Legendary SoCal punk rock outfit Social Distortion has indefinitely postponed their North American summer tour as singer/guitarist Mike Ness undergoes treatment for Stage 1 tonsil cancer. The band has also suspended work on an eagerly anticipated new studio album, their eighth and first since the acclaimed 2011 “Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes.”
“We think that life is going to go according to our plan, but it has a way of saying ‘I don’t think so!’,” the 61-year-old Ness said in a statement released Wednesday. “In the midst of pre-production, I was diagnosed with stage one tonsil cancer. I was feeling well enough to continue with recording in the studio up until the very day before surgery. The band and I were so inspired and excited to lay down these tracks, which by the way sound [expletive] AWESOME!”
Ness went on to say the recovery from surgery remains a day-by-day process and he’ll begin radiation which he expects to be the end of treatment.
“The team of doctors are certain that once finished with this course, I will be able to start the healing and recovery process,” he said. “We expect a full recovery enabling me to live a long and productive life.”
Formed in the late 1970s in Orange County, Calif., Social Distortion released its first album, “Mommy’s Little Monster,” in 1983. Though the band became a staple of the decade’s vibrant punk rock scene with anthems like “Story of My Life” and “I Was Wrong,” there was also an undercurrent of rockabilly, country and straight-ahead rock ‘n’ roll, due in no small part to Ness’ penchant for covering songs made famous by the likes of the Rolling Stones and Johnny Cash.
The scheduled 2023 summer tour, which regionally included a sold-out show at the Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg on July 29, was slated to kick off at the end of this month.
“It breaks my heart to postpone tours, and this album release, but time is required to heal,” Ness said. “I can’t thank our loyal fans enough who have been waiting so patiently for this. While it will take a little longer — I promise you that it will be delivered and it will exceed your expectations.”
Ness ended his statement on a somber but hopeful note, saying, “I want you all to know that this has opened my eyes to a whole new struggle. I know it’s one that many of you or your loved ones have personally endured, and my heart goes out to you-because I now know what it’s like from this heavy experience.”
“I’m surrounded by love and support from my friends and family ESPECIALLY my lovely wife and incredible boys (oh and don’t forget my 3 dogs and kitty) THANK YOU ALL in advance to our unbelievable fans for YOUR love and support right now. We WILL get through this….”
Vinyl of the week
Keep an eye on this spot as each week we’ll be looking at new or soon-to-be-released vinyl from a variety of artists. It might be a repressing of a landmark recording, special edition or new collection from a legendary act. This week, it’s a new live recording from one of the top rock bands in history.
• Alice Cooper — “Killer” and “School’s Out”
The Alice Cooper band was unstoppable during the 1970s, releasing four consecutive platinum albums and five Top 40 hits, among them “I’m Eighteen,” “School’s Out,” “No More Mr. Nice Guy” and “Elected.”
Two of those albums are being released by Rhino Records with newly remastered sound, rare recordings and previously unreleased live performances. Both deluxe editions are available as 2-CD sets and 3-LP versions on 180gram vinyl.
Released in 1971, “Killer” was the fourth studio album recorded by the founding quintet of frontman Alice Cooper, lead guitarist Glen Buxton, rhythm guitarist/keyboardist Michael Bruce, bassist Dennis Dunaway and drummer Neal Smith. The deluxe edition introduces a newly remastered version of the original release, which peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard albums chart.
Along with the singles “Under My Wheels” and “Be My Lover,” the record also includes “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah,” “Desperado” and the prog-rock-inspired epic “Halo of Flies.”
The bonus material features alternate takes for “You Drive Me Nervous,” “Under My Wheels” and “Dead Babies.” The collection also gives fans an unreleased live recording of the band’s performance at Mar Y Sol Pop Festival in Puerto Rico on April 2, 1972, which was recorded a few months before the band returned to the studio to make “School’s Out.”
Shortly after the festival, the band released the title track from its follow-up album, “School’s Out.” The single was released several weeks ahead of the full album to ensure it hit radio airwaves before the school year ended. It worked. By the time school actually was out, the song was a hit, reaching No. 7 in the U.S. and No. 1 in the U.K.
The deluxe edition of “School’s Out” begins with a newly remastered version of the 1972 original, which peaked at No. 2 on the charts. Essential tracks like “Luney Tune” and “Alma Mater” are joined by “Gutter Cat vs. The Jets,” the latter an homage to “West Side Story,” a significant influence on the band. The song incorporates lyrics from “Jet Song” from the 1957 Broadway musical, which led to an unlikely songwriting credit for Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim on an Alice Cooper track.
Also included in the set are rarities like the single versions of “School’s Out” and “Gutter Cat vs. The Jets,” an alternate version of “Alma Mater” and an early demo for “Elected,” a song that would appear in 1973 on the band’s first No. 1 album, “Billion Dollar Babies.”
Alice Cooper’s concert in Miami on May 27, 1972, adds even more unreleased music to the “School’s Out” collection. The show was recorded a few weeks before the band entered the studio to record the LP, with standout versions of “Halo of Flies,” “School’s Out,” and “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah,” a song that gives Cooper a chance to show off his impressive harmonica skills.
The vinyl versions of both LPs re-create the original album sleeves down to the smallest detail. “Killer” sees a gatefold sleeve that opens to reveal a detachable 1972 calendar with a photo of Cooper in the gallows. The cover of “School’s Out” looks like a wooden school desk and opens to reveal the LP wrapped in a pair of panties. The band stopped including the underwear following a controversy as to whether it was flammable. Thankfully, the lacy unmentionables in the new deluxe edition are not a fire hazard.
Both sets come with booklets that include track-by-track commentary by band members and former Creem magazine editor Jaan Uhelszki, plus liner notes by Bill Holdship, also an editor for the mag.
Look for “Killer” and “School’s Out” online and from all respectable retailers who carry vinyl.
To contact music columnist Michael Christopher, send an email to rockmusicmenu@gmail.com. Also, check out his website at thechroniclesofmc.com.
