HERE.

Comment on this story on the SxDx.com ShOuTbOARD here.

July 5, 2004 - LIVE IN ORANGE COUNTY DVD pre-orders!
Amazon.com is now accepting pre-orders for the Social Distortion live DVD, "Live In Orange County." List price is $14.98, but you can pre-order the DVD now for only $10.98 by clicking HERE.

Comment on this story on the SxDx.com ShOuTbOARD here.

June 28, 2004 - "LIVE IN ORANGE COUNTY" DVD release date and live performance
From socialdistortion.com: Social Distortion will be releasing their first ever full-length concert release entitled 'Live In Orange County' on July 27, 2004, coming out on Time Bomb Recordings. This is only the second time (since Another State of Mind) that the group has been captured on film. This event was filmed on January 19, 2003, at the House of Blues in Anaheim, CA, and will feature back stage footage, interviews, a photo gallery and more. 'Live In Orange County' spans the guys extensive history, and will take you from 'Mommy’s Little Monster' through 'White Light, White Heat, White Trash', and includes two never before released songs, 'Footprints On My Ceiling' and 'I Wasn’t Born To Follow'. Both songs are to be included on Social Distortion’s forthcoming studio album due out later this year."

Keep checking back here for info on pre-ordering your copy.

Social Distortion has also lined up an appearance at the annual Street Scene in San Diego on August 28.

June 17, 2004 - More Album & DVD info!
The DVD of Another State Of Mind has been scheduled for release during the summer of 2004.

Also, according to the Time Bomb Recordings website, the NEW SOCIAL DISTORTION album should be in stores sometime in August of 2004.

Comment on this story on the SxDx.com ShOuTbOARD here.

June 16, 2004 - STATUS OF NEW ALBUM!
From the socialdistortion.com newsletter: Cameron Webb and Mike Ness are currently in a Los Angeles studio mixing the songs recorded for the new record. Below is a list of song names that will be on the album. They're not in the final sequence, but we wanted to give you first glance at the songs you've been waiting for. A title for the record is still in the works, but we will be sure to let you in on what it is as soon as we get word from Mr. Ness.

Songs: Reach For The Sky, Shake Ass, Don’t Take Me For Granted, Footprints On My Ceiling, Nickels & Dimes, I Wasn’t Born To Follow, Winners & Losers, Faithless, Live Before You Die and Angels Wings.

Comment on this story on the SxDx.com ShOuTbOARD here.

June 9, 2004 - 20th Anniversary screening of ANOTHER STATE OF MIND
posted by gotXyourXcancer: That's right, it's been 20 years since Another State of Mind debuted in the theater. Thanks in part to the Los Angeles Film Festival you have a chance to see it on the silver screen once again. Another State of Mind will be playing at 10:00pm on Saturday, June 19, 2004, at the Laemmle Sunset 5 Theatres in Los Angeles, CA. To purchase tickets, or to get more information on the Los Angeles Film Festival you can click on this link: LA FILMFEST. Hope to see you there!
Comment on this story on the SxDx.com ShOuTbOARD here.

March 22, 2004 - Black Kat Kustoms unveiled and Road Zombie Preview
Black Kat Kustoms is up and running...Mike Ness has teamed up with Don Nemarnik to open a shop based around hot rods, customs, bikes and choppers (and merchendise). For more info, visit www.BlackKatKustoms.com. The music on the main page is a studio version of the infamous "Road Zombie," the new Social Distortion insturmental which has opened the sporadic live show.
Comment on this story on the SxDx.com ShOuTbOARD here.
In other SxDx news, socialdistortion.com reports that "Phase Two" of the recording is complete, and recording should wrap up by April 1. Hopefully it's not an April Fool's joke...

February 23, 2004
John Maurer and Jonny "Twobags" Wickersham will participate in the 91X Punk Rock Pro-Am on Friday, February 27th along with members of Green Day, Lit, Long Beach Dub All-Stars and more. For more info, visit www.91x.com. Also, word has it that the dvd filmed last year, tentatively titled "LIVE IN ORANGE COUNTY" will be released in May through Time Bomb Filmworks. View the proposed cover art here.

