Social Distortion – The Aggrolites – Chuck Ragan – at the Hollywood Palladium – Hollywood, CA

When Southern California heroes Social Distortion are in town to play, they mean business. There isn’t another band from the Punk rock scene that’ve been able to rise from the underground right into the mainstream radio friendly world yet retain street credibility that’s survived 3 decades strong. Back on the road in support of the bands hugely successful 7th album “Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes”, (released by Epitaph Records) Social Distortion find themselves once again booked into a night after night residency; this time at the world famous Hollywood Palladium.

The opening night of their 3 show stint proved to be an excellent concert for so many reasons in this concert goers opinion. Though before I get to Social Distortions amazing set, let’s mention the cast of support bands. Former Hot Water Music front man Chuck Ragan’s folk rock set proved to be a great way to start off the night. Being that Social Distortions music draws from so many different types of rock, it makes sense that a solo artist with a focus on acoustic folk rock could fit perfectly on this “Punk rock” bill. With more diversity in store for us, we were treated to Los Angeles’s very own reggae upstarts, The Aggrolites. The toasty boss sound produced from The Aggrolites prompted many to dance in the tradition of roots reggae skank style. It’s a safe assumption that many were already familiar with The Aggrolites and already long time fans of the band, neither opener were treated to heckling or uninterested crowds awaiting the almighty headliner.

As the house lights dimmed down low, Social Distortions backdrop raised high above the very wide Palladium stage. The new album artwork adorned banner fit in perfect with the stage production set up, not quite “Spinal Tap”, but definitely not bare staged. Instead various high way road signs, street light lamps and a large number 13 were placed alongside the bands amplifiers. It was the most elaborate Social Distortion production in the bands long history. The moment Mike Ness graced the stage during the bands opening number “Road Zombie” is when it became obvious that the band were good and ready to show Hollywood just how Orange County veterans rock. Older hits “So Far Away” and “Mommy’s little Monster” sounded great as ever with new drummer David Hidalgo Jr. smashing away behind the kit. His versatility came in handy when tracks like “Bakersfield” and re worked slowed down versions of older jams required a softer approach.

Variety and versatility has remained one of Social Distortion’s strongest points over their long career, Thursday night was no different as all the stops were pulled out. Where many bands tend to play it safe and keep songs identical to their studio recording, Social D go the extra mile by throwing in a mix of extra instrumentation and re worked arrangements. Accordion and Organs found their way into a mix of songs that simply made the watching and listening experience that much more enjoyable. Much like the theme and sound on their new record, Mike Ness was easily able to transform most of his back catalog into soulful sounding gospel like hymns. The addition of soul sister backup singers only made it more soulful and is really awe inspiring as the mood of the concert transformed from brash Punk Rock into a sound that’s reminiscent of a 1950’s southern Baptist tent revival. Punk rocker to old bluesman, he does it and he does it well! Social D were able to blaze through their set with such variety and ease that it came as a shock to hear that they had one last song left to play, though we all knew they’d be back. (They still had two more live staples to play for us!)

The sets encore saw the SOLD OUT 4000 capacity crowd singing along to Johnny Cash’s classic “Ring of Fire” with graceful lungs in unison. As expected though, the nights closer “Story of My Life” brought the house down as it became a free for all. Flying shoes, crowd surfers and the biggest circle pit of the night followed as the crowd realized it was the last chance to party with Social Distortion for the night. For the first time of the night it seemed like a scene out of “Another State of Mind”, a film in which Ness and company were featured in the early 80’s.

Overall this older more mature version of Social Distortion puts on as amazing of a show as ever. The old and new fans both get their era of song selections throughout the set, but are both treated to reworked versions that honestly make for a better live sound. The only thing that lacked Thursday night was the absence of Prison Bound (1988) and Sex, Love And Rock N Roll (2004) songs in the set list. Both of those albums contain some of Mike Ness’ strongest song writing and catchiest tunes, their inclusions would have made the concert Social Distortions finest 2 hours, (perhaps they’ll make it in Friday or Saturday nights set).

The question critics may ask is can Punk rock mature and intermix with soulful blues and gospel in a way that remains true to its original attitude yet displays a different strength altogether? With Social Distortion’s new album and live show in 2011 the answer is HELL YES it can.
I suspect the following 2 nights at the Palladium will be a continuing celebration of the bands new album and reworked classics, a show that in my opinion is one of the best an “older” band can put on.

Go catch Social Distortion on tour now as they roll through your city, its well worth the price of admission.

Thursday Night’s Set list
1. Road Zombie (instrumental) 2011
2. So Far Away 90’
3. King of Fools 92’
4. Bad Luck 92’
5. Mommys Little Monster 82’
6. Sick Boy 90’
7. Machine Gun Blues 2011
8. Ball & Chain 90’
9. Through These Eyes 96’
10. Bakersfield 2011
11. Sweet & Lowdown 2011
12. Down Here With The Rest of Us 96’
13. Cold Feelings 92’
14. Making Believe 92’
15. California Hustle & Flow 2011
16. Cant Take it With You 2011
17. Ring of Fire 90’
18. Story of My Life 90’

-Louie Bones-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

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