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{{Short description|American rock band}}
{{Refimprove|date=January 2009}}
{{For|the earlier American band|Kracker}}
{{use American English|date=February 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2009}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Cracker
| name = Cracker
| image = CrackerJonesBeach.jpg
| image = CrackerJonesBeach.jpg
|image_upright=1.25
| caption = Cracker performing at Jones Beach, NY.
| caption = Cracker performing at [[Jones Beach Theater]] in 2012
| background = group_or_band
| origin = [[Redlands, California]], [[United States]]
| origin = [[Richmond, Virginia]], U.S.
| genre = [[Alternative rock]], [[alternative country]]
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[Rock music|Rock]]
| years_active = 1990–present
* [[Country music|country]]
| label = [[Virgin Records|Virgin]]<br />[[Cooking Vinyl]]<br />[[429 Records|Savoy / 429 Records]]
* [[grunge]]
| website = [http://www.crackersoul.com/ www.crackersoul.com]
* [[Punk music|punk]]
| current_members = [[David Lowery (musician)|David Lowery]]<br />[[Johnny Hickman]]<br />Sal Maida<br />[[Frank Funaro]]
}}
| past_members = [[Davey Faragher]]<br />Phil Jones<br />[[Michael Urbano]]<br />Bruce Hughes<br />[[David Lovering]]<br />Joey Peters<br />[[Johnny Hott]]<br />[[Bob Rupe]]<br />[[Charlie Quintana]]<br />Kenny Margolis<br />Brandy Wood<br />[[Victor Krummenacher]]
| years_active = 1990–present
| associated_acts = [[Camper Van Beethoven]], Hickman-Dalton Gang, [[David Lowery (musician)|David Lowery]], [[Johnny Hickman]]
| label = [[Virgin Records|Virgin]], [[Cooking Vinyl]], [[429 Records|Savoy / 429 Records]]
| website = {{URL|crackersoul.com}}
| current_members = {{plainlist|
* [[David Lowery (musician)|David Lowery]]
* [[Johnny Hickman]]
* Bryan Howard
* CoCo Owens
}}
| past_members = {{plainlist|
* [[Davey Faragher]]
* [[Phil Jones (Musician)|Phil Jones]]
* [[Michael Urbano]]
* Bruce Hughes
* [[David Lovering]]
* Joey Peters
* [[Johnny Hott]]
* [[Bob Rupe]]
* [[Charlie Quintana]]
* Kenny Margolis
* Brandy Wood
* [[Victor Krummenacher]]
* Sal Maida
* [[Frank Funaro]]
* [[Thayer Sarrano]]
* Matt "Pistol" Stoessel
* Paul McHugh
}}
}}
}}


'''Cracker''' is an [[United States|American]] [[alternative rock]] band led by singer [[David Lowery (musician)|David Lowery]] and guitarist [[Johnny Hickman]]. The band is best known for its gold-selling 1993 album, ''[[Kerosene Hat]]'', which includes the hit songs "[[Low (Cracker song)|Low]]" and "[[Euro-Trash Girl]]."
'''Cracker''' is an American [[rock music|rock]] band formed in 1990 by lead singer [[David Lowery (musician)|David Lowery]] and guitarist [[Johnny Hickman]]. The band's first album ''[[Cracker (album)|Cracker]]'' was released in 1992 on [[Virgin Records]]; it included the single "[[Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)]]", which went to #1 on the U.S. [[Modern Rock Tracks|Modern Rock]] chart. The band's follow-up, the 1993 album ''[[Kerosene Hat]]'' included the hit songs "[[Low (Cracker song)|Low]]", "Get Off This", and "[[Euro-Trash Girl]]".<ref name="Larkin90" />


Lowery and Hickman formed the band in 1991, releasing the album ''[[Cracker (album)|Cracker]]'' the following year (which included singles "Happy Birthday to Me" and "Teen Angst") on [[Virgin Records]]. The band has been touring ever since, releasing 10 studio albums and several compilations, collaborations, solo projects and live albums.<ref>{{cite web|author=Graham Pugh |url=http://www.the-van.com/ |title=Camper Van Beethoven - Cracker - Magnetic - Pitch-a-Tent - Sparklehorse - FSK |publisher=The Van |date= |accessdate=2012-05-08}}</ref> The band's most recent album is ''[[Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey]]'', released on May 5, 2009, on 429/Savoy Records.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.429records.com/sites/429records/ |title=429 Records |publisher=429 Records |date= |accessdate=2011-01-02}}</ref> Cracker mix influences and sounds from [[Rock music|rock]], [[punk rock|punk]], [[alternative country]], [[psychedelia]], [[blues]] and [[folk music|folk]].
Cracker has released nine studio albums and several compilations, collaborations, solo projects and live albums.<ref>{{cite web|author=Graham Pugh |url=http://www.the-van.com/ |title=Camper Van Beethoven – Cracker – Magnetic – Pitch-a-Tent – Sparklehorse – FSK |publisher=The Van |access-date=May 8, 2012}}</ref> The band mix influences and sounds from [[rock music|rock]], [[punk rock|punk]], [[grunge]], [[psychedelic music|psychedelia]], [[country music|country]], [[blues]] and [[folk music|folk]].


==History==
==History==

===1990s===
===1990s===
Shortly after Lowery's former group [[Camper Van Beethoven]] disbanded in 1990, he began demoing material along with boyhood friend, guitarist Johnny Hickman. After moving from Redlands, California to Richmond, Virginia, Lowery and Hickman recorded a demo tape, later nicknamed ''Big Dirty Yellow Demos'' by the group's fans, which included early versions of songs that appeared on later albums. They eventually chose the name Cracker and teamed up with fellow Redlands bass guitarist [[Davey Faragher]]. A brief tour with Virginia drummer Greg Weatherford followed.
Shortly after Lowery's former group [[Camper Van Beethoven]] disbanded in 1990, he began demoing material along with boyhood friend, guitarist Johnny Hickman. After moving from Redlands, California to Richmond, Virginia, Lowery and Hickman recorded a demo tape, later nicknamed ''Big Dirty Yellow Demos'' by the group's fans, which included early versions of songs that appeared on later albums. They eventually chose the name Cracker and teamed up with fellow Redlands bass guitarist [[Davey Faragher]]. A brief tour with Virginia drummer Go Weatherford followed.


