Jeff Crespi
Sep 8, 2026
Social Distortion proves the old songs still hit hard.
Social Distortion always brings incredible energy to every stage. It’s old-school punk rock at its finest—just the way it should be. On Saturday, September 5, 2026, the band brought the house down at The Stone Pony Summer Stage with so many gems from their discography that I lost count. I’ve been seeing and photographing them for over 20 years, and their music never gets old, even if we do. The crowd was a sold-out mix of longtime fans and new punks, all screaming like it was their first Social D show.
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The band just released a new album, Born to Kill, and you can watch the video for "Tonight" on their official website. Mike Ness’s voice and sound are truly timeless—something about his energy never fades. It’s wild to think Social Distortion has been around since the late '70s! Their songs, most of which focus on life's struggles, still feel as relevant and relatable as ever.
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This time around, Social D brought along two killer bands: The Descendents and The Chats. The Descendents, another legendary old-school punk band from the West Coast, brought their own energy and excitement to the stage. It was the perfect pairing—two iconic bands whose music and style complement each other.
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The Chats, hailing from Australia, are the younger punks on the tour. They formed in 2016, but they've already made a big impression and have been winning over fans ever since. Their set was the perfect way to kick off the night and get everyone moving.
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From the moment the show started, the mosh and circle pits were in full swing, with crowd surfers crossing the barricade all night long. Every band brought something special, and the energy never let up. All in all, it was a fantastic show from start to finish.
*All photos by Jeff Crespi
To learn more about Social Distortion:
To learn more about Descendents:
Descendents (@descendents) • Instagram photos and videos
