Monterey International

17 Years, 8 Albums, 4 Gold Records, 21 Countries and 8 Bass Players.

“Cracker is the only American rock band that matters anymore”
- El Pais, Spain 2007.

INTRODUCTION

Following the break-up of his seminal 1980's band, Camper van Beethoven, David Lowery, looking to the future, formed Cracker with Johnny Hickman.

Cracker was, and continues to be, an ideal showcase for Lowery's invariably satiric, oft-times, acerbic take on present day Americana. Anchored by Hickman's pan-rock stylings they glide seamlessly between rock, alternative and country musical styles, flummoxing those wanting to pigeon-hole the band, and giving them the freedom to consistently re-invent themselves. As a result, they have enjoyed a longevity possessed by few rock bands.

'" What the world needs now, is another folk singer
like I need a hole in my head.
What the world needs now, is a new Frank Sinatra,
so I can get you in bed."

CHAPTER 1 - Those Cocky Young Turks

It didn't take long for the demos of Hickman and Lowery's newly formed band to get them a label deal with Virgin Records, the home of many of the day's alternative darlings. Cracker was brash, irreverent and cocky, and 1992's self-titled debut left little doubt that conformity wasn't in the cards. From the droll name of the band, to song titles like, 'Can I Take My Gun to Heaven' and "Don't Fuck me up (with peace and love)" , all backed by driving edgy rock music, the band exploded on the scene with a tongue in cheek bang.

"All these cats with holey jeans, dirty hair and titty rings,
Say what's your scene man, we got these questions.
Is it true that you have sold your soul? I say hey man, I don't know
Lend me a quarter won't you, I'll call my accountant."

CHAPTER 2 - Alternative Rock Darlings

Cracker followed up their eponymous debut with the release of 'Kerosene Hat' in 1993. Those listening carefully, could already hear the stirrings of a new musical wind blowing, though few chose to pay attention at the time. With the anthemic 'Low' driving the release, the band found themselves immersed in all the trappings of the industry-MTV, radio, a platinum record, and increasingly large stages with growing sold out crowds. It would appear they had 'arrived'. Though, unsurprisingly, this success, while initially titillating, soon grew hackneyed...

"It seems like I'm high
but baby I'm crawling
through the unbearable days
I threw away
but should have savored -This is the Golden Age"

CHAPTER 3 - Survival of the Fittest

As is the way of nature, young men grow up, albeit, some slower than others. When things go as intended, the individual has a good base from which to build, and with maturity comes substance and depth. Such was the case with Cracker. The release of 'The Golden Age' in 1996 marked a coming of age for the band. Slightly world weary, somewhat more introspective, the band's sound started moving toward the Southern rock, country feel that would further permeate later releases, with songs like 'Sweet Thistle Pie' and 'Big Dipper'. Unfortunately, the giddy, 1920's style decadence of the music industry began to take it's toll, causing the start of the industry's not too gradual implosion. Those artists refusing to adapt, or choosing to ignore the warning signs soon saw themselves sucked into the maelstrom of musical oblivion. Thankfully, the keen observational nature intrinsic to the band, gave Cracker an edge...they saw the writing on the wall before the wall was even erected.

"Past the dead and awkward factory
Anthracite grey on cobblestone
And the sooted flowers, on gentleman's towers
My sweet darling, where have you gone?"

CHAPTER 4 -The Evolution of a Gentleman

Refusing to play in the band on the Titanic, Cracker continued on their own musical path, though it took them futher away from the 'mainstream'. 1998's release of "Gentleman's Blues", was an apt title. A moody, beautiful and evocative release, it proved the band had all but grown up. Though still peppered with irreverence, the overall impression was one of maturity and a sense of ennui. Lowery's lyrics had always been clever and pithy, but with maturity came a literary poeticism truly unusual. Had Dylan Thomas and Bukowski produced a bastard love child, Lowery would have been it.

"This broken wing will fly again
One fine day
This blackbird's mute gonna sing again
One fine day
So all you sinners come out
And all you drunkards crawl out
Come into the light of one fine day.

CHAPTER 5 - The Merits of Perseverence

While the music industry continued it's downward spiral, Cracker motored on. The next few years saw two more releases from Cracker-'Garage D'Or' a double-disc greatest hits compilation, as well as 'Forever' in 2002. The band continued writing and performing steadily, though somewhat under the mainstream radar. However, by this point, the location of the radar was really irrelevant. The band's years, of well-crafted, clever and sonically shifting releases plus near continuous touring had firmly entrenched them with a multitude of fans. Fans, who were far more concerned with quality of music than who held that week's #1 slot on the Billboard chart. Cracker could proudly say they had survived for more than a decade on musical prowess, adaptability and perseverance. An accomplishment few of their 1992 contemporaries could claim.

"Well I went down, mostly on my own
'Til I was alone in that shipwrecked house
Through the porthole sea, an epiphany
I would never leave this place alive

I drink gin with the old ex-pats
We are broken things from a broken past
And it comes near, but just out of grasp
The alchemist words that would bring her back"

CHAPTER 6 -The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The true nature of 'if it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger', would appear evident on Cracker's 2006 release, 'Greenland'. Lowery had overcome several dark years of personal trials and emerged bruised and battered, though stronger. He was no gentler when turning his acerbic observational eye inward as is evident with songs like "Something You Ain't Got" and "Sidi Infni". Though, through it all- more than a decade of record labels, music industry woes, endless stages, cities, touring vans, personal and professional achievements and challenges, remains the intrinsic charm and lasting secret of Cracker's appeal- their ability to see and convey that everything around us is both ugly and graceful, it just depends on how you look at it…

