The North Park neighborhood of San Diego, CA has been very “Distorted” thanks to punk rock forefathers Social D. December 22nd marked three of five sold-out shows at the Observatory North Park as part of their 2024 Holiday Tour, which has completely sold out every stop. The overwhelming demand for tickets led to additional dates, making this stretch a true gift for fans.
The evening kicked off with Los Angeles natives The Hangmen, who are longtime collaborators with Social Distortion’s Mike Ness. The Hangmen delivered a guitar-riffing, satisfying set featuring Bryan Small (vocals/rhythm guitar) and Jimmy James (lead guitar) taking turns playing to the crowd. Jorge Disguster (drums) and Angelique Congleton (bass) held down the high-energy, punky grit.
Once Mike Ness and the rest of Social Distortion took the stage, the energy turned nostalgic as we drifted through four decades of the punk godfathers’ discography in pure chaotic bliss. The guys punched through their intro with “So Far Away” and “Born to Kill” before Ness transformed into a punk rock storyteller, sharing origins of the songs and his drive behind writing them. “It’s great to be here, it’s great to be alive. Let’s take a trip back in time,” Ness humbly says between the hits. The personal touch added depth to a 18-deep setlist packed with classics like “Mommy’s Little Monster” and “Prison Bound.” The night culminated with a powerful encore featuring “Story of My Life,” “Ring of Fire,” and “Bad Luck,” effectively bringing the audience back to rock roots of the 90’s. Social Distortion continues to claim their name in the Punk community with no signs of slowing down in 2025.
GALLERY: Social Distortion with The Hangmen at House of Blues in San Diego (December 23, 2024)
