Social Distortion last played Paris seven years ago in support of the 25th anniversary of their self-titled record. Tonight they return to the French capital with no new album to promote, and essentially delivering a Greatest Hits set for the pleasure of the small but fervent crowd gathered at the Élysée-Montmartre.
Mike Ness turned 60 a few months ago but he has lost none of the edge and anger that fuel his performances. In fact, his energy seems more focused and the intent he puts into his vocals and guitar playing place him among the great Rock frontmen of his generation. Vocally, Ness was struggling a bit but the crowd carried him throughout the whole show, chanting every line in unison.
The Orange County Punk Rock legends played a couple of new songs from an upcoming album, the first one in over a decade, a muscular cover of Chris Isaak's Wicked Game, and a a whole bunch of fan favorites like California (Hustle and Flow), Prison Bound, 99 To Life and Story Of My Life before ending their show on their classic cover of Ring Of Fire.
An excellent set by a band that proves that maturity and Punk Rock needn't be mutually exclusive.
