David Lowery und Cracker

Aft the end of the 1980s, Camper Van Beethoven's alternative rock output had come to an end, embarking on a long hiatus in 1990. Lowery instead put together Cracker, along with guitarist Johnny Hickman and bassist Davey Foragher. They quickly got to work recording music, gaining a record contract with Virgin Records by the end of 1991.

Cracker recorded their debut album in their native state of Virginia, US, in Richmond, with the self-titled release appearing in 1992. The album helped establish Cracker's sound with driving riffs and bourbon-soaked vocals. With the single, "Teen Angst (WHat the World Needs Now)," they achieved a number one single in the rock charts. Their second effort, "Kerosene Hat" built on the success of the debut, featuring crossover hit, "Low," which charted in the UK as well as America's mainstream pop charts. The album was soon certified Platinum, becoming a commercial success.

However, after 1996's "Golden Age," the band's lineup began to crumble with bassist Faragher being replaced by Bob Rupe with the drummer spot occupied by a revolving roster of three musicians, Charlie Quintana, Eddie Bayers and Johnny Hott. After touring in the support of the album, Lowery returned to Richmond, US to set up a recording studio, Sound of Music, recording the likes of Joan Osborne, Lauren Hoffman, Magnet Fightng Gravity and Sparklehorse.

Having again solidified their lineup, finding a permanent drummer in Frank Funaro, as well as adding keyboardist/accordion player Kenny Margolis, they got to work on a new record, releasing "Gentleman's Blues" in 1998, hosting a more southern rock/blues oriented sound. Lowery's Camper Van Beethoven surprisingly reformed shortly after, putting Cracker on the back burner for a couple of years as the band toured.

Cracker returned in 2001 with the live album, "Travelling Apothecary Show & Revue," followed by 2002's "Forever" and a collection of country covers with "Countrysides" in 2003. It was three years before new music would again surface, having signed with UK based indie label, Cooking Vinyl, bringing forth "Greenland," bolstered by guest additions David Immerglück and Mark Linkous.

2009's "Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey" brought Cracker back into the charts, breaking into the Billboard 200 Chart. In 2010, the band went on tour with Camper Van Beethoven, for their "Travelling Apothecary Tour." Four years later, the core Cracker lineup, with drummer Michael Urbano and keyboardist Thayer Sarrano, released "Berkely to Bakersfield," an ambitious two-disc effort that featured more prominent country influences alongside there alternative rock sound.