Starting as a hardcore punk band in the late 1970s to the early 1980s, Social Distortion would go on a temporary hiatus in the mid-1980s, due to Ness's drug addiction and troubles with the law which resulted in extended stints in various rehabilitation centers that lasted for two years. Following their reformation, the band has shifted its style to a country, blues and early rock and roll-influenced style of punk. Since its inception, the band's lineup has seen significant turnover, with Ness as the only constant member. After 44 years of performing, Social Distortion continues to tour and record music.
To date, Social Distortion has released seven full-length studio albums, two compilations, one live album, and two DVDs. They released two albums — Mommy's Little Monster (1983) and Prison Bound (1988) — before signing a three-album contract with Epic Records in 1989. Social Distortion rose to fame with their 1990 self-titled third album, which produced their well-known hit singles "Ball and Chain", "Story of My Life", and the cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire", and was certified gold by RIAA. Many of their later albums, including their second gold record Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell (1992), were also well received. Dubbed by Steven Blush as "the Rolling Stones of hardcore," Social Distortion is considered one of the best-selling and most influential punk rock bands, with more than three million albums sold worldwide. The band's most recent studio album is Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes (2011), and they have spent about more than a decade working on new material their forthcoming eighth studio album.
Social Distortion was formed in 1978 by Mike Ness, inspired by the Sex Pistols and many other British punk bands as well as rock acts such as the Rolling Stones. Aside from Ness on guitar and Casey Royer on drums, early members included Mark Garrett on bass and former Cal State Fullerton basketball player Tom Corvin on vocals. Garrett was succeeded by Rikk Agnew in late 1978. On the origins of the band's name, Royer recalled "Mike was like 15, trying to play guitar but he couldn't. Social Distortion was named for my distortion pedal, which I gave to Mike to play 'cause back then he was no good."
Their early music was composed by Ness with lyrics by Royer and sometimes Corvin, and many songs were retired after only a few performances. After Corvin left in the fall of 1979 to attend graduate school at Bob Jones University, Ness recruited his high school friend Dennis Danell to join the band on guitar even though Danell had never played an instrument before. When Danell was brought in, the other members left as they did not want to wait for him to learn. Before joining the Adolescents in 1980, Royer and Agnew played with Garrett in a separate band named Social Distortion consisting of Royer on vocals, Garrett on bass, Rikk Agnew on drums, and Frank Agnew and Tim Maag on guitars. The band's first real show was in early 1979 at the Cuckoo's Nest nightclub on Placentia Avenue in Costa Mesa, California. Mike and Dennis remained the only constant members for the next two decades with bass and drum members changing every few years. The Adolescents song "Kids of the Black Hole" and Social Distortion song "The Playpen" chronicled this period of the band's history.
Its first single, Mainliner/Playpen featuring Ness on guitar and vocals, Dennis on bass, and Carrot on drums was released in 1981 on Posh Boy, the label responsible for releasing the first singles and albums of many of the local O.C. punk bands. Rodney Bingenheimer of KROQ-FM was responsible for much of the radio play in Orange County, California, that punk received in the early 80s, and took a liking to Social Distortion, releasing the single "1945" on his 1981 compilation album, Rodney on the ROQ, Blood on the ROQ in 1983, and The Best Of Rodney on the ROQ in 1989.
In 1982, the band—now consisting of Ness, Danell (who now played rhythm guitar), Brent Liles on bass, and Derek O'Brien on drums—embarked on their first international tour (US and Canada) with fellow punk band Youth Brigade, a trip chronicled in the punk rockumentary 'Another State of Mind', which was not released until 1984.
The band has consistently used as their logo a skeleton holding a cigarette and a martini glass. It was designed by Mackie Osborne, wife of Melvins frontman Buzz Osborne. It is frequently featured in live performances as well as album covers. The logo came from an invitation to a New Year's Eve party that a friend of Ness' had designed. Said Ness in an April 2011 interview with Rolling Stone: "At the time, I saw that, and it just felt like, 'That's it right there. It's life and death, it's celebration.' It just felt powerful."
Another State Of Mind
Social Distortion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wish that I could be there right next to her
This road leads to this, this one leads to that,
Her voice sends shivers down my spine.
[Chorus]
These scars in my flesh,
I'm bruised and I'm bloodied
Talk to her a thousand miles away,
There's tears in her eyes.
If I make it back I'm gonna show her,
she's the one for me
Hitch a ride on the wild side,
It's real hell on wheels.
There's gonna be a fight tonight, I know.
Another city we can't find,
Another city left buried behind.
As I picture her, the cities burn away.