By 1991, the newly formed band had signed a recording contract with Virgin Records and enlisted the help of several drummers/percussionists ([[Jim Keltner]], Michael Urbano and Phil Jones), issuing its first album, ''[[Cracker (album)|Cracker]]'', in 1992. From the album came radio hit "[[Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)]]", which peaked at No.&nbsp;1 on [[Modern Rock Tracks]], and a second single entitled "Happy Birthday to Me."
By 1991, the newly formed band had signed a recording contract with Virgin Records and enlisted the help of several drummers/percussionists ([[Jim Keltner]], Michael Urbano and Phil Jones), issuing its first album, ''[[Cracker (album)|Cracker]]'', in 1992.<ref name="Larkin90">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music]]|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=2000|edition=First|isbn=978-0-7535-0427-7|page=101}}</ref> From the album came radio hit "[[Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)]]", which peaked at No.&nbsp;1 on [[Modern Rock Tracks]], and a second single entitled "Happy Birthday to Me." The album went on to sell more than 200,000 copies.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Puterbaugh|first1=Parke|title=Crackers with Attitudes|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/crackers-with-attitude-19940407|access-date=August 6, 2016|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=April 7, 1994}}</ref>


A year later, Cracker issued its best-selling album, ''[[Kerosene Hat]]''. The album included hit singles "Low" and "Get Off This," as well as a cover of the [[Grateful Dead]]'s "Loser." The album sold almost half a million copies that year and eventually almost reached platinum status.<ref name="The Great Rock Discography">{{cite book
A year later, Cracker issued its best-selling album, ''[[Kerosene Hat]]''.<ref name="Larkin90" /> The album included hit singles "[[Low (Cracker song)|Low]]" and "Get Off This" (both with official music videos directed by Carlos Grasso), as well as a cover of the [[Grateful Dead]]'s "Loser."<ref name="Larkin90" /> The album sold almost half a million copies that year and eventually almost reached platinum status.<ref name="The Great Rock Discography">{{cite book
| first= Martin C.
| first= Martin C.
| last= Strong
| last= Strong
Line 34: Line 66:
| location= Edinburgh
| location= Edinburgh
| page= 219
| page= 219
| isbn= 1-84195-017-3}}</ref> Urbano performed on ''Kerosene Hat'' and toured with Cracker before leaving the band, along with Faragher. After a short spell with [[Bruce Hughes]], Lowery and Hickman added [[Bob Rupe]], formerly of The Silos, as bass guitarist and Charlie Quintana (Bob Dylan, The JuJu Hounds) on drums. In 1993, Cracker contributed the song "[[Good Times Bad Times]]" to the ''[[Encomium (album)|Encomium]]'' tribute album to [[Led Zeppelin]] (which was recorded after a rendition of "[[When the Levee Breaks]]" had been deemed "too weird").
| isbn= 978-1-84195-017-4}}</ref> Urbano performed on ''Kerosene Hat'' and toured with Cracker before leaving the band, along with Faragher. After a short spell with [[Bruce Hughes]], Lowery and Hickman added [[Bob Rupe]], formerly of The Silos, as bass guitarist and Charlie Quintana (Bob Dylan, The JuJu Hounds) on drums. In 1993, Cracker contributed the song "[[Good Times Bad Times]]" to the ''[[Encomium: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin]]'' album. Initially, the band had recorded a rendition of "[[When the Levee Breaks]]" but it was deemed "too weird."


Three years later, ''[[The Golden Age (Cracker album)|The Golden Age]]'' was released, with "I Hate My Generation" as the lead single.<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/> However, the music scene was shifting away from guitar-driven alternative rock, and although critically acclaimed, the album sold only moderately. Following the long-term additions of drummer [[Frank Funaro]] and keyboard player Kenny Margolis, the band tried again in 1998 with ''[[Gentleman's Blues]]'', with "The Good Life" as the lead single. Although the album received only a lukewarm critical response, it solidified an ever-growing and devout following both in the United States and Europe who referred to themselves as "Crumbs".<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/>
Three years later, ''[[The Golden Age (Cracker album)|The Golden Age]]'' was released, with "I Hate My Generation" as the lead single.<ref name="The Great Rock Discography" /> However, the music scene was shifting away from guitar-driven alternative rock, and although critically acclaimed, the album sold only moderately. Following the long-term additions of drummer [[Frank Funaro]] and keyboard player Kenny Margolis, the band returned in 1998 with ''[[Gentleman's Blues]]'', with "The Good Life" as the lead single. Although the album received only a lukewarm critical response, it solidified an ever-growing and devout following both in the United States and Europe who referred to themselves as "Crumbs."<ref name="The Great Rock Discography" />


Perhaps the highlight of the 1990s was 1995 when the track "Whole Lotta Trouble" co-written by Johnny Hickman and Chris LeRoy was used in the Film ''[[Empire Records]]''. In this same year the song "Shake Some Action" was used in the teen romantic-comedy ''[[Clueless (film)|Clueless]]''
In 1995 the song "Whole Lotta Trouble," co-written by Hickman and Chris LeRoy, was used in the film ''[[Empire Records]]''. The same year, Cracker's cover of the [[Flamin' Groovies]] song, "[[Shake Some Action]]," was used in the teen romantic-comedy ''[[Clueless (film)|Clueless]]''.


Camper Van Beethoven unexpectedly re-formed in 1999 and released the critically acclaimed "New Roman Times." During this time, Hickman released a first solo recording, "Palmhenge", which received "Voices Choice" accolades in ''The Village Voice'' by the rock critic Robert Christgau and a positive review in ''Blender'' magazine. Since then, Lowery has performed in both bands.
Camper Van Beethoven unexpectedly re-formed in 1999, and in 2004 released the critically acclaimed ''[[New Roman Times]]''. During this time, Hickman released a first solo recording, ''Palmhenge'', which received "Voices Choice" accolades in ''[[The Village Voice]]'' by the rock critic [[Robert Christgau]] and a positive review in ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'' magazine. Since then, Lowery has performed in both Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven.


===2000s===
===2000s===
A compilation album called ''[[Garage D'Or]]'' was released in 2000, with one disc composed of greatest hits and three new songs, and another of out-takes, soundtrack contributions, demos and other obscurities. Rupe departed in January 2000 and was replaced by bass guitarist Brandy Wood. In 2002, the band released its next studio album, ''[[Forever (Cracker album)|Forever]]'' which, once again, was met with limited commercial and critical success.
A compilation album called ''[[Garage D'Or]]'' was released in 2000, with one disc composed of greatest hits and three new songs, and another of out-takes, soundtrack contributions, demos and other obscurities. Rupe departed in January 2000 and was replaced by bass guitarist Brandy Wood. In 2002, the band released its next studio album, ''[[Forever (Cracker album)|Forever]]'' which, once again, met with limited commercial success.


