Orange County punk legends Social Distortion have announced the release of their long-awaited eighth studio album, Born To Kill, arriving May 8, 2026 via Epitaph Records. The 11-song collection marks the band’s first album in 15 years—and their first since frontman Mike Ness’ recovery from cancer—delivering what can only be described as a fierce, defiant return to form. Fans can already hear the hard-charging title track, a live favorite in recent months, as anticipation builds for one of punk rock’s most significant releases of the decade. Pre-Order for the May 8th release of ‘Born to Kill’ is available now.
More than simply ending a decade-and-a-half silence, Born To Kill stands as a declaration of resilience. Brimming with aggressive optimism, the album wears its influences proudly, with its title track and mission statement dropping nods to Lou Reed (“Rock ’n’ Roll Animal gonna come your way!”) and Iggy and the Stooges (“The agenda is yeah to Search and Destroy”) and an homage to David Bowie (“It’s a Rock ’n’ Roll Suicide”) following a few songs later on “Partners In Crime.” This is a man, a band and a record that wear their influences proudly, while forging ahead with the band’s signature mix of grit and heart. Tracks like “Tonight” and “The Way Things Were” channel the emotional gravity of classics such as “Story of My Life” and “I Was Wrong,” balancing nostalgia with forward momentum. The result is an album that celebrates the band’s storied past while staking new ground in their ever-evolving catalog.
Co-produced by Ness and Dave Sardy, the record features guest appearances from Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and acclaimed songwriter Lucinda Williams, with collaborative cover art by Ness and renowned artist Shepard Fairey. It joins a formidable discography that includes Mommy’s Little Monster (1983), Prison Bound (1988), the gold-certified Social Distortion (1990), Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell (1992), White Light, White Heat, White Trash (1996), Sex, Love and Rock ’n’ Roll (2004), and Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes (2011).
In support of Born To Kill, Social Distortion will embark on an extensive North American tour beginning August 25 in Phoenix and wrapping October 3 in San Diego, spanning 23 shows across 21 cities. For a band that has spent more than four decades chronicling the struggles and triumphs of the dispossessed, Born To Kill feels less like a comeback and more like a reaffirmation: rock ’n’ roll, loud and proud, is still very much alive.
August 25 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre *
August 28 – Austin, TX – Moody Amphitheater *
August 29 – Dallas, TX – The Bomb Factory *
August 31 – Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle *
September 1 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy *
September 3 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz *
September 4 – Washington, DC – The Anthem *
September 5 – Asbury Park, NJ – The Stone Pony Summer Stage *
September 8 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark *
September 9 – Boston, MA – Roadrunner *
September 11 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount *
September 12 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount *
September 14 – Toronto, ONT – HISTORY *
September 17 – Detroit, MI – The Filmore Detroit *
September 20 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory *
September 22 – Denver, CO – The Mission Ballroom *
September 23 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Union Event Center *
September 25 – Las Vegas, NV – The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas *
September 26 – Reno, NV – Grand Sierra Resort – Grand Theatre *
September 2 -8 San Francisco, CA – The Masonic *
October 1 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium #
October 2 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium #
October 3 – San Diego, CA – Gallagher Square at Petco Park *
# The Descendents support
* The Descendents and The Chats support
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