The punk rock legends in Social Distortion just concluded their North American tour with Descendents and The Chats, wrapping things up with a series of concerts in the band’s native Southern California habitat. Los Angeles was blessed with two action packed Social D performances at the iconic Hollywood Palladium.

The Australian “shed rock” fanatics known as The Chats, kicked things off with a bang. Their high energy punk attack got the early birds in the crowd primed and ready. It’s not always easy making it down to Hollywood with LA traffic but it appears that The Chats reputation preceded them and they drew a sizeable crowd inside the Palladium right as the show began. Descendents continued the relentless pace, opening their set with “Everything Sux” causing a surge of bodies to rush toward the front of the venue. Whoever decided to finally bring two of the most important punk bands in SoCal history together for this tour deserves a raise. This being a quasi-hometown show for both Descendents and Social Distortion, you better believe everyone in the crowd sang their hearts out during songs like “Hope” and “Myage.”

Of course the crowd sang, danced and cried the hardest during Social Distortion’s epic headlining set. As we documented in our recent New Noise Magazine cover story, Social D ringleader Mike Ness has had an extraordinaire journey in recent years. Bouncing back after defeating cancer and dropping one of the best albums of the band’s storied career, Social Distortion’s set during night one at the Palladium was an emotional, homecoming/victory lap for the band and their legion of dedicated fans alike. Opening with the titular track from their new record, Born To Kill, Ness roared from onstage and the crowd gleefully reciprocated. New songs like “Tonight” and “Partners in Crime” prompted sing-alongs and air guitar battles, while old school favorites like “The Creeps” and “Lude Boy” whipped fans into a frenzy. As mighty as Social Distortion was onstage, perhaps the highlight of the evening was listening to the audience overpower the band during “Story of My Life.”

Amidst the chaos and ugliness of modern life, listening to every soul in the room shout “I only wish the good times would last a little longer” felt borderline magical. Everybody hurts, everybody gets sick, everyday yearns for better days, even rock ‘n’ roll icons like Mike Ness and his Merry Men. Social Distortion made it through one of the darkest times of their existence and came out the other side to thunderous applause at the Hollywood Palladium. This enduring, everyman relatability is why so many people, especially here in Southern California LOVE Social D in all caps and make no qualms shouting it from the rooftops. Mike Ness really is just a regular guy going through it like all of us…he just plays a mean guitar and writes way better outlaw love songs.

Social Distortion

Descendents

The Chats