Cracker: Whatever Happened To The Band Behind 'Low' & 'Teen Angst'

[@BillyReplies]

@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! 🤘🎸🤘

[@rnrtruestories]

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.

[@BillyReplies]

@@rnrtruestories Cool! Looking forward to it for sure!

[@steved8878]

Saw Cracker last month in Nashville. Saw them last year as well. They tour a lot and still sound great.

[@ce6ej]

“Low” is a CLASSIC and embodies everything that the 90s “alternative” scene was to me growing up.

[@smkxodnwbwkdns8369]

it was faux band wagon jumping alternative , very bad music

[@Woozlewuzzleable]

Well said, I loved Low, Girls and Boys, Creep, Unbelievable and Zombie growing up.

[@ce6ej]

@@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.

[@etamommy]

@@smkxodnwbwkdns8369 yeah but like that’s only your opinion, man.

[@the_original_Bilb_Ono]

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.

[@parisensore]

Richmond, VA (not Richmond, CA). All the members of Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker are excellent musicians with their own projects as well. C4L

[@rnrtruestories]

No California Richmond is also in cali

[@parisensore]

@@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.

[@brianwaloweek6770]

Thank you, they sent out a cd for their fan club, demo versions, the song James River runs through Virginia

[@mgkatherman1]

What he said! RVA

[@calmbbaer]

​@@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).

[@bobthebear1246]

"Low" is still one of the greatest songs of the 90s.

[@OriginalGrasshopper]

“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.

[@wormbaby666]

Thanks for the hot tip on the other songs!

[@Frostheimer]

Counting Crows closed their 1999 tour with it at a Wiltern show.

[@vanessaa7602]

Sadly, Cracker was all over KROQ back then. Horrible!

[@andrewprice1205]

"WAS" a great band??? Saw them in July in Savannah, GA...was a GREAT show...they ARE STILL a great band! 😁

[@Inequities]

I Hate My Generation probably my favorite song by them. SO SO underrated!!!

[@churlskunk]

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!

[@cathym4708]

And of the 21st century...

[@joeraymorton2414]

I still listen to them ALL THE TIME & see them in concert about once a year.

[@elosoguapo8137]

Always loved cracker. Their double record “Berkeley to Bakersfield” is one of the most underrated of all times. Great band!

[@dohicks]

Best band ever! Still following them all over the place. Thank you for so much great music and good times.

[@cloudyphiz]

They're still out there, still playing, and the latest album Berkeley to Battlefield is phenomenal and definitely worth a listen.

[@elosoguapo8137]

Great double record. I saw them several years ago. Great show!

[@wormbaby666]

CHeers for the hot tip!

[@misstessamarie21]

Absolutely agree!!! @cloudyphiz I LOVE their new countryish sound!!! Almond Grove, is a beautiful yet super sad song.

[@billregan3232]

Right on! Saw em here in The Cuse a couple of years ago. Why don't people just look them up??

[@cloudyphiz]

@@misstessamarie21 just clicked your profile by the comment and a Hank III video was there. That's the greatest thing ever. Massive respect.

[@bradparker9664]

Great episode! I was always a big Cracker fan in college 25+ years ago

[@mikeralston777]

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. 😂

[@pariahpokemonwesbragg2904]

I bought kerosene hat when it came out. Low was an awesome song, but the whole CD was great. Cracker is underated af.

[@etamommy]

Completely agree with you on that!

[@jusbaize]

Kerosene Hat is my all time favorite album by any artist

[@rocketpigrecords3719]

Big Dipper...

[@LouisWritingSomethingCrazy]

To me "Teen Angst" is an underrated classic and says everything I wanted to say about that entire plastic "we care" scene.

[@JimMather]

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”

[@rnrtruestories]

all the articles about the band said California

[@WhizMitchell]

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.

[@robottuba]

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.

[@TheGhostOfLeslieChad]

Infirmary is my favorite Cracker Song,so beautiful.

[@chrismason4224]

I thought Cracker was semi-formed in Richmond, VA, not Richmond, CA.

[@Rolly327]

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.

