Cracker: Whatever Happened To The Band Behind 'Low' & 'Teen Angst'
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- Опубликовано: 12 мар 2023
- Whatever happened to the band Cracker, Camper Van Beethoven and David Lowery
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#cracker #campervanbeethoven #davidlowery
I cite my sources and they may differ than other people's accounts, so I don't guarantee the actual accuracy of my videos.
I’ve had several people request for me to do a whatever happened to the band Cracker. The band were best known for the early 90 hits Low and Teen Angst. Today let’s take a look at whatever happened to the band Cracker.
The beginning of Cracker started with co-founder David Lowery who grew up in Redlands, the part of California that was the site of the US festivals, rock parties, and shows at the Swing Auditorium. Lowery began his musical career at the age of 16 when he started playing experimental music on his guitar. His early efforts would even be featured in one underground magazine. From there he soon started playing in bands named Box off Laughs and Estonian Gauchos who covered new wave music. Box of Laughs would feature future cracker member and co-founder Johnny Hickman. The band would lay the groundwork for what was to come next with Hickman telling Rolling Stone
“There were no rules,” We could play any style of music we wanted, so we played everything from European folk music to ska to country to hardcore punk to reggae.”
Soon enough Lowery would form the eclectic band Camper Van Beethoven.. Hickman for his part would turn down multiple offers to join the group due to his other musical projects at the time. A musical salad of ska, polka, folk, 60’s psychadliec rock with flavours of middle eastern music, the band would put out several albums for Virgin Records, . The band developed a cult following with the college crowd thanks to their 1985 hit Take the Skinheads Bowling. Now residing in Santa Cruz, Calif., the musicians had lots of time to kill which also helped them develop their musical sound with Lowery telling rolling Stone “We didn’t really have anything else to do in a town like Santa Cruz,” “Also, it was so easy to do this kind of weirdo music that was a reaction to all the strait-laced punk stuff that was around them.” The band would even be featured on MTV’s alternative rock program 120 minutes and Michael Stipe of REM included the band’s 1985 debut record, Telephone Free Landslide Victory, in his top 10 albums of the year in Rolling Stone.
The band ended up opening for both R.E.M. and 10,000 Maniacs - could have reached the same level of superstardom, but in 1989 the wheels came off while on the road in Europe. Musical disagreements between Lowery and the rest of the band made him the odd man out He would tell Rolling stone . “I had a sort of big-brother attitude with them,” “I was always like ‘You stupid kids, you’re blowing it! Can’t you see?’ So I went, ‘OK, go and do your thing.’ But after six months, I just got tired of waiting around.”
It was following the dissolution of the band that Lowery moved to Richmond California to live with his girlfriend. It was here he contacted his old friend Hickman who had been playing in a variety of country bands in and around Bakersfield. Lowery and Hickman rented a cheap apartment in a rough neighbourhood of Richmond where they wrote 20 songs. These would form the demo they sent to Lowery’s label Virgin who still had him under contract. And that’s how the band Cracker would be born. Cracker’s music would be much more straight forward Rock n’ rolll than Camper Van Beethoven. It would be his hidden musical tastes that served as inspiration for Lowery and Hickman’s new project telling LA Times
“For years I was in this semi-famous ‘alternative rock’ band,” “And people would go, ‘What are your influences?’ So I’d usually start at about the punk-rock era . . . and edit out a lot of things. You don’t tell people, ‘Secretly, I listen to the first four Tom Petty records over and over again.’
“You don’t tell people that (ZZ Top’s) ‘Tres Hombres’ is a great record. I remember talking about Led Zeppelin a few times in the earlier Camper days, and the reaction was always, ‘God, you like this horrible ‘70s bombastic thing?’
Cracker would be led by Lowery and Hickman with a revolving cast of musicians. Lowery would tell the washington post why this was the case recalling “really the band is me and {singer-guitarist} Johnny Hickman, and 
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@rnrtruestories I just wanted to reach out and say that your videos, while always terrific, have recently shown noticeable increases in content, editing, and production value. You should be very proud. Keep up the great work. You rock! 🤘🎸🤘
Thanks so much. That really means a lot. I've got something really terrific coming soon - 40 plus minute video on a band I've never talked about before.
@@rnrtruestories Cool! Looking forward to it for sure!
Saw Cracker last month in Nashville. Saw them last year as well. They tour a lot and still sound great.
“Low” is a CLASSIC and embodies everything that the 90s “alternative” scene was to me growing up.
it was faux band wagon jumping alternative , very bad music
Well said, I loved Low, Girls and Boys, Creep, Unbelievable and Zombie growing up.