The group left Virgin in 2003 with the independent release ''Countrysides'', composed of eight [[country and western music|country and western]] covers and one new, original song. A collaboration with the [[Bluegrass music|bluegrass]] band [[Leftover Salmon]], ''[[Oh Cracker, Where Art Thou? (album)|Oh Cracker, Where Art Thou?]]'' (2003), contained bluegrass versions of many Lowery and Hickman compositions. In 2005, Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven started an annual three-night "Campout" at Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace in [[Pioneertown, California]], close to where Lowery and Hickman met, in which they and several other bands perform, including sets by Cracker and Camper band members performing their own music. Previous years' guests have included [[Roger Clyne]], [[John Doe (musician)|John Doe]], [[Neko Case]], [[Ike Reilly]], [[Ryan Bingham]], [[Vermillion Lies]], [[Jason Molina]] and Magnolia Electric Co, [[Built To Spill]], [[Brant Bjork]] and the Bros, [[Clem Snide]], [[Gram Rabbit]] and The [[Bellrays]].
The group left Virgin in 2003 with the independent release ''[[Countrysides (album)|Countrysides]]'', composed of eight [[country and western music|country and western]] covers and one new, original song. A collaboration with the [[Bluegrass music|bluegrass]] band [[Leftover Salmon]], ''[[Oh Cracker, Where Art Thou? (album)|Oh Cracker, Where Art Thou?]]'' (2003), contained bluegrass versions of many Lowery and Hickman compositions. In 2005, Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven started an annual three-night "Campout" at Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace in [[Pioneertown, California]], close to where Lowery and Hickman met, in which they and several other bands perform, including sets by Cracker and Camper band members performing their own music. Previous years' guests have included [[Roger Clyne]], [[John Doe (musician)|John Doe]], [[Neko Case]], [[Ike Reilly]], [[Ryan Bingham]], [[Vermillion Lies]], [[Jason Molina]] and Magnolia Electric Co, [[Built To Spill]], [[Brant Bjork]] and the Bros, [[Clem Snide]], [[Gram Rabbit]] and The [[Bellrays]].


With Camper Van Beethoven bass guitarist [[Victor Krummenacher]] replacing Wood, the band released the studio album ''[[Greenland (album)|Greenland]]'' on June 6, 2006, and continued to tour extensively. After the departures of Margolis and Krummenacher, the band's lineup stabilized in 2007 around Hickman, Lowery, Funaro and new bass guitarist Sal Maida, who had played with [[Roxy Music]].
With Camper Van Beethoven bass guitarist [[Victor Krummenacher]] replacing Wood, the band released the studio album ''[[Greenland (album)|Greenland]]'' on June 6, 2006, and continued to tour extensively. After the departures of Margolis and Krummenacher, the band's lineup stabilized in 2007 around Hickman, Lowery, Funaro and new bass guitarist Sal Maida, who had played with [[Roxy Music]].


Cracker released a new studio album entitled ''[[Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey]]'' to positive reviews on May 5, 2009. It was the band's first chart on the [[Billboard 200]] in more than a decade, after having sold more than 3,000 copies in a week. This was in part due to the [[Triple-A radio|Triple A]] chart success of the album's lead single, "Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out With Me," which was used in the television show ''[[Californication (TV series)|Californication]]''.
Cracker released a new studio album entitled ''[[Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey]]'' to positive reviews on May 5, 2009. It was the band's first chart on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] in more than a decade, after having sold more than 3,000 copies in a week. This was in part due to the [[Triple-A radio|Triple A]] chart success of the album's lead single, "Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out With Me," which was used in the television show ''[[Californication (TV series)|Californication]]''.


===2010s===
===2010s===
In January 2011, Lowery released his first solo album, ''The Palace Guards'', on [[429 Records]]. In March, Cracker announced Campout East, the east coast counterpart to their Campout festival, to be held in [[Crozet, Virginia]]. The first Campout East was held at Misty Mountain Camp Resort and was co-hosted by [[Sons of Bill]]. The second Campout East took place in [[Buena Vista, Virginia]] at Glen Maury Park on June 1–2, 2012.
In January 2011, Lowery released his first solo album, ''The Palace Guards'', on [[429 Records]]. In March, Cracker announced Campout East, the east coast counterpart to their Campout festival, to be held in [[Crozet, Virginia]]. The first Campout East was held at Misty Mountain Camp Resort and was co-hosted by [[Sons of Bill]]. The second Campout East took place in [[Buena Vista, Virginia]] at Glen Maury Park on June 1–2, 2012.


Johnny Hickman released his second solo album, "Tilting," in July 2012.
Johnny Hickman released a second solo album, ''Tilting'', in July 2012, while Cracker's song "Low" appeared in the 2012 film ''[[The Perks of Being a Wallflower (film)|The Perks of Being a Wallflower]]'' and again in ''[[The Wolverine (film)|The Wolverine]]'' and an episode of ''[[Hindsight (TV series)|Hindsight]]''.


Drummer Frank Funaro was unable to tour due to an injury to his arm that sidelined him for all of 2014.
Cracker's Facebook page mentioned on October 10, 2011, that the band would be working on a new album in 2012. As of April 2013, however, not much progress has been made.


In July 2014, a revival of the ''Kerosene Hat'' era lineup toured China. Lowery and Hickman were joined on the tour by original bassist Davey Faragher and former drummer Michael Urbano. Faragher and Urbano also joined the band in recording roughly half of the double album ''[[Berkeley to Bakersfield]]''. The other half was recorded with an entirely new lineup that also became the current touring lineup. The album was released on December 9, 2014, with "Waited My Whole Life" released as a single.
The band's song "Low" appeared in the 2012 film ''[[The Perks of Being a Wallflower (film)|The Perks of Being a Wallflower]]'' and again in ''[[The Wolverine (film)|The Wolverine]]'' one year later.


