Biography
Social Distortion is an American punk rock band led by singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter Mike Ness, whose work blends punk energy with heartland rock and roots influences.[1]
The band released Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes in 2011 and then went fifteen years without a new studio album, the longest gap in its history. Touring and Ness's perfectionism repeatedly delayed the follow-up.[2]
In June 2023, just as sessions were due to begin, Ness announced a stage one tonsil cancer diagnosis. He underwent surgery, had to relearn how to eat and swallow, and later said his voice was stronger than it had ever been.[2][3]
The resulting eighth album, Born to Kill, arrived on Epitaph Records in May 2026. It was co-produced by Ness and Dave Sardy, features drummer David Hidalgo Jr., and includes guest appearances from Benmont Tench and Lucinda Williams.[2][3]
References
- Born to Kill (Social Distortion song), Wikipedia — Band and single details
- Born to Kill (album), Wikipedia — Album delays, Ness's diagnosis, recording
- Social Distortion Announces New Album 'Born To Kill', Blabbermouth — Announcement, guests, recovery