- Bridget Hollenbeck


	Cracker + Promoter Tools Generally Available / Looking To Package Or Support Responsible Agent: Jerry Lima / Kevin Daly + View Upcoming Dates + www.crackersoul.com + Myspace Page 17 Years, 8 Albums, 4 Gold Records, 21 Countries and 8 Bass Players. “Cracker is the only American rock band that matters anymore” - El Pais, Spain 2007. INTRODUCTION Following the break-up of his seminal 1980's band, Camper van Beethoven, David Lowery, looking to the future, formed Cracker with Johnny Hickman. Cracker was, and continues to be, an ideal showcase for Lowery's invariably satiric, oft-times, acerbic take on present day Americana. Anchored by Hickman's pan-rock stylings they glide seamlessly between rock, alternative and country musical styles, flummoxing those wanting to pigeon-hole the band, and giving them the freedom to consistently re-invent themselves. As a result, they have enjoyed a longevity possessed by few rock bands. '" What the world needs now, is another folk singer like I need a hole in my head. What the world needs now, is a new Frank Sinatra, so I can get you in bed." CHAPTER 1 - Those Cocky Young Turks It didn't take long for the demos of Hickman and Lowery's newly formed band to get them a label deal with Virgin Records, the home of many of the day's alternative darlings. Cracker was brash, irreverent and cocky, and 1992's self-titled debut left little doubt that conformity wasn't in the cards. From the droll name of the band, to song titles like, 'Can I Take My Gun to Heaven' and "Don't Fuck me up (with peace and love)" , all backed by driving edgy rock music, the band exploded on the scene with a tongue in cheek bang. "All these cats with holey jeans, dirty hair and titty rings, Say what's your scene man, we got these questions. Is it true that you have sold your soul? I say hey man, I don't know Lend me a quarter won't you, I'll call my accountant." CHAPTER 2 - Alternative Rock Darlings Cracker followed up their eponymous debut with the release of 'Kerosene Hat' in 1993. Those listening carefully, could already hear the stirrings of a new musical wind blowing, though few chose to pay attention at the time. With the anthemic 'Low' driving the release, the band found themselves immersed in all the trappings of the industry-MTV, radio, a platinum record, and increasingly large stages with growing sold out crowds. It would appear they had 'arrived'. Though, unsurprisingly, this success, while initially titillating, soon grew hackneyed... "It seems like I'm high but baby I'm crawling through the unbearable days I threw away but should have savored -This is the Golden Age" CHAPTER 3 - Survival of the Fittest As is the way of nature, young men grow up, albeit, some slower than others. When things go as intended, the individual has a good base from which to build, and with maturity comes substance and depth. Such was the case with Cracker. The release of 'The Golden Age' in 1996 marked a coming of age for the band. Slightly world weary, somewhat more introspective, the band's sound started moving toward the Southern rock, country feel that would further permeate later releases, with songs like 'Sweet Thistle Pie' and 'Big Dipper'. Unfortunately, the giddy, 1920's style decadence of the music industry began to take it's toll, causing the start of the industry's not too gradual implosion. Those artists refusing to adapt, or choosing to ignore the warning signs soon saw themselves sucked into the maelstrom of musical oblivion. Thankfully, the keen observational nature intrinsic to the band, gave Cracker an edge...they saw the writing on the wall before the wall was even erected. "Past the dead and awkward factory Anthracite grey on cobblestone And the sooted flowers, on gentleman's towers My sweet darling, where have you gone?" CHAPTER 4 -The Evolution of a Gentleman Refusing to play in the band on the Titanic, Cracker continued on their own musical path, though it took them futher away from the 'mainstream'. 1998's release of "Gentleman's Blues", was an apt title. A moody, beautiful and evocative release, it proved the band had all but grown up. Though still peppered with irreverence, the overall impression was one of maturity and a sense of ennui. Lowery's lyrics had always been clever and pithy, but with maturity came a literary poeticism truly unusual. Had Dylan Thomas and Bukowski produced a bastard love child, Lowery would have been it. "This broken wing will fly again One fine day This blackbird's mute gonna sing again One fine day So all you sinners come out And all you drunkards crawl out Come into the light of one fine day. CHAPTER 5 - The Merits of Perseverence While the music industry continued it's downward spiral, Cracker motored on. The next few years saw two more releases from Cracker-'Garage D'Or' a double-disc greatest hits compilation, as well as 'Forever' in 2002. The band continued writing and performing steadily, though somewhat under the mainstream radar. However, by this point, the location of the radar was really irrelevant. The band's years, of well-crafted, clever and sonically shifting releases plus near continuous touring had firmly entrenched them with a multitude of fans. Fans, who were far more concerned with quality of music than who held that week's #1 slot on the Billboard chart. Cracker could proudly say they had survived for more than a decade on musical prowess, adaptability and perseverance. An accomplishment few of their 1992 contemporaries could claim. "Well I went down, mostly on my own 'Til I was alone in that shipwrecked house Through the porthole sea, an epiphany I would never leave this place alive I drink gin with the old ex-pats We are broken things from a broken past And it comes near, but just out of grasp The alchemist words that would bring her back" CHAPTER 6 -The Hunchback of Notre Dame The true nature of 'if it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger', would appear evident on Cracker's 2006 release, 'Greenland'. Lowery had overcome several dark years of personal trials and emerged bruised and battered, though stronger. He was no gentler when turning his acerbic observational eye inward as is evident with songs like "Something You Ain't Got" and "Sidi Infni". Though, through it all- more than a decade of record labels, music industry woes, endless stages, cities, touring vans, personal and professional achievements and challenges, remains the intrinsic charm and lasting secret of Cracker's appeal- their ability to see and convey that everything around us is both ugly and graceful, it just depends on how you look at it… - Bridget Hollenbeck made in chime/PROD Any use of any material on this site, including but not limited to any images, is strictly prohibited without the prior written approval of Monterey International.