Social Distortion bringing punk to The Joint

They're as punk rock as hard times and neck tattoos -- neither of which is in short supply when it comes to these dudes.

Since forming in 1978, Social Distortion has served as the genre's genome map, tracing its lineage back to the hell-raising honky tonk of Hank Williams and the revved-up rockabilly of Gene Vincent.

They've weathered drug addiction, jail stints, the passing of band members and numerous lineup and label changes.

You can hear all that drama and pathos in frontman Mike Ness' wizened rasp, which distills hope and heartache in equal measure.

That's the story of his life, in song and in practice.

On the band's current tour, Social Distortion is joined by young Brit punks Sharks, who have a sound that hearkens back to a time before they were born: punk's late '70s adolescent years.

With their stirring, gut-churning, gravel-throated salvos, the band intermingles some of the best attributes of obvious greats such as the Clash, the Ramones and, yes, Social D, in not-so-obvious fashion.

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0476.