Cracker is an American alternative rock band featuring Johnny Hickman and Camper Van Beethoven singer and guitarist David Lowery. They are best known for the hit songs "Low," "Eurotrash Girl," "Get Off This" and "Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)". In 1993, 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").
Cracker mixes influences and sounds ranging from classic country music, psychedelia, punk and folk into their brand of "Americana" style rock.
Experiences
Shortly after Camper Van Beethoven called it quits in 1990, Lowery began demoing material along with guitarist Johnny Hickman and bassist Davey Faragher, eventually going by the name Cracker.By 1991, the newly formed band had signed a recording contract with Virgin Records and enlisted the help of several drummers/percussionists (Jim Keltner, Rick Jaeger, and Phil Jones), issuing their self-titled debut in 1992. A year later, Cracker issued their best-known album, Kerosene Hat, which spawned the hit "Low."
Cracker's auxiliary personnel underwent numerous changes during the late 90s and early 2000s. The group left Metropolis 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)
- Frank Funaro - Drums (1996-Present)
- Kenny Margolis - Keyboards, Accordion (1996-Present)
- Sal Maida - Bass (2006-Present)
Former members
- Davey Faragher - Bass (1990-1993)
- Bob Rupe - Bass (1994-2000)
- Brandy Wood - Bass (2000-2004)
- Victor Krummenacher - Bass (2004-2006)
- Joe Frezza - Guitar (1996-1997)
- Phil Jones - Drums (1990-1994)
- Johnny Hottsman - Drums (1994-1996)
- David Lovering - Drums