In December 2015, Lowery (along with [[Camper Van Beethoven]]) filed a class action lawsuit against music streaming service [[Spotify]], alleging that Spotify knowingly and unlawfully reproduced and distributed copyrighted recordings without obtaining proper music licenses.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title = Spotify Hit With $150 Million Class Action Over Unpaid Royalties {{!}} Billboard|url = http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6828092/spotify-class-action-royalties-david-lowery-cracker-150-million|magazine = Billboard|access-date = February 8, 2016}}</ref>
Drummer Frank Funaro was unable to tour due to an injuary to his arm that sidelined him for all of 2014. In July 2014, a revival of the Kerosene Hat era lineup toured China. David Lowery and Johnny Hickman were joined on the tour by original bassist Davey Faragher and former drummer Michael Urbano.


== Band members ==
== Band members ==

=== Current members ===
=== Current members ===
* [[David Lowery (musician)|David Lowery]] – vocals, guitar (1990–present)
* [[David Lowery (musician)|David Lowery]] – vocals, guitar (1990–present)
* [[Johnny Hickman]] – lead guitar, vocals (1990–present)
* [[Johnny Hickman]] – lead guitar, vocals (1990–present)
* [[Frank Funaro]] – drums (1996–present)
* Bryan Howard – bass guitar (2014–present)
* Carlton "Coco" Owens – drums (2014–present)
* Sal Maida – bass guitar (2006–present)


=== Former members ===
=== Former members ===
* [[Davey Faragher]] – bass guitar, vocals (1990–1993, 2014)
* [[Davey Faragher]] – bass guitar, vocals (1990–1993, 2014)
* Phil Jones – drums, percussion (1990–1992 – session musician)
* [[Phil Jones (Musician)|Phil Jones]] – drums, percussion (1990–1992 – session)
* Go Weatherford – drums (1990–1991 – touring)
* [[Michael Urbano]] – drums (1992–1993, 2014)
* [[Michael Urbano]] – drums (1992–1993, 2014)
* [[Bruce Hughes]] – bass guitar (1993–1994)
* Joey Peters – drums (1992 – session)
* Bruce Hughes – bass guitar (1993–1994)
* [[David Lovering]] – drums (1993–1994)
* [[David Lovering]] – drums (1993–1994)
* Joey Peters – drums (1993)
* [[Johnny Hott]] – drums (1994–1995)
* [[Johnny Hott]] – drums (1994–1995)
* [[Bob Rupe]] – bass guitar, vocals (1994–2000)
* [[Bob Rupe]] – bass guitar, vocals (1994–2000)
* [[Charlie Quintana]] – drums (1995–1996)
* [[Charlie Quintana]] – drums (1995–1996) (d. 2018)
* [[Frank Funaro]] – drums (1996–2014)
* Kenny Margolis – keyboards, accordion (1996–2007)
* Kenny Margolis – keyboards, accordion (1996–2007)
* Brandy Wood – bass guitar, vocals (2000–2004)
* Brandy Wood – bass guitar, vocals (2000–2004)
* [[Victor Krummenacher]] – bass guitar, vocals (2004–2006)
* [[Victor Krummenacher]] – bass guitar, vocals (2004–2006)
* Sal Maida – bass guitar (2006–2014)
* [[Thayer Sarrano]] – keyboards, vocals (2014–2015)
* Matt "Pistol" Stoessel – pedal steel guitar (2014–2023)
* Paul McHugh – keyboards, organ (2018–2022)


==Timeline==
===Timeline===
<timeline>
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bar:Funaro from:01/01/1996 till:end color:drums
bar:Funaro from:01/07/1996 till:01/02/2014 color:drums
bar:Margolis from:01/01/1996 till:01/01/2007 color:keys
bar:Owens from:01/06/2014 till:end color:drums
bar:Margolis from:01/07/1996 till:01/01/2007 color:keys
bar:Margolis from:01/07/1996 till:01/01/2007 color:accord width:3
bar:Sarrano from:01/06/2014 till:31/12/2015 color:keys
bar:Sarrano from:01/06/2014 till:31/12/2015 color:vocals width:3
bar:Pistol from:01/06/2014 till:03/02/2023 color:steel
bar:McHugh from:01/06/2018 till:08/10/2022 color:keys


LineData =
LineData =


at:01/01/1992 color:black layer:back
at:10/03/1992 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/1993 color:black layer:back
at:24/08/1993 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/1994 color:black layer:back
at:02/04/1996 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/1996 color:black layer:back
at:25/08/1998 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/1998 color:black layer:back
at:29/01/2002 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/2002 color:black layer:back
at:07/10/2003 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/2003 color:black layer:back
at:06/06/2006 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/2006 color:black layer:back
at:05/05/2009 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/2009 color:black layer:back
at:09/12/2014 color:black layer:back
}}

</timeline>
</div>


==Discography==
==Discography==
;Studio albums
===Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
* ''[[Cracker (album)|Cracker]]'' (1992)
|+ List of albums, with selected chart positions
* ''[[Kerosene Hat]]'' (1993)
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;" | Title
* ''[[Bob's Car]]'' (1994&nbsp;– Fan club exclusive release)
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;" | Album details
* ''[[The Golden Age (Cracker album)|The Golden Age]]'' (1996)
! scope="col" colspan="3" | Peak chart<br />positions
* ''[[Gentleman's Blues]]'' (1998)
|-
* ''[[Forever (Cracker album)|Forever]]'' (2002)
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:85%" | <small>[[Billboard 200|US]]</small><br><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Cracker Chart History – Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/cracker/chart-history/tlp/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=March 2, 2019}}</ref>
* ''[[Countrysides]]'' (2003)
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:85%" | <small> [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]</small><br><ref name="ARIA history pages">{{cite web|url= https://imgur.com/a/cG4hrB7| title=Cracker ARIA Chart History complete to 2024|publisher=ARIA|via=Imgur.com|access-date= July 26, 2024}} N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.</ref>
* ''[[Greenland (album)|Greenland]]'' (2006)
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:85%" | <small>[[UK Albums Chart|UK]]</small><br><ref name="UK charts">{{cite web |title=CRACKER: Full Official Chart History – Official Charts Company |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/27628/cracker/ |website=[[Official Charts Company]] |access-date=December 4, 2021}}</ref>
* ''[[Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey]]'' (2009)
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Cracker (album)|Cracker]]''
|
* Released 1992
* Label: Virgin
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| 178
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Kerosene Hat]]''
|
* Released 1993
* Label: Virgin
| style="text-align:center;"| 59
| style="text-align:center;"| 123
| style="text-align:center;"| 44
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[The Golden Age (Cracker album)|The Golden Age]]''
|
* Released 1996
* Label: Virgin
| style="text-align:center;"| 63
| style="text-align:center;"| 136
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Gentleman's Blues]]''
|
* Released 1998
* Label: Virgin
| style="text-align:center;"| 182
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Forever (Cracker album)|Forever]]''
|
* Released 2002
* Label: Virgin
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Countrysides (album)|Countrysides]]''
|
* Released 2003
* Label: BMG
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Greenland (album)|Greenland]]''
|
* Released 2006
* Label: Cooking Vinyl
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey]]''
|
* Released 2009
* Label: 429 Records
| style="text-align:center;"| 189
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Berkeley to Bakersfield]]''
|
* Released 2014
* Label: 429 Records
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|-
| colspan="25" style="text-align:center; font-size:8pt;"| "—" denotes release did not chart or become certified.
|}


