Social Distortion frontman Mike Ness sits down with Paul Cashmere for Noise11 to discuss the band’s long-awaited new album Born To Kill. After a 15-year gap between studio records, Ness explains why the timing finally felt right, revealing that personal struggles, family challenges, and major global events all played a role in the delay.
In this candid conversation, Ness shares how some songs date back to the White Light era, while others are newly written, reflecting a more mature and self-aware creative mindset. He describes Born To Kill as a “mission statement” for both himself and Social Distortion, marking a powerful return and the beginning of a new chapter.
The interview also explores the storytelling behind key tracks like Partners In Crime, which revisits the band’s early days navigating hostility as punk outsiders in suburban California. Ness also discusses his approach to cover songs, including the band’s take on Wicked Game, originally by Chris Isaak, and his long-standing influences from country legends like Johnny Cash and Hank Williams.
Ness confirms that fans won’t have to wait another decade for new music, revealing that more material is already written and plans are in place for a follow-up album. He also hints at a return to Australia in 2027, promising local fans they’ll see Social Distortion back on stage.
This interview offers a rare, in-depth look at one of punk rock’s most enduring figures, reflecting on the past while looking firmly ahead.
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