The local concert calendar got a boost earlier this week when it was announced that Social Distortion will play May 16 at Bend’s Midtown Ballroom. Toadies and Lindi Ortega will open.

Social D formed in 1978 and has been cranking out gritty, sometimes twangy punk ever since under the guidance of Mike Ness, a folk hero of sorts among tattoed tough guys, SoCal ex-pats, people who remember “I Was Wrong” from MTV and, well, lots of music fans in general.

Tickets for the show cost $35 plus fees in advance and go on sale today. Advance ticket outlets are listed at www.randompresents.com.

There have been several exciting local shows announced in recent weeks, including Todd Snider at the Tower Theatre, Rubblebucket at Players, Heyoka at the Domino Room and Hot Buttered Rum at GoodLife Brewing. Visit www.bendbulletin.com/frequency for an overview of what’s new.