Social Distortion is the eponymous third studio album by the American punk rock band Social Distortion, released in 1990 through Epic Records, their first recording on that label. The album furthered the rockabilly, blues and country music experimentation of their previous album with songs like "Drug Train" and the radio hit "Ball and Chain".
The focus on the alternative rock scene helped bring attention to Social Distortion. The singles "Story of My Life" and "Ball and Chain" were able to find an audience on alternative rock radio and on MTV. Social Distortion was one of the band's most successful albums to date, and their first to enter the Billboard 200; the release peaked at number 128. The album has been certified gold by the RIAA in the United States. By 1996, Social Distortion had sold at least 250,000 copies, becoming the band's second best-selling album in the United States. Their next album Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell sold 296,000 copies.
The album's controversial cover features 3 pieces of ripped paper featuring Al Capone on the first piece with a tommy gun trying to break a door with his right foot. The second piece features an empty beer bottle held in a drunk woman's hand. The final piece features Marilyn Monroe putting on thigh high stockings. The pictures are drawn all in blue on a gray background. Many chain stores refused to sell the album in their stores because of the cover.