January 28, 2004
At the January 11th surprise concert in Orlando, Mike Ness revealed that the new album is 3/4 of the way completed and should be available around June! A couple of site updates at SxDx.com - more stuff in the STORe, including the SxDx throw rug and a new hat design. There are also more additions to the faN phOTOS - keep 'em comin'! If you've got a Social Distortion photograph that you took, feel free to send it to [email protected].

Past Social Distortion News

December 20, 2003
The STORe has been remodeled and restocked. Now available are shirts, jewelery, posters and the rare VANS shoes. Grab 'em while you can.

December 1, 2003
Just a brief reminder with the holiday season upon us - although there isn't a string of dates lined up for the House of Blues, you can still pick up some merch in the STORe section of SxDx.com. Most of the cds are now under $15 each, and the Another State Of Mind video is available for under twenty bucks.

November 25, 2003
More pix in the faN phOTOS. Also, the band completed the new demos and headed into an L.A. studio earlier this month to begin recording THE NEW ALBUM. More info as it comes in...

August 16, 2003
Another couple of additions made to the faN phOTOS. Enough so that there's now a THIRD section in faN phOTOS - including some from the Hootenanny appearance with Mike's son Julian! Keep 'em coming...

July 16, 2003
"Odelay, kiddies." That may ring a bell for a few - for the rest of you, a brief Social D online history: during the White Light, White Heat, White Trash tour, John Maurer provided a tour diary on the official site. John's entries have now been reproduced and reposted for your viewing pleasure - just jump on over to the "TOuR" section and enjoy!

July 13, 2003
And a hearty "Fuck You" to those who've been complaining about Social D playing the same set list in recent years! At last week's Hootenanny, not only did the band debut a new original ("Private Hell"), they also performed rarely and never-before-heard songs such as The Rolling Stones' "Play With Fire," "Long Black Veil," and a couple of reggae tunes ("The Harder They Come" and The Clash's "Guns Of Brixton"), the latter featuring Mike's son Julian on vocals. Also in the set were the new songs "Road Zombie," "Footprints On My Ceiling" and "Don't Take Me For Granted," along with several other songs which haven't been played live recently. More sporadic tour dates on the way.

Also, keep the name "Black Kat Kustoms" in mind...

May 12, 2003
One more for Social Dbay - a 1975 Les Paul Deluxe Gold Top - used by Mike Ness in the studio and on the road. It's on eBay now, and it could be yours...just click here to go right to the auction - bidding ends May 22! Only a couple more trips to the plasma center...

February 22, 2003

The SxDx.com "STORe" is now fully stocked wil all of Social Distortion's commercially available cds, the "Live At The Roxy" guitar tab book, and "Another State Of Mind" on VHS!

February 10, 2003

Mike Ness has been added to the "Exposed!" list of Metal-Sludge. Also, thanks to Rat Fink from the ShOuT bOARD for pointing this out: "Mike Ness selling his 1956 Les Paul Special on E-Bay." The auction ends tomorrow, so hurry and make your tax return count!

February 6, 2003
How's The New Album Sound?
The Jauary 2003 issue of German magazine "Visions" features an interview with Mike Ness. On what to expect on the new record, Mike says "Definitely more glam and seventies influences and less country since I'm able to realize this part of me better by the Mike Ness Band. And certainly more hope and light than on White Light, White Heat, White Trash. You can't forever tell yourself and others that life's all bad. Apart from other things, punk rock also is about fun and loud guitars. Before doing the last album I went through a really hard time, and even if not all is great in my life, I'm much better now than at that time."

February 5, 2003
Social D sees Euopean Distribution / New Album Progress
Kung Fu Records (owned by Joe Escalante of The Vandals) will be releasing much of Social D's catalog in Europe: Mainliner, Mommy's Little Monster, Prison Bound and Live At The Roxy, as well as Mike Ness' solo albums Cheating At Solitaire and Under The Influences. Also, up to TWENTY new songs have been demoed/recorded for the NEW album - if things go right, look for a late spring release.

January 12, 2003
The Big Takeover #51
The latest issue of The Big Takeover is out now (with Paul Westerberg on the cover), and features the second part of and interview with Mike Ness which began in issue #50. Click HERE to read an excerpt from the new issue and for info on how you can get The Big Takeover yourself!

