I Moshed with My Uncle at Social Distortion

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Author: Haley Parsons

Cover Photo courtesy of Epitaph Records

It was another Dad-Rock type of night on Tuesday at the Showbox SoDo. The crowd was made of adults dressed in black, teens with mohawks, and small children with large headphones over their ears. Just like me, they were all there for one reason: Social Distortion.

Photo by Haley Parsons

Aaron Lee Tajsun kicked off the night with his 70s style blues rock sound. Since he only played about four songs, he spent a significant amount of his 30-minute set just jamming with his band. They channeled the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd and when Tajsun did open his mouth to sing, he had an incredible voice. His performance grabbed the audience’s attention and set them up for the show to come.

Photo by Haley Parsons

The middle act, Low Cut Connie, was way more than I was expecting. Lead singer Adam Weiner strutted across the stage with such confidence that everyone in the room was forced to shut up and pay attention. He looked down upon the audience from stance on top of his piano bench and demanded that we cheer. The vintage rock and rollers truly got on stage and gave it everything they had in order to get the crowd riled up for Social Distortion. Opening a show in Seattle can be a super frustrating because most of the time the crowd just stands there indifferently or carries on with their own conversations at the bar. But Weiner’s dancing and on-stage theatrics battled this with ease and got everyone at the show excited and involved.

Photo by Haley Parsons

Finally, Social Distortiontook the stage. They played a wide array of hits that summarized their 40-year-long career in a perfect package. Frontman Mike Ness has kept the punk spirit of Social Distortion alive through drug addiction and death while gaining a loyal fanbase along the way. Fans who were teenagers when Social D released their debut album, Mommy’s Little Monsterin 1983 started moshing to the album’s title track as Ness flew through the hits with his brassy voice. One such fan was my uncle, Roger, who was “pushed” into the pit. I followed him put opted to stay on the outside of the action because these were some full-grown men pushing each other to some of their favorite songs. Best not to mess with the bull. The best part of the show, besides how great the band sounded, was when Ness pulled four little boys from the audience on stage. There were three 11-year-olds who responded, “I don’t know” when asked what they wanted to do when they got older. It wasn’t until little nine-year-old Leland was asked was the correct answer given. He said that when he was older he wanted to start a band. I think everyone in the audience’s hearts melted at that moment and I don’t think any of the boys will forget what an epic time they had that night. I know I won’t forget the fun time I had bonding with my uncle over great music that has brought many other families together.


HALEY PARSONS | you shouldn’t have to buy a ticket for your kid if he can’t walk | KXSU Music Reporter

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