Ness was born in Stoneham, Massachusetts and raised in Fullerton in Orange County, California. Kicked out of his parents' home in Fullerton at the age of fifteen, he dabbled in drugs and petty crime, involving himself in the punk scene and founding Social Distortion in 1978. The band signed a contract with Posh Boy Records in 1981, releasing the Mainliner/Playpen 7" record. Then the band moved to 13th Floor Records in 1982 and released the album Mommy's Little Monster (1982).
By this time, Ness's drug addiction and self-destructive behavior had deepened to the point that the band almost broke up. The turmoil was captured on a video, Another State of Mind, which chronicled a cross-country tour. Five years passed before Social Distortion released their next album, 1988's Prison Bound, on Restless Records but Ness emerged from the time off free of his addictions and ready to work.
In 1989, Social Distortion signed a deal with Epic Records and released four albums with that label: the self-titled album (1990), Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell (1992) and White Light, White Heat, White Trash (1996).
The band left Epic Records after White Light, White Heat, White Trash (1996) and joined Time Bomb Recordings, releasing Mainliner: Wreckage From the Past (a collection of old recordings and singles that were done in the early '80s) and Live at the Roxy (1998).
In 1999, Ness released his first solo album, Cheating at Solitaire. Although Social Distortion's music had contained country inflections as far back as Prison Bound, Cheating at Solitaire was an unalloyed expression of Ness's country side. 'Solitaire' included guest appearances by rock icon Bruce Springsteen, former Stray Cat Brian Setzer and drumming legend Josh Freese as well as members of Royal Crown Revue. Springsteen had touted Social D's 'Heaven and Hell' as his favorite record of the year in a Rolling Stone interview in 1992. Ness continued in this vein, releasing a compilation of country covers entitled Under the Influences that same year. Both albums came out on Time Bomb Recordings. Ness toured extensively in the U.S. in support of these albums, backed partially by the present-day (2006) incarnation of Social Distortion; Charlie Quintana (drums) Brent Harding (standing & electric bass) and Johnny Wickersham (guitar tech). Ness and the band played at Woodstock '99. After that, his bandmate and guitarist Dennis Danell died on February 29, 2000 due to an aneurysm, but Social Distortion did not completely disband.
In 2004, Social Distortion came back with a live DVD called "Live In Orange County," and then recorded an album titled Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll, which was released on Time Bomb Recordings. These efforts marked the first recordings with a line up consisting of Ness on Guitar and vocals, Wickersham on guitar, and Quintana on drums and also consisted of songs co-written by Ness and Wickersham. This is the first time Ness collaborated with another songwriter since 1990's self-titled album, on which he and then bassist John Maurer wrote 'Let it be Me'. The band's lineup changed twice after Maurer left the band, just a month before the release on Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll. He was replaced by Operation Ivy/Rancid bassist Matt Freeman until early 2005 and current member Brent Harding joined as his replacement.
In February 2006, Ness broke his wrist while skateboarding in Las Vegas. T.S.O.L. guitarist Ron Emory is filling in on guitar duties while Mike's wrist heals. Mike is still performing, just not playing guitar.
Social Distortion is currently working on their next studio album, which is due for release in late 2006/early 2007.
Ness currently lives in Santa Ana, California with his wife Christine Marie, and two sons Johnny and Julian. He is also a hot rod enthusiast, driving a chopped 1954 Chevy leadsled, a 1936 Ford, and a 1960 Chevy Impala.
(from Wikipedia : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Ness).
Ball and Chain
Mike Ness Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And look at the mes I'm in-
A broken nose and a broken heart,
An empty bottle of gin
Well I sit and I pray
In my broken down Chevrolet-
While I'm singin' to myself
There's got to be another way
[Chorus:]
Take away, take away
Take away this ball and chain
I'm lonely and I'm tired
And I can't take any more pain
Take away, take away
Never to return again
Take away, take away
Take away this ball and chain
Well I've searched and I've searched
To find the perfect life-
A brand new car and a brand new suit
I even got me a little wife-
But wherever I have gone
I was sure to find myself there-
You can run all your life
But not go anywhere
[Chorus]
Well I'll pass the bar on the way
To my dingy hotel room-
I spent all my money
Been drinkin' since half past noon-
I'll wake there in the mornin'
Or maybe in the county jail-
Times are hard getting harder
I'm born to lose and destined to fail-
[Chorus]
The song Ball and Chain by Mike Ness depicts the ten years of suffering and sorrow that the singer has been through. The lyrics describe the physical and emotional scars, such as a broken nose and an empty bottle of gin, as well as a broken heart. The singer prays in his broken down Chevrolet, feeling empty and hopeless, singing to himself in search of another way out of the dismal situation he finds himself in. The chorus of the song is a plea for the ball and chain to be taken away, indicating the weight of the emotional burden and the feeling of being trapped.
