Social Distortion's New Album to Sound Like 'Dead Boys Meets Black Crowes'
- Posted on Feb 16th 2010 12:00PM by Kenneth Partridge
- Comments (31)
"We've just tracked 12 songs this week, and we're going to probably track another five in the next couple of days," Ness says, calling from a payphone on the day before Valentine's Day. According to Ness, the record will be a full-band, full-volume affair, not the stripped-down acoustic album he was rumored to have been making.
"We'd always intended to do a regular album first," he says. "The acoustic thing is just a future project, which I think will be significant and equally important. But as far as the priority goes, it's more important now to get a studio record out that is a regular record."
The album will be Social Distortion's seventh in a career that has spanned more than 30 years. Joining Ness for the sessions are guitarist Jonny "2 Bags" Wickersham and bassist Brent Harding, members since 2000 and 2004, respectively, as well as newly instated drummer Adam "Atom" Willard. So far, the quartet has only laid down instrumental tracks, and it remains for Ness to sit down and put pen to paper.
"I have a lot of writing [to do], as far as lyrics go," Ness says. "But we're really happy with the direction that this record is taking, the sound of it. We're recording it really old-school. We went back to tape, old compressors and old microphones, just really trying to fight modern technology as much as possible."
He says the self-produced, still-untitled album, which he hopes to release before the end of the year, will feature the classic Social Distortion sound -- a combination of punk, rockabilly and country, presumably.
"It's funny -- the record reminds me very much of [1992's] 'Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell,' but also I'm bringing elements of early New York '70s punk, influences that maybe haven't come out as prominently in my writing in the past," Ness says. "It's a little more Johnny Thunders. Some of the early first wave of punk was very blues-based rock 'n' roll, but it had this urban snottiness to it."
"So, the record, to me, is almost like the Dead Boys meets the Black Crowes or something," Ness adds.
Reader Comments(1 of 2)
Sick Boy Chefat 2-17-2010
I CANT F8CKING WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Numbnuts Navarroat 3-22-2010
I just wanna hear more SD! Mikes lyrics really speak to me..Cant wait!
Dave Williamsat 2-16-2010
What Mike says is true concerning the stripped down, old skool style of the record. Take a look at the new Foothill session pics on Social D's website and you'll see the amp used.....old skool tube amp.
Adrian Mat 2-16-2010
Wow! I actually stopped and jaw dropped at the fact the fact that he mentioned the Black Crowes, as they are one of my all-time fav bands! I never knew Mike liked them, and my band is pursuing to have a Social D/Black Crowes/Led Zep type sound! Kudos to you Mike! Long time fan ready to hear the newest record!!!
Stephanieat 2-17-2010
All I have to say is *drool*. I am uber excited that SD will be releasing this new album. I have been anticipating it since...well...the last one. LOL. Anyway, my husband and I are also looking forward to the fact this means a real tour?!? Count me in. This is a must have album, the day it is released.
Chad Fergusonat 2-17-2010
Cannot wait for the new SD album, very long overdue to say the least.
Ness always delivers!
Chad
www.learntocatchcatfish.com
www.themulehead.com
Elizabeth Vargasat 2-17-2010
I can't wait until their new album comes out. I love Social Distortion.
Rudyat 2-17-2010
We trust you Mike, do what you do dog ! Im sure we wont be dissapointed. Lookn forwardn to to hearn your new album........HURRY!!
Loyal fan since 93
tom tomat 2-17-2010
I cant wait till its released, wondering about the "message".
I am happy that Jonny is a part of it again, saw him end of 09 with reno divorce and became a fan of that guy.
robat 2-18-2010
man i cant f'n wait for this, and that acustic aswell, hailz!!! social distortion forever!!!!
>RawB< aka *SickboY*
sarah petroat 3-07-2010
I am so excited for this new album to be released.I love that Mike is adamant about steering away from modern technology in the production.There is way too much of that these days.I am also excited that the new record will be reminiscent of Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell,one of the best albums EVER!:)
chris taylorat 2-17-2010
Social D always brings it! I just HOPE Diamond in hte Rough and Stranded in Bakersfield will be on it!!
chris taylorat 2-17-2010
...and the description of the Crowes meets Dead Boys is incredible!! This is gonna be a huge, old school slab of rock n' roll!
King-Kurtat 2-18-2010
Can`t wait for the new record. It`s been to quiet to long around these heroes.
Telecasterchrisat 2-18-2010
Ness is the reason I bought a guitar. Social D, ramones, New York dolls and others are a big put of what I teach my kids about rock-n-roll.
GHat 2-18-2010
don't understand how bands can record pretty much an entire album and not have any lyrics, seems weird, how they gonna be able to feel it and dig in without knowing what the songs about or the vibe / feeling / meaning behind it etc?
hope it's more pissed off than the last album, was way too poppy.
shellypoohat 2-18-2010
F-N SWEET!!!!Ive been a faithful S.D. chick since 1989!Cant wait to hear was next. Keep it real Mike!!!!!
Mpeelat 2-19-2010
Cannot wait. Mike Ness is right up there with Henry Rollins as a hero. The Crowes/Dead Boys description is intrigueing as I like them both as well. What happened to Stiv Bators of Dead Boys/Lords of the New Church?
FriscoDaveat 2-19-2010
Unfornately, Stiv was hit by a car and passed away a few years ago, I believe. Can't wait for new SxDx album. C them every time they play Frisco.
Norman Collinsat 2-21-2010
I just unbuckled my pants some one pass me the matza balls