Sunday night and the House of Blues was packed to capacity for yet another SOLD OUT Social Distortion show. With drink in hand I nestled my way into a spot where I could snap up some good shots of the crowd. I have to admit the place felt like a sauna despite the fact air conditioning was on and you could really feel the heat of anticipation building while overhead music echoed throughout the venue. By taking a look around all I could think to myself is “this is going to be one hell of a concert…”

Within minutes Mike Ness and the band emerged on stage to roars of thunderous approval and the band belted into their signature sound of raw and unabashed speedy guitar chords. I initially was caught up in trying to capture some of their infectious energy on camera but found once I was resting up against the stage I was drawn deeply into the music. Songs such as Mommy’s Little Monster, Reach for the Sky and Don’t Bring Me Down won SD immediate approval on my list of bands to “definitely see again” and the fact that Mike Ness actually posed for me while snapping pics made the experience that much more enjoyable.

This being the first time I have caught Social D in concert I was very much impressed with their rock solid musicianship. I know these guys have been around for the span of my lifetime and it’s admirable to see they are still doing what they love best and with such fervor you can’t help but to fall in love with them.

Mike Ness has got to be one of the best front man I have seen in ages and I thought it was particularly thoughtful of him to acknowledge his “Sunday Night Crowd” as the REAL FANS for coming out to rock the house on a work night.

Other notable songs for the night included one of my personal favorites- Story of my Life along with the very catchy and harmonious song Telling Them. Of course this then launched into an array of countless others as the band treated everyone to 90 minutes of in your face punk rock.

When I was just about to call it a night SD decided to treat everyone to an encore performance in which we sang back the lyrics of Ball and Chain to Mike along with an exceptional rendition of Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire that simply blew me away. All in all, I walked away with a memory that will be forever etched into my mind and a new favorite band. A++

Social Distortion is
Mike Ness: Vox/Guitar
Jonny Wickersham: Guitar
Charlie Quintana: Drums
Brent Harding: Bass
Website: www.socialdistortion.com