Mike Ness is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and artist best known for being the frontman of the punk rock band Social Distortion. His solo albums, which often feature country-style music, have been praised by critics and spawned several singles, such as “The Devil in Miss Jones,” “Don’t Think Twice,” and “Ball and Chain.” Ness’s songwriting and guitar playing have earned him a cult following, and he has been cited as an influence by numerous musicians, including Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl. Ness has also been involved in various other projects, including playing bass and singing backing vocals in the band The Knitters and producing albums for other artists.
| Name | Mike Ness |
| Date of Birth | April 3, 1962 |
| Genres | Rock, Punk Rock, Rockabilly, Country |
| Instruments | Vocals, Guitar, Bass guitar, Harmonica, Mandolin |
| Labels | Time Bomb Recordings, Sony, Universal |
| Associated Acts | Social Distortion, The Joneses, The Jackals |
10 Best Mike Ness Quotes
“The real punk rock is the way you live your life and the way you treat people.”
– Mike Ness, from YouTube
“I think that music should be an agent of change.”
– Mike Ness, from YouTube
“I’m a believer in the power of music to change lives.”
– Mike Ness, from YouTube
“I’m a believer that music can save a life.”
– Mike Ness, from YouTube
“Music has always been a great teacher.”
– Mike Ness, from YouTube
“Music has a way of cutting through the crap and getting to the heart of an issue.”
– Mike Ness, from Huffington Post
“I think it’s important to write about what you know.”
– Mike Ness, from YouTube
“I believe that music has the power to heal the soul.”
– Mike Ness, from Huffington Post
“I feel like punk rock is kind of a lifestyle. It’s a way of thinking really.”
– Mike Ness, from YouTube
“I think music is really a universal language.”
– Mike Ness, from Huffington Post
5 Mike Ness Quotes About Social Distortion
“We’re just trying to keep things alive, and it’s been a real blessing for us to have a fan base that’s been so loyal and so strong for so many years.”
– Mike Ness, from Billboard
“I think that’s what makes Social Distortion special, that it’s not a trend or anything like that. We’ve always been kind of ahead of our time and a little bit off to the side.”
– Mike Ness, from Billboard
“I think a lot of people, when they hear the words Social Distortion, it’s kind of a feeling of home.”
– Mike Ness, from Billboard
“What is great about Social Distortion is that we have the ability to make whatever kind of record we want to make. We can make a pretty record, a loud record, a punk record, a rockabilly record. We can do any of that.”
– Mike Ness, from Paste Magazine
“My hope is to deliver the songs with the same level of intensity as we do live. That’s the goal. That’s been the goal since day one with Social Distortion.”
– Mike Ness, from Houston Press
8 Inspirational Mike Ness Quotes
“The bottom line is that I’m an artist and I have to be true to myself and just have to have faith that people will follow and appreciate it.”
– Mike Ness, from Cleveland Scene
“I’m a realist, and I’m not expecting to ever be a millionaire, but I’m not expecting to be starving either. I can get by.”
– Mike Ness, from The Guardian
“I’m a songwriter, and I’m an artist, and I’m an entertainer. I’m not really a politician.”
– Mike Ness, from MTV
“I’m a firm believer that if you don’t have personal responsibility for your own life, then you are nothing but a victim.”
– Mike Ness, from Billboard
“It’s a blessing to be able to do something that you truly love, and I’m at a point where I’m not going to be doing it for any other reason than that.”
– Mike Ness, from LA Weekly
“I’m not doing this just for money. I think for any artist, you have to be true to yourself first.”
– Mike Ness, from SF Weekly
“You can’t be afraid of change and evolution, and that’s how I see this new album.”
– Mike Ness, from NME
“I just want to write music that could be something that people can either relate to or be inspired by.”
– Mike Ness, from SPIN
6 Famous Mike Ness Quotes
“I just try to write songs that I think are cool and will be remembered.”
– Mike Ness, from Paste Magazine
“I think that the way to stay relevant is to play from the heart.”