;Compilation and live albums
===Compilations, live albums, and EPs===
{|class="wikitable"
* ''[[Garage D'Or]]'' (2000)
|-
* ''[[Hello, Cleveland! Live From The Metro]]'' (2002)
! Year
* ''[[O' Cracker Where Art Thou?]]'' (2003)
! Title
* ''Berlin (Live In Berlin December 2006)'' (2008)
! ''Type''

! Label
;Singles and EPs
|-
* "[[Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)]]" (1992)
* "Tucson" (1993)
| 1993
| ''Tucson''
* "[[Low (Cracker song)|Low]]" (1993)
| style="text-align:center;"| EP
* "Get Off This" (1994)
| style="text-align:center;"| Virgin
* "[[Euro-Trash Girl]]" (1994)
|-
* "I Hate My Generation" (1996)
| 1995
* "Nothing To Believe In" (1996)
| ''Bob's Car''
* "The Good Life" (1998)
| style="text-align:center;"| Compilation
* "The World Is Mine" (1998)
| style="text-align:center;"| Fan Club Release
* "Shine" (2002)
|-
* "Merry Christmas, Emily" (2002)
| 2000
* "Something You Ain't Got" (2006)
| ''[[Garage D'Or]]''
* "Gimme One More Chance" (2006)
| style="text-align:center;"| Compilation
* "Everybody Gets One For Free" (2006)
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| Virgin
* "Turn On Tune In Drop Out With Me" (2009)
|-
| 2002
| ''Hello, Cleveland! Live from the Metro''
| style="text-align:center;"| Live
|-
| 2003
| ''[[O' Cracker Where Art Thou?]]''
| style="text-align:center;"| Live
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| Pitch-a-tent
|-
| 2005
| ''We Don't Suck Live: Live at Wavefest''
| style="text-align:center;"| Live
|-
| 2006
| ''[[Greatest Hits Redux]]''
| style="text-align:center;"| Compilation
| style="text-align:center;"| Cooking Vinyl
|-
| 2007
| ''Berlin (Live in Berlin, December 2006)''
| style="text-align:center;"| Live
| style="text-align:center;"| Pitch-a-tent
|-
| 2010
| ''Live at the Rockpalast Crossroads-Festival''
| style="text-align:center;"| Live
| style="text-align:center;"| Blue Rose Records
|-
| 2024
| ''Alternative History: A Cracker Retrospective''
| style="text-align:center;"| Compilation
| style="text-align:center;"| Cooking Vinyl
|-
|}


===Singles===
;Charting songs
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
!rowspan="2"| Year
!rowspan="2"| Year
!rowspan="2"| Title
!rowspan="2"| Title
!colspan="4"| Chart positions
!colspan="5"| Chart positions
!rowspan="2"| Album
!rowspan="2"| Album
|-
|-
!width="30"|<small>[[Billboard Hot 100|US]]</small><br><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Cracker Chart History – Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/cracker/chart-history/hsi/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=March 2, 2019}}</ref>
!<small>[[Billboard Hot 100|U.S. Hot 100]]</small>
!width="30"|<small>[[Modern Rock Tracks|US<br>Alt.]]</small><br><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Cracker Chart History – U.S. Modern Rock |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/cracker/chart-history/mrt/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=March 2, 2019}}</ref>
!<small>[[Modern Rock Tracks|U.S. Modern Rock]]</small>
!width="30"|<small>[[Mainstream Rock Tracks|US<br>Main.]]</small><br><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Cracker Chart History – Mainstream Rock Songs |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/cracker/chart-history/rtt/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=March 2, 2019}}</ref>
!<small>[[Mainstream Rock Tracks|U.S. Mainstream Rock]]</small>
!<small>[[UK Singles Chart]]<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book
!width="30"| <small>[[ARIA Charts|AUS]]</small><br><ref name="ARIA history pages"/>
!width="30"|<small>[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]</small><br><ref name="UK charts"/>
| first= David
| last= Roberts
| year= 2006
| title= British Hit Singles & Albums
| edition= 19th
| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited
| location= London
| isbn= 1-904994-10-5
| page= 124}}</ref></small>
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"| 1992
|rowspan="2"| 1992
| "Happy Birthday to Me"
| style="text-align:center;"| -
| style="text-align:center;"| 13
| style="text-align:center;"| -
| style="text-align:center;"| -
|rowspan="2"| ''[[Cracker (album)|Cracker]]''
|-
| "[[Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)]]"
| "[[Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)]]"
| style="text-align:center;"| -
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| 1
| style="text-align:center;"| 1
| style="text-align:center;"| 27
| style="text-align:center;"| 27
| style="text-align:center;"| -
| style="text-align:center;"| 148
| style="text-align:center;"| 150
|rowspan="2"| ''[[Cracker (album)|Cracker]]''
|-
| "Happy Birthday to Me"
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| 13
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| 157
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|-
|-
| 1993
| 1993
Line 236: Line 397:
| style="text-align:center;"| 3
| style="text-align:center;"| 3
| style="text-align:center;"| 5
| style="text-align:center;"| 5
| style="text-align:center;"| 43
| style="text-align:center;"| 63
| style="text-align:center;"| 40
|rowspan="3"| ''[[Kerosene Hat]]''
|rowspan="3"| ''[[Kerosene Hat]]''
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"| 1994
|rowspan="2"| 1994
| "[[Euro-Trash Girl]]"
| style="text-align:center;"| -
| style="text-align:center;"| 25
| style="text-align:center;"| -
| style="text-align:center;"| -
|-
| "Get Off This"
| "Get Off This"
| style="text-align:center;"| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Get Off This" did not chart on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, but peaked at no. 2 on the [[Bubbling Under Hot 100]] chart.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Eldridge Industries]] |work=Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/bubbling-under-hot-100-singles/1994-09-10/ |title=Bubbling Under Hot 100 September 10, 1994}}</ref>}}
| style="text-align:center;"| -
| style="text-align:center;"| 6
| style="text-align:center;"| 6
| style="text-align:center;"| 18
| style="text-align:center;"| 18
| style="text-align:center;"| 158
| style="text-align:center;"| 41
| style="text-align:center;"| 41
|-
| "[[Euro-Trash Girl]]"
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| 25
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| 162
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|-
|-
|rowspan="3"| 1996
|rowspan="3"| 1996
| "I Hate My Generation"
| "I Hate My Generation"
| style="text-align:center;"| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"I Hate My Generation" did not enter the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, but peaked at number 67 on the [[Hot 100 Airplay]] chart.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.musicvf.com/Cracker.art | title=Cracker Top Songs | work=Musicvf | access-date=May 1, 2021}}</ref>}}
| style="text-align:center;"| -
| style="text-align:center;"| 13
| style="text-align:center;"| 13
| style="text-align:center;"| 24
| style="text-align:center;"| 24
| style="text-align:center;"| -
| style="text-align:center;"| 122
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|rowspan="3"| ''The Golden Age''
|rowspan="3"| ''[[The Golden Age (Cracker album)|The Golden Age]]''
|-
|-
| "Nothing to Believe In"
| "Nothing to Believe In"
| style="text-align:center;"| -
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| 32
| style="text-align:center;"| 32
| style="text-align:center;"| 40
| style="text-align:center;"| 40
| style="text-align:center;"| -
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|-
|-
| "Sweet Thistle Pie"
| "Sweet Thistle Pie"
| style="text-align:center;"| -
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| -
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| 33
| style="text-align:center;"| 33
| style="text-align:center;"| -
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|-
|rowspan="2"| 1998
| "The Good Life"
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|rowspan="2"| ''[[Gentleman's Blues]]''
|-
| "The World Is Mine"
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2002
| "Shine"
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|rowspan="2"| ''[[Forever (Cracker album)|Forever]]''
|-
| "Merry Christmas, Emily"
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2006
| "Something You Ain't Got"
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|rowspan="3"| ''[[Greenland (album)|Greenland]]''
|-
| "Gimme One More Chance"
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|-
| "Everybody Gets One for Free"
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|-
|rowspan="1"| 2009
| "Turn On Tune In Drop Out with Me"
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|rowspan="1"| ''[[Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey]]''
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2014
| "Waited My Whole Life"
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|rowspan="2"| ''[[Berkeley to Bakersfield]]''
|-
| "Almond Grove"
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
| style="text-align:center;"| —
|-
|}
|}


