Images: Social Distortion, The Whigs, Jonny Two Bags September 26, 2014 at the House of Blues

Though Mike Ness’ Les Paul goldtop guitar might read “Orange County,” Las Vegas might as well be their second home. For as long as I have lived here, Social Distortion has played at least once a year, usually to multiple sold-out nights at the House of Blues (only being beaten out by Reel Big Fish as the So-Cal band playing more often). But the last time I saw Social D was a few years ago after Hard Time and Nursery Rhymes was released, so I decided it was time for a refresher.

The band kicked off the sold-out show with instrumental Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes opening track “Road Zombie,” before launching into “Through These Eyes” from White Light, White Heat, White Trash. Surprisingly, White Light… was the most heavily featured of the set, which (being my favorite record of theirs) I couldn’t have been happier about, having been a long time since I had heard “Dear Lover,” “Untitled,” “Don’t Drag Me Down,” “Gotta Know The Rules” or “Crown of Thorns” live. Newer songs “Machine Gun Blues,” and “Gimme the Sweet and Lowdown” were mixed in with oldies like “The Creeps” and “Another State of Mind.”

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Social D show without Mike Ness lecturing between songs about his distaste for modern electronic music, the good-ole days of punk-rock, and getting into fights for having colored hair. To finish up their set, they led the crowd in a sing-along of Hank Williams’ “Six More Miles” and then “Story of My Life” before taking a quick break and returning with “Sometimes I Do,” Mike Ness solo project “Misery Loves Company” and then their signature cover of “Ring of Fire.” I was pretty surprised to not hear a single song off of Sex, Love, and Rock ‘n’ Roll, which I always thought was a really solid album, but I’m sure I’ll hear them again when Social Distortion finally just gets a residency at the LV HOB.

In direct support were The Whigs from Athens, Georgia. Their Southern Rock’n’Roll sound made them a nice fit for the gig, with their weathered American flag logo hanging behind them. It occurred to me as I was watching them that several of the songs, like “Friday Night” and “Staying Alive,” could easily have been by Tom Petty and Heartbreakers. Though their Americana style might not fit in well with all other punk bands, they melded nicely with the country-inspired headliner.

The first band of the night was Social Distortion guitarist Jonny Two Bag’s eponymous side project. The room was already packed despite being just after doors, and much of the crowd sang along. It was a bit too mellow for me, but songs like “One Foot In The Gutter” and “You Don’t Love Me Anymore” were pretty catchy.