punk rock – Heart of Loia `'.,°~

August 5, 2026August 18, 2026

Social Distortion — Hidden Gems from the B-Side (Week 37) 🖤

🎧 Footprints on My Ceiling • Nickels and Dimes

Mike Ness has lived a life most people wouldn’t have survived. He was kicked out of his parents’ house at just 15, and that’s when he started learning guitar. Not long after, the band’s original drummer, Casey Royer, handed him a distortion pedal, and that simple moment inspired the name.

At 16, Mike put together the first lineup of the band. By 17, he had dropped out of high school as Social Distortion started gaining speed in Orange County’s growing punk scene.

But success didn’t come easy. The early years were filled with chaos, drugs, jail, and rehab. By 1984, Mike was the only original member still standing. Everyone else had either quit or been kicked out. In the late ’80s, his heroin addiction nearly took his life.

Somehow, he kept holding on. He never let go of the dream, the band, or the music. He fought his way back when it would have been easier to quit. Decades later, Mike Ness and Social Distortion are still going strong. To me, that’s what makes their music hit a little differently. It’s not just songs—it’s the story of a guy who refused to give up.

Here are two great songs from 2oO4 “Footprints on My Ceiling” and “Nickels and Dimes.”

I also included an early years interview and a short behind-the-scenes video with Mike. I think it’s really cool to see him back then as a rebellious young guy trying to figure life out, and compare that to who he is today—a seasoned veteran who has lived through it all. It’s pretty amazing to see the journey.

One quick note “Footprints on My Ceiling” has the F-word in it. I’m not a fan of bad language in music, but it’s such a great song—and one of my favorites—that I look past it. 😄

Thanks for listening.

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© 2026 Bryan Loia Hudson. All Rights Reserved.

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July 22, 2026August 18, 2026

Social Distortion — Hidden Gems from the B-Side (Week 35) 🖤

🎧 Making Believe • Born to Lose

As we search for meaning and purpose… some things are inevitable in life, like change.

In the pursuit of connection, some things are instinctual… like trying to bond with others, to feel understood, to love, and to be loved.

Some things have always been so from the beginning… like heartbreak, for example. It’s just as timeless.

“Making Believe” is a country song originally written by Jimmy Work in 1955, and it became a massive hit that same year for Kitty Wells. I love Mike’s version of it… it’s one of my favorite Social D songs.

The second song is “Born to Lose.” Although it shares a title with another country song from the ’40s by Ted Daffan and his Texans… it’s an original Mike Ness song.

I also added two great rare live performances of these songs. Mike has a great stage presence and really connects with the fans at his shows. He’s always seemed like just one of the guys… a fan himself.

Some things we just inherently understand, right? Whether we’ve lived long or are trying to figure it all out today.

Hope you enjoy.

Thanks for listening.

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© 2026 Bryan Loia Hudson. All rights reserved.

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July 8, 2026August 18, 2026

Social Distortion — Hidden Gems from the B-Side (Week 33) 🖤 e̷d̷i̷t̷e̷d̷

🎧 Bakersfield • Can’t Take It With You

Social Distortion’s story is pretty unique. Mike Ness is a unique guy. A lot of his roots are in old country music. He’s also got a solo record where he covers many old country songs.

But when he started the band in 1978, they were full-on punk, rebellious teenagers—completely immersed in that music scene.

Over the years, though, you can see the evolution. The country, rock, and blues slowly made its way into their sound, and it’s just so cool to see them still at it today.

Much respect.

Here are two from the later years.

🎧 Bakersfield

🎧 Can’t Take It With You

From the album Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes 2o11

I’ve also included a recent ½ hour performance from a few months ago for a small audience at a radio station in California promoting their new record, Born to Kill.

Hope you enjoy.

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© 2026 Bryan Loia Hudson. All rights reserved.

