It’s Clear That Social Distortion Is Back

Social Distortion frontman Mike Ness wasted neither time nor sentiment Tuesday at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, glaring out over the capacity crowd and launching a blazing, 90-minute show by shouting “Let’s get this done!”

If Ness sounded like a man embarking on a necessary but not entirely enjoyable task, it’s not because the veteran Orange County punk band’s return after a long hiatus forces his burgeoning solo career to the back burner.

This tour, which includes 14 sold-out nights at the House of Blues clubs in West Hollywood and Anaheim, is the band’s first since the death last year of longtime rhythm guitarist Dennis Danell, Ness’ soul mate in the punk wars.

Ness spoke of Danell twice Tuesday--before “Don’t Take Me For Granted,” a song he introduced in May at a Danell memorial show, and later to say that an album coming this year would be dedicated to him.

Ness, as always, vented through his songs. In such vintage numbers as “Dear Lover” and “Bad Luck,” Ness let his deepest feelings out.

Former Cadillac Tramps guitarist Johnny Wickersham has taken over rhythm duties, accompanying Ness, bassist John Maurer and drummer Charlie Quintana with an energy that fueled songs without mimicking Danell’s rolling sheets of white noise, which had defined Social D.’s sound.

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Social Distortion, tonight, Friday and Jan. 31 at the House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 8 p.m. Sold out. (323) 848-5100. Also Tuesday through Jan. 27, Jan. 29-30 and Feb. 1-2 at the House of Blues, 1530 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim. 8 p.m. Sold out. (714) 778-2583.