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I was reading an article (Two Bags was being interviewed) and he said that they were definitely going to be going to Europe, Japan and possibly Australia this year. Does anyone know if they will be going to Japan? I might have to go there this fall for work and it would be pretty cool if they were when I was there.
Hey Greasergirl, if possible could you post the article? There is a certain Australian on here by the name of Bad Luck Luke that would be very interested in reading it.... [img]wink.gif[/img]
Okay I finally found it..... [img]tongue.gif[/img]
A Chat With Guitarist Jonny Wickersham, The Twang Behind Social D
Interview & Photos By Gary Strack
Social Distortion certainly needs no introduction. They?re one of the bands that invented American hardcore, and if you?ve ever seen the documentary Another State Of Mind, you know that Social D and their contemporaries Youth Brigade pioneered the DIY all-ages tour. Remarkably, the band has not only survived for over two and a half decades but prospered; the band that helped create the basement punk show is now headlining major venues across the country. But does Social Distortion still have something to say to America?s youth? Gary Strack spoke to guitarist Jonny Wickersham about taking Social Distortion into the new millennium.
Mike Ness: Vox/Guitar
Jonny Wickersham: Guitar
Charlie Quintana: Drums
Matt Freeman: Bass
Q: So, are you guys doing a full blown national tour right now?
J: Yeah. We?ll be out on the road for eight weeks.
Q: What do you do on the road to occupy your time?
J: I usually cruise around and check out the town or city that I?m in, go out and walk around. Most night s we travel after the show, crash out on the bus, and wake up at the next show.
Q: You are the newest member of the band?.What year did you join?
J: Yeah. I joined the band in 2000.
Q: Was it difficult to join the band under the circumstances?
J: Yeah. It was uncomfortable in a couple different ways. I was friends with Dennis (Danell) for quite a few years. I kind of felt like an imposter. After all, Dennis was the co-founder of Social D. He was in the band for over 20 years. I just wanted to make sure I didn?t come across lacking respect for that. It certainly was never about me. I was, and still am, aware of that which is totally cool. I still say this all the time, but I feel I am still doing this for Dennis rather than replacing him in the band. He?ll always be part of this band for sure.
Q: So, you were not just a Social Distortion fan??You were close friends with everyone?
J: I actually filled in for Dennis in Europe in 1997. He came home early on the White Light tour when his son was born.
Q: What?s the oldest song in your set?
J: Probably, 1945.
Q: Have you noticed if the crowd is an older crowd, younger crowd, or mixture?
J: It?s a huge mix. It looks like it goes from 14 years old to 44. It?s pretty wild. Sometimes it?s a 44 year old parent with their 14 year old kid. It?s a trip. It really is.
Q: I was down at the Philly show on you previous tour and Mike brought my friend?s son on stage. Is that something he does at every show?
J: Yeah. He?ll do that a lot if he sees a really young kid out there. He?ll ask them to come up on stage and stuff.
Q: I was reading through the CD insert and noticed that you helped write three of the songs, one being my favorite song ?Angels Wings?. What does that song mean to you?
J: It?s pretty self explanatory. Being able to hang in there during hard times - try to rise above it and maintain integrity. That?s the first song Mike and I worked on together.
Q: How do you guys get that distinct thick guitar sound?
J: Well, Mike uses a Fender Black Bassman head from the early 60?s and Marshall cabinets. I use an old Marshall 50 watt small box head through Marshall cabinets. We both have a distortion pedal that we use when we do leads. It?s all soap bars on stage too, all P 90?s.
Q: From what I have heard and been told, those Gibson Gold Tops have a lot of sustain.
J: Oh yeah. They?re great guitars.
Q: Are all of you guys vegetarian?
J: Mike is a vegetarian. I am a vegetarian now. I have been off and on vegetarian since I was a teenager. I am currently back on the bean team.
Q: Are you guys vegetarian for any particular reason?
J: I am not sure why Mike is a vegetarian. I actually went to a vegan restaurant this past time when I quit eating meat again and saw some literature on what was going on with the US agriculture. There was no way I could continue to support that. It?s pretty evil.
Q: Do you guys have any feelings toward this past presidential election?
J: Yeah. We were hoping that Bush wouldn?t win.
Q: It has been eight years since Social Distortion has released a new album.
J: Yeah. Eight years.
Q: Is there any particular reason why it took that long?
J: Not really. After White Light, they toured for couple of years, then put out a live record Live at the Roxy, and did some more touring after that. Then Social D. kind of went on a hiatus and Mike continued doing some solo stuff. He put out a solo record and did some touring. I don?t really know why it took so long to get the record out. We were talking about it just the other day, even though it took such a long time, the record turned out a lot better than if we would have just rushed one out. Between me, Mike, Charlie, and John, we were able to gel as a band. Having two new members in the band, taking that time helped us build a strong chemistry. That doesn?t come overnight.
Q: After this tour do you have any other tours planned?
J: We?ll definitely be doing Europe and Japan and possibly Australia.
Q: Do you guys have any other future plans besides touring?
J: The plan is to be on the road until at least the end of the year. Then we will probably start working on some songs.
That is awesome! I wish I could go to Japan or Australia some day! I have been to Europe several times, mainly Germany because I have a lot of family over there. I hear Social D is really popular in Japan.
QUOTE]I think I just fell in love with you babyblue
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Yeah, I remember reading something about possibly an Australian tour on geekgirl's myspace journal.... if they come I can really only see them playing Melbourne (my town) and Sydney with a possibility of Brisbane. East Coast is where all the action is! If that was to happen I'd be roadtripping it up to Sydney and Brisbnae and watching the shows in Melbs!
Lets hope it happens anyway![/QB][/QUOTE]
I hope you get to see them, hon! [img]graemlins/kiss.gif[/img]
i hope they at least play australia for lukes sake
I can't say for certain one way or the other, things change all the time, but for sure, the next tour does not include Japan and Australia, which was originally the plan. 2 weeks after they get home from Europe, they head out for another 8 week tour of the state and then local shows until the end of the year. Don't have any idea what next year brings, but who knows?
Thanks also to greasergirl for posting the article...and geekgirl for any little updates she might provide.
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I won't be disappointed if they don't come. Thats the way it is with tours down here...they usually fall through...
<font size="2" face="verdana, arial">I think I just fell in love with you babyblueQuote:
Originally posted by babyblue71:
Hey Greasergirl, if possible could you post the article? There is a certain Australian on here by the name of Bad Luck Luke that would be very interested in reading it.... [img]wink.gif[/img]
[img]graemlins/heart.gif[/img]
Yeah, I remember reading something about possibly an Australian tour on geekgirl's myspace journal.... if they come I can really only see them playing Melbourne (my town) and Sydney with a possibility of Brisbane. East Coast is where all the action is! If that was to happen I'd be roadtripping it up to Sydney and Brisbnae and watching the shows in Melbs!
Lets hope it happens anyway!
hey luke i hope you get to see social d sometime soon i saw them for the first time this year and it was great