[Chorus]
The lyrics to Social Distortion's song Another State Of Mind describe a state of longing and homesickness for a loved one. The singer of the song is in a different state, both physically and emotionally. He wishes he could be with his loved one, but can't due to the distance between them. The lyrics describe the difficult journey he is on, with roads leading to different places, and the pain that he is going through. However, despite everything, he knows that the one person he wants to be with is his loved one. He talks about the scars and bruises he has, but the only one who truly understands the pain he's been through is his loved one, who is thousands of miles away. The chorus emphasizes this, with its stark imagery of blood and pain, and the tears in her eyes.
The second verse of the song describes the tough, dangerous lifestyle the singer leads as he travels from city to city. The imagery of hitching a ride on the wild side and the danger associated with it are juxtaposed with his tender love for his partner. The song ends on an ominous note with the anticipation of a fight, but the singer's thoughts are still preoccupied with his loved one.
Overall, the lyrics to Another State of Mind are a poignant depiction of love and the difficulties of long-distance relationships. The song captures the sadness and isolation of being physically removed from a loved one, while also portraying the singer's deep devotion to his partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'm in another state, another state of mind,
I'm feeling disconnected and far away mentally and emotionally.
I wish that I could be there right next to her
I want to be physically close to the person I love but can't be.
This road leads to this, this one leads to that,
Every choice I make has consequences, and I never know what the outcome will be.
Her voice sends shivers down my spine.
The person I love has a powerful effect on me, no matter where I am.
These scars in my flesh,
I have been physically hurt or traumatized in the past.
I'm bruised and I'm bloodied
The pain I've experienced has left a lasting mark on me.
Only she knows the pain that I've been through.
The person I love is the only one who truly understands my struggles and pain.
Talk to her a thousand miles away,
Even though I'm far away, I still talk to the person I love.
There's tears in her eyes.
The person I love is also struggling and hurting because of my absence.
If I make it back I'm gonna show her,
I am determined to return to the person I love and prove my love to them.
she's the one for me
The person I love is the only one for me, and I am committed to them.
Hitch a ride on the wild side,
I am taking risks and living dangerously in order to find my way back to the person I love.
It's real hell on wheels.
My journey is difficult and filled with challenges and obstacles.
There's gonna be a fight tonight, I know.
I am anticipating conflict and difficulty on my journey.
Another city we can't find,
I am lost and struggling to find my way both physically and emotionally.
Another city left buried behind.
I am leaving behind a trail of past mistakes and failures as I try to move forward.
As I picture her, the cities burn away.
Thinking about the person I love helps me let go of the past and move forward with renewed purpose.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: MICHAEL NESS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
absolutely no one
Well I'm in another state, another state of mind,
I wish that I could be there right next to her
This road leads to this, and this one leads to that,
Her voice sends shivers down my spine.
[Chorus:]
These scars in my flesh,
I'm bruised and I'm bloodied
Only she knows the pain that I've been through.
Talk to her a thousand miles away,
There's tears in her eyes.
If I make it back I'm gonna show her,
she's the only one for me
Hitch a ride on the wild side,
It's real hell on wheels.
There's gonna be a fight tonight, I know.
Another city we can't find,
Another city left buried behind.
As I picture her, the cities burn away.
[Chorus x2]
XDetoursX
Derek O'Brien doesn't get enough credit. By far one of the best Punk drummers of all time.
matlock duybay
brent too he is realy good bass player rip
Triple.Black.68
Best band by far, i love these guys so much!!! Definitely my favorite band!!
Travis LoneBear
I Agree with you social distortion wu tang clan and Billie Eilish are my favs
Aaron Stark
@Travis LoneBear - That is a very interesting trio of favorites. You have very broad taste my friend. That's cool.
rusty Squeezebox
They are the greatest punk band sure while the eagles are the greatest rock band 😁
Andi maho
This song was great and forever printed on my back tattoo, always remenisce on me cos my first tattoo after hear this punk rock song. So honor to be apart of this band especially this song
absolutely no one
Well I'm in another state, another state of mind,
I wish that I could be there right next to her
This road leads to this, and this one leads to that,
Her voice sends shivers down my spine.
[Chorus:]
These scars in my flesh,
I'm bruised and I'm bloodied
Only she knows the pain that I've been through.
Talk to her a thousand miles away,
There's tears in her eyes.
If I make it back I'm gonna show her,
she's the only one for me
Hitch a ride on the wild side,
It's real hell on wheels.
There's gonna be a fight tonight, I know.
Another city we can't find,
Another city left buried behind.
As I picture her, the cities burn away.
[Chorus x2]
Mike The Grunty
Always a classic 🤘
Claudio Guzzardi
I love this band 🤘🤘🖤