BORN TO KILL TOUR

Venue: The RitzCity: Raleigh, North CarolinaTour: Born to KillDate: Sept. 3, 2026Featuring: Social Distortion, Descendents, The ChatsGenres: Punk Rock, Hardcore Punk, Skate Punk, CowpunkPhotos by: Arielle Johnson

For more than four decades, Social Distortion has served as a bridge between punk rock's rebellious roots and the generations of fans who discovered the genre through their influence. On Thursday night, Sept. 3, a sold-out crowd packed The Ritz in Raleigh for a stop on the band's Born to Kill Tour, joined by fellow punk legends Descendents and Australian punk upstarts The Chats for a lineup that celebrated both the history and future of the genre.

As a millenial who has always related to the song 'Riot Girl' by Good Charlotte, Social Distortion has been a band I've loved for their music and their impact on music. Gray-haired fans who first discovered Social Distortion in the 1980s stood alongside millennials who came of age during punk's resurgence in the '90s and 2000s. Teenagers sporting battle jackets and band tees mingled with parents introducing their children to the bands that helped shape their own musical identities decades earlier.

The Chats kicked off the evening with the same irreverent energy that has made them one of punk's most exciting modern acts. The Australian trio's blend of humor, chaos, and no-frills punk rock immediately won over the crowd. Their set served as a reminder that while punk's sound may evolve, its spirit remains unchanged.

Next came Descendents, whose influence on generations of punk, pop-punk, and alternative bands cannot be overstated. The Southern California icons delivered a set packed with classics that had longtime fans singing every word. A fan handmade a crochet version of their mascot to which the band used to have fun on stage. The joy and wonder seen in the fans eyes (and the photo below) was what music is all about.

Frontman Milo Aukerman's unmistakable voice remains as recognizable as ever, and the band's performance highlighted why so many artists—from Blink-182 and Green Day to countless underground acts—owe a creative debt to Descendents' melodic yet uncompromising approach to punk.

By the time Social Distortion took the stage, anticipation had reached a fever pitch.

Opening to a roar from the packed room, Mike Ness and company wasted no time reminding everyone why they remain one of punk rock's most enduring live acts. Their sound—a unique blend of punk aggression, rock and roll swagger, blues influences, and outlaw-country storytelling—has become instantly recognizable over the years, and Thursday's performance showcased every facet of it.

Ness commanded the stage with the confidence of someone who has spent decades perfecting his craft. Songs that have become staples of the Social Distortion catalog felt as vital and relevant as ever, with the crowd enthusiastically singing along from front to back. The band's ability to balance raw energy with emotional depth remains one of their greatest strengths, transforming songs about struggle, redemption, love, and resilience into communal experiences.

For many in attendance, Social Distortion's music served as the soundtrack to their youth. For others, these songs were discovered through older siblings, parents, friends, or the countless artists influenced by Ness and his peers. The result was a room full of people connected not by age, but by shared experiences and a common musical language.

In an era when nostalgia tours often feel like exercises in looking backward, the Born to Kill Tour felt different. The evening celebrated legacy while simultaneously proving that these bands still have something meaningful to say. Judging by the sold-out crowd at The Ritz, their message continues to resonate just as strongly today as it did decades ago.

For one night in Raleigh, generations of punk fans gathered under the same roof to celebrate the music that helped define their lives. And as the crowd spilled out into the warm North Carolina night, there was little doubt that the influence of Social Distortion, Descendents, and the punk community they helped build will continue to be felt for years to come.

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