Social Distortion signs to Epitaph!

Big, massive news for the punk music industry: Social Distortion has been signed to Epitaph Records!

Mike Ness of Social D comments:

We feel that Epitaph has a natural understanding of Social Distortion; both the history of the band and the direction we want to go. Combine that with their successful track record and it felt like a good next step for us. We've always been open to new ideas and pushing the envelope, but we have also been very conscientious about the decisions we've made. We considered a lot of options, but in the end, Epitaph feels like the right home for us. We're looking forward to taking this step forward, opening some new doors with this upcoming album and this next chapter of Social Distortion.

And if you didn't know, Epitaph Records was founded and is still owned by Brett Gurewitz, an original member of Bad Religion. He seems very excited to be working with the band:

My relationship with Mike goes way back to the beginnings of our careers in the LA music scene. Through the years Social Distortion have been a matchless voice in American rock and roll and I couldn't be more thrilled to play a part in the next chapter for this great band.

Personally, I can't see Social D with a better label. Epitaph is a heavy player in the punk scene and now the band can be proud to say they'll be labelmates with Bad Religion, Alkaline Trio, Rancid, Every Time I Die and New Found Glory.

The band is planning their first release with Epitaph this fall and already have a summer tour dates:

July 27 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance
July 28 - Hampton Beach, NH - Casino Ballroom
July 30 - Providence, RI - Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel
July 31 - Hartford, CT - The Webster
Aug 1 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
Aug 3 - Wantagh, NY - Mulcahy's
Aug 4 - Lancaster, PA - Chameleon Club
Aug 5 - Rochester, NY - Nola's BBQ
Aug 7 - Chicago, IL - Lollapalooza
Aug 8 - Green Bay, WI - Oneida Casino
Aug 10 - Council Bluffs, IA - Stir Cove @ Harrah's
Aug 11 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater
Aug 13 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory
Aug 14 - Medford, OR - Medford Armory