Social Distortion

Social Distortion is a punk/alternative musical group. It was started in Los Angeles, California in 1979 by singer/guitarist Mike Ness. Ness is the leader and only permanent member."A Brief History of Social Distortion" . SocialDistortion.com. Retrieved on February 20, 2007.

Social Distortion has released seven studio albums. Their two first albums were not very successful. When they signed to Epic Records in 1989, their third album became a mainstream success. It had the singles "Let It Be Me", "Ball and Chain", "Ring of Fire", "Sick Boys" and "Story of My Life". These were all on the United States charts."Social Distortion (import bonus tracks) – Album reviews" . ArtistDirect.com. Retrieved on February 24, 2007. It was the band's first album to appear on the top 200 on the Billboard music chart in the United States. Their next album, 1992's Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell, was also successful. It had the band's biggest hit, "Bad Luck". That song peaked at number 2 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, the highest initial charting single for the group."Social Distortion Bio"  ArtistDirect.com. Retrieved on February 24, 2007. White Light, White Heat, White Trash was released four years later. That was their fifth and last major label album. It peaked at #27 on the Billboard 200, the band's highest chart position yet. It had their only Billboard Hot 100 single "I Was Wrong"."Review: White Light, White Heat, White Trash" PunkNews.org. Retrieved on February 24, 2007.

After the release of White Light, White Heat, White Trash, Social Distortion went on an extended hiatus. During that time, Ness went solo. On February 29, 2000, their longtime guitarist Dennis Danell died from a brain anyuerism at the age of 38. After his death, Social Distortion considered disbanding. They decided to continue with a new guitarist, Jonny "2 Bags" Wickersham. He stayed with the band permanently. From 2001 to 2004, the band had been touring semi-frequently, playing sold-out shows in the Los Angeles, California area and other cities. They released their sixth album in the fall of 2004. The resulting album, Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll,SxDx.com News . Retrieved February 26, 2007. was another success. It was their second album to peak in the top 40 of the Billboard 200, at number 31. Its lead single, "Reach for the Sky", became one of Social Distortion's biggest hits in the fall of 2004.

As of 2009, Social Distortion was still together. They released a new album, Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes, in January 2011.Performermag.com It peaked at #4 on the U.S. Billboard.

Members
Current
 Mike Ness – vocals, guitars (since 1978)
 Jonny "2 Bags" Wickersham – guitars (since 2000)
 Brent Harding – bass (since 2004)
 Scott Reeder – drums (since 2010)

Past
 Tom Corvin – vocals (1978)
 Mark Garrett – bass (1978)
 Rikk Agnew – basss (1978-1980)
 Dennis Danell – bass (1979-1981) & guitars (1981-2000)
 Brent Liles – bass (1981-1984)
 John Maurer – bass (1984-2004)
 Matt Freeman – bass (2004)
 Casey Royer – drums (1978-1980)
 Derek O'Brein – drums (1981-1984)
 Bob Stubbs - drums (1984-1984)
 Chris Reece – drums (1984-1994)
 Randy Carr – drums (1994-1995)
 Chuck Biscuits – drums (1996-2000)
 Charlie Quintana – drums (2000-2009)
 Adam "Atom" Willard - drums (2009-2010)

Discography
Their full-length albums include:
 Mommy's Little Monster (1983)
 Prison Bound (1988)
 Social Distortion (1990)
 Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell (1992)
 White Light, White Heat, White Trash (1996)
 Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll (2004)
 Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes (2011)

They have also released two compilation albums:
 Mainliner: Wreckage From the Past (1995)
 Greatest Hits (2007)

References

Other websites
 Official Website
 SxDx.com (unofficial fansite)

Category:1979 establishments in California
Category:American punk bands
Category:1970s American music groups
Category:1980s American music groups
Category:1990s American music groups
Category:2000s American music groups
Category:2010s American music groups
Category:Musical groups from Los Angeles
Category:Musical groups established in 1979