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July 1, 2026August 18, 2026

Social Distortion — Hidden Gems from the B-Side (Week 32) 🖤

I Was Wrong 🎧 Don’t Drag Me Down

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I believe “I Was Wrong” was the first song I ever heard from Social Distortion—probably around ’96 when it first came out. It was also the first song by them I ever learned on guitar.

I liked the song right away, but I didn’t really get into these guys until the early 2oO0s. Looking back, I wish I’d discovered them sooner.

So here you go… here’s two more for you.

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🖤 I Was Wrong
💿 White Light, White Heat, White Trash 1996

🖤 Don’t Drag Me Down
💿 White Light, White Heat, White Trash 1996

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I’ve also included a video from Joe Sib. He’s a comedian and former punk rock frontman who’s a great storyteller. In it, he tells the crazy story of one night at a Social Distortion show—a night that involved a car crash and other crazy stuff… with Mike Ness actually coming to his aid and helped his friend get into the show. It’s a great story… you should check it out.

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© 2026 Bryan Loia Hudson. All Rights Reserved.

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June 17, 2026July 3, 2026

Social Distortion — Hidden Gems from the B-Side (Week 31)

Angel’s Wings -♫- Down on the World Again

Mike Ness’s music and style has influenced me greatly over the years… I think maybe that Social Distortion was kind of like the missing link I had been searching myself for musically… it was the edge I was needing. I have two of my favorites for you today…

I can’t tell you how many times I have sat around strumming and singing Angel’s Wings over the years…

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Angel’s Wings – Sex, Love and Rock ‘n’ Roll 2oO4 ♫

Down on the World Again – White Light, White Heat, White Trash 1996 ♫

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Two songs released eight years apart, from the band’s two consecutive studio albums. Part of that long gap was shaped by the death of longtime guitarist Dennis Danell in 2OoO, a loss that deeply affected the band and delayed their return to the studio.

I also included a cool short interview with Mike Ness from 2o25. After undergoing surgery and treatment for throat cancer, he’s back out on the road doing what he loves. You just can’t stop the guy!

Also they just put out a new album, Born to Kill… in May.

Hope you enjoy.

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© 2026 Bryan Loia Hudson. All rights reserved.

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June 14, 2026July 3, 2026

Why I’m Rooting for Mars Colonization

Do you think humans will ever colonize Mars? What would life there actually look like?

I don’t know… but I sure as heck hope so… because I have some Martians in my family—and they need to take their butts on home. 👽🚀💯🤟

© 2026 Bryan Loia Hudson. All rights reserved.

`’.,°~

June 10, 2026July 3, 2026

Social Distortion — Hidden Gems from the B-Side (Week 30)

Reach for the Sky 🎶 Far Behind

Back around 2oO4, my baby sister met this guy. He was a punk rock skateboarder dude, not my sister’s normal type. His name was Tony. We became good friends. He hung out with guys in bands. On the weekends I would jam with them all. Tony turned me onto this next band, Mike Ness and the boys, aka Social Distortion, or Social D as their fans call them.

I had heard of them. I was familiar with two of their songs and I liked them, but I had no idea the depth of their music, and little did I know they would become my favorite.

Mike Ness is special. He founded the band in 1978 in Fullerton, California, Orange County, just outside of LA. Their early stuff was just raw rebellious punk rock, but they evolved into something unique. They are a mix of punk, country, rock, and blues, almost like a rockabilly type sound, very melodic but gritty. Mike writes great songs, lyrically and musically.

They are still going strong today, just put out a new record. They are true to themselves, the music, the fans. Mike and the boys are all heart. This is what I love about them. I think it’s why I connect like I do.

I have been deeply influenced by them. Tony died in a motorcycle accident a few years after I met him. I’m reminded of him often as I strum and sing their songs.

Here’s two good ones to start you off…

Reach for the Sky — 2oO4, Sex, Love and Rock ’n’ Roll 🎶

Far Behind — 2oO7, Greatest Hits 🎶