Social Distortion
Prison Bound
Released February 1988
Restless Records

Mike Ness – lead vocal, lead guitar
Dennis Danell – rhythm guitar
John Maurer – bass guitar, backing vocals
Christopher Reece – drums

1. It’s the Law – 2:38
2. Indulgence (Danell/Ness) – 4:34
3. Like an Outlaw (For You) (Danell/Ness) – 5:21
4. Back Street Girl (Jagger/Richards) – 4:22
5. Prison Bound – 5:24
6. No Pain, No Gain – 3:42
7. On My Nerves (Danell/Ness) – 4:23
8. I Want What I Want (Danell/Ness) – 3:02
9. Lawless – 3:21
10. Lost Child – 4:18

Prison Bound is the second studio album by Social Distortion, was released in 1988. This is the first album with bass guitarist John Maurer and drummer Christopher Reece. It expands upon the punk sound of the band’s highly regarded, but commercially unsuccessful first album Mommy’s Little Monster, 1983, by adding elements of Johnny Cash-style country.

Today, Prison Bound is looked upon as a turning point for Social Distortion, paving the way for the commercial success they achieved on their next album, Social Distortion, which would be released two years later.

After this album, Social Distortion left Restless/Enigma Records in 1989 and moved to Epic Records for their self-titled album.

The first track, It’s the Law, is a remake of Justice for All, which appeared on the 1981 compilation album The Future Looks Bright (and later on the 1995 compilation album Mainliner: Wreckage from the Past). The fifth track, Prison Bound, was only released as a single on KROQ-FM. The album contains a cover version of Backstreet Girl originally recorded by the Rolling Stones. The album’s title track contains a reference to Johnny Cash’s I Walk the Line. The band went on to cover Cash’s Ring of Fire on their next album.

Rating: ** * two out of three stars

On to the story . . .

I was walking into a club about a week ago. The guy in front of me, shook hands with the bouncer/doorman. And they exchanged names and pleasantries.

So, I assumed I should do the same. I held out my hand and the bouncer said, “My name is Apache.” I maintained a straight-face, but wanted to laugh.

I looked at him and said, “You can call me Cobra.”

Born Frustrated is coming, Summer 2015: http://goo.gl/n9ofGb

Top 10 Punk Personalities

10. Lee Ving
Obtained much of his fame through shock value, but always gave good camera time.

9. Eugene
“Punk rock, that’s stupid.” Need I say more?

8. GG Allin
Despite being a vile piece of crap, he did manage to release a few decent tracks, and became more talked about after he died.

7. Ian MacKaye
I think his “creation” of the straight edge movement, and starting Dischord records solidified his place in the annals of punk rock. But Ian is pretty knowledgeable, and a good speaker – so he ends up with a good story whenever someone needs a talking head.

6. Glenn Danzig
Great singer, great front man, and more people than not, feared this guy. When the YouTube video popped up of him getting hit, this seemed to show people that he just might be a human. We don’t need holy water and silver bullets after all.

5. HR
Love him or hate him, he has been the spokesperson for DC Hardcore for close to 30 years. Over the last couple of decades Bad Brains have become these almost godlike creatures. Let HR talk long enough, and he’s bound to shoot himself in the foot.

4. John Macias
It’s rare that someone becomes legendary while they’re alive, but John did just that. Every month, throughout most of the 80’s, I would hear dozens of stories about John. Everything from him fighting bouncers to him destroying Tokyo.

3. Sid Vicious
Obtained much of his fame through shock value, but always gave good camera time.

2. Henry Rollins
Love him or hate him, he has been the spokesperson for L.A. Hardcore for close to 30 years. People fill the web with hateful shit about him, then the other half of these people debate whether or not he’d win a fight with Glenn Danzig or John Macias. Either way, he’s articulate, interesting to listen to, and pretty entertaining.

1. Johnny Rotten
What more can be said about this? No matter the topic Mr. Rotten has an opinion, and the responses usually ooze with disdain.