;Various artist compilations
;Other compilations
* ''The Virgin Years'' (1995) with [[Camper Van Beethoven]]
* ''The Virgin Years'' (1995) with [[Camper Van Beethoven]]
* ''Get On with It: The Best of Cracker'' (2006) Virgin Records greatest hits collection (Not authorized by the band<ref>{{cite web| url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r819992|pure_url=yes}}| title=Allmusic page for Get On With It: The Best of Cracker}} [[AllMusic]]</ref>)
* ''[[Garage D'Or]]'' (2000) 2 disc Greatest Hits Album and oddities collection
* ''Hello, Cleveland! Live at the Metro'' (2002)
* ''Get On With It: The Best of Cracker'' (2006) Virgin Records greatest hits collection (Not authorized by the band<ref>{{cite web| url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r819992|pure_url=yes}}| title=Allmusic page for Get On With It: The Best of Cracker}}</ref>)
* ''[[Greatest Hits Redux]]'' (2006) Band authorized re-recordings of major hits


;Tribute albums
;Tribute albums
* ''[[If I Were a Carpenter (tribute album)|If I Were A Carpenter]]'' (1994)&nbsp;– "[[Rainy Days and Mondays]]"
* ''[[If I Were a Carpenter (tribute album)|If I Were a Carpenter]]'' (1994)&nbsp;– "[[Rainy Days and Mondays]]"
* ''[[Encomium (album)|Encomium: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin]]'' (1995)&nbsp;– "[[Good Times Bad Times]]"
* ''[[Encomium (album)|Encomium: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin]]'' (1995)&nbsp;– "[[Good Times Bad Times]]"
* ''Eyesore: A Stab At The Residents'' (1996)&nbsp;– "Blue Rosebuds"
* ''Eyesore: A Stab at the Residents'' (1996)&nbsp;– "Blue Rosebuds"
* ''[[Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation]]'' (1996)&nbsp;– "[[Withering]]"
* ''[[Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation]]'' (1996)&nbsp;– "Withering"
* ''[[Burning London: The Clash Tribute]]'' (1999)&nbsp;– "[[White Riot]]"
* ''[[Burning London: The Clash Tribute]]'' (1999)&nbsp;– "[[White Riot]]"
* ''This Is Where I Belong: The Songs of Ray Davies & The Kinks'' (2002)&nbsp;– "[[Victoria (song)|Victoria]]"
* ''[[This Is Where I Belong - The Songs of Ray Davies & The Kinks]]'' (2002)&nbsp;– "[[Victoria (The Kinks song)|Victoria]]"

==Notes==
{{notelist-ua}}


==References==
==References==
Line 292: Line 540:


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[http://www.crackersoul.com/ Official Website]
*{{Official website}}
*[http://300songs.com/ David Lowery's "300 Songs" Blog]
*{{AllMusic}}
*[http://www.johnnyhickman.com/RoadBlog// Johnny Hickman's "Road" Blog]
*{{Discogs artist}}
*[http://www.myspace.com/crackerhatesmyspace myspace.com/crackerhatesmyspace]
*[http://www.archive.org/details/Cracker Live Music Archive]
* [http://www.archive.org/details/Cracker Audio recordings at the Live Music Archive]
*{{MusicBrainz artist}}
*[http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/multiarticlesub.aspx?csid1=134&csid2=946&fid1=39558 Cracker interview] July 2009

*[http://www.livedaily.com/news/12236.html Live Daily: interview]
{{Cracker|state=expanded}}
*[http://www.popgurls.com/article_show.php3?id=602 Pop Gurls: interview]
{{Authority control}}
*[http://www.nyrock.com/interviews/cracker_int.htm NY Rock: interview]
{{Cracker}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Cracker}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cracker}}
[[Category:Alternative rock groups from California]]
[[Category:Alternative rock groups from Virginia]]
[[Category:Jangle pop groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1990]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1990]]
[[Category:Buffyverse artists]]
[[Category:1990 establishments in Virginia]]
[[Category:Virgin Records artists]]
[[(NOTE: This is different than The Cracker Brothers, members: Scott Taylor, Eric Larsen of San Jose CA.)]]
[[Category:Cooking Vinyl artists]]
[[Category:429 Records artists]]

Latest revision as of 05:04, 6 January 2025

For the earlier American band, see Kracker.

