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."
Machine Gun Blues
Social Distortion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And all you men, women and kids, best get out the way
I just left your town took all your loot
Bought a pink carnation and a pin-striped suit
Hopped up the V-8 Ford in some two-tone shoes
And I'm already gone, I left a pool of blood and sorrow
I got the machine gun blues
I'll hit the highway, smoke a big cigar
Gotta stop and bury the cash, then get some more
There's only one thing on my mind
That's make it across that old state line
With all the hell of the avenging bullets
Waiting there for me
And I'm already gone, I left the path of pure destruction
I've got the machine gun blues
Already gone, my life will soon be through
I've got the machine gun blues
I'm public enemy, number one
I'm sorry for all the things that I've done
If indeed we do cross paths, it's nothing personal
And I'm already gone, I left a trail of devastation
I got the machine gun blues
Already gone, my life will soon be through
I got the machine gun blues
The lyrics to Social Distortion’s song “Machine Gun Blues” tell a story of a gangster in 1934 who has just robbed a town and is now on the run from the law. The character’s language and actions reflect the gritty and violent nature of the time period in which the song is set. The gangster doesn’t care who he hurts or kills, as long as he gets away with the money he stole. He has no regrets about the people he has hurt or the violence he has caused, and is resigned to the fact that his life will soon be over due to the consequences of his actions. The chorus of the song, “already gone, I left a path of pure destruction, I've got the machine gun blues”, emphasizes the character's violent tendencies and shows that his actions will have severe consequences.
The lyrics of the song can be interpreted as a commentary on the culture of violence that has existed in America for decades. Social Distortion’s frontman, Mike Ness, has spoken about how the song is meant to be a cautionary tale about the consequences of a violent lifestyle. While the lyrics paint a dark picture of a criminal life, they also tap into the classic American myth of the outlaw, the rebel who stands up against authority and rules. This mixture of darkness and romance is a hallmark of the punk scene that Social Distortion helped to popularize.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'm a gangster 1934, junkies, winos, pimps and whores
I'm a classic criminal in the year 1934, surrounded by people involved in drug addiction, alcoholism, prostitution and exploitation.
And all you men, women and kids, best get out the way
I advise all innocent people, regardless of their age or gender, to move away from me to avoid any harm.
I just left your town took all your loot
After robbing your town, I departed with all your valuables and possessions.
Bought a pink carnation and a pin-striped suit
I spent some of the money I stole on luxury items like a fancy suit and a pink flower.
Hopped up the V-8 Ford in some two-tone shoes
I drove away in a Ford V-8 while wearing stylish shoes with a two-tone color.
And I'm already gone, I left a pool of blood and sorrow
As I made my exit, I created a mess of tragedy, leaving behind injured or dead people and causing grief.
I got the machine gun blues
I'm feeling anxious and paranoid about the violence that might come my way; hence, I have the 'machine gun blues.'
I'll be out of here for the break of dawn
I plan to leave the scene of the crime as soon as possible, likely before sunrise.
I'll hit the highway, smoke a big cigar
I will drive fast down the highway, simultaneously puffing on a large cigar for a fleeting sense of satisfaction.
Gotta stop and bury the cash, then get some more
I need to hide the money I looted before planning another heist.
There's only one thing on my mind
My only priority is getting out of this area and away from law enforcement.
That's make it across that old state line
I'm trying to evade punishment by crossing over to another state where I could potentially avoid being caught.
With all the hell of the avenging bullets
I realize that there will be severe consequences to pay for my actions —the inevitable bullets of retribution that will soon follow me.
Waiting there for me
I'm well aware that my fate awaits me and bracing for it.
And I'm already gone, I left the path of pure destruction
I have already set a path of destruction and damage as I quickly flee to avoid facing consequences.
Already gone, my life will soon be through
I know that my future seems bleak, and my life expectancy is declining as a result of my current choices.
I'm public enemy, number one
I have attained a notorious status as a nationally condemned criminal.
I'm sorry for all the things that I've done
Although I am a criminal, and an unapologetic one at that, I acknowledge the gravity of the harm I am causing.
If indeed we do cross paths, it's nothing personal
If for any reason we were to meet me again, my intention is not to harm you personally, but I cannot help but continue my ways.
And I'm already gone, I left a trail of devastation
As I leave in a hurry, I realize that I have caused a significant amount of damage both financially and emotionally.
I got the machine gun blues
I cannot help but feel anxious and paranoid about the violent outcome destined to occur as I flee from my heist while fearing law enforcement retaliation.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Michael Ness, Jon Wickersham
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bodil40
I freaking LOVE this song! GG
zoinkdsf
You're not alone :D
Budder Paladin
Holy shit! It's Bodil!
jouster101king
BODILL FORTY!!! BODILLL FOORTYYY!!
Budder Paladin
***** bodil
Budder Paladin
***** The guy who wrote the comment
Wes Williams
Mike Ness is a legend, deeply under appreciated for his talents. He's a lot like Johnny Cash with a splash of punk rock.
Sam Gaudet
Him and John Fogerty American Icons
Hydra
Amen
Ace Rockola
Wes Williams Well said good sir