James Villa– Words by Chris Whitehead – Photos by James Villa –
House of Blues – Dallas, TX / August 2, 2015
It’s hard to believe it’s been twenty-five years since Social Distortion released their foundational self-titled album. In April 2015, Mike Ness announced that they would hit the road on a six-week tour to celebrate this milestone accomplishment. In addition to playing that album in its entirety, fans would be treated to classic tracks and rarities.
On this Sunday night, August 2nd at the House of Blues in Dallas, Drag the River opened the show with Nikki Lane as main support. This was the perfect musical combination to get the sold-out crowd primed and ready for Ness and the guys to take the stage. While the crowd was going crazy, Ness commented they weren’t in Houston anymore and then broke right into “So Far Away”.
The energy levels were at an all time high, when Social D took everyone on the wild and out-of-control roller coaster ride they call rock and roll. There was just enough conversation in-between songs, careful not to lose the musical high everyone was riding. Ness pleased the crowd by performing covers of The Rolling Stones and Hank Williams, with the trademark Social D signature sound.
After playing “Gimme the Sweet and Lowdown” Ness thanked everyone for coming out to celebrate, but we knew the show wasn’t over. The house lights didn’t come up and the music didn’t start playing. A few minutes later, SD walked back out on stage and closed out the show with “Folsom Prison Blues” and “Ring of Fire”, much to the satisfaction of the crowd.
This is a summer tour that you do not want to miss.
Setlist
So Far Away
Let It Be Me
Story of My Life
Sick Boys
Ball and Chain
It Coulda Been Me
She’s a Knockout
A Place in My Heart
Drug Train
Cold Feelings
Wild Horses (The Rolling Stones cover)
Alone and Forsaken (Hank Williams cover)
This Time Darlin’
Gimme the Sweet and Lowdown
Encore:
Folsom Prison Blues (Johnny Cash cover)
Ring of Fire (Johnny Cash cover)
Tim Schumann
