Social Distortion (often known as Social D) is an influential punk rock band that formed in the late 1970s and is still together today.
The band was formed in late 1978 by frontman Mike Ness, inspired equally by British punk and older acts such as The Rolling Stones. They played with fellow Orange County, California bands such as the Adolescents, China White, and Shattered Faith as part of the nascent hardcore movement. Their music was fast, angry and energetic. In 1984 the band was featured in the seminal punk rockumentary Another State of Mind which was written, produced and directed by Peter Stuart and Adam Small (co-creator of " Mad TV"). The band came to an end in 1985 due to Ness' drug habit and troubles with the law, which eventually resulted in an extended stint in a rehabilitation center, which would last for at least two years.
Later, Ness would clean up his act so the band would finally return releasing their second album Prison Bound in 1988 with newcomers John Maurer on bass and Christopher Reece on drums. The album was not successful, but the song "Prison Bound" found airplay by the Los Angeles, California radio station KROQ. The band left Time Bomb Recordings and signed to Epic Records in 1989.
In the late 1980s they began to move in a more roots rock oriented direction, continuing in the 90s, and also began to include elements of grunge and cowpunk. Since their inception the band lineup has been a virtual revolving-door of talent, with many members coming and going, however frontman Mike Ness has remained and the band has never broken up.
In 2000 guitarist and long-time member Dennis Danell died, but the band overcame the loss and in 2004 released their latest album Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll. There have been no announcements from the band to see if their recent bassist Brent Harding would be a permanent member, but the band has been writing a new album of new material that is expected to be released sometime in 2006, according to one source ( Ultimate-Guitar.com). According to an interview with Ness, he announced that the album may not be recorded until towards the end of 2006. The band played an unreleased song "Diamonds in the Rough" at a concert at Royal Oak Music Theatre in Royal Oak, Michigan on September 27, 2005 and Ness does not know if it will appear on the upcoming album. In January 2006, Ness also stated that there will be a greatest hits album and will contain some songs from the upcoming album.