– Mike Ness, from Rolling Stone
“A lot of people think that punk rock is just about loud guitars and smashing things. It’s really about feeling and having something to say.”
– Mike Ness, from Guitar World
“I’m an artist, and I’m an anarchist.”
– Mike Ness, from Vice
“I’m just a fan of music. You can’t really get too wrapped up in what’s popular and what’s not.”
– Mike Ness, from Guitar World
“I want to write songs that will last and remain true to who I am and what I’m about.”
– Mike Ness, from Consequence of Sound
8 Mike Ness Quotes About Love
“Love is a lot of things. It’s a lot of different emotions. It’s a lot of different feelings.”
– Mike Ness, from YouTube
“Love is something that I think is the most important thing in life.”
– Mike Ness, from YouTube
“Love is something that I think we all need. It’s something that can help us through difficult times.”
– Mike Ness, from YouTube
“Love is what it’s all about. It’s the only thing that really matters.”
– Mike Ness, from YouTube
“Love is something that I think is essential in life.”
– Mike Ness, from YouTube
“Love is something that we all need, and it’s something that I think is often overlooked.”
– Mike Ness, from YouTube
“Love is what makes us who we are and what enables us to live life fully.”
– Mike Ness, from YouTube
“Love is a powerful emotion that can cause great pain but also great joy.”
– Mike Ness, from YouTube
6 Mike Ness Quotes About Life
“It’s a tough world out there. You have to stand up and fight for what you believe in, and find something that’s gonna give you some purpose in life.”
– Mike Ness, from Guitar World
“I’ve come to the realization that life is a lot of work, and it’s a lot of effort, but it’s really worth it.”
– Mike Ness, from Interview Magazine
“I think that, in some ways, this record is more of a celebration of life than anything else.”
– Mike Ness, from Diffuser
“I think the key to life is to find somebody that you really care about, and wake up every day with a purpose.”
– Mike Ness, from Kerrang!
“I think it’s important for everyone to find something in life that gives them a purpose. For me, that’s music.”
– Mike Ness, from Kerrang!
“You’re never too old to learn something new and have a different perspective in life.”
– Mike Ness, from Interview Magazine
7 Quotes About Mike Ness
“Mike Ness has an incredible voice, and he’s a great songwriter.”
– Chris Isaak, from Rolling Stone
“Mike Ness is a songwriter with a voice that evokes a past life of rough living and a present one of hard-won wisdom.”
– AllMusic, from AllMusic
“Mike Ness is the kind of artist that could make the most mundane topic into a song of epic proportions.”
– Punk News, from Punk News
“Mike Ness is a master of his craft, and Cheating at Solitaire is a great example of why.”
– Rock N Load, from Rock N Load
“Mike Ness is the master of a uniquely American hybrid of country, blues and punk that’s often referred to as ‘cow punk.’”
– The New York Times, from The New York Times
“Mike Ness’s voice is one of the most distinctive in punk, and his songwriting is among the genre’s best.”
– Consequence of Sound, from Consequence of Sound
“Mike Ness is an absolute songwriting genius, and his voice is as iconic as it is powerful.”
– The Punk Site, from The Punk Site
Interview with Mike Ness
Frequently Asked Questions About Mike Ness
1. What is Mike Ness Best Known For?
Mike Ness is best known for his role as the lead singer and guitarist of the influential punk rock band Social Distortion. Formed in 1978, Social Distortion has released seven studio albums and several compilations, live albums, and EPs, and has achieved critical acclaim and commercial success throughout their career.
Ness has become an iconic figure in the punk rock community for his distinctive vocal style, as well as his work with Social Distortion. He is also known for his solo work, which has included five studio albums, two live albums, and various EPs. Ness has covered a wide range of music styles including punk, rockabilly, blues, and country.
In addition to his music career, Ness has also become a successful entrepreneur, launching the popular clothing line, Real Sick. He has also published two books: Cheating At Solitaire in 1998, and Under the Influences in 2001.
