Mike Ness on Social Distortion’s “Born to Kill,” Cancer Battle: “I came back singing”

“I write reflectively and autobiographically,” Mike Ness says. “‘Born to Kill,’ the song, could be our mission statement of the band and the band’s career.” Born to Kill is Social Distortions ‘ first album in 15 years and it’s been a long time coming, delayed further by Covid and Mike’s tonsil cancer diagnosis and successful treatment.

“I came out of surgery with tubes in me, and not able to swallow. I had to learn how to eat all over again, and speak and, and then eventually sing,” Ness says, noting the vocals for Born to Kill were recorded after his treatment. “ But I think that’s good, ’cause I came back singing like there was no tomorrow.”

I talked to Mike for the May 11 episode of BV Interviews , and our conversation also touched on the ’70s inspirations behind Born to Kill , and working with producer Dave Sardy and collaborators Lucinda Williams and Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. We also talk about how beating cancer energized his desire to make even more music, Social Distortion’s upcoming tour with The Descendents and The Chats, early Social D documentary Another State of Mind , playing Little Steven’s Underground Garage Cruise , five records he thinks everyone should own, and more.

Listen to the episode below or  wherever you listen to podcasts .

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Social Distortion’s tour with Descendents and The Chats hits Asbury Park’s Stone Pony Summer Stage on September 5 , and NYC’s Brooklyn Paramount on September 11 & 12 .

SOCIAL DISTORTION – North American Tour

Jun 3, 2026 – Oslo, Norway – Sentrum Scene

Jun 4, 2026 – Sölvesborg, Sweden – Sweden Rock Festival 2026

Jun 6, 2026 – Nürnberg, Germany – Rock im Park 2026

Jun 7, 2026 – Nürburg, Germany – Rock am Ring 2026

Jun 9, 2026 – Berlin, Germany – Columbiahalle

Jun 11, 2026 – Hradec Králové, Czech Republic – Rock for People 2026

Jun 12, 2026 – Nickelsdorf, Austria – Nova Rock 2026

Jun 14, 2026 – Derby, UK – Download Festival 2026

Jun 16, 2026 – London, UK – KOKO

Jun 18, 2026 – Clisson, France – Hellfest 2026

Jun 20, 2026 – Gasteiz, Spain – Azkena Rock Festival 2026

Jun 23, 2026 – Sesto San Giovanni, Italy – Carroponte

Jun 24, 2026 – Zürich, Switzerland – Halle 622

Jun 26, 2026 – Münster, Germany – Vainstream 2026

Jun 27, 2026 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Copenhell Festival 2026

Jun 29, 2026 – Amstelveen, Netherlands – Amsterdamse Bostheater

Jun 30, 2026 – Hamburg, Germany – Docks

Jul 2, 2026 – Belfort, France – Les Eurockéennes 2026

Jul 3, 2026 – Werchter, Belgium – Rock Werchter 2026

Jul 4, 2026 – Dresden, Germany – BROILERS with Social Distortion

Jul 16, 2026 – Ottawa, ON – Ottawa Bluesfest 2026

Jul 17, 2026 – Montréal, QC – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour

Jul 19, 2026 – South Burlington, VT – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour

Jul 20, 2026 – Portland, ME – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour

Jul 22, 2026 – New Haven, CT – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour

Aug 25, 2026 – Phoenix, AZ – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour (w/ DESCENDENTS)

Aug 28, 2026 – Austin, TX – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour (w/ DESCENDENTS, The Chats)

Aug 29, 2026 – Dallas, TX – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour (w/ DESCENDENTS, The Chats)

Aug 31, 2026 – Nashville, TN – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour (w/ DESCENDENTS, The Chats)

Sep 1, 2026 – Atlanta, GA – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour (w/ DESCENDENTS, The Chats)

Sep 3, 2026 – Raleigh, NC – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour (w/ DESCENDENTS, The Chats)

Sep 4, 2026 – Washington, DC – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour (w/ DESCENDENTS, The Chats)

Sep 5, 2026 – Asbury Park, NJ – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour (w/ DESCENDENTS, The Chats)

Sep 8, 2026 – Philadelphia, PA – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour (w/ DESCENDENTS, The Chats)

Sep 9, 2026 – Boston, MA – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour (w/ DESCENDENTS, The Chats)

Sep 11, 2026 – Brooklyn, NY – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour (w/ DESCENDENTS, The Chats)

Sep 12, 2026 – Brooklyn, NY – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour (w/ DESCENDENTS, The Chats)

Sep 14, 2026 – Toronto, ON – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour (w/ DESCENDENTS, The Chats)

Sep 15, 2026 – Toronto, ON – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour (w/ DESCENDENTS, The Chats)

Sep 17, 2026 – Detroit, MI – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour (w/ DESCENDENTS, The Chats)

Sep 20, 2026 – Minneapolis, MN – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour (w/ DESCENDENTS, The Chats)

Sep 22, 2026 – Denver, CO – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour (w/ DESCENDENTS, The Chats)

Sep 23, 2026 – Salt Lake City, UT – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour (w/ DESCENDENTS, The Chats)

Sep 25, 2026 – Las Vegas, NV – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour (w/ DESCENDENTS, The Chats)

Sep 26, 2026 – Reno, NV – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour (w/ DESCENDENTS, The Chats)

Sep 28, 2026 – San Francisco, CA – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour (w/ DESCENDENTS, The Chats)

Sep 29, 2026 – Oakland, CA – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour (w/ DESCENDENTS, The Chats)

Oct 1, 2026 – Los Angeles, CA – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour (w/ DESCENDENTS)

Oct 2, 2026 – Los Angeles, CA – Social Distortion: Born to Kill World Tour (w/ DESCENDENTS)

_Originally reported by [Brooklyn Vegan](https://www.brooklynvegan.com/social-distortions-mike-ness-on-born-to-kill-cancer-battle-more-i-came-back-singing-like-there-was-no-tomorrow/)._