January 11, 2003
Daddy Needs A New Pair Of Shoes / Live DVD
Vans and Social Distortion have teamed up for a couple of limited edition shoes...the "Old Skools" and "Sk8-Hi's." According to the press release, these are web exclusives, so hop over to Vans.com to place your order.
Also, amidst recording the new album, Social Distortion has been filming some of their recent House Of Blues shows for future release on DVD! Looks like 2003 is shaping up to be a big year...

November 9, 2002
No band news today - just a few site updates. Now in the "ALbumS" section you will find a link to purchase Another State Of Mind on VHS and the Self Titled and Somewhere Between Heaven & Hell cds with extra bonus tracks - all just in time for holiday shopping. We're also working on getting caught up on out-of-date and broken links, plus putting up some new sites in the "lINkS" section.

November 9, 2002
The band has been working and recording demos throughout the month of October, and are currently playing a handful of dates with Tony Hawk's Boom Boom Huckjam. Hopes are to have the new album ready for release in spring of 2003.

September 18, 2002
SocialDbay is at it again! This one's for you drummers out there. Bob Stubbs (Social Distortion, Glass Heroes, Flipper, etc) is selling his Ludwig green Vistalite drumset. The auction ends September 28th. You can take a look and make a bid here.

September 3, 2002
FOR SALE!!! A 1969 Gibson Les Paul Gold Top Standard...owned by Jonny "Twobags"! It's on eBay now, and the auction ends September 6. It could be yours...just click here to go right to the auction.

August 21, 2002
Social Distortion is heading to the East Coast once again, this time as part of Tony Hawk's BoomBoom HuckJam. The dates of Social D's appearances are available in the TOuR section of this site. For more info on the BoomBoom HuckJam, visit the site here.

June 29, 2002
The best interview with Mike Ness from the last five years can be found in the latest issue of The Big Takeover. Visit their website at http://www.bigtakeover.com to order your copy. For a sneak peek, check this out.

June 17, 2002
Another Mike Ness auction on eBay...this time it's for a 1940's leather motorcycle jacket. The auction is set to close on June 21, so click here if you've got some spare change. Otherwise, you'll just have to settle with a recent interview in the Cleveland Scene. You can read it here.

June 16, 2002
Social D's been rolling through the midwest for the first time in five years. This leg of the tour started in Dallas with a surprise guest appearance by the Reverend Horton Heat on "Ring Of Fire." Opening the first half of this leg is San Diego's The Hangmen. They've got a new live album on the way next month...you can find out more about them by stopping by their record label's site, www.acetate.com. Lost City Angels start opening in Chicago.

April 28, 2002
Social Distortion was one of the musical guests at "Tony Hawk's Boom Boom Huckjam," held April 27th at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Social D performed a 30 minute set, cosisting mostly of "Mommy's Little Monster" era songs. At the end of the evening, Mike Ness joined The Offspring on stage for a performance of The Ramones' "Blitzkrieg Bop."

Social D tours through June! Details in the "TOuR" section!

April 4, 2002
Just a few things: Billboard.com has featured Social Distortion as the "Artist Of The Day." In the article, Mike Ness discusses turning 40 and the status of the new album. Click here for the article.

Social Distortion is heavily featured in a VH1 documentary titled "Orange County: American Hip Factory." The program is scheduled to air Friday, April 12 at 2pm EST. HERE is VH1's webpage about the show.

And finally, be sure to check the "TOuR" page for another concert date.

January 29, 2002
Your chance to own a piece of Social D history!!! Start digging under those sofa cushions for spare change - the guitar featured on the cover of Somewhere Between Heaven & Hell can be yours! Mike's 1975 Les Paul Deluxe Tobacco Burst is available on eBay. Bidding ends February 7. It's the same guitar that's provided Social D's signiture sound on several recordings and tours. Here's the quick link to go right to the auction.

January 25, 2002
Beck and Eddie Vedder will be performing February 26 at the Wiltern Theatre in L.A. at the Concert For Artist Rights. Special guest performer: Mike Ness!

January 22, 2002
An inside source says Social Distortion is planning on heading into the studio in March to begin work on their first studio album since 1996's "White Light, White Heat, White Trash." We'll keep you posted on any updates...