The lyrics describe the singer's search for a perfect life that always eludes him, even when he finds a new car, a new suit, and a wife. He comes to the realization that he can't run from himself, finding himself anywhere he goes. He spends his last bit of money drinking in a dingy hotel room, not sure where he will wake up the next day, either there or in a county jail. He feels like he is born to lose and destined to fail, revealing that he has lost all hope for himself.
Line by Line Meaning
Well it's been ten years and a thousand tears
It's been a long time and I have shed many tears
And look at the mess I'm in-
This is the state I am in now
A broken nose and a broken heart,
My nose and heart are damaged and shattered
An empty bottle of gin
My gin bottle is empty and I have been drinking
Well I sit and I pray
I am praying while I am just sitting here
In my broken down Chevrolet-
I am sitting in my car which is in a state of disrepair
While I'm singin' to myself
I am singing to myself
There's got to be another way
There must be a different solution or direction
Take away, take away
Remove or eliminate
Take away this ball and chain
Remove the things that are holding me back
I'm lonely and I'm tired
I am alone and exhausted
And I can't take any more pain
I can't handle any more suffering
Never to return again
It should never come back
Well I've searched and I've searched
I have been trying to find
To find the perfect life-
To find an ideal and perfect lifestyle
A brand new car and a brand new suit
A new car and a suit
I even got me a little wife-
I have even found myself a partner
But wherever I have gone
No matter where I have been
I was sure to find myself there-
I always end up in the same place
You can run all your life
You can keep running for your whole life
But not go anywhere
But end up nowhere
Well I'll pass the bar on the way
I'll walk past the bar on my way
To my dingy hotel room-
To my unpleasant and dirty hotel room
I spent all my money
I have exhausted all my money
Been drinkin' since half past noon-
I have been drinking since midday
I'll wake there in the mornin'
I will wake up there in the morning
Or maybe in the county jail-
Or maybe I will be in the county jail
Times are hard getting harder
Times are tough and getting tougher
I'm born to lose and destined to fail-
I am meant to fail and face loss
Take away, take away
Remove or eliminate
Take away this ball and chain
Remove the things that are holding me back
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Michael Ness
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joe Durbin
I am 60. I played a lot of bar music years ago and still play. I just found out about Mike Ness. Great Talent! I grew up in the Midwest so we did not get to experience a lot of the punk scene back in the day. However, this guy rocks.
Ghost Rider
We were too young when we were first listening to these songs circa 1989-1994 to know the country roots of this punk music. I would've been horrified to know it back in the day. But that just goes to show you that young people are idiots LOL
Charlie Chazworth
Andri Osborn this is a social d song. He does cover some cash songs though.
Charlie Chazworth
Joe Durbin Check out Hank 3, Nick 13, Old Crow Medicine show, Wayne Hancock, Gram Parsons, Townes Van Zant, unknown Hinson, Murder by Death, Them Poor Bastards, etc. All guys who are or were trying to keep Americana/ Country/ Western as it should be.
Klein Zaches
I'm more than your got but still in the business, Man. :)
John Patrick O'Donnell
Never even heard of Mike Ness or SocialD until a week ago' Played all of their stuff on YouTube and am amazed at this band, Mike Ness and their music. The man is a figgin' genius and one of the greatest talents and voices I personally have ever heard. So move over everyone...Mike..you've got a new number one fan. Keep kicking ass no matter what...you have a truly rare talent. Keep goin' strong!
Jack Sampson
Mike Ness is the man. Great song, great version.
Spicy McHaggis
I love this song - both versions. I went and saw Mike Ness five times in L.A. when he released his first solo album. Very unique experience.
Shamjelan
Hahaha, only Mike Ness could turn this punk classic into a great country and western song.
Joshua Engleman
It was originally a honky tonk song. It wasn't until he adding distortion and sped it up did it become a great punk song