Cracker
Cracker performing at Jones Beach Theater in 2012
Cracker performing at Jones Beach Theater in 2012
Background information
OriginRichmond, Virginia, U.S.
Genres
Years active1990–present
LabelsVirgin, Cooking Vinyl, Savoy / 429 Records
Members
Past members
Websitecrackersoul.com

Cracker is an American rock band formed in 1990 by lead singer David Lowery and guitarist Johnny Hickman. The band's first album Cracker was released in 1992 on Virgin Records; it included the single "Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)", which went to #1 on the U.S. Modern Rock chart. The band's follow-up, the 1993 album Kerosene Hat included the hit songs "Low", "Get Off This", and "Euro-Trash Girl".[1]

Cracker has released nine studio albums and several compilations, collaborations, solo projects and live albums.[2] The band mix influences and sounds from rock, punk, grunge, psychedelia, country, blues and folk.

History

[edit]

1990s

[edit]

Shortly after Lowery's former group Camper Van Beethoven disbanded in 1990, he began demoing material along with boyhood friend, guitarist Johnny Hickman. After moving from Redlands, California to Richmond, Virginia, Lowery and Hickman recorded a demo tape, later nicknamed Big Dirty Yellow Demos by the group's fans, which included early versions of songs that appeared on later albums. They eventually chose the name Cracker and teamed up with fellow Redlands bass guitarist Davey Faragher. A brief tour with Virginia drummer Go Weatherford followed.

By 1991, the newly formed band had signed a recording contract with Virgin Records and enlisted the help of several drummers/percussionists (Jim Keltner, Michael Urbano and Phil Jones), issuing its first album, Cracker, in 1992.[1] From the album came radio hit "Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)", which peaked at No. 1 on Modern Rock Tracks, and a second single entitled "Happy Birthday to Me." The album went on to sell more than 200,000 copies.[3]

A year later, Cracker issued its best-selling album, Kerosene Hat.[1] The album included hit singles "Low" and "Get Off This" (both with official music videos directed by Carlos Grasso), as well as a cover of the Grateful Dead's "Loser."[1] The album sold almost half a million copies that year and eventually almost reached platinum status.[4] Urbano performed on Kerosene Hat and toured with Cracker before leaving the band, along with Faragher. After a short spell with Bruce Hughes, Lowery and Hickman added Bob Rupe, formerly of The Silos, as bass guitarist and Charlie Quintana (Bob Dylan, The JuJu Hounds) on drums. In 1993, Cracker contributed the song "Good Times Bad Times" to the Encomium: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin album. Initially, the band had recorded a rendition of "When the Levee Breaks" but it was deemed "too weird."

Three years later, The Golden Age was released, with "I Hate My Generation" as the lead single.[4] However, the music scene was shifting away from guitar-driven alternative rock, and although critically acclaimed, the album sold only moderately. Following the long-term additions of drummer Frank Funaro and keyboard player Kenny Margolis, the band returned in 1998 with Gentleman's Blues, with "The Good Life" as the lead single. Although the album received only a lukewarm critical response, it solidified an ever-growing and devout following both in the United States and Europe who referred to themselves as "Crumbs."[4]

In 1995 the song "Whole Lotta Trouble," co-written by Hickman and Chris LeRoy, was used in the film Empire Records. The same year, Cracker's cover of the Flamin' Groovies song, "Shake Some Action," was used in the teen romantic-comedy Clueless.

Camper Van Beethoven unexpectedly re-formed in 1999, and in 2004 released the critically acclaimed New Roman Times. During this time, Hickman released a first solo recording, Palmhenge, which received "Voices Choice" accolades in The Village Voice by the rock critic Robert Christgau and a positive review in Blender magazine. Since then, Lowery has performed in both Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven.

2000s

[edit]

A compilation album called Garage D'Or was released in 2000, with one disc composed of greatest hits and three new songs, and another of out-takes, soundtrack contributions, demos and other obscurities. Rupe departed in January 2000 and was replaced by bass guitarist Brandy Wood. In 2002, the band released its next studio album, Forever which, once again, met with limited commercial success.

The group left Virgin in 2003 with the independent release Countrysides, composed of eight country and western covers and one new, original song. A collaboration with the bluegrass band Leftover Salmon, Oh Cracker, Where Art Thou? (2003), contained bluegrass versions of many Lowery and Hickman compositions. In 2005, Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven started an annual three-night "Campout" at Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace in Pioneertown, California, close to where Lowery and Hickman met, in which they and several other bands perform, including sets by Cracker and Camper band members performing their own music. Previous years' guests have included Roger Clyne, John Doe, Neko Case, Ike Reilly, Ryan Bingham, Vermillion Lies, Jason Molina and Magnolia Electric Co, Built To Spill, Brant Bjork and the Bros, Clem Snide, Gram Rabbit and The Bellrays.

With Camper Van Beethoven bass guitarist Victor Krummenacher replacing Wood, the band released the studio album Greenland on June 6, 2006, and continued to tour extensively. After the departures of Margolis and Krummenacher, the band's lineup stabilized in 2007 around Hickman, Lowery, Funaro and new bass guitarist Sal Maida, who had played with Roxy Music.

Cracker released a new studio album entitled Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey to positive reviews on May 5, 2009. It was the band's first chart on the Billboard 200 in more than a decade, after having sold more than 3,000 copies in a week. This was in part due to the Triple A chart success of the album's lead single, "Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out With Me," which was used in the television show Californication.

2010s

[edit]

In January 2011, Lowery released his first solo album, The Palace Guards, on 429 Records. In March, Cracker announced Campout East, the east coast counterpart to their Campout festival, to be held in Crozet, Virginia. The first Campout East was held at Misty Mountain Camp Resort and was co-hosted by Sons of Bill. The second Campout East took place in Buena Vista, Virginia at Glen Maury Park on June 1–2, 2012.

Johnny Hickman released a second solo album, Tilting, in July 2012, while Cracker's song "Low" appeared in the 2012 film The Perks of Being a Wallflower and again in The Wolverine and an episode of Hindsight.

