Cracker (band)

Cracker is an American alternative country band fronted by former Camper Van Beethoven singer David Lowery, with guitarist Johnny Hickman. They are best known for their hit songs "Low" and "Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)". In 1995, Cracker contributed the song "Good Times Bad Times" to the Encomium tribute album to Led Zeppelin (which was recorded after their rendition of "When the Levee Breaks" was deemed "too weird").

The band's website once noted Cracker as "The only band to ever open for both The Grateful Dead and the Ramones," a unique distinction which is also indicative of the band's sound and style. Cracker comfortably mixes influences and sounds ranging from classic country music, psychedelia, punk and folk into their brand of "Americana" style rock.

As to personnel, Lowery and Hickman are inalterable constants, but otherwise Cracker underwent numerous personnel changes during the late 90s and early 2000s. The group left Virgin Records in 2003 with the independent release Countrysides.

A collaboration with Bluegrass band Leftover Salmon, Oh Cracker, Where Art Thou? (2003), contained bluegrass versions of old Cracker songs.

Their newest studio album Greenland was released on June 6, 2006.

Current Members

• David Lowery - Guitar/Vocals (1990-Present)
• Johnny Hickman - Lead Guitar (1990-Present)
• Kenny Margolis - Keyboards/Percussion (1996-Present)
• Frank Funaro - Drums (1996-Present)
• Sal Maida - Bass (2006-Present)

Former Members

• Davey Faragher - Bass (1990-1992)
• Bob Rupe - Bass (1994-2000)
• Brandy Wood - Bass (2000-2004)
• Victor Krummenacher - Bass (2004-2006)
• Phil Jones - Drums (1990-1994)
• Johnny Hott - Drums (1994-1996)

Discography

Albums:

• Cracker (1992)
• Kerosene Hat (1993)
• The Golden Age (1996)
• Gentleman's Blues (1998)
• Forever (2002)
• O' Cracker Where Art Thou? (2003)
• Countrysides (2003)
• Greenland (2006)

Singles & EPs:

• "Teen Angst" (1992)
• "Tucson" (1993)
• "Low" (1993)
• "Get Off This" (1994)
• "Euro-Trash Girl" (1994)
• "I Hate My Generation" (1996)
• "Nothing To Believe In" (1996)
• "The Good Life" (1998)
• "The World Is Mine" (1998)
• "Shine" (2002)
• "Merry Christmas, Emily" (2002)
• "Something You Ain't Got" (2006)
• "Give Me One More Chance" (2006)
• "Everybody Gets One For Free" (2006)

Compilations:

• The Virgin Years (1995) with Camper Van Beethoven
• Garage D'Or (2000) 2 disc Greatest Hits Album and oddities collection
• Hello, Cleveland! Live at the Metro (2002)
• This Is Where I Belong: The Songs of Ray Davies & The Kinks (2002)
• Get On With It: The Best of Cracker (2006) Virgin Records greatest hits collection
• Greatest Hits Redux (2006) Band authorized re-recordings of major hits

External links

• Official Website
• Johnny Hickman
• Band Cracker Gives Virgin Records The Finger
• myspace.com/crackerhatesmyspace
• Frank Funaro
• Camper Van Beethoven
• Pitch-A-Tent Records
• Sound of Music Studios
• Live Music Archive
• The Van
• Interview and performance on Corporate Country Sucks TV Show
• Johnny Hickman interview with Tony DuShane on Drinks with Tony
• Sidi Ifni