Social Distortion Promises Spring CD

Social Distortion leader Mike Ness half apologized to the SRO audience at House of Blues in Anaheim this week for letting another year pass without a new album from the band.

“I know we promised to have one out In 2001, but well...,” Ness said from the stage, smiling as he let the thought trail off. “We’re going to get something out in the spring.”

The veteran O.C. punk quartet previewed some songs scheduled for the next Social D album, its first studio effort since “White Light White Heal White Trash” in 1996. It will also be the first since Ness put the band on hiatus while he put out two solo albums and went on a solo tour.

The band, which has been in the studio, is recording for the first time without rhythm guitarist Dennis Danell, who died of a brain aneurysm two years ago and is the subject of “Don’t Take Me for Granted,” one of three recent songs Social D played during six nights in Anaheim that ended Wednesday.

Ness premiered that song at the May 2000 memorial concert for Danell. Two newer numbers show the band is not slowing down more than 20 years after forming. “I Wasn’t Born to Follow” charts the band’s commitment to remaining outside the mainstream, and “Angels Wings” is Ness’ exhortation to fans, many of whom are now in the 20s, 30s and 40s with kids of their own, to take their responsibilities as adults and parents seriously.

And the Orange County Grammy Nominees Are ...

Orange County transplant Kim Wilson is among the nominees for the Grammy for traditional blues album for his solo album “Smokin’ Joint.” Among his competition: Maria Muldaur, James Blood Ulmer, a multi-artist tribute to seminal blues man Robert Johnson, and, ironically, Jimmie Vaughan, Wilson’s former partner in the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Vaughan is nominated for his latest solo effort, “Do You Get the Blues?”

Former Orange County resident John Patitucci, jazz bassist extraordinaire-turned-composer, is also vying for a Grammy, for instrumental composition, for his piece “Communion.”

One more Grammy contender with an O.C. connection is Rage Against the Machine, nominated in the hard-rock performance category for its song “Renegades of Funk.”

A Broad Range of Styles for the Folkies in Anaheim

The Living Tradition folk series features a double bill Jan. 19, with headliner Harvey Reid and L.A. based alt-folkie Claudia Russell.

Multi-instrumentalist Reid takes the concept of one-man band in a different direction, accompanying himself with a cadre of stringed instruments, including guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, six-string banjo and autoharp. He applies them to an equally wide range of styles, running from folk, blues and country to Celtic, ragtime and classical music.

Russell, a former member of the Life Is Grand Band and Maggie’s Farm, released her debut solo album, “Song Food,” last year and recently was selected new artist of the year by Boston radio station WUMB. She’ll be accompanied by her husband, guitarist-mandolinist Bruce Kaplan.

The show is at 7:30 p.m. at the Downtown Community Center, 250 E. Center St., Anaheim. Tickets are $12 general, free for anyone under 18 accompanied by an adult. (949) 646-1964.

Christian Act Stavesacre Signs With Nitro Records

Stavesacre, the O.C. Christian alt-rock band that has released three albums for Seattle-based Tooth and Nail Records, has signed a deal with Huntington Beach-based Nitro Records, the label owned ‘by Offspring members Bryan “Dexter” Holland and Greg Kriesel. The quintet is scheduled to start recording its first album for Nitro this spring.

Jazz Trio Making a Scene ‘Here (Sometimes There)’

The monthly intimate jazz series “Sessions at, Grand Central” in downtown Santa Ana will present the Quinn Johnson Trio in its next installment Tuesday at 8 p.m. Pianist Johnson’s debut album, “Here (Sometimes There),” has been popular at Long Beach jazz station KLON-FM (88.1).

Johnson also plays regularly as a studio musician on a variety of soundtracks for television, film and cable projects. His trio will play Latin and Afro-Cuban Jazz.

The show will be at the Grand Central Arts Theater, 125 N. Broadway. Tickets are $10 general, $5 for students. (714) 567-7234 or www.grandcentralartcenter.com.