Social Distortion

Years Active: 1978–present

Genre/s: Punk rock, cowpunk, rock and roll, hardcore punk

Label/s: 13th Floor, Posh Boy, Restless, Epic, Time Bomb, Epitaph

Members: Mike Ness, Jonny "2 Bags" Wickersham, Brent Harding, David Hidalgo Jr.

Social Distortion is an American punk rock band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California. It consists of Mike Ness (vocals, guitar), Jonny Wickersham (guitar), Brent Harding (bass), and David Hidalgo Jr. (drums).

Emerging from the Orange County hardcore scene of the late 1970s, alongside Agent Orange and the Adolescents, Social Distortion went 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 shifted its style to have strong influences from country, blues, and early rock and roll. Since its inception, the band's lineup has seen significant turnover, with Ness as the only constant member. Past longtime members have included guitarist Dennis Danell, bassist John Maurer and drummers Christopher Reece and Charlie Quintana. Social Distortion's current lineup, intact since 2010, is the band's longest-lasting lineup. After 48 years of performing, Social Distortion continues to tour and record music.

To date, Social Distortion has released eight 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 achieved mainstream success 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 the RIAA. The band's next two albums, including their second gold record Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell (1992) and its follow-up White Light, White Heat, White Trash (1996), were also well-received. They have since released three more albums: Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll (2004), Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes (2011) and Born to Kill (2026). 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.