Cracker
An American alternative rock band, formed in 1990 in Redlands, California, by singer David Lowery and guitarist Johnny Hickman. Lowery had previously been the lead singer of the band Camper Van Beethoven.

He and Hickman settled in Richmond, Virginia, where they recorded a demo tape—later dubbed the "Big Dirty Yellow Demos" by fans. It was only then that they gave their musical project the name Cracker.

They brought in additional musicians, including Davey Faragher (bass) and Greg Weatherford (drums). Weatherford did not stay long; by the time recording began for their self-titled debut album, *Cracker* (Virgin, 1992), he was no longer with the group. Consequently, the band enlisted drummers such as Rick Jaeger and Jim Keltner, alongside other guest musicians, for the studio sessions.

The album sold over 200,000 copies and featured two minor hit singles. By the time they recorded their second album, *Kerosene Hat* (Virgin, 1993), the band had secured a permanent drummer in Michael Urbano.

That album sold over half a million copies and reached number 59 on the Billboard 200 chart. Following this commercial success, the label released a compilation titled *The Virgin Years* (Virgin, 1994), which included songs from both Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker.

"Bob's Car" (Virgin, 1995) was released primarily for fans. For the recording of their third album, "The Golden Age" (Virgin, 1996), Lowery and Hickman brought two new members into the band—Bob Rupe (electric bass, synth, vocals) and Charlie Quintana (drums)—after Faragher and Urbano threw in the towel.

The album, which featured contributions from many additional musicians, climbed to number 63 on the Billboard 200. Its successor, "Gentleman's Blues" (Virgin, 1998), only managed to reach number 182. By this time, Frank Funaro had joined as the new drummer. It was their final album for Virgin.

As a parting gesture, the label released a compilation titled "Garage D'Or" (Virgin, 2000). A double-CD version included live songs, demo tracks, and outtakes on the second disc. Meanwhile, Camper Van Beethoven had unexpectedly reunited in 1999, keeping Lowery occupied there for the time being.

Nevertheless, a new Cracker studio album, "Forever" (Back Porch, 2001), was released, featuring a lineup of David Lowery (vocals, guitar, keyboards, electric bass), Johnny Hickman (guitar, vocals, percussion), Kenny Margolis (keyboards, accordion, vocals), Brandy Wood (electric bass, vocals), and Frank Funaro (drums, percussion, vocals).

That same year, the live album "Flash Your Sirens" (Pitch-A-Tent, 2001) was released under the moniker "The Cracker Traveling Apothecary Show And Revue and Ex-Members Of Camper Van Beethoven!" Live recordings by Cracker—captured back in 1999—were released under the title "Hello, Cleveland! (Live From The Metro)" (Cooking Vinyl, 2002).

A collaborative recording with the bluegrass/jam band Leftover Salmon was released under the title "O' Cracker Where Art Thou?" (Pitch-A-Tent, 2003). "Countrysides" (Cooking Vinyl, 2003) was a Cracker-only album, recorded by Lowery and Hickman alongside Wood and Funaro.

This album consisted primarily of cover songs—the same material the band had performed during a previous tour under the name "Ironic Mullet." "We Don't Suck Live: Live At Wavefest" (Pitch-A-Tent, 2005) featured live recordings from 1998.

"Greatest Hits Redux" (Cooking Vinyl, 2006) was a collection of well-known Cracker songs, re-recorded for the release. The compilation "Get On With It: The Best Of Cracker" (Virgin, 2006) was released on the same day. "Greenland" (Cooking Vinyl, 2006) contained new material and featured Victor Krummenacher—of Camper Van Beethoven—as the band's new bassist.

The CD "Berlin" (Pitch-A-Tent, 2007) was sold at concerts. Sal Maida served as the new bassist on the subsequent studio album, "Sunrise In The Land Of Milk And Honey" (429 Records, 2009). "Live At The Rockpalast Crossroads-Festival" (Blue Rose, 2010) was released as a double CD accompanied by a DVD.

The set consisted of live recordings captured in Germany. Several years passed before the release of the next studio album, the double CD "Berkeley To Bakersfield" (429 Records, 2014). Part of this album was recorded with the rhythm section of Davey Faragher (electric bass) and Michael Urbano (drums).

Since then, the only other releases have been "Live In Madrid" (Pitch-A-Tent, 2022) and "Bingo! Live In The Inland Empire" (2023), both featuring live recordings from that period. The compilation "Alternative History: A Cracker Retrospective" (Cooking Vinyl, 2024) was released as a three-LP or two-CD set. (Source: compendium-musicum.com)