The Gospel According to Mike Ness: A Theological Examination of "Ball and Chain"

      In 1990, Mike Ness wrote a song called “Ball and Chain” for Social Distortion’s self-titled album. Quite different in feel from the hard, four on the floor assault of most punk bands, “Ball and Chain” managed to jump from the underground and find its way onto alternative radio. As far as punk hits go, Social D’s somber punk blues became a staple of the genre and a band defining classic with countless covers (most notably from Joan Jett and Eddie Booze). The shuffle feel and panasonic guitars mixed with Ness’ signature gravelly tone echo a desperation that makes the quite-depressing lyrics have a depth beyond the usual self-denigration or nihilism of punk music.

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