Drummer Frank Funaro was unable to tour due to an injury to his arm that sidelined him for all of 2014.

In July 2014, a revival of the Kerosene Hat era lineup toured China. Lowery and Hickman were joined on the tour by original bassist Davey Faragher and former drummer Michael Urbano. Faragher and Urbano also joined the band in recording roughly half of the double album Berkeley to Bakersfield. The other half was recorded with an entirely new lineup that also became the current touring lineup. The album was released on December 9, 2014, with "Waited My Whole Life" released as a single.

In December 2015, Lowery (along with Camper Van Beethoven) filed a class action lawsuit against music streaming service Spotify, alleging that Spotify knowingly and unlawfully reproduced and distributed copyrighted recordings without obtaining proper music licenses.[5]

Band members

[edit]

Current members

[edit]
  • David Lowery – vocals, guitar (1990–present)
  • Johnny Hickman – lead guitar, vocals (1990–present)
  • Bryan Howard – bass guitar (2014–present)
  • Carlton "Coco" Owens – drums (2014–present)

Former members

[edit]
  • Davey Faragher – bass guitar, vocals (1990–1993, 2014)
  • Phil Jones – drums, percussion (1990–1992 – session)
  • Go Weatherford – drums (1990–1991 – touring)
  • Michael Urbano – drums (1992–1993, 2014)
  • Joey Peters – drums (1992 – session)
  • Bruce Hughes – bass guitar (1993–1994)
  • David Lovering – drums (1993–1994)
  • Johnny Hott – drums (1994–1995)
  • Bob Rupe – bass guitar, vocals (1994–2000)
  • Charlie Quintana – drums (1995–1996) (d. 2018)
  • Frank Funaro – drums (1996–2014)
  • Kenny Margolis – keyboards, accordion (1996–2007)
  • Brandy Wood – bass guitar, vocals (2000–2004)
  • Victor Krummenacher – bass guitar, vocals (2004–2006)
  • Sal Maida – bass guitar (2006–2014)
  • Thayer Sarrano – keyboards, vocals (2014–2015)
  • Matt "Pistol" Stoessel – pedal steel guitar (2014–2023)
  • Paul McHugh – keyboards, organ (2018–2022)

Timeline

[edit]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart
positions
US
[6] 		AUS
[7] 		UK
[8]
Cracker
  • Released 1992
  • Label: Virgin
 — 178 —
Kerosene Hat
  • Released 1993
  • Label: Virgin
 59 123 44
The Golden Age
  • Released 1996
  • Label: Virgin
 63 136 —
Gentleman's Blues
  • Released 1998
  • Label: Virgin
 182 — —
Forever
  • Released 2002
  • Label: Virgin
 — — —
Countrysides
  • Released 2003
  • Label: BMG
 — — —
Greenland
  • Released 2006
  • Label: Cooking Vinyl
 — — —
Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey
  • Released 2009
  • Label: 429 Records
 189 — —
Berkeley to Bakersfield
  • Released 2014
  • Label: 429 Records
 — — —
"—" denotes release did not chart or become certified.

Compilations, live albums, and EPs

[edit]
Year Title Type Label
1993 Tucson EP Virgin
1995 Bob's Car Compilation Fan Club Release
2000 Garage D'Or Compilation Virgin
2002 Hello, Cleveland! Live from the Metro Live
2003 O' Cracker Where Art Thou? Live Pitch-a-tent
2005 We Don't Suck Live: Live at Wavefest Live
2006 Greatest Hits Redux Compilation Cooking Vinyl
2007 Berlin (Live in Berlin, December 2006) Live Pitch-a-tent
2010 Live at the Rockpalast Crossroads-Festival Live Blue Rose Records
2024 Alternative History: A Cracker Retrospective Compilation Cooking Vinyl

Singles

[edit]
Year Title Chart positions Album
US
[9] 		US
Alt.
[10] 		US
Main.
[11] 		AUS
[7] 		UK
[8]
1992 "Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)" — 1 27 148 150 Cracker
"Happy Birthday to Me" — 13 — 157 —
1993 "Low" 64 3 5 63 40 Kerosene Hat
1994 "Get Off This" —[A] 6 18 158 41
"Euro-Trash Girl" — 25 — 162 —
1996 "I Hate My Generation" —[B] 13 24 122 — The Golden Age
"Nothing to Believe In" — 32 40 — —
"Sweet Thistle Pie" — — 33 — —
1998 "The Good Life" — — — — — Gentleman's Blues
"The World Is Mine" — — — — —
2002 "Shine" — — — — — Forever
"Merry Christmas, Emily" — — — — —
2006 "Something You Ain't Got" — — — — — Greenland
"Gimme One More Chance" — — — — —
"Everybody Gets One for Free" — — — — —
2009 "Turn On Tune In Drop Out with Me" — — — — — Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey
2014 "Waited My Whole Life" — — — — — Berkeley to Bakersfield
"Almond Grove" — — — — —
Other compilations
  • The Virgin Years (1995) with Camper Van Beethoven
  • Get On with It: The Best of Cracker (2006) Virgin Records greatest hits collection (Not authorized by the band[14])
Tribute albums

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ "Get Off This" did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at no. 2 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[12]
  2. ^ "I Hate My Generation" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 67 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart.[13]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Colin Larkin, ed. (2000). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 101. ISBN 978-0-7535-0427-7.
  2. ^ Graham Pugh. "Camper Van Beethoven – Cracker – Magnetic – Pitch-a-Tent – Sparklehorse – FSK". The Van. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
  3. ^ Puterbaugh, Parke (April 7, 1994). "Crackers with Attitudes". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  4. ^ a b c Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. p. 219. ISBN 978-1-84195-017-4.
  5. ^ "Spotify Hit With $150 Million Class Action Over Unpaid Royalties | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  6. ^ "Cracker Chart History – Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  7. ^ a b "Cracker ARIA Chart History complete to 2024". ARIA. Retrieved July 26, 2024 – via Imgur.com. N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.
  8. ^ a b "CRACKER: Full Official Chart History – Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  9. ^ "Cracker Chart History – Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  10. ^ "Cracker Chart History – U.S. Modern Rock". Billboard. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  11. ^ "Cracker Chart History – Mainstream Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  12. ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100 September 10, 1994". Billboard. Eldridge Industries.
  13. ^ "Cracker Top Songs". Musicvf. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  14. ^ "Allmusic page for Get On With It: The Best of Cracker". AllMusic
[edit]
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