Dennis Danell [ tickets ], guitarist of the influential punk rock band Social Distortion [ tickets ], died Tuesday (2/29), reportedly after collapsing in the driveway as he and his family were moving into a new Southern California home. He was 38.

The Los Angeles Times, citing Social Distortion's manager, said that Danell apparently suffered a brain aneurysm. Time Bomb Recordings, the band's label, said only that Danell died of natural causes.

Danell, who was a member of the Orange County, Calif.-based band since its inception in 1979, had been taking a break from music since Social Distortion's last release, 1998's "Live At The Roxy." After the release of the live album, Social Distortion frontman Mike Ness took time away from the band to support a solo album, and Danell reportedly got a real estate license and was focusing on his family life.

"I am saddened beyond any possible form of expression," Ness said in a statement. "Dennis and I have been friends since boyhood, starting Social Distortion while we were in high school. My deepest regrets to his family."

Danell is survived by his wife Christine, a 3-year-old son, and a 6-month old daughter.