[@johnelli2259]

that's what I thought

[@bangslamwham88]

I remember during the Limewire days Cracker's song Low would pop up as a Screaming Trees song.

[@fletchoid]

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.

[@daveclinton4945]

Still going strong. Saw them twice this year and they are incredible.

[@misstessamarie21]

I absolutely LOVE Cracker!!!!!❤❤❤ Their new countryish sound f@#$ing rocks!!!

[@l.thegirl2581]

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.

[@alvinlee2968]

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!

[@shanew3293]

Saw Pumpkins and Cracker on same tour back in the day. Met the guys from Cracker (Bob Rupe and David Lowery) Both cool guys

[@dathorndike4908]

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.

[@NoCoverCharge]

David Lowery is still playing in Athens Ga all the time ! Great guy as well

[@keysersoze3433]

I just saw David Lowery perform a solo show. He was great!

[@daviswall3319]

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. 😎

[@zendixie]

That bass player now plays with Elvis Costello.

[@markp1104]

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.

[@mattjohnson1775]

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.

[@Redplanetfilms1]

Huge fan! Played these albums over and over again. Felt like I was the only fan out there.

[@rocknrollcannibals]

I saw them on tour back in the early 2000's. They put on a great live show!

[@kevmac1230]

Going to see them in a couple of weeks, can't wait!

[@andybaxter4442]

I try to see Cracker and Camper every winter they come through town. It's always a solid show.

[@pictureworksexpress4399]

Cracker is still rocking and their last few albums are excellent.....great band, one of my favorites

[@namethatshow]

Wrong It wasn't Richmond California. It was Richmond Virginia. Oregon Hill Richmond VA to be exact.

[@dathorndike4908]

They made some real classic music. Kerosene Hat is a masterpiece

[@matthewwynne939]

"Low" will always remind me of a girl I had a crush on in 9th grade and how when she was signing my yearbook this song was playing on the radio in the background.

[@Asmallcorneroftheinternet]

I've actually seen Cracker live, thanks to my mother, and even met Johnny Hickman. So this video is especially useful for me.

[@I_Have_The_Most_Japanese_Music]

Lowery is actually at the top of my list of "Whatever happened to?" guys.

[@michaelratliff298]

Small correction. Lowery and Hickman relocated to Richmond VA not Richmond CA. Lowery lived in the Richmond area for several years and even opened a studio called Sound of Music. Saw them many times, with the best shows being at the now defunct Flood Zone ... in fact during the Kerosene Hat show at the Flood Zone, a then unknown Counting Crows was the opening band. Another great local show was at a now closed club called Area 51 where Joan Osbourne sat in and sang background vocals.

[@sonicjet7759]

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.

[@jarrettervin7145]

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?

[@Babyoildealer]

Just saw them on Friday. One of the best shows I’ve seen in a while. Super funny giys

[@nickholmes7263]

Saw them Saturday night. It was awesome

[@matthews7805]

Eurotrash Girl should've been a hit also.

[@donwoodward7944]

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.

[@keltstrogner3429]

Your channel rules dude. Thanks for caring about actual rock music.

[@popandroid]

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.

[@kirkmooneyham]

I bought "Kerosene Hat" on CD just because I thought the cover looked cool. Still listen to it to this day.

[@mattwingo89]

O' Cracker Where Art Thou? Check it out. It's dope.

[@OriginalDonutposse]

Nice video. I was a long-time CvB fan and then felt a bit underwhelmed by Cracker when they didn’t have the same sound. I understand what they were trying to do, and what they did. And Lowery being the class representative for that class action suit fascinates me as an attorney. It sounds like that’s the deal, so I’m gonna have to go pull that case and read it now.

[@rnrtruestories]

Thanks for sharing!

[@pablodelsegundo9502]

It's remarkable how many pies Sandra Bernhardt has had her fingers in.

[@joshmaxwell7968]

Greatest rock band of all time! Cracker Forever!

[@etamommy]

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.

[@wormbaby666]

Thanks man, a great video as always. Low is a great song, gonna check the others out based on suggestions in the comments! 🙂

[@1148-w1d]

Just saw them in DC on August 19, 2023. Hung out Johnny Hickman the night before at The Baseball Project the night before.

