Chuck Ragan/Social Distortion

I’ll start off by saying I have the utmost respect for Mike Ness and Social D. They’re tried and true punk icons – all natural piss and vinegar, not from concentrate, and whatnot. But really, y’all need to go to this show to see Chuck Ragan perform. This dude is worth seeing live even if he’s only opening the show. The sometime post-hardcore fron man shows his softer side for his solo material, but effortlessly keeps the same gritty rawness of his harder work even when only backed by an acoustic guitar. If you thought Geoff Rickley was going to make you cry, Ragan here will have you a sobbing mess by the time his set’s over, and at least this time you don’t have to worry about your teeth getting knocked out inadvertently. Just … don’t expect the same luxury should you ever happen to see Ragan in his capacity as Hot Water Music frontman. What happens at Ragan’s solo shows … stays at Ragan’s solo shows. - Brien Overly