@@smkxodnwbwkdns8369 GREAT music from a WIDE range of bands. Of course they aren’t my favorite bands (or songs) of all time, but the 90s were fun.
@@smkxodnwbwkdns8369 yeah but like that’s only your opinion, man.
I agree, that song has so much of what 90s grunge / alt-rock was known for. IT isn't THE defining song of that era and culture, but I'd say it's one of the most "90s alt-rock" song ever.
“Euro-trash Girl”, “Teen Angst” and “Get Off This” were all MASSIVE hits on KROQ in my hometown of L.A. back in the day. Cracker was a helluva great band. Fun Fact: Matchbox Twenty used to cover “Low” in concert frequently back in the early ‘00’s.
Thanks for the hot tip on the other songs!
Counting Crows closed their 1999 tour with it at a Wiltern show.
Sadly, Cracker was all over KROQ back then. Horrible!
"WAS" a great band??? Saw them in July in Savannah, GA...was a GREAT show...they ARE STILL a great band! 😁
I Hate My Generation probably my favorite song by them. SO SO underrated!!!
Richmond, VA (not Richmond, CA). All the members of Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker are excellent musicians with their own projects as well. C4L
No California Richmond is also in cali
@@rnrtruestories I get that Richmond, CA is in California. Worked there over a decade actually. A very interesting place. However, Cracker was born out of Richmond, Virginia (It's well known about their early days in Oregon Hill/Richmond, VA songwriting time). There's even actually a Hollywood Cemetery there, Hollywood Cemetery being a beloved Cracker song.
Thank you, they sent out a cd for their fan club, demo versions, the song James River runs through Virginia
What he said! RVA
@@rnrtruestories- Except, for Cracker, it's Richmond, Virginia. As stated above, that's why they have a song called "James River." It's confusing because both Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven were formed outside of Northern California, but were largely associated with Northern California in terms of where they toured, stayed, and sang about. It's even more confusing because both bands' final albums had songs about places within 10 minutes of Richmond, California (CVB's "Sugartown" being partially about Crockett, CA and Cracker's "El Cerrito" being a city bordering Richmond, CA).
Always loved cracker. Their double record “Berkeley to Bakersfield” is one of the most underrated of all times. Great band!
I worked security at a club in Tampa called Skippers for 15 years. One of the absolute highlights was getting to meet Cracker and see them probably a dozen times. Hickman was great, and I actually got my ass memorably chewed by David Lowery once for recording soundcheck with my phone. He apologized later, but I knew better. 😂
They're still out there, still playing, and the latest album Berkeley to Battlefield is phenomenal and definitely worth a listen.
Great double record. I saw them several years ago. Great show!
CHeers for the hot tip!
Absolutely agree!!! @cloudyphiz I LOVE their new countryish sound!!! Almond Grove, is a beautiful yet super sad song.
Right on! Saw em here in The Cuse a couple of years ago. Why don't people just look them up??
@@misstessamarie21 just clicked your profile by the comment and a Hank III video was there. That's the greatest thing ever. Massive respect.
I bought kerosene hat when it came out. Low was an awesome song, but the whole CD was great. Cracker is underated af.
Completely agree with you on that!
Kerosene Hat is my all time favorite album by any artist
I was a big Camper fan. When I heard Cracker I was so pumped. A few years later when I would tell people I liked Cracker they would say "Uncle Kracker?" And I'd have to be like no not f**king Uncle Kracker.
Also as computers because mainstream the word cracker was most often used to refer to a type of pirate software used to break copy protection. So basically it became an SEO nightmare.
I'll bet Lowery wishes they'd chosen a different name lol
Also I'd suggest interpreting every comment here as a demand for a feature length video about all of Lowery's work. Camper's record New Roman Times is one of the most underrated rock albums I know of.
Actually... Just do a feature length video about New Roman Times.
"Low" is still one of the greatest songs of the 90s.
Great episode! I was always a big Cracker fan in college 25+ years ago
Thanks for doing this one! Cracker is actually one of my GOAT bands! Their first album as well as Kerosene Hat and The Golden Age are among my all time favorite recordings! Seen them live 3 times! Most underrated band of the 90’s!
And of the 21st century...
I absolutely LOVE Cracker!!!!!❤❤❤ Their new countryish sound f@#$ing rocks!!!
Huge fan! Played these albums over and over again. Felt like I was the only fan out there.
