Social Distortion

Since the late ’70s, Southern California punk pioneers Social Distortion have shaped the genre’s sound through their infusion of country, blues, and garage influences. ∙ Mommy’s Little Monster, the band’s debut LP, was created in a single recording session on Christmas Eve, 1982, and was one of the most influential records of the early-’80s punk scene. ∙ In 1984, the band was the subject of the documentary film Another State of Mind, which chronicled their ill-fated 1982 tour with fellow California punks Youth Brigade. ∙ The success of “Story of My Life,” “Ball and Chain,” and their cover of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire”—all from the band’s 1990 self-titled LP—earned them their first Gold-selling album. ∙ Their return-to-roots 1996 LP, White Light, White Heat, White Trash, was chosen as one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time by Rolling Stone Germany. ∙ Frontman Mike Ness’ first solo album, 1999’s Cheating at Solitaire, featured appearances by Bruce Springsteen (“Misery Loves Company”) and Brian Setzer (“Crime Don’t Pay”). ∙ Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes, from 2011, was the group’s highest-charting album to date, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard 200.