I remember punk rock...back when I was a sophomore/junior in high school it was all the rage. Yes, I know that makes me old but my stepsister at the time (I’m on my 3rd stepmother now 🤦🏻♀️) was into it big time. Frank W. Cox High School in the early ‘80’s had a large amount of punk rock fanatics. I’ve been to many a show at places like The Boathouse (😢 A moment of silence, please, for all of us still heartbroken over THAT loss) with a mosh pit. I can remember my sister’s albums lined up over the crown molding that framed her closets, I.e., Black Flag and the Dead Kennedys. I also remember the day my stepmom went into said bedroom with a huge trash can, locked the door, and proceeded to break and trash all things of my stepsister’s that were even remotely related to punk rock. Some of the music I like, but most of it just brings back memories that, thank goodness, I can look back on now and laugh.
That's kind of odd, since I fell madly in love with punk rock at age 17. For years after my exclusively punk and metal phase, I expanded my listening circle, and I now love all sorts of music I never even considered when I was a kid.
But Social Distortion still seems like a bunch of posers refusing to commit to actual punk rock. Like, they're too scared to do the real thing, so they just do a bad version of what The Clash did much better.
This is more of a confession and an aside, and maybe a testament to how musical taste doesn't always follow the most logical patterns. On paper, I should really like them.
Love Social D. Next to Springsteen and The E Street Band, best band/rock show I've ever seen. I also saw Mike Ness come out and play with Bruce in Anaheim. Amazing. Social D had to postpone their tour because Ness was diagnosed with cancer. Apparently he's going to be okay 👍.
Also, my daughter is seeing Billy Joel tonight at Hyde Park in London with her Mom. Turns out Springsteen played there last night and will play again tomorrow. So there's a good chance she'll see Bruce make an appearance tonight 💚
Always liked Social D. Their music has such a signature sound--the driving beat, the ramp up to the chorus, Ness' growly vocals. Energy in the room goes up several notches as soon as you put them on.
Haven’t given this a listen despite going on a long punk rock binge a few years ago but I’m definitely going to give it a listen soon. One band I’m currently obsessed with around that era is Husker Dü. Their Zen Arcade album is a supersonic delight. Highly recommend if you haven’t listened to them already.
I'm gonna have to give this another listen. My memory of Social D was more in line with Andrew Smith's. I didn't "not" like them, but there were many punk and punk-adjacent bands of the time I liked a lot more. I grew up in So Cal and saw a ton of punk shows, but somehow never saw them live! They seem like a band that would be even better in concert than on record. It's funny to be reminded of this ambivalence -- I do remember so many of my friends being super into them and never being able to put my finger on what didn't click with me.
Maybe my more "mature" self can put better words to it now.
I don't know this album of theirs, will add to my Spotify! For people my age who grew up in SoCal, I think most of us first heard of them on KROQ with their great song "Prison Bound," then they really exploded with their self-titled album that had a bunch of hits.
I also loved how melodic they were yet rough and punk at the same time. "Story of My Life" and "Ball and Chain" were my faves!
I remember punk rock...back when I was a sophomore/junior in high school it was all the rage. Yes, I know that makes me old but my stepsister at the time (I’m on my 3rd stepmother now 🤦🏻♀️) was into it big time. Frank W. Cox High School in the early ‘80’s had a large amount of punk rock fanatics. I’ve been to many a show at places like The Boathouse (😢 A moment of silence, please, for all of us still heartbroken over THAT loss) with a mosh pit. I can remember my sister’s albums lined up over the crown molding that framed her closets, I.e., Black Flag and the Dead Kennedys. I also remember the day my stepmom went into said bedroom with a huge trash can, locked the door, and proceeded to break and trash all things of my stepsister’s that were even remotely related to punk rock. Some of the music I like, but most of it just brings back memories that, thank goodness, I can look back on now and laugh.
I still don't like Social D.
That's kind of odd, since I fell madly in love with punk rock at age 17. For years after my exclusively punk and metal phase, I expanded my listening circle, and I now love all sorts of music I never even considered when I was a kid.
But Social Distortion still seems like a bunch of posers refusing to commit to actual punk rock. Like, they're too scared to do the real thing, so they just do a bad version of what The Clash did much better.
This is more of a confession and an aside, and maybe a testament to how musical taste doesn't always follow the most logical patterns. On paper, I should really like them.
Yeah, but those detours are what makes it all interesting, right?
Yep! And, while tastes can intersect, yours are always going to be unimpeachable.
Love Social D. Next to Springsteen and The E Street Band, best band/rock show I've ever seen. I also saw Mike Ness come out and play with Bruce in Anaheim. Amazing. Social D had to postpone their tour because Ness was diagnosed with cancer. Apparently he's going to be okay 👍.
Also, my daughter is seeing Billy Joel tonight at Hyde Park in London with her Mom. Turns out Springsteen played there last night and will play again tomorrow. So there's a good chance she'll see Bruce make an appearance tonight 💚
Nice! You'll have to let us know if it happened. A friend from work has seen Billy Joel several times and swears the shows keep getting better.
She said Billy Joel was great. Bruce didn't show up. But Joe Jonas guested on Uptown Girl. Yep.
Ha! No kidding?
Always liked Social D. Their music has such a signature sound--the driving beat, the ramp up to the chorus, Ness' growly vocals. Energy in the room goes up several notches as soon as you put them on.
100%
Haven’t given this a listen despite going on a long punk rock binge a few years ago but I’m definitely going to give it a listen soon. One band I’m currently obsessed with around that era is Husker Dü. Their Zen Arcade album is a supersonic delight. Highly recommend if you haven’t listened to them already.
Zen Arcade is fantastic! New Day Rising rearranged my mind when I first heard it.
I'm gonna have to give this another listen. My memory of Social D was more in line with Andrew Smith's. I didn't "not" like them, but there were many punk and punk-adjacent bands of the time I liked a lot more. I grew up in So Cal and saw a ton of punk shows, but somehow never saw them live! They seem like a band that would be even better in concert than on record. It's funny to be reminded of this ambivalence -- I do remember so many of my friends being super into them and never being able to put my finger on what didn't click with me.
Maybe my more "mature" self can put better words to it now.
IMO, they were much better live. I liked listening to them, but going to see them play was a whole 'nother level.
I don't know this album of theirs, will add to my Spotify! For people my age who grew up in SoCal, I think most of us first heard of them on KROQ with their great song "Prison Bound," then they really exploded with their self-titled album that had a bunch of hits.
I also loved how melodic they were yet rough and punk at the same time. "Story of My Life" and "Ball and Chain" were my faves!