December 26, 2001
The soundtrack for the new movie "Orange County" features a live version of Social D's "Story Of My Life." It was recorded during the string of 1998 shows that brought us "Live At The Roxy," but appears to be different a different version. Word has it the original studio version is featured in the flick, though. Go figure. Here's the Amazon link for the Orange County Soundtrack.

November 24, 2001
MTV2 recently had a feature of the top ten punk videos of all time - "Ball & Chain" came in at numer 3!!!

November 6, 2001
No big news. A few tour dates scattered around the country over the next couple of months though. However, be sure to stop by the official Social D site if you haven't already. Brand new makeover, and more info than a Social D fan could ask for.

September 5, 2001
Another exclusive interview!
We finally get some details on Social Distortion, circa 1984, courtesy of Bob Stubbs. Read his interview here.

July 29, 2001
More new album news
In a Los Angeles Times article, Mike Ness discussed the new album (set for spring 2002), changing over the last twenty years, and makes mention of an invitation from Johnny Cash to record together. View the article here

July 11, 2001
New songs debuted
Social D fans who are able to catch the band on this leg of the mini-tour may be fortunate enough to catch a few new songs - the instrumental "Road Zombie," "Winners And Losers" and "I Wasn't Born To Follow." Two other songs "Don't Take Me For Granted" (which was debuted at the When The Angels Sing benefit in 2000) and "Footprints On My Ceiling" (performed during shows earlier this year) have been finding their ways into current setlists as well. And as always, if you get some live photos, feel free to send them to SxDx.com and we'll get them up in the Fan Photos section!

May 24, 2001
Social D does X?
A tribute album is in the works honoring the legendary LA punk band X. MTV.com reports that Pennywise singer Jim Lindberg is trying to tap No Doubt, Everclear, Blondie, and Social Distortion to contribute to the disc. Lindberg is confident the project will get off the ground, saying "I have trouble thinking anyone's going to turn us down." He says he has some songs in mind for various bands to cover. For example, he says he'd like to hear No Doubt perform "Your Phone's Off The Hook (But You're Not)" and Social Distortion put its spin on "White Girl." Lindberg says the ultimate goal is to come up with a good album that everyone, including the members of X, enjoy. He says he's hoping to have the project completed for release next year.

May 9, 2001
Hootenanny
The lineup for the Hootenanny 2001 concert is official...Social D is headlining. The date is July 7 at Hidden Valley in Irvine, Ca. Check the "TOUR" section for a list of other artists performing.

May 2, 2001
The New Album
When asked last month how the new album was coming along, Mike Ness said "slow." His wife elaborated that Mike is in "home mode" currently, working on restoring a house in Floral Park. The band is expected to begin recording in June or July.

February, 2001
Foxy News
John Maurer's band Foxy is hard at work. They've just signed with Loud Energy, the label John works for. Recording of the new Foxy record begins in March with John producing alongside Rob Stevens (John Lennon, RHCP, John Lydon), with a projected release date of July, 2001. The band then heads to Eurpope for a string of shows during June and July. Keep up with current Foxy happenings at www.stayfoxy.com (Thanks, LP!)

January 17, 2001
EXCLUSIVE DEREK O'BRIEN INTERVIEW
Derek O'Brien was the drummer in Social Distoriton between 1981 and 1984, recording the Mommy's Little Monster lp and songs which later appeared on Mainliner: Wreckage From The Past. Derek covered his musical history with SxDx.com in this exclusive interview. Read it here.

November 2, 2000
SOCIAL DISTORTION BACK ON TOUR!!! Check out "The Road" section and click on 2001!!!

August 22, 2000
Mike Ness has another cameo in an upcoming film.  "Too Tough To Die" also features cameos from Iggy Pop, Joe Strummer, and Ice-T.  The big news on the film is that The Ramones are reuniting to record a new song for the movie, as well as considering a cameo themselves.  Mike's first acting appearance was in an independent film called "Frezno Smooth" in 1999.  A still from the movie can be seen here.

