What Social Distortion Says

This issue's "What So & So Sez" article began with a phone call to our Circulation Manager, Chad Olson. Bass...

This issue's "What So & So Sez" article began with a phone call to our Circulation Manager, Chad Olson. Bass player John Maurer's wife called up to get her husband a subscription to this magazine. In the conversation that ensued, it became known that John was a believer. Chad inquired as to whether or not her husband would be open to doing one of our "So & So Sez" features. She said he'd probably love it, and so the following interview took place.

"So, what city are you guys in?" begins John.

Austin, Texas (answers Editor Doug Van Pelt).

"Oh. You guys have just got over the SXSW thing, huh? How was it?... Crazy I hear."

Uh Yeah. It was... If you don't try to do too much it can be okay, so uh... it was uh, kind of crazy... It comes on the heels of a deadline for us, and uh...

"Right, it's like a carnival comes to town I kinda hear."

Right. Takes over the whole town. It's a pretty big festival. It's kind of fun. I think everybody likes it. So, are you ready to go?

"I'm ready to go."

Okay, why don't you give me a brief history of Social Distortion.

"Okay. My name is John Maurer. I'm in the band Social Distortion, as you know. Uh... we started off... the band started with its first couple singles, "1945" and uh, the first LP was called Mommy's Little Monster, 1982. I joined the band in January of '84 after a breakup because of personal conflicts that they were having. I've known Mike (Ness) and Dennis (Danell) since... earlier than junior high school. That's how we knew each other... being in the same scene. And we just have grown as a band ever since signing to CBS and Sony and uh, doin' our own record and (it) just kinda grew from there . . . to really turn into a lifetime career."

What do you think that people's general viewpoint of Social Distortion is?

"Initially, if someone hasn't heard of Social Distortion, I think uh, the name really . . . is almost offensive to some people. Um, I mean, 'Social Distortion, my word! Is that something?' You know, 'God, what is that? What is Social Distortion?' Well, it's kind of self explanatory, you know. And it was a way . . . a feeling that Michael got in the early 80's (and) late 70's. But, I think initially, people don't know what to think if they do know. You know, we have our fan base and it's just kind of a big family that people know it as what it is, but you know uh . . . hard to say."

What do you think Social Distortion is most notorious for? What are a few notorious events or things?

"Um, within . . . as far as being notorious, we are . . . um, for being an early punk rock band, evolving into a rock band . . . (we're) notorious for being sometimes out of control. We're notorious for being, uh, spiritual seekers in lyrical content."

What made you go indie, or DIY?

"Necessity. Working with many bands in Orange County, and the LA areas . . . (there's) a lot of fringe bands that I thought needed recognition that I would produce or do demos for. They just weren't getting . . . no one was really paying attention to them. It's something I always wanted to do. Uh, I had some friends that are in a band, and, interesting enough, the name of this band is called Hellbound Hayride... I've been doin' demos for them. We couldn't really get 'em a deal, and so we just kind of came to it where it was time to start Flip Records and go on from there . . . and give them a platform to launch their music from. So that's kind of where that came from.

"So, I signed the band called Hellbound Hayride. (I) stuck in Romans 3:23 on their liner notes, which is kind of funny, but . . . they . . . I don't know, they had mixed emotions. They thought it was cool . . . my big ministry, you know?"

Well, what do you think of Jesus?

"I am . . . this is a very special week for me. Uh, Good Friday, and Easter is more important to me than Christmas. A lot of people . . . um . . . in the secular world, want to celebrate Christmas, and I think they miss the whole idea of Easter, what it's about. I, myself, am a child of God. Um . . . the work of Christ to me is very important. To be . . . I strive to be Christ-like, you know . . . in my walk and um... like I said, just striving and working on being Christlike."

What do you think about His claims to be, "The Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by Me?"

"Well, that's the absolute truth, isn't it? Um, that's freedom. You know, you go for life's pleasure . . . and success (they) aren't really gonna, you know, do anything for you. You know, self reliance, having this . . . going out with this huge trust in yourself and confidence in your trust is not really . . . it's not freedom, although many people think it is. You know, running a successful band, a successful business through self reliance isn't really gonna . . . you know, and self-will and knowledge . . . isn't really gonna get you that. You know, pleasure is the same thing. A feeling of satisfaction or enjoyment for a minute . . . and even success will cloud the way of an absolute truth. You know, so just trying to get to some sort of state of being free, you know? I mean, you mention freedom and people automatically think politically free or whatever and they just kinda don't really understand, you know, liberty, or they don't really understand that your true identity is Christ-like. So, that's my strive towards that freedom and always toward that.

"So, I mean, I totally relate to what you're saying. A relationship with God is the true identity. After all, we are modeled after Him, and He's our Creator. Hope I'm not gettin' too heavy for ya."

No. Heavy's good. We used to be a heavy metal magazine anyway. So, um, what kind of challenges have you faced being a Christian in a band like Social Distortion?

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Comments

By Maria-Petra

I'm so excited that you interviewed John Maurer! I think it's awesome that he wants to get involved in the Christian music scene. We definitely need some talented and creative people-substance. And, I think John can offer that to the industry.

This article is so rad.

I will pray for John, his family, and continual recovery.

I'm very thankful I stumbled across this interview. It was inspiring.

Godspeed

By Jimmy Eats

Great to read this interview!
Rock Harbor is a great church I've been to a couple of times.
Very encouraging John.
Thanks.
I'm encouraged when I remember that I worship Jesus who lived and died and rose again "in the pit." He is God whose scars are deep, because that's His character and that's how much He loves us.
Jesus saves.
Peace.
J.E.

By greg from no solution

I grew up in o.c. and was into the scene and still am today. This is inspiring to read because everyone needs to be believers. Sometimes it may be hard for people to break down the wall. But deep down inside I know the void must be filled by having a relationship with God. Think positive and keep listening to punk rock. Later.