Social Distortion unveil new single “Partners In Crime”

Social Distortion have released “Partners In Crime”, the second taste of their highly anticipated eighth album, “Born To Kill”. A brazen and powerful celebration of a life dedicated to rock ’n’ roll, “Partners In Crime” can be heard alongside the album’s title track, which has already been released.

“‘Partners In Crime’ is about finding your voice, especially if you weren’t allowed to or if it didn’t matter,” says Social Distortion founder Mike Ness. “And about finding comfort in others who share the same feelings, the same anguish and anger. Strength lies in unity.”

Scheduled for release on 8 May via Epitaph Records, “Born To Kill “is much more than the conclusion of a 15-year wait between Social Distortion albums: it is a revelation. Eleven tracks of pure rock energy, joy and catharsis, all united by the characteristic blend of defiance and disillusionment that has made Ness a sort of poet and guide for the marginalised for over 40 years.

Described by Rolling Stone as “still full of grit and rage”, “Born To Kill” wastes no time in showing its spirit: the title track, energetic and rousing — nearing 3 million streams in the month of its release — pays tribute to Lou Reed (“Rock ’n’ Roll Animal gonna come your way!”) and to Iggy and The Stooges (“The agenda is yeah to Search and Destroy”), whilst the new track “Partners In Crime” celebrates David Bowie (“It’s a Rock ’n’ Roll Suicide”). This is a band that proudly wears its influences, creating at the same time timeless anthems and ballads that chart Social Distortion’s future and celebrate their past. Tracks like “Tonight” and “The Way Things Were” are emotionally charged throwbacks, following in the footsteps of classics such as “Story of My Life” (from the 1990 self-titled album) and “I Was Wrong” (from 1996’s White Light, White Heat, White Trash). The latter contains a perfect encapsulation of the Social D spirit: “I wrote a song with a stolen riff / If you ain’t got a song you ain’t got shit.”

Upcoming shows:

• Wednesday, June 3, 2026 – Oslo, Norway – Sentrum Scene
• Wednesday, June 3, 2026 – Sölvesborg, Sweden – Sweden Rock Festival 2026
• Saturday, June 6, 2026 – Nürburg, Germany – Rock am Ring 2026
• Sunday, June 7, 2026 – Nürburg, Germany – Rock am Ring 2026
• Tuesday, June 9, 2026 – Berlin, Germany – Columbiahalle
• Wednesday, June 10, 2026 – Derby, United Kingdom – Download Festival 2026
• Friday, June 12, 2026 – Nickelsdorf, Austria – Nova Rock 2026
• Tuesday, June 16, 2026 – London, United Kingdom – KOKO
• Thursday, June 18, 2026 – Clisson, France – Hellfest 2026
• Thursday, June 18, 2026 – Gasteiz, Spain – Azkena Rock Festival 2026
• Tuesday, June 23, 2026 – Sesto San Giovanni, Italy – Carroponte
• Wednesday, June 24, 2026 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Copenhell Festival 2026
• Wednesday, June 24, 2026 – Zürich, Switzerland – Halle 622
• Friday, June 26, 2026 – Münster, Germany – Vainstream 2026
• Saturday, June 27, 2026 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Refshaleøen
• Monday, June 29, 2026 – Amstelveen, Netherlands – Amsterdamse Bostheater
• Tuesday, June 30, 2026 – Hamburg, Germany – Docks
• Thursday, July 2, 2026 – Werchter, Belgium – Rock Werchter 2026
• Thursday, July 2, 2026 – Belfort, France – Les Eurockéennes 2026
• Friday, July 3, 2026 – Werchter, Belgium – Rock Werchter 2026
• Saturday, July 4, 2026 – Dresden, Germany – Broilers with Social Distortion
• Thursday, July 16, 2026 – Ottawa, ON, Canada – Ottawa Bluesfest 2026
• Tuesday, August 25, 2026 – Phoenix, AZ, USA 
• Friday, August 28, 2026 – Austin, TX, USA
• Saturday, August 29, 2026 – Dallas, TX, USA 
• Monday, August 31, 2026 – Nashville, TN, USA 
• Tuesday, September 1, 2026 – Atlanta, GA, USA
• Thursday, September 3, 2026 – Raleigh, NC, USA
• Friday, September 4, 2026 – Washington, DC, USA
• Saturday, September 5, 2026 – Asbury Park, NJ, USA
• Tuesday, September 8, 2026 – Philadelphia, PA, USA
• Wednesday, September 9, 2026 – Boston, MA, USA 
• Friday, September 11, 2026 – Brooklyn, NY, USA
• Saturday, September 12, 2026 – Brooklyn, NY, USA 
• Monday, September 14, 2026 – Toronto, ON, Canada 
• Thursday, September 17, 2026 – Detroit, MI, USA 
• Sunday, September 20, 2026 – Minneapolis, MN, USA 
• Tuesday, September 22, 2026 – Denver, CO, USA
• Wednesday, September 23, 2026 – Salt Lake City, UT, USA
• Friday, September 25, 2026 – Las Vegas, NV, USA 
• Saturday, September 26, 2026 – Reno, NV, USA 
• Monday, September 28, 2026 – San Francisco, CA, USA
• Thursday, October 1, 2026 – Los Angeles, CA, USA
• Friday, October 2, 2026 – Los Angeles, CA, USA 
• Saturday, October 3, 2026 – San Diego, CA, USA

Get your tickets by clicking here.