Social Distortion is a seminal American punk rock band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California, by guitarist and vocalist Mike Ness, who remains the group’s only constant member. Emerging from the vibrant Orange County punk scene, the band initially played fast, aggressive hardcore punk before evolving their sound in the mid-1980s to incorporate country, blues, and early rock and roll influences—a shift that would become their signature style. Despite numerous lineup changes and Ness’s well-documented struggles with addiction, Social Distortion achieved mainstream success in the early 1990s with gold-certified albums and enduring hits like “Ball and Chain,” “Story of My Life,” and a celebrated cover of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire”. Over more than four decades, Social Distortion has sold over three million albums worldwide, earning a reputation as one of the most influential and best-selling punk bands, with a legacy defined by hard-luck storytelling, melodic grit, and a relentless commitment to their craft. The current lineup features Ness alongside Jonny Wickersham (guitar), Brent Harding (bass), David Hidalgo Jr. (drums), and David Kalish (keyboards), and the band continues to tour and record new material.