Social Distortion: Mommy's Little Monster (40th anniversary, 180g, remastered) [CRAFT]

Why you'll love it

This 40th anniversary edition is remastered and pressed on 180g vinyl. AllMusic calls it the epitome of early-80s suburban California punk, and it inspired a generation of pop-punk and skate punk bands, the Offspring and Rancid among them.

This edition

• 40th anniversary edition
• 180g vinyl
• Remastered
• Gatefold jacket
• Stereo mix

About the album

Every Orange County punk band has an origin story, and Social Distortion's starts in a Fullerton studio called the Casbah. Mike Ness and Co. had just come off the 1982 tour with Youth Brigade that became the documentary Another State of Mind, and they cut this whole album on December 24, 1982, in one long session to keep the studio bill down.

It's a lean, fast record, closer to traditional punk and hardcore than the roots-tinged sound the band found later. "Another State Of Mind" is the anthem, the title track "Mommy's Little Monster" sneers with real charm, and "The Creeps (I Just Want To Give You)" and "Hour Of Darkness" show the hooks hiding under the power chords. It's the one album with bassist Brent Liles and drummer Derek O'Brien, which gives it a sound all its own. Ness's snarl is already fully formed, and the band rips through nine songs without letting up.

First out on 13th Floor Records, the label of the band's then manager, it has been reissued many times since. Recording a debut on Christmas Eve is a fine way to get out of wrapping presents.

Also at Kops: more Social Distortion on vinyl · browse Punk

Tracklist

Listen

On Craft Recordings, a reissue of the 1983 album.