Born Frustrated is coming, Summer 2015: http://goo.gl/n9ofGb

Bad Religion
30 Years Live
Released May 18, 2010
Epitaph Records

Greg Graffin – vocals
Brett Gurewitz – guitar, backing vocals
Brian Baker – guitar, backing vocals
Greg Hetson – guitar
Jay Bentley – bass, backing vocals
Brooks Wackerman – drums

1. Fuck Armageddon, This Is Hell!
2. Dearly Beloved
3. Suffer
4. Man with a Mission
5. New Dark Ages
6. Germs of Perfection
7. Marked
8. A Walk
9. Flat Earth Society
10. The Resist Stance
11. American Jesus
12. Social Suicide
13. Atheist Peace
14. Tomorrow
15. Won’t Somebody
16. Los Angeles Is Burning
17. We’re Only Gonna Die

This is one of those cool things that bands do sometimes. I got an email saying that everybody on the Bad Religion mailing would be receiving a download link for their thirtieth anniversary compilation live album. It would be a download only exclusive.

I had no idea I was on this mailing list. So it was a great surprise to receive something I didn’t ask for. Unlike the PR department over at Old Shoe Records (yeah, I still have the email from six months ago, “Hey Mike the package went out in the mail today!”)

Anyway, I did the older, early eighties, Bad Religion stuff, and this comp is peppered with it. I’m not sure if you can still get this, but if you can, download it and enjoy!

Rating: ** * two out of three stars

On to the story . . .

There was an article I caught a little while back from Dr. Neil Clark Warren, the founder of eHarmony. It was a lengthy piece about how marriage as a whole is pretty much dead. Not unions, per se, but the institution of marriage is not really functional in this day and age.

My brother-in-law likes to say “Every man needs a good woman behind him.” I’m not sure if he truly understands this quote, or if he caught it in a Humphrey Bogart movie. You see, his definition of what a good woman is very antiquated. He wants a woman standing by, waiting at his beck and call.

Now some women like that role, then people like Alfred Hitchcock had someone like this and flourished. His wife Alma would collect screenplays, read them, choose the next picture, draw storyboards, design the costumes and Alfred would show up and direct.

Then there are women that can completely destroy you. If a good woman can build you up, then a bad woman can tear you down.

A couple of years before my dad passed away, he told me about going to dinner at a coworker’s house. He had never met the coworker’s wife until that night. Everybody was talking, eating and having a decent time. My dad’s coworker clears his throat and starts to tell a story, and as soon as he utters hi first sound his wife yells: “Shut the fuck up. Don’t say I word. I know everything you’re going to say, I know everything you’re ever going to say. I’ve heard it all. You’re never going to say anything new. I’ve had it.”

Needless to say the evening wrapped up pretty quick after that. I remember my dad saying once, people, like Hollywood, only have five stories. And they just keep re-shuffling those stories. You spend enough around people and you’re bound to be beat over the head with those stories.

The point is, if you have a good woman she can make you think that those five stories are the greatest anecdotes known to man.

In modern times, that though is hard to find. Everybody is pressed for time and agitated; no one wants to sit through a story. So maybe Dr. Warren is right, use eHarmony to meet somebody nice, and then move on as soon as your five stories get stale.

Born Frustrated is coming, Summer 2015: http://goo.gl/n9ofGb

Oi! The Texas Comp
Various Artists
May 2013
TXOI Records

1. Avenue Rockers – In The City
2. No Resistance – Can’t Reach Me
3. Sniper 66 – I Know It’s True
4. Rusty Bishops – Trying To Live Right
5. Stand Alones – All For One
6. Second To None – All The Answers
7. Brewtality, Inc. – Face The Enemy
8. Razorburn – Saturday Nights
9. Ballistics – Lonely Scotsman
10. Blood N Beer – Oi! The Mattress
11. Roots Of Exile – No One Likes Us
12. No Resistance – Sanctioned & Proud
13. Dog Company – Not Dead Yet
14. Stand Alones – Streets Of Violence
15. Brewtality, Inc. – Old School
16. Second To None – Victory
17. Rusty Bishops – Street Lessons
18. Avenue Rockers – 10,000 Miles
19. Blood N Beer – Drunk Tank Blues
20. Ballistics – Religion Is War
21. Razorburn – Can’t Change Me
22. Roots Of Exile – Fall Of A Victim
23. Sniper 66 – My Brother
24. Dog Company – Sean Flynn

