Social Distortion (album)
Encyclopedia
Social Distortion is the eponymous third studio album by the American punk rock
band Social Distortion
, released on March 27, 1990, through Epic Records
. After touring in support of its previous full-length studio album, Prison Bound
(1988), Social Distortion signed with Epic in 1989 and began work on its first album for a major label. The album furthered the rockabilly
, blues
and country music
experimentation of their previous album with songs like "Drug Train" and the radio hit "Ball and Chain
".
The focus on the alternative rock
scene helped bring attention to Social Distortion. The singles "Story of My Life" and "Ball and Chain" were able to find an audience on alternative rock radio and on MTV
. Social Distortion was the band's most successful album to date, and their first to enter the Billboard 200
; the release peaked at number 128. The album has been certified gold
by the RIAA
in the United States.
"Story of My Life" is a playable song in the videogame Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
. "Story of My Life" and "Ring of Fire
" were later released as downloadable content for the Rock Band
. "Ring of Fire" also appears in the soundtrack of Shaun White Snowboarding
unless otherwise noted.
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band Social Distortion
Social Distortion
Social Distortion is an American punk rock band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California. The band currently consists of Mike Ness , Jonny Wickersham , Brent Harding and David Hidalgo, Jr...
, released on March 27, 1990, through Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
. After touring in support of its previous full-length studio album, Prison Bound
Prison Bound
Prison Bound is the second studio album by Social Distortion, was released in 1988. This is the first album with bass guitarist John Maurer and drummer Christopher Reece...
(1988), Social Distortion signed with Epic in 1989 and began work on its first album for a major label. The album furthered the rockabilly
Rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...
, blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
and country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
experimentation of their previous album with songs like "Drug Train" and the radio hit "Ball and Chain
Ball and Chain
“Ball and Chain” is a hit song by Social Distortion, a Southern California punk rock band, featured on their self-titled album, released in 1990, as well as on Live at the Roxy ....
".
The focus on the alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
scene helped bring attention to Social Distortion. The singles "Story of My Life" and "Ball and Chain" were able to find an audience on alternative rock radio and on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
. Social Distortion was the band's most successful album to date, and their first to enter the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
; the release peaked at number 128. The album has been certified gold
RIAA certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards...
by the RIAA
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
in the United States.
"Story of My Life" is a playable song in the videogame Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is a music video game, the third main installment in the Guitar Hero series, and the fourth title overall...
. "Story of My Life" and "Ring of Fire
Ring of Fire (song)
"Ring of Fire" or "The Ring of Fire" is a country music song popularized by Johnny Cash and co-written by June Carter Cash and Merle Kilgore. The single appears on Cash's 1963 compilation album, Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash...
" were later released as downloadable content for the Rock Band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
. "Ring of Fire" also appears in the soundtrack of Shaun White Snowboarding
Shaun White Snowboarding
Shaun White Snowboarding is a sports video game for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Nintendo DS, iOS, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Xbox 360 systems. It was developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. It was released on November 14, 2008...
Track listing
All songs written by Mike NessMike Ness
Mike Ness is an American guitarist, vocalist, and chief songwriter for the punk rock band Social Distortion, which was formed in 1978. As of Dennis Danell's death in 2000, he is now the only original member of the band...
unless otherwise noted.
- "So Far Away" (Maurer/Ness) – 3:37
- "Let It Be Me" – 4:16
- "Story of My Life" – 5:48
- "Sick Boys" – 3:19
- "Ring of FireRing of Fire (song)"Ring of Fire" or "The Ring of Fire" is a country music song popularized by Johnny Cash and co-written by June Carter Cash and Merle Kilgore. The single appears on Cash's 1963 compilation album, Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash...
" (June Carter CashJune Carter CashValerie June Carter Cash was an American singer, dancer, songwriter, actress, comedienne and author who was a member of the Carter Family and the second wife of singer Johnny Cash...
, Merle KilgoreMerle KilgoreWyatt Merle Kilgore was an American singer, songwriter, and manager.-Early life:Although born in Chickasha, Oklahoma, Merle Kilgore was raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was the son of Wyatt and Gladys B. Kilgore...
) – 3:51 - "Ball and Chain" – 5:44
- "It Coulda Been Me" – 3:52
- "She's a Knockout" – 3:52
- "A Place in My Heart" – 3:15
- "Drug Train" – 3:42
Personnel
- Mike NessMike NessMike Ness is an American guitarist, vocalist, and chief songwriter for the punk rock band Social Distortion, which was formed in 1978. As of Dennis Danell's death in 2000, he is now the only original member of the band...
– vocals, guitars - Dennis DanellDennis DanellDennis Eric Danell was the founding guitarist for the Southern California punk rock band Social Distortion.Danell formed Social Distortion in 1979 with frontman Mike Ness while attending high school together...
– guitars - John MaurerJohn MaurerJohn Maurer was the long time bass guitar player for Social Distortion from 1984 to 2004. He was replaced by Rancid's Matt Freeman. He joined Social Distortion after the departure of Brent Liles....
– bass guitar - Christopher ReeceChristopher ReeceChristopher Reece is an American musician. He was the drummer of The Lewd and Social Distortion ....
– drums
Singles
| Year | Title | Billboard chart | Chart positions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | "Ball and Chain" | Modern Rock Tracks | 13 |
| 1990 | "Let It Be Me" | Modern Rock Tracks | 11 |
| 1990 | "Ring of Fire" | Modern Rock Tracks | 25 |