Can You Still Play Punk Rock After 40 Years?

There is a fast vitality to early punk music. It was loud and so fast it was almost un-melodic. As the fans of the genre age, their tastes change and those albums get put away. Those performers move to other genres.

In most cases…..

Social Distortion started as a band in 1978. Their first big song was “Mommy’s Little Monster.” The song is fast guitars with rock star riffs, great drumming and Mike Ness sings. He sings, not scremas. They toured and played through the 1980s until the world caught up to them  in 1990. “Ball and Chain” wasn’t a sell out song. They stayed the same, but now they got airplay.

Years later, Johnny Cash died and there were country artists doing memorial shows. Some took on “Ring of Fire.” It was OK. The best cover version of “Ring of Fire” has to be Social Distortion’s version.  You just felt they knew fire and jumping through fire.

Social D as they were known, got more airplay, sold out shows and attention. As the 1990s ended, the line up of the band changed and they faded. Mike Ness, the lead singer made some really fun solo records. They were a mix of old country songs, rockabilly, and rock n roll done in Mike Ness style.

A few years ago, I met someone that was going to a Social Distortion concert. There were line up changes, but Social Distortion are still touring. I found a clip of a recent show. They are still loud and have that punk rock stance when they play. The sound was clear. The drummer was solid. The band was on time and together. Is it possible to be just as good 40 years later?  They started and stayed with the same sound. Just as good as their heyday 30 years ago.

The members are around 60 years old and they can hold up against bands decades younger. They can stand for an hour without needing to sit down.

Guess you can’t be too old for rock. If you love it, it keeps you going.