Total Distortion was formed to pay homage to Social Distortion, one of America's first 1970s punk rock bands. Based in San Diego, Total Distortion was started by Don Vercelli, a singer with a voice that is eerily similar to that of Social D front man Mike Ness. Backed by his fellow band members Chris Cunningham, Shawn Barry and Angel Elias, Vercelli has led Total Distortion onstage to pay homage to Social D in venues throughout California, Arizona, Nevada and Texas.