About Me
*THIS IS NOT THE REAL MIKE NESS. THIS IS FOR MIKE NESS FANS.*Mike Ness (born Michael James Ness) (born April 3, 1962) is a guitarist, vocalist, and chief song writer for the punk rock band Social Distortion.Ness was born in Stoneham, Massachusetts and raised in Orange County, California. Kicked out of his parents' home in Fullerton at the age of fifteen, he dabbled in drugs and petty crime, involving himself in the punk scene and founding Social Distortion in 1978. The band signed a contract with Posh Boy Records in 1981, releasing the Mainliner/Playpen 7" record. Then the band moved to 13th Floor Records in 1983 and released the album Mommy's Little Monster (1983).By this time, Ness's drug addiction and self-destructive behavior had deepened to the point that the band almost broke up. The turmoil was captured on a video, Another State of Mind, which chronicled a cross-country tour. Five years passed before Social Distortion released their next album, 1988's Prison Bound, on Time Bomb Recordings but Ness emerged from the time off, free of his addictions and ready to work.In 1989, Social Distortion signed a deal with Epic Records and released 4 albums with that label: the self-titled album (1990), Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell (1992) and White Light, White Heat, White Trash (1996).The band left Epic Records after White Light, White Heat, White Trash (1996) and rejoined Time Bomb Recordings, releasing Mainliner: Wreckage From the Past (a collection of old recordings and singles that were done in the early '80s) and Live at the Roxy (1998).In 1999, Ness released his first solo album, Cheating at Solitaire. Although Social Distortion's music had contained country inflections as far back as Prison Bound, Cheating at Solitaire was an unalloyed expression of Ness's country side. 'Solitaire' included guest appearances by rock icon Bruce Springsteen, former Stray Cat Brian Setzer and drumming legend Josh Freese as well as members of The Royal Crown Revue. Springsteen had touted Social D's 'Heaven and Hell' as his favorite record of the year in a Rolling Stone interview in 1992. Ness continued in this vein, releasing a compilation of country covers entitled Under the Influences that same year. Both albums came out on Time Bomb Recordings. Ness toured extensively in the U.S. in support of these albums, backed partially by the present day(2006) incarnation of Social Distortion; Charlie Quintana (drums) Brent Harding (standing & eletric bass) and Johnny Wickersham (guitar tech). After that, his bandmate and guitarist Dennis Danell died on February 29, 2000 due to an aneurysm, but Social Distortion did not completley disband.In 2004, Social Distortion came back with a live DVD called "Live In Orange County," and then recorded an album titled Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll, which was released on Time Bomb Recordings. These efforts marked the first recordings with a line up consisting of Ness on Guitar and vocals, Wickersham on guitar, and Quintana on drums and also consisted of songs co-written by Ness and Wickersham. This is the first time Ness collaborated with another songwriter since 1990s self titled album on which he and then bassist John Maurer wrote 'Let it be Me'. The band's line up changed twice after Maurer left the band, just a month before the release on Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll. As of late 2005, there have been no announcements which indicate if the current bassist Brent Harding would stay in the band permanently and appear on the new album that will be recorded and released in 2006.In February 2006, Ness broke his wrist while skateboarding in Las Vegas. TSOL guitarist Ron Emory is filling in on guitar duties while Mike's wrist heals. Mike is still performing just not playing guitar.Mike Ness currently lives in Santa Ana, California with his wife Christine Marie, and two sons Johnny and Julian. He is also a hot rod enthusiast, driving a chopped 1954 Chevy leadsled,a 1936 Ford and a 1960 Chevy Impala.