[@Twiggy2point0]

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 🤟

[@Xeroforte]

They did an album after that then disappeared, then came back to middling results. Truly sad. I actually liked that first and second album.

[@ianwerden5601]

One of my favorite bands is CAMPER Van BEETHOVEN!!!

[@billregan3232]

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....

[@seanrichards1981]

My first concert ever in 1993 at Blossom with Gin Blossoms and Spin Doctors

[@dathorndike4908]

David Lowery has always been my hero

[@Greg41982]

the albums Cracker and Kerosene hat were basically my skiing soundtrack for the 1990s.

[@christinamartin8131]

They are having their annual Camp-In in Athens, GA this week. Still going strong.

[@maxmatson1578]

Please do a video on the industrial band "Machines of Loving Grace" one of my favorite bands of all time!

[@rocketpigrecords3719]

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."

[@JMMjamm]

Cracker IS my favorite band. Lowery got that right.

[@AllisterCaine]

Refreshing to hear of a band that had their biggest drama when the bassist cuts his finger trying to sharpen a knife.

[@Imsickofallyallseeingmyname]

Take me down to the infirmary has a good melody

[@bradatherton9369]

Put a damp cloth on my forehead

[@Atomhaz]

What happened to them? Well I just saw them play at the orpheum in Flagstaff AZ last night and they rocked our faces off.

[@chrisclaggett6324]

Lowery moved to Richmond Virginia… Not California

[@jacquelinemilom4164]

Thank you for this correction. I am from Virginia and thought it was Richmond not CA.

[@kiltworm]

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.

[@IAmWBeard]

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.

[@cyfree4222]

How long has that been going on?

[@IAmWBeard]

@@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.

[@undergroundunlimited2282]

That cracker, spin doctors and gin blossoms concert was great. When cracker played euro trash girl the crowd got fired up!

[@aaronmoore6275]

Hickman is a helluva bro.

[@joshschmitt2921]

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.

[@ghostrunnerco6791]

once saw Cracker & Camper do a duel headline show one of the drunkest crowds i’ve ever witnessed lol great show👍

[@vanessaa7602]

You must have been loaded.

[@brucifer0]

I saw them last summer at an amusement park in Iowa.

[@whoami7721]

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'.

[@williamdesilva67]

Whatever happened to tad would be a good episode.. if u haven't already done it that is

[@Joe-tl2sz]

Cracker...."Kerosene Hat" is one of my favorite albums from the 90's,

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

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

[@r.edward5701]

Buddy did a great cover of run through the jungle. Heard it at the end of one of the Fargo episodes

[@travismiles5885]

Can you do a video on Drivin and Cryin please.

[@jefffixico9331]

What about the band Failure?

[@spanky9676]

They failed

[@sitindogmas]

the 90s were just killer and so is cracker!

[@RogerSteinbrink]

Do they still call us Cracker fans "crumbs?" I followed them around for a bit in the early "aughts." Had a great time, then I had to get a job. Always had great fun at their shows!

[@scottyo64]

You all try it out on a cold winters day and let me know what you think about it

[@ticnatz]

It used to be Pink Floyd, but Cracker has been my favorite band for 25 years.....

[@joeymorvant161]

Love Cracker! Can't believe that somebody referred to Zeppelin as horrible!

[@jakelecroy5553]

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.

[@rnrtruestories]

Thanks

[@michaelgeller2325]

Cracker has a large pack of rabid fans called "Crumbs". We still attend every live show possible. Crumbs forever.

[@troygaspard6732]

Camper only had two albums on Virgin. Before that Rough Trade put out two of their albums.

[@leavemealone8336]

I don't use streaming services... screw them! support the artists u love...directly!!!

[@mikesabota2570]

Uhhhh..I believe Brand was recorded, engineered,and produced in Richmond,Va.....

[@paulianhodgson]

You should do The Escape Club

[@BillGrishaw]

Richmond Va, richmond ca

[@gnarpow]

I don’t know what it is but when an artist blames the industry, I just tune out. They made an investment in you.