A long time ago Sue Sin of TXOI Records posted something about needing artwork for an upcoming comp that she was putting out. I think it may have been late 2012, I’m not sure. Anyway, I sent her a version (or maybe two). She liked it. Then I kind of forgot about the project. She emailed me and said once it was released I’d get a few copies. Then one day I get this big envelope in the mail and low and behold, not only did Sue get the comp released, but it was a great packaging job. Super slick and professional. This shouldn’t be surprising, but I’ve seen a lot of shitty CD’s come through my mailbox. OK, enough praise for Sue . . .

Let’s talk about the actual music. I honestly was not aware that there were this many bands still active and playing authentic Oi! TXOI offers up twelve different bands and each band get two chances to reel you in.

I popped the CD on and the first song In The City by Avenue Rockers came one and I popped the CD back out, looked at it just to make sure this thing wasn’t really an 80’s re-release, nope – all brand new tracks and current bands.

All the bands definitely bring their “A-Game,” every one of these songs should definitely be heard. If I ever get off my ass and promote a show this CD is going to be played between bands. I don’t know if this is TXOI’s first release, but if it is – they hit a homerun.

If you don’t own it go and buy it, stop reading! Go buy it.

Stand-out tracks: Dog Company – Not Dead Yet and Avenue Rockers – In The City

Rating: ** * Two out of three stars

On to the story . . .

I haven’t done this in a while, so I decided I’d throw a two-part fiction piece atcha . . .

Barney Part 1

2003
Barney stands looking down at an old unkempt tombstone.

He holds a paper bag in his hands. A small bottle of Gilbey’s Vodka that he purchased for $3.49. Barney wishes he didn’t drink, but he needed something to take the edge off. Virginia would be mad.

1997
Barney is a physical therapist. He is building a promising career. He has eight clients from the NBA, six from the NFL and two from the NHL. So far no one from MLB has come knocking. But they will. Once a week Barney gets together for an hour or two for drinks and/or dinner with the same five guys week after week that he roomed with at the college frat house. When Barney stops and thinks about it, which he rarely does, he isn’t sure why he still meets up with these guys. They’re all nice enough, but he feels no connection. The guys in the group feel this, he’s been pegged as a workaholic, OCD and Roger suggested a low level of Autism, maybe Asperger syndrome. Because Barney is there, but he isn’t there. That is until the drinks get poured. Barney buys the drinks; he’s the first to drink, last to stop and usually the first to be asked to leave.

1998
Barney’s practice is booming. His Thursday night buddies have been pestering Barney to settle down and get married; for a couple of reasons, one: he’s got the business, the money, the house, everything. Two: a focus in his life will, maybe, distract him from the booze.

Roger, now married, says he will set Barney up with his wife’s best pal. Barney, only one cocktail in, doesn’t respond. Roger stares.

“What?”

“My house, Friday.”

“Yeah, sure. Why?

“I’m going to introduce you to Virginia; you’ll fall in love and live happily ever after.”

“Oh, OK. Friday, this Friday? I’ve got this thing . . . “

“Give me a break Barney. You’ve always got a thing.”

Barney shows up five minutes to eight. In a bag he brought two bottles of his favorite wine, Aubert Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay. He bought them for $389.00 each, hoping to make a good impression.

Roger opened the door. Over his host’s shoulder Barney sees Virginia in the kitchen with Roger’s wife. The average man would’ve been taken by her beauty. Barney on the other hand thinks, “She’ll look good on my arm at this year’s Sacramento King’s Christmas Party.

Roger grins, “I see you spotted Virginia.” Barney nods. Roger nudges him along, “Let’s get introduced.”

2000
Barney is standing outside Saint Charles Borromeo just outside of Los Angeles in North Hollywood. There is a carriage with two horses behind him; they will cost him about $800.00 for two hours. The coachman said that he will release doves as Barney and Virginia exit the church. Barney doesn’t care, Barney is drunk. Barney has been this way since he met Virginia. He tells himself he needs something to calm the nerves. Barney is what some would call a high-functioning drunk. He works, he makes money, but he smells of booze.

