Mike Ness is a musician known for his work with punk rock band Social Distortion. He formed the band in 1978 and released their first EP in 1981. Ness struggled with drugs but eventually recovered and continued to make music with Social Distortion and as a solo artist. The band plans to release a new album in 2008. Ness lives in California with his family.
Michael James Ness is an American musician primarily known for his work as a guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist as part of the punk rock band Social Distortion. Born in Stoneham, Massachusetts on April 3, 1962, Mike Ness spent most of his early years in California, growing up in the Orange County area. It was in his late teens and early twenties that Ness became involved in the punk rock scene of the late 1970s and began to make a name for himself within the genre.
Problems within the house led Mike Ness to go out on his own at the age of fifteen. During his first few months away from home, Ness got involved with drugs and also involved in some petty crime. However, her introduction to the punk music scene started to make an impact in the direction of his life. Already a budding musician, Mike Ness joined Band Easter and began honing his musical skills in local clubs.
In 1978, Mike Ness was interested in exploring his own musical path within the punk rock genre. He formed the group Social Distortion during that year and started writing songs for the band to perform. As Social Distortion’s reputation began to grow, the band began to attract the attention of the punk community. Eventually, Mike Ness and Social Distortion secured a record deal with independent label Posh Boy Records. The relationship led to the 1981 release of the band’s first extended play record, titled Mainliner/Playpen. This was followed two years later with the release of the album Mommy’s Little Monster on 13th Floor Records.
The decade of the 1980s saw Mike Ness pursue several different career and musical pursuits. Over the course of the decade, Ness continued to work with Social Distortion, but was also a member of the band Easter, appeared in several music videos, and even spent some time working as a house painter. Drugs continued to be a problem for the Nesses, eventually leading to a period of drug therapy and a recovery program. In 1988, Ness was back with Social Distortion full-time and was ready to focus on making music with the group.
Signing with Epic Records in 1989, Mike Ness and Social Distortion entered a period characterized by a constant amount of creative output. Between 1989 and 1996, the band produced three albums and numerous original musical compositions. Fans were treated to both recorded and unrecorded songs by Ness, which helped make their concerts hugely popular. The flow of creative output continued after the band left Epic in 1996 with a compilation of old works and a live album released under Mike Ness’ newly formed Time Bomb Recordings.
The new century saw Mike Ness continue to record some of Social Distortion as well as releasing new releases under his own name. Ness lives in Santa Ana, California with his wife and two children. Social Distortion continues to be an important part of his life, both as a recording band and as a touring band. The group, with Mike Ness, has plans for a new album to be released in 2008.
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