Though he has a last name similar to that of the man who portrayed the “Gipper,” singer/songwriter Chuck Ragan couldn’t be further from Republican ideals of repression and self-denial. With a voice described as a gravel-coated bellow, the former vocalist of the Florida post-hardcore outfit Hot Water Music sings intensely heartfelt, pathos-filled acoustic jams in the vein of other emo-ship jumpers such as Thrice’s Dustin Kensrue and Blake Schwarzenbach from Jets to Brazil. And the fact that Ragan has managed to release three LPs and and a couple of live albums since 2007 indicates that people continue to pay attention. It’s something to consider if you want to see him in the cramped confines of Alex’s Bar. Get there early.
Fri., March 11, 9 p.m., 2011