Cracker is still rocking and their last few albums are excellent.....great band, one of my favorites
I still listen to them ALL THE TIME & see them in concert about once a year.
Infirmary is my favorite Cracker Song,so beautiful.
Literally the best concert i ever attended. 1992 or 1993 Detroit. The building actually shook when they played Teen Angst due everyone jumping up simultaneously.
I thought Cracker was semi-formed in Richmond, VA, not Richmond, CA.
Immediately after he said "Richmond, California", I began scrolling the comments hoping someone had already noted the mistake. RVA gets so few shout-outs reference it's one-time notable music scene that it stings when someone makes this kind of glaring mistake. So, thanks. And I hope he reads this...if only for future reference.
that's what I thought
I remember during the Limewire days Cracker's song Low would pop up as a Screaming Trees song.
David Lowery is still playing in Athens Ga all the time ! Great guy as well
I was a fan early on. In the 90s, I used to love to hear "Low" on indie rock radio. That intro riff and that sing-a-long chorus is so memorable and draws the listener in instantly.
Your channel rules dude. Thanks for caring about actual rock music.
When certain songs come on the radio, whatever I am doing stops, the volume gets cranked, and nothing else exists until that song is over. Eurotrash Girl is one of those kind of songs. I'm still looking for her.
Saw Pumpkins and Cracker on same tour back in the day. Met the guys from Cracker (Bob Rupe and David Lowery) Both cool guys
I saw Cracker summer of 92 at The Masquerade in Atlanta. I remember a great show and the bass player wore a dress. It was The Masquerade afterall- freaky man freaky. 😎
That bass player now plays with Elvis Costello.
I just saw David Lowery perform a solo show. He was great!
Still going strong. Saw them twice this year and they are incredible.
Really nice video! I've been a Lowery fan for quite a while and Hickman is a great guitarist. Lowery is a man for the ages with his fight for royalties!
Saw them Saturday night. It was awesome
These guys are still playing and THEY ARE OUTSTANDING. I saw them twice in Novato, CA, once in Flagstaff AZ, and once in Washington DC. Last time might be in Highland CA, Nov 4. Go see them live -- you will not regret it.
Just saw them in DC on August 19, 2023. Hung out Johnny Hickman the night before at The Baseball Project the night before.
Going to see them in a couple of weeks, can't wait!
They made some real classic music. Kerosene Hat is a masterpiece
I bought "Kerosene Hat" on CD just because I thought the cover looked cool. Still listen to it to this day.
David Lowery had a really cool acting part in the movie "This Space Between Us". I love that film and Lowery does a really good job acting in it.
I try to see Cracker and Camper every winter they come through town. It's always a solid show.
One of my favorite bands is CAMPER Van BEETHOVEN!!!
the albums Cracker and Kerosene hat were basically my skiing soundtrack for the 1990s.
It's remarkable how many pies Sandra Bernhardt has had her fingers in.
Have you heard of the band Flaw? The album "Through the Eyes" it is really good but after that they just disappeared. If you already did a vid just point me in the direction 🤟
They did an album after that then disappeared, then came back to middling results. Truly sad. I actually liked that first and second album.
Thanks man, a great video as always. Low is a great song, gonna check the others out based on suggestions in the comments! 🙂
Eurotrash Girl should've been a hit also.
Thanks rnrtruestories. You provided some interesting info about the band that I did not know. Cracker is definately in my top 5. Too many great songs to list here.
CRACKER should continue to make new albums in 2023 and beyond🌈😇they will always be one of the best original Alternative Garage Cow-Punk Rock Bands since the 1990s.
To me "Teen Angst" is an underrated classic and says everything I wanted to say about that entire plastic "we care" scene.
Lowry moved to Richmond VA not Richmond California. I know they lived there around 1990 because friends of mine lived in the same neighborhood called “Oregon Hill”
all the articles about the band said California
Take me down to the infirmary has a good melody
Put a damp cloth on my forehead
They are having their annual Camp-In in Athens, GA this week. Still going strong.
Sunrise in the land of milk and honey as well as Greenland are very good records right up there in quality with kerosene hat. Forever I thought also a really good album. This group to my mind did not fade away but got better.
Whatever happened to tad would be a good episode.. if u haven't already done it that is
They're still around!! Just look 'em up! Just saw them a couple of years ago here in the CUSE!!! THey sound just as great as usual....
Just saw them on Friday. One of the best shows I’ve seen in a while. Super funny giys
Cracker IS my favorite band. Lowery got that right.
Thank you for doing that. Do you think you could do one for either “The Dandy Warhols”, “Bloodhound Gang” or “Revis” sometime down the road if you haven’t already?