A week before the wedding Virginia called everything off.

Last week Barney had his bachelor party. A big three-day affair in Las Vegas. Roger swore it would make The Hangover look like Mary Poppins. Every thing went according to plan, with one little hitch . . . Barney disappeared the night they were to fly home.

Barney woke up in a rundown motel a half a mile away from an Indian Reservation. Looking over on the nightstand there was a brochure that read, “Welcome to New Mexico.”

After three rings Barney forces himself up to search for his cell phone. The phone usually sits in the inside pocket of his Brooks Brothers suit jacket, but on the white plastic lounge chair in the middle of the room is only a bathrobe and a pair of Bermuda shorts. No time to wonder about the suit, the Rolex, the wallet. Get the phone.

Barney looks at the screen. Forty-Three missed calls. Twenty voice mails. Fuck.

On the fifth ring Barney grabbed the phone and answered.

“Hello?”

“Hello?”

“Where are you Barney?”

–

“Barney?”

“Hey honey, glad to hear from you?”

“Where are you Barney?”

“About to come home from this convention?”

“Convention?”

Next week I’ll post Part 2

Born Frustrated is coming, Summer 2015: http://goo.gl/n9ofGb

Total Noise
Released 1982
Total Noise Records

1. Blitz – Voice of a Generation
2. The Business – Loud, Proud, ‘N’ Punk
3. The Gonads – TNT
4. Dead Generation – Francine

After I bought the Punk and Disorderly album, I was on a BIG Blitz kick, I went and bought the All Out Attack EP (their first release), then their Never Surrender 45, the first Carry On Oi compilation on Secret Records, and finally this Total Noise 7 inch EP.

This EP was/is a perfect introduction to Oi, a lot of the later compilations kind of bogged you down with so many bands, that it was hard to determine, what you like and who you don’t like. This is a nice and neat four song EP. It’s funny, now, thirty years later we’re only talking about Blitz, and the Business.

If you get the chance, give this one a listen, it’s a good album, hell, go out and buy it (if you can find it). It’s a great snapshot of a great time in music.

Rating: ** * two out of three stars

On to the story . . .

Many times in life, whether you’re listening to music or watching a movie, or maybe a TV show, you get crazy, unexpected flashbacks of people you were with when you first listened to a certain song or watched a certain show or movie.

As I was going through my old flyers and old drawings, I came across an old flyer for a band I started in 1981, U.S. Against Them. I wrote songs (lyrics) designed a logo, came up with a name, and had a friend sketch a flyer; I finished it and inked it in.

U.S. Against Them, in reality, was more of a concept of a band, I would contact somebody to play guitar, they’d come by, we’d write the music, somebody would get ticked off because they would say I stole their guitarist, goofy stuff. Things went on like this for six months. Finally, I tossed the whole thing. Threw out songs, dumped everything. A year later I started Cold War.

Seeing the U.S. Against Them flyer brought back a lot of good and bad memories. When you are still in school, the so-called playing field is still level. Everyone is at the same starting point, after High School is when things start to change, some people go to college, some join the work force, some become junkies, and others, like my friend would wait until a great opportunity comes knocking loudly on his door, and then, when given the chance, f’s it up. My friend (he will remain nameless, for the sake of his family, friends, and children) was a tremendously talented artist, but was lazy. He ended using drugs, became an alcoholic and doing a chunk of time for his involvement with a minor. I haven’t seen or heard from him since sometime in early 1995. I don’t know the circumstances of his incarceration; all I know is wherever he goes, he has to register with the local authorities. As kids, my brother and I had a few friends that had incredible, incredible artistic talent, some pursued it, and did very well, and others because of whatever personal baggage they carried with them, destroyed their lives, and careers.

So, looking at this flyer, I smile, remembering how at 15 I thought I was going to be able to put together the greatest punk band in the world (hey, I was 15), and quickly lose the smile when I remember the promise life held for my friend.

Born Frustrated is coming, Summer 2015: http://goo.gl/n9ofGb