Hot Water Music

Formed in Gainesville, Florida, in 1994, Hot Water Music belongs to the American punk scene that grew out of the DIY circuit, blending melodic punk rock, post-hardcore and a restrained emo sensibility. The quartet primarily features Chuck Ragan, Chris Wollard, Jason Black and George Rebelo, known for the alternating rasp of Ragan’s and Wollard’s voices, tight yet melodic songs and direct songwriting. Hot Water Music broke through in the late 1990s with Finding the Rhythms (1996), Forever and Counting (1997) and No Division (1999), and broadened its audience with A Flight and a Crash (2001), Caution (2002) and The New What Next (2004). After splitting in 2006, the band resumed activities in 2008, first on stage and later in the studio with Exister (2012), Light It Up (2017), Feel the Void (2022) and Vows (2024). Long associated with North American and European punk and post-hardcore scenes, Hot Water Music has also developed links to other projects by its members, including The Draft and Chuck Ragan’s solo work.