New Song Review: Social Distortion Returns (At Last!) With “Born To Kill” Title Track To Upcoming LP, Their First In 15 Years!

While I was on vacation last week, venerable punk rock/cowpunk band Social Distortion from Southern California put out their first new song in… checks notes… 15 years. They’ve also announced a new album and this newly released song is the title track, “Born To Kill.”

Fifteen years is a long time between albums and puts Social D in that Stones, Peter Gabriel and Cure territory where waiting over a decade to release anything appears… normal? Hell, Gabriel went 21 years between albums… although he’s already got new stuff coming. 

Social D hasn’t been idle in those 15 years. Indeed, their “relentless” touring schedule is one of the reasons cited as why it took so long between albums. I’ve only posted on them once since I started B&V when I saw them live at a local festival and I’ve been doing this a while.

They’ve been away from the studio so long that this album is their drummer, David Hildago Jr (yes, the son of Los Lobos’ David Hildago), who joined right after their last LP was recorded, 2011’s Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes, is making his studio debut and this will be his first proper album with the band. 

Mike Ness, singer/lead guitar and principal songwriter is still at the helm of Social D and he’s said to be very meticulous about getting the songs “just right.” If it took him 15 years to craft this album, he’s more of a perfectionist than even Don Henley and that’s saying something. I do know that the album was postponed because he had a bout of tonsil cancer. I’m very happy he seems to be fully recovered. We need great rock n rollers in this world, not the next. 

Social D’s line up still includes Johnny “2 Bags” Wickersham on rhythm guitar. He’s currently, other than Ness, Social D’s longest serving member having joined prior to 2004’s Sex, Love And Rock N Roll. And finally, Brent Harding on bass who’s manned that spot in the band since 2005. These guys are that classic 2 guitars/vocals/bass and drums. You’re not going to hear any organ on a Social D track. This is punk rock not prog. 

It was the Rock Chick who turned me on to Social D. I was aware of them but only knew a few of their tracks – mostly covers like “Ring Of Fire” (Johnny Cash) or “Backstreet Girl” (Stones)  – but she was a big fan. On our first date she picked up a Social D album and I was like, “Who’s this?” 

If anyone was concerned about 15 years causing any rust to accumulate on Social D, I played “Born To Kill” to the OG Social Distortion fan in the house, the Rock Chick, and she said, “That’s a great song…it’s old school, hard rocking Social D!” High praise indeed. 

Social D is kind of like AC/DC, they found that sound, that one thing they do well and they just keep doing it. One could describe this rocking song, “Born To Kill” as breakneck. It’s a rock n roll race to the finish line. It’s hard edged and anthemic. When these guys get rocking Ness’ voice tends to soar over the frantic guitar riffs and it feels like you’re floating. The riff-age is sublime when the two guitars lock in together, oh yes! 

I think “Born To Kill” will be included amongst their best tunes. When he sings, “But revolution can sure be fun, To the status quo, it’s to your dismay, Rock ‘n’ roll animal, gonna come your way,” I’m all in. I love the chorus, “‘Cause I’m a-lookin’ for a thrill, ‘Cause, baby, I was born to kill.” That bit makes me feel like I’m in my 20s heading out for a night of misbehavior. Here’s the track:

It is so great to have Social D back with new music. This is one of B&V’s favorite punk bands. I love that they incorporate a touch of old school country in their punk. If you’ve never checked out Prison Bound, after you check out the new tune, cue that one up. As for this new LP, it’s slated for May and trust me when I say B&V will have our ear to the ground for this release. 

I had meant to post on this fabulous track right when I got back but then I saw that McCartney had his new documentary, Man On The Run, out and I got distracted… the older I get the more I become the “Oh, look at the kitty,” distracted guy.

Enjoy this one at maximum volume, like Mike Ness would want. Cheers!