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Thursday, October 22, 2009
Photos / Live Reviews / setlist / News Live review: Social Distortion
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Thu, Oct 22, 2009 at 12:21 AM
Social Distortion
Amos' Southend
Oct. 21, 2009
The Deal: So Cal rockers make long-awaited return to the Carolinas.
The Good: Mike Ness and the boys hit the stage and opened up with "The Creeps" and never really let up from there. The nearly-packed venue was a mass of hands in the air, moshing, crowd surfing and singing along for the hour-and-a-half duration of the set.
Ness told the crowd at one point that he almost canceled the show recently. "I've been so sick recently I was this close to canceling. But it's better to have a sick bear than no bear at all." The band rifled through a number of early hits including "Sick Boy," "Mommie's Little Monster," "Bad Luck" and their cover the Johnny Cash classic, "Ring of Fire."
"Highway 101" and "Prison Bound" appeared on the setlist but were passed over... the latter was replaced by "99 to Life" during the encore. The encore also included a song I wasn't familiar with that included lyrics from a variety of oldies — starting off with "I don't know what I've been told" and including a verse from Chuck Berry's "Reelin' and a Rockin'."
Halfway through the set, Ness was enjoying the energy from the crowd and suggested that everyone in attendance take the next day off. "Who decided we should work five days and only get two off? That doesn't make sense," he told the crowd.
Of course they wrapped it all up with a massive sing-along to "Story of My Life." Ness told the crowd, "We've been doing this for 30 years and it's for two reasons. One - we're stubborn motherfuckers. Two - we love what we do."
The Bad: Amos' lighting. Sure, maybe I've been spoiled by the fantastic lighting at The Fillmore, but rumor has it that even the bands think it sucks at Amos'. If band members walk to the front of the stage, they're in the shadows. Hell, if they walk out from center stage, they're in the shadows. For all these big name bands, people want to see them. Dark works at Snug Harbor and the Milestone — people expect more at bigger venues.
The Verdict: Ness was clearly impressed by the turnout of fans at the show. "It's been a long time since we went to the Carolinas, but you can bet I'm
Setlist
Creeps
Another State of Mind
Mommie's Little Monster
Sick Boy
Don't Let Me Down
Ring of Fire
Bad Luck
Reach for the Sky
Can't Take It With You
Ball and Chain
Bakersfield
Nickles and Dimes
Sometimes I Do
Encore
Making Believe
99 to Life
Still Alive
? (Classic rock medley?)
Story of My Life
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