Social Distortion, the pre-eminent forefathers of punk rock, will grace the stage of Canes Friday night to cap off a short tour of small California venues. Social Distortion has visited San Diego in each of its three tours of the new millennium.

Few bands have changed the face of their musical genre as greatly as Social Distortion. Formed in 1978, the band has been in a constant state of self reinventation, having gone through numerous member changes that have given birth to four other punk bands. Amid the tragically wicked lifestyle of Mike Ness, the unfortunate brain aneurysm of bass guitarist Dennis Dannell and the coming and going of countless other musicians, one thing remains the same: Social Distortion sells out shows in California.

This is due in large part to the undying passion of Ness, the only remaining original member of the initial Social Distortion lineup, to play music live.

With eight full-length albums that do not include two solo albums released by Ness in 1999, and countless other releases (EPs and singles), Social Distortion is one of the most covered bands in the world today. Any new band coming on to the punk rock scene realizes the necessity of covering Social Distortion on an album. This rite of passage pays homage to the living legends that helped shape the face of punk rock before punk rock ever had a face to shape.

Their most commonly covered songs are “”Ring of Fire,”” “”Story of My Life”” and “”Sick Boy,”” each famous for their hard-rocking sing-a-long quality.

When will Social Distortion stop touring? Although only Ness can answer that question, one thing is certain: They show no sign of slowing. It seems possible that, like his bass guitarist, Ness will not stop until he has to stop. As Ness was reminded in 2000 by his bandmate’s death: That day could come at any moment.

Ness seems content to be on the road near home, playing shows exclusively in California where his genre, his movement and his way of life saw their genesis. Friday at Canes will be perhaps one of the last opportunities San Diego has to experience the revolution before Social Distortion and Ness go the way of the Buffalo.

Social Distortion will be at Cane’s Bar & Grill. The show is limited to those who are 21 and up. Look to the Hiatus calendar on page 13 for ticket information.