Greatest rock band of all time!
Cracker Forever!
That cracker, spin doctors and gin blossoms concert was great. When cracker played euro trash girl the crowd got fired up!
I've actually seen Cracker live, thanks to my mother, and even met Johnny Hickman. So this video is especially useful for me.
Lowery is actually at the top of my list of "Whatever happened to?" guys.
Hickman is a helluva bro.
David Lowery has always been my hero
IF people don't listen to Kerosene Hat AND The Golden Age, they are missing out on 2 HUGE 90's albums, both of them LOADED, and they are great live, still, Johnny Hickman and David Lowery are American treasures.
Refreshing to hear of a band that had their biggest drama when the bassist cuts his finger trying to sharpen a knife.
O' Cracker Where Art Thou? Check it out. It's dope.
Please do a video on the industrial band "Machines of Loving Grace" one of my favorite bands of all time!
the 90s were just killer and so is cracker!
Euro Trash Girl was the 1st song l heard from Cracker in middle school around 92 or so and l fkn loved it and the rest is history. They are so underated its almost infuriating, well it is to me anyway.
Camper Van Beethoven has a great full show here on RUclips
Buddy did a great cover of run through the jungle. Heard it at the end of one of the Fargo episodes
I saw them last summer at an amusement park in Iowa.
Wrong It wasn't Richmond California. It was Richmond Virginia. Oregon Hill Richmond VA to be exact.
once saw Cracker & Camper do a duel headline show one of the drunkest crowds i’ve ever witnessed lol great show👍
You must have been loaded.
I saw Cracker at a radio station festival in Dana Point, California in 1997. They were good, and I remember Dave Lowery razzing some drunk jocks as 'Chip' and 'Biff'.
The Last Rock Band on the Planet.
Lowery moved to Richmond Virginia… Not California
What happened to them? Well I just saw them play at the orpheum in Flagstaff AZ last night and they rocked our faces off.
Cracker...."Kerosene Hat" is one of my favorite albums from the 90's,
When I was a teenage longhair berated by my dad's friends and other olders about NIN & White Zombie.
These people and I *always* agreed that we loved "Low."
2 Spider-Men pointing at each other: "you're actually alright."
Can you do a video on Drivin and Cryin please.
You should do The Escape Club
It used to be Pink Floyd, but Cracker has been my favorite band for 25 years.....
Camper only had two albums on Virgin. Before that Rough Trade put out two of their albums.
Low is the only song I've really heard from Cracker. Looks like I missed out on a lot of good music. Gonna have to check out their catalog
I love Forever album
Richmond Va, richmond ca
Redlands California, fun fact, their police dept will NOT respond to a burglar alarm called in by an alarm monitoring company under any circumstances unless there is evidence of a crime like video cams, or a person from the site like a key holder will meet the officers there when they arrive.
How long has that been going on?
@@cyfree4222 not sure. At least the last decade. They aren’t the only place in the country like that tho. Las Vegas won’t go either. Businesses have to pay for private security to watch their property and respond to alarm calls n not all can afford it. Vegas Pd will broadcast the call but it’s basically at the officers discretion if he feels like checking it out n that’s after a 10-40min hold time when calling the dispatch center. Also someplace mid south does that too. Can’t remember if it’s in Kentucky or Tennessee tho.
I don't use streaming services... screw them! support the artists u love...directly!!!
First - Love your videos.
Second - Notoriety isn't a good thing, it means being known for bad things like serial bank robbers etc. Root word Notorious.
Thanks
Does anyone remember the “Do Something Alternative” CD that was sold at Taco Bell in 94? That was my first CD and I remember buying it just because Low was on it.
Love Cracker! Can't believe that somebody referred to Zeppelin as horrible!
One of the best live bands I’ve seen, also zero personality. Hickman ,awesome lead
One of my favourite bands. Their hits do not reflect the soul of the band. They even have chords to their songs on their website. Very very fun to play.
Saw Cracker in Seattle in the early '90s -- before the town was ruined. Oh, well ...
I don’t know what it is but when an artist blames the industry, I just tune out. They made an investment in you.
Didn’t think that Lowery producing LP’s by Counting Crows or Sparklehorse (amongst many others) was pertinent, eh?
I find the Counting Crows have a similar aesthetic ...
What about the band Failure?
They failed
👍👍
You all try it out on a cold winters day and let me know what you think about it
Cracker has a large pack of rabid fans called "Crumbs". We still attend every live show possible. Crumbs forever.