Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Mike Ness, vocalist and guitarist of the renowned Southern California punk band Social Distortion, has confirmed the release of the band’s highly anticipated new studio album in the upcoming spring, as per blabbermouth.net. Ness provided this information during a brief backstage conversation with Kevin Ryder at the KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas 2025 event held at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, California, on December 13. When Ryder inquired whether Social Distortion’s new album would be released in early 2026, Ness affirmed this possibility. The album will be released in May, with a single out in January.
He also shared an update regarding his health, revealing a diagnosis of tonsil cancer in June 2023 and discussing his recovery process.
I was afraid I was gonna not gonna live. I’ve been through some hard things in my life in some dangerous situations, as you can imagine, but nothing like that.
Ness indicated that he had to relearn how to talk and sing following his treatment.
I had to learn to eat, swallow — everything. I mean, they went in there — they sent a robot. I call him Ike, the robot. He went down and cut out my tonsil and the tumor. And then the second part of the surgery was, they slit my neck and cut the lymph nodes out. So I could not eat food. I mean, I came out of surgery with a drain and a feeding tube.
In response to Ryder’s expression of relief that Ness was able to sing again after his illness, Mike acknowledged this sentiment.
My voice is stronger than it’s ever been. I think I’m singing like there’s no tomorrow. So every show is great because I’m singing like there’s no tomorrow.
Ness founded Social Distortion during his adolescence in 1979.
Over the subsequent decade, he struggled with substance dependence, including both drug and alcohol addiction.
During this period, he experienced multiple incarcerations and periods of rehabilitation.