June 24, 2000
Social Distortion guitarist Dennis Danell started a new band while Social D was on hiatus called Strung Gurus. Of course, he passed away just as things were starting to happen for them. Nevertheless, you can hear a song at either farmclub or mp3.com. The track is called "Sun Eyed Girl", and for you SoCal people, it was twice Jed the Fish's Catch of the Day at KROQ. Strung Gurus also featured Michael Knott of the Aunt Bettys.

John Maurer's "day job":  Aside from the new Social Distortion album, John's been keeping busy as the VP of artist relations at loudENERGY.  Check it out...there's mp3s of "2000 A.D." and "Sick Inside" from John's "Foxy" ep.

June 6, 2000
Despite previous rumors, there are NO plans to release any video footage from the "When The Angels Sing" benefit.

June 5, 2000
"Live At The Hootenanny (Vol. 1)" features a live version of Mike Ness' "I'm In Love w/my Car." It is scheduled to be released on June 20. You can order the cd by clicking here.

May 15, 2000
Rumor has it that the 'When The Angels Sing' benefit concert will be released on cd and videotape...keep your fingers crossed!!!

May 10, 2000
The release date for the next Social Distortion album is still set for the autumn of 2000. Time Bomb Recordings is releasing a "Live At The Hootenanny (Vol. 1)" album on June 20. Considering the amount of times Social D & Mike Ness have played this festival, expect a track or two on this compilation.

April 25, 2000
Time Bomb Recordings is reportedly going to begin sending Mike Ness' "Ball & Chain (Honky Tonk)" to country radio stations to "see how it flies."

March 31, 2000
A benefit concert for Dennis Danell's family is scheduled to take place May 6 at the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre.  The proceeds will go into a trust fund set up for Dennis's  children.

Johnny "Two Bags" Wickersham (US Bombs, Cadillac Tramps), is rumored to be filling in for Danell.

More info can be found at the KROQ.com website.

March 7, 2000
Dennis Danell, founding member of Social Distortion died suddenly on February 29, 2000.  For a biography of Dennis, visit the official Social Distortion site at www.socialdistortion.com.

A guestbook for fans to leave their thoughts about Dennis has been set up.  It was printed and presented to Christy Danell following the funeral services.
view Dennis Danell memorial guestbook
sign Dennis Danell memorial guestbook

The staff at Time Bomb Recordings stated the following:
"The Danell family sincerely appreciates the support of all the fans, and in lieu of flowers, they have requested that donations be made in Dennis' name to Orangewood Children's Home."

Orangewood Children's Home
401 The City Drive South
Orange CA  92868
(714) 935-7584
 

The New Album
In November 1999, Mike had this to say about Social Distortion's next album:  "I'd like to get one out next fall (2000).  But it might be longer than that.  I want to do it right.  I don't want to just do it for the sake of doing it, you know?  I've got to make sure all the songs are right."  He also mentioned that Social D MIGHT go out on a brief tour during the summer of 2000.

It's official...Chuck Biscuits is no longer in the band.  Jim Guerinot, manger of Social Distortion and president of Time Bomb Recordings had this to say on February 15th, 1999:  "Biscuits, being one of the best rock drummers in the business, simply decided not to continue waiting.  I go back 20 years with Chuck and I am sure he will continue to do amazing things."  Expect Charlie Quintana, who played drums on "Under The Influences" and on Mike's solo tours to fill in.   As for Social D's next album, Guerinot stated "I saw Mike last night and he has 8 songs done and wants to have a Social D record out this summer."

"Daddy, who's that scary man with
the Backstreet Boys?"
The "news" section at www.timebombrecordings.com mentions a commercial that aired during the Grammies and had many people asking themselves "Did I see what I thought I saw?"  Mike Ness appears along with Christina Aguilera, 98 Degrees, and Shaq in a commercial promoting Mickey Mouse.
 

Mike's Solo Career
"Under The Influences" may be the first of several solo albums focusing on specific genres of music.  "I'd at least like to do one more with a bunch of old black songs," Mike said.  "Leadbelly was real alternative.  But it's not something that's coming up right away.  Maybe a little further down the road."

And for those who aren't aware, Time Bomb Recordings re-issued "Cheating At Solitaire" on vinyl in November.  The double LP features a previously unreleased song, "Company C."

John's Solo Career
The ep from John Maurer's band Foxy, on John's own label Slip Records, is now available at cdnow.com for under $9!!!