Ball and Chain- Social Distortion

I thought it was time to write about Social Distortion. Where do I start, well, first, how do I pick one song? It was so difficult, I just love so many. Then I thought, well pick the one that made you perk up your ears and listen. So here you have "Ball and Chain" from the album Social Distortion. This was actually Social Distortion's third album release but it was the one that really seen their star rise.

Social Distortion was first formed in 1978 in Southern California. They are classified as punk but I think their music is so much more. They are a mix of blues, rockabilly and punk with a dash of country. Like many bands, members came and went but Mike Ness, lead singer and lead guitarist is the only one constant. He had some drug and law troubles in the mid 80's and did a few stints in rehab/jail. In 1990, Social D signed with Epic Records, and Social Distortion was released. 

Social Distortion brings back great memories for me. It was one of the first bands I found independently and no one I knew was listening to them. Where I lived free style music (gag) was blasting from cars. Social D's music was a breath of fresh air for me! My sister hated most of my music but hated the guys I liked even more. When she seen Mike Ness on the cover of Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell, all she could say was "he's cute". I may have even got her to listen to a few songs. I recently reminded her about that day and her reply "oh yeah, he was NICE"! :)

There is a realness to Social D's songs. Mike Ness is a modern troubadour of hard luck stories and a lot of people can relate. Social Distortion is currently on tour and their last album released was in 2010, Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes. Ness said they will begin work on a new album this year.

Well I'll pass the bar on the way

To my dingy hotel room

I spent all my money

I've been drinkin' since half past noon

Well I'll wake there in the mornin'

Or maybe in the county jail

Times are hard getting harder

I'm born to lose and destined to fail

Definitely check out some more Social D if you are not already a fan. My suggestions - Sick Boys, Prison Bound, Drug Train, Story of My Life, So Far Away, 99 to Life, Bad Luck, Born to Lose, Through These Eyes, I Was Wrong, Machine Gun Blues, Writing on the Wall and an awesome cover of Ring of Fire. I could go on & on.........