Boy, just one bummer story after another lately, but today’s will hopefully at least have a happy ending. If you were like us here at Dying Scene headquarters, you were probably getting yourself psyched up for the upcoming Social Distortion summer tour (with our new friends The BellRays in tow). Unfortunately, that tour – and the new album that was FINALLY slated to follow, have been put on the shelf for now, as iconic Social D frontman Mike Ness is dealing with a recent cancer diagnosis.

Here’s the statement as posted to Social D’s social media:

We think that life is going to go according to our plan, but it has a way of saying “I don’t think so!”

In the midst of pre-production, I was diagnosed with stage one tonsil cancer. I was feeling well enough to continue with recording in the studio up until the very day before surgery. The band and I were so inspired and excited to lay down these tracks, which by the way sound f-ing AWESOME!

The recovery from surgery is a day-by-day process and in three weeks we start radiation and that should be the last therapy I need. The team of doctors are certain that once finished with this course, I will be able to start the healing and recovery process. We expect a full recovery enabling me to live a long and productive life.

It breaks my heart to postpone the Summer Tour, and this album release, but time is required to heal. I can’t thank our loyal fans enough who have been waiting so patiently for this. While it will take a little longer-I promise you that it will be delivered and it will exceed your expectations.

I want you all to know that this has opened my eyes to a whole new struggle. I know it’s one that many of you or your loved ones have personally endured, and my heart goes out to you-because I now know what it’s like from this heavy experience.

I’m surrounded by love and support from my friends and family ESPECIALLY my lovely wife and incredible boys (oh and don’t forget my 3 dogs and kitty) THANK YOU ALL in advance to our unbelievable fans for YOUR love and support right now.

We WILL get through this….

This would have been the Social Distortion’s first US tour to come East of the Mississippi since the year before Covid. Their last studio album was Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes, which came out like the week I started writing for Dying Scene…in January 2011! Keep Mike and his family in your thoughts if you’re into that sort of thing. We’re sure he’ll be back out on the road before long!