SR: Social Distortion @ The HOB-Sunset

[JoeTruth]

Last night, my girlfriend and I went to go see Social Distortion @ The HOB on Sunset. Opening band was a punk band from the Oakland area named "American Steel". Not a bad opening gig. http://www.myspace.com/amsteel

Not to sound like a stick-in-the-mud but they were to go on @ 9 and they didn't come on until 10:15pm. It's Wednesday and some of us have to work the next morning. that kind of sucked but oh well.
The show: Awesome band to see live. Mike Ness has a very dynamic stage presence and his voice is very unique, to say the least. They definitely looked aged but that's to be expected considering how long they've been around. They opened with 3 songs, all acoustic with no drums. I was thinking "wow, it's going to be a nice mellow all acoustic xmas show"...wrong!!! They put the acoustics down and started banging out some classic songs. Considering how long the band has been around, I thought we'd get mostly the 30's-40's crowd but I was not expecting to see as many kids as I did. Almost immediately, a pit broke out and guys were getting slammed and flung. We were in the back of the front area and people started backing-up to avoid being slammed into and we started feeling the ripple affect of that action. I hate my personal space invaded so to avoid having some guys head in my mouth, I kept my forearms in some guys back and put my girlfriend behind me to buffer her. I didn't mind it so much as I was sort of getting a kick out of the energy (flash backs!) but she was starting to feel claustrophobic and a bit nervous. So we squeezed and pushed through the crowd and went into the back area where more mellow pot smoking people were enjoying the music.

Over all, a very good band to see live. If you like Social D. and haven't seen them, try and catch one of their shows. You won't be disappointed. Just stay away from the pit and the crowd surfers. Otherwise, you're liable to get a foot in your face or worse, something else.

(sorry for the poor quality pics. My Trio is all I had)...



The pit in action...

[Vickie]

I saw Social D in 2005 and I'd have to agree, if you have not seen them - fun, full of energy concerts. Ness is AWESOME!! But for sure stay in the back....Mosh pits always have a way of breaking out...and the slamming is endless.

[station]

ok, I have to jump in here ad say a few things. One, punk is dead. I'm sorry. It was amazing in the late 70s, 80s and even some of the hardcore scene in the EARLY 90s. Everything is just anthropology now. Also, Rockabilly, Psycobilly, etc are also over but we'll get to that some other time. Emo is also over but that's going to take more time to accept. Sorry sad kids.

This being said all you have now are super aggressive people that have almost no idea what punk was about trying to get their life's frustrations out by picking fights with each other. Or, you get older has been punk moms/dads that couldn't grow up and let the dream go. They too seem angry. Or, jocks. Yeah, I know right? Jocks at Social Distortion shows. Remember back in high school when you would get chased by jocks for having a mo hawk? Now Social D is is cool if you're into sports? Ok I guess.

SO yeah it's no wonder there's a bunch of ass kicking going on at these shows. It's sad. What would Henry Rollins say? hmmm I wonder.

How many people is this post going to piss off? Now that's punk. haha.

[nouse66]

Originally Posted by station

ok, I have to jump in here ad say a few things. One, punk is dead. I'm sorry. It was amazing in the late 70s, 80s and even some of the hardcore scene in the EARLY 90s. Everything is just anthropology now. Also, Rockabilly, Psycobilly, etc are also over but we'll get to that some other time. Emo is also over but that's going to take more time to accept. Sorry sad kids.

This being said all you have now are super aggressive people that have almost no idea what punk was about trying to get their life's frustrations out by picking fights with each other. Or, you get older has been punk moms/dads that couldn't grow up and let the dream go. They too seem angry. Or, jocks. Yeah, I know right? Jocks at Social Distortion shows. Remember back in high school when you would get chased by jocks for having a mo hawk? Now Social D is is cool if you're into sports? Ok I guess.

SO yeah it's no wonder there's a bunch of ass kicking going on at these shows. It's sad. What would Henry Rollins say? hmmm I wonder.

How many people is this post going to piss off? Now that's punk. haha.

so what you're trying to say is that you're a bitter old man?

[Kid A]

seen ness and the boys a few times over the years. SD = OC punk, nuff said

[sasquatch9billion]

I saw american steel a few years back at the old koo's in santa ana, they were really good. Social distortion I'm not a huge fan of but I can appreciate it, some of the songs remind me of old friends and being 15.
In response to station's comments, sometimes I feel old and bitter too-and I'm still in my 20's.

[deja vu]

Originally Posted by JoeTruth

Last night, my girlfriend and I went to go see Social Distortion @ The HOB on Sunset.

I went with my wife and some friends to see SD at the HOB anaheim two years ago. SD has a history of doing XMAS shows in OC (I think they played HOB for like 2 weeks straight that year)

Man, I still remember that show, Mike Ness is one crazy guy. I'm always suprised at the crowd also, some of them young en's like to rock!!

[Stray_Bullit]

I just can't say anything good right now.

[station]

Originally Posted by nouse66

so what you're trying to say is that you're a bitter old man?

Yeah, mostly. Now you kids get off of my lawn!