Mommy's Little Monster,
Social DistortionSocial Distortion are one of the most enduring punk bands on the planet. Having been through numerous line-up changes, the struggle of Mike Ness’ heroin addiction and the recent tragic death of Ness’s punk soul mate Dennis Danell, the band are still going strong, over twenty years since their formation. To celebrate two decades since their debut release Kung Fu records have officially released a large chunk of the band’s back catalogue, along with a couple of Ness solo efforts, in the UK. It was this album, ‘Mommy’s Little Monster’, that was the bands debut release, and it sounds just as fresh today as it did when it came out in the early 1980’s.
Social Distortion formed in 1978, inspired by the new and fertile L.A. punk scene. It took them a number of years and member changes but eventually the band recorded their debut album. ‘Mommy’s Little Monster’ was released at a time when punk rock was still in its infancy in America, and much of mainstream society saw it as a movement that was potentially harmful to the morals of the country. Back in 82 when Ness was writing the album, the media was firmly against punk rock, and this is something that comes across in Ness’ song writing. ‘Mommy’s Little Monster’ is a political and social album, but it is also a personal album, as it is the band’s reaction to, and comments on, the world around them.
The album kicks off with ‘The Creeps’ a song about the response Ness and Danell received when roaming the streets of Orange County. It is a fast angry track that showcases the ‘fuck you’ attitude the band encompassed. ‘It Wasn’t A Pretty Picture’ on the other hand, paints a less than rosy picture of America at the time, “The skid row bums are just waking up, a politician caught holding drugs”. This is a common theme throughout the band’s career, showcasing the problems and sense of dissatisfaction they see around them.
We are also treated to the band’s response to society’s views of them and their scene. The title track includes memorable lines such as “Mommy’s little monster shoots methadrine, mommy’s little monster had sex at 15” and “unemployment pays his rent”. A similar theme is expressed on ‘Telling Them’. ‘Another State Of Mind’ by complete contrast, is a love song, one that expresses love to someone who stayed at home while the band were on tour.
However, even if you aren’t enamoured with the bands social standpoint, there is still the quality of the music. The songs can still be enjoyed without the message, because the speed and intensity of the bands sound is so infectious. The album rattles by in under half an hour, and has been often referred to as a punk version of the Rolling Stones. This is a true testament to the bands legacy, that despite whatever views they hold, anyone can connect with their music.
‘Mommy’s Little Monster’ is a punk rock classic. It may not be the best or most technical album ever written, but it has something that not that many albums have: a broad appeal. It has a social and political standpoint that is still relevant twenty years after its release, yet it can be enjoyed without any need to delve deeply into that standpoint. Personally, I think the album is still so fresh because of its lyrical intensity, but there are those of you out there that have never know the connection between politics and punk rock!
Mark
