Orange County punk legends Social Distortion, led by the gravel-voiced Mike Ness since 1978, are one of the longest-running and most respected punk rock bands in history, having essentially invented the country-punk hybrid that countless bands have since adopted. Their 1990 self-titled album and its hit 'Ball and Chain' brought their unique blend of punk, rockabilly, and outlaw country to a mainstream audience, while earlier records like 'Mommy's Little Monster' are cornerstones of California punk. Ness's hard-lived authenticity and the band's timeless, working-class songwriting have earned Social Distortion an almost mythical status in punk rock.