Billy Bragg has been a restless and controversial character for most of his life, swerving back and forth between a musical career and various forays into politics like a drunk driver who's still not quite sure what side of the road he's supposed to be driving on. Known in musical circles for his snappy, pop-driven, often acoustic punk tunes, Bragg creates compositions that typically resonate with a sound like that of a British Bob Dylan, but also with definite hints of The Clash's proto-ska proselytizing. In the late '70s, Bragg toured the pubs of England with his band The Blokes, and later released a number of solo albums in the '80s after a brief and abortive stint in the British Army. Perhaps it was his protest-flavored grass roots appeal that prompted Nora Guthrie (Woody's daughter) to elicit his assistance in putting some of her father's unrecorded lyrics to music in the '90s. The project ultimately became something of a fiasco, but the results were finally released as Mermaid Avenue in 1998 and Mermaid Avenue Vol. II in 2000, and also featured the talents of Wilco and Natalie Merchant.

Bragg brings his angst-y swagger to the Calvin Theater Friday, July 31, 8 p.m. Tickets are $27.50-37.50 and can be purchased at the Northampton Box Office by calling (413) 586-8686 or at www.iheg.com.