Richmond, VA · alt-rock · country-rock

Cracker

1 upcoming festival →

Sardonic alt-country-rock from David Lowery, still funnier and stranger than its radio singles let on — 'Low' the gateway, the deep cuts the reward.

Cracker was formed in 1991 by David Lowery, previously of Camper Van Beethoven, with boyhood friend and guitarist Johnny Hickman. The pair moved from Redlands, California to Richmond, Virginia and recorded a demo tape fans later nicknamed Big Dirty Yellow Demos, then added Redlands bassist Davey Faragher before signing to Virgin Records.

Their self-titled debut, released in 1992, carried the No. 1 modern rock hit 'Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)' and the single 'Happy Birthday to Me,' selling more than 200,000 copies. The band's music draws on alt-country, roots rock and straightforward guitar rock, with lyrics that lean heavily on irony and character sketches.

Their second album, Kerosene Hat, was their commercial high point, selling close to platinum and carrying the singles 'Low', 'Get Off This' and 'Euro-Trash Girl', alongside a cover of the Grateful Dead's 'Loser'. Songs from this era turned up elsewhere too: 'Whole Lotta Trouble' appeared in the film Empire Records, and a cover of the Flamin' Groovies' 'Shake Some Action' featured in Clueless.

Bassists and drummers changed frequently in the years that followed, settling eventually around Bob Rupe and Charlie Quintana before Frank Funaro and Kenny Margolis became long-term members. The Golden Age and Gentleman's Blues followed through the 1990s, building a devoted following who called themselves 'Crumbs' even as the band's guitar-driven sound fell out of commercial favor.

Lowery and Hickman have remained the constant members across a long run of albums, nine studio records in total plus assorted compilations and live releases. Lowery has continued to lead Camper Van Beethoven alongside Cracker, reforming that band in 1999 and releasing New Roman Times in 2004.

Read more

alt-rockcountry-rock