Ness is also known for his outspoken views on social issues, such as poverty, homelessness, drug abuse, and the criminal justice system. He has been a vocal advocate for the homeless and has used his platform to raise awareness and funds for various charities.
2. What bands is Mike Ness associated with?
Mike Ness is the lead singer and songwriter for the punk rock band Social Distortion. He is also the founder of the punk rockabilly band, The Pleasure Barons. In addition, Ness has released several solo records, including Cheating at Solitaire, Under the Influences, and Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes.
Ness has collaborated with a variety of other bands and musicians over the years, including:
- The Havalinas
- The Street Dogs
- The Offspring
- The Distillers
- The Go-Go’s
- The Gleaming Spires
- The Damned
- The White Stripes
- Rancid
- Alice Cooper
- Johnny Cash
- John Prine
- Ramones
3. What is the most famous Mike Ness quote?
Mike Ness, the lead singer of the punk rock band Social Distortion, is known for his hard-hitting lyrics and inspiring quotes. Here are some of his most famous quotes:
- “Someone told me there’s a girl out there with love in her eyes and flowers in her hair.”
- “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
- “There’s nothing wrong with being a loser, it just depends on how good you are at it.”
- “The only way to live is to live like you’re dying.”
The most famous Mike Ness quote is undoubtedly, “The only way to live is to live like you’re dying.” This quote has resonated with many people over the years, as it encourages us to make the most of our lives and to not take things for granted.
4. How has Mike Ness’s music evolved over the years?
Mike Ness has been a staple of the punk rock world for decades and his music has been evolving ever since his first album in 1983. Ness has produced a variety of music styles, from country-tinged punk to rockabilly, and has never been afraid to experiment and push the boundaries of his sound. Here are some of the ways in which Ness has grown as an artist over the years:
- Early Years: His debut album, “Mommy’s Little Monster,” was a classic example of Punk Rock, with songs like “Story Of My Life” and “Cold Feelings” showcasing his unique vocal style and catchy guitar riffs.
- Country-Rock: In the late 1980s, Ness began to experiment with more country-tinged rock, resulting in the critically acclaimed “Social Distortion” album. This record featured songs like “Ring Of Fire” and “Ball And Chain” which showcased Ness’s ability to seamlessly blend country and punk.
- Rockabilly: Ness’s music has also had a rockabilly influence over the years, with his 1997 album “White Light, White Heat, White Trash” being a prime example. This record featured songs like “Bad Luck” and “Cold Feelings” which blended the best of rockabilly and punk.
- Recent Years: In recent years, Ness has continued to push the boundaries of punk rock and has released some of his most ambitious work. His most recent album, “Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes,” was hailed as a return to form for the veteran musician and featured songs like “California (Hustle and Flow)” and “Machine Gun Blues” which showcased his versatility as a songwriter and performer.
It is clear that Mike Ness’s music has evolved over the years, and he has never been afraid to experiment with new sounds and styles. He has consistently pushed the boundaries of punk rock and has produced some of the most influential and memorable music of the past thirty years.
5. What are some of Mike Ness’s major influences?
Mike Ness was strongly influenced by a variety of genres and artists, both musically and personally. His major influences include punk, country, rockabilly, and blues music. He has cited the following musicians as having a profound impact on his life and work:
- Johnny Cash
- Elvis Presley
- The Clash
- The Ramones
- The Sex Pistols
- The Rolling Stones
- Social Distortion
- The Replacements
- Bruce Springsteen
Ness was also inspired by the idea of rebellion and the outsider mentality. He often wrote songs about the struggles of life on the margins of society, and his lyrics often reflect his own experiences growing up in Fullerton, California. He was a major proponent of living life on one’s own terms, regardless of societal expectations.
Conclusion
Mike Ness is a musical artist whose life and music have been an inspiration to many. His unique blend of rock, punk, and country has made him one of the most influential artists of our time. His lyrics are often thought-provoking and reflective of his life experiences. Through his music, he has shared his struggles, joys, and lessons learned with the world. Mike Ness is a true artist and his songs will continue to be heard and cherished for many years to come.
