Recorded live at The Roxy, Hollywood, California on April 7-9, 1998. Includes liner notes by Mike Ness.

Personnel: Mike Ness (vocals, guitar); Thomas Nordegg, Mark Haworth, Dennis Danell (guitar); Brad Nichols (drums, snare drum); Chuck Biscuits (drums).

Audio Mixers: James Saez; Mike Ness.

Recording information: Roxy, Hollywood, CA (04/07/1998-04/09/1998); The Roxy; Hollywood, CA (04/07/1998-04/09/1998).

Editor: Andrew Scheps.

Photographers: Jolie Clemens; Gabrielle Geiselman; Mike Ness.

Unknown Contributor Roles: John Maurer; Dennis Danell; Chuck Biscuits.

By 1997, it had become clear to Social Distortion that their relationship with 550 (formerly Epic Records) had not worked out and that it was time to move back to the independents. They wrestled themselves free from the contract and signed with Time Bomb Recordings. Their first album for the label was Live at the Roxy, a blistering set that offered a career summation and effectively set the band up for a new beginning. No matter how good Social Distortion records are -- and they're usually fairly strong -- the band performs with more energy and passion on-stage, and Live at the Roxy captures the intensity of their live show. It doesn't have any surprises, but the set list is solid and the performance's thrilling, which makes it a must for dedicated fans. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

One of the longest-running California punk bands, Social Distortion began spewing musical venom in the early '80s. Over the years, their musical vision has been somewhat refined, but they've never compromised their integrity or lost a bit of their punch, a fact borne out by this 1998 live recording. Singer/songwriter Mike Ness is the archetypal tough guy with a heart of gold, chronicling the tribulations of the underclass in post-Reagan America over a jackhammer beat.

As usual, the band leavens their punky assault with occasional touches of country and roots music, as on the spiritual-sounding "Ball & Chain" and a frenzied cover of "Ring Of Fire." Though they speak from the perspective of grizzled punk survivors, the band still targets youngsters with their bad boy attitude, as evidenced by Ness' incendiary, iconoclastic stage patter. LIVE AT THE ROXY is the band at their best, blazing through new tunes and old with equal fury.