Social Distortion @ Bumbershoot 2015

I’ve always appreciated Social Distortion for the main reason that even though the musical formula is part of the template assigned by the genre, they sing about themes that would be socially shunned by their peers. I appreciate a lead singers in general who actually properly articulates their lyrics. The fact that Mike Ness wants to make his lyrics clear for an audience who can and should appreciate the messages is punk rock against the standard. His stage banter was sarcastic, however, I could tell that underneath it all he was taking some honest stabs at Seattle and their culture. Everyone just went with it. The crowd was modest which is a shame. This is my 8^th time seeing Social D. (never missed a Commodore show since the 90’s). The cool thing about the set is that they played their entire 1990 self titled album track by track. Mike Ness is a strong front man, however, he fails in the connection department outside the banter, very little audience eye contact. The entire band and was tight and strong. I lined up early to hug rail and managed to survive the outer ring of the mosh pit. The energy was mildly disappointing, however, I am accustomed to the Seattle crowd being pathetically lack luster when it comes to showing their enthusiasm for music. My all time favorite punk song is still I was Wrong. I was disappointed that they didn’t play this song as the second part of their set, however, have heard it a few times before including when they played Coachella. Every time I see Social D live I remember how it was to feel that frustrated kid. There’s a subtle blues/​rockabilly foot print in their music that I always appreciated. The band were into their own performance.