Social Distortion: The punk legends fall on 'Hard Times'
California’s Social Distortion is one of the longest-running punk rock bands in history.
Since forming in 1979, Social D has been on the road almost constantly, performing music that combines The Ramones, the Rolling Stones and Hank Williams.
The group hasn’t been quite as consistent, however, about releasing albums.
Its first new one in six years, “Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes,” is due out in January.
amNewYork spoke with singer/guitarist Mike Ness.
Why did this album take so long?
I told myself after the last record that I wouldn’t let a long block of time go by again. But the reality is that we’re a hard-working touring band and when it’s time to make a record, you have to take about six months off. We finally decided we had to do it.
What’s the new album like?
It’s a little more soulful than the last one. It’s signature Social D, but I pushed the envelope in some areas. I think fans appreciate that we’ve never been afraid to evolve.
Do you think the stories about your troubled personal life ever get in the way of your music?
What I hope people get from my autobiographical songs is not necessarily the experience, but the emotion. The struggle for maturity ... is universal. Not everyone has ... been to jail, but everyone has the emotions of feeling alone or feeling trapped.
If you go: Social Distortion is at Roseland Ballroom on Thursday. 239 W. 52nd St., 212-777-1224. $35
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
