Nobody expected David Lowery to form a country-rock band after the demise of pan-cultural college-radio favorites Camper Van Beethoven in 1990. But Cracker made a strong first impression with their self-titled debut, which combined CVB's trademark wit with a healthy dose of twang. 1993's Kerosene Hat brought the band as close to the mainstream as it would ever get. Lowery and guitarist Johnny Hickman have since carried Cracker through a few incarnations, and in recent years they've shared their tour dates—and a few band members—with the reunited CVB.