The distortion pedal does NOT distort music. It adds timbre, harmonics, sustain etc to ONE instrument in the music. It greatly increases the sensitivity of the guitar, increasing nuance from the slightest touch of the strings. It is a very important part OF THE INSTRUMENT of a rock guitar player.
Audioguru: I would have liked to hear your analysis of the OP's distorion pedal including discussion of the asymmetrical distortion, the germainum soft curves etc, that would have been something of value to people.