Hopmonk Tavern in Novato hosts their Summer Cookout Series, with KC Turner presents. Playing as openers were different incarnations of the band Cracker for three packed shows.
Crackers' successful three night stint in Novato was sold out and attended by very appreciative music fans from all over the Bay area. Cracker has been playing for three decades and lead singer, David Lowery and guitarist Johnny Hickman have been the driving forces in the band since day one. Their first hit single in 1992, "Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)" went to number 1 on the U.S. modern rock chart and follow ups in 1993, with three more hits. Thier sound is strangely punk meets country, folk, americana and a small tad grungey, but if I were to have to choose a genre to put this band in, it would be rock or punk. Lowerys' previous band before Cracker was Camper Van Beetoven. Their gigs are sometimes a mix of these two bands and Camper are usually the opening band for Cracker on many of their gigs. Friday night at the Hopmonk was the Victor Krummenacher band. Victor is a member of Camper Van Beethoven. So Friday nights lineup went from Victors' band to a little bit of Camper to Cracker. In Victors' band is a singer friend of mine Loralee Christensen. She sure can sing! I first met Loralee whilst working for radio in Sonoma County. I nearly fell off my chair at a Christmas party years ago when she got up to sing. Knowing her in the office but not being aware of her musical talent was a shocker when she got up and belted out a tune or two for her work colleagues. From then I was a Loralee fan. She was a beautiful ingredient of Victors band.
Loralees' partner Paul Olguin on bass was another great part of the music that night. The first time I saw Paul play was for a few years ago, at The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, playing for Van Morrison. This talented couple plays with different bands and in their own projects. Anytime you happen to see them on the stage, your'e in for a treat!
After Victors' band played on Friday, different players joined in and they bacame Camper Van Beethoven, then Cracker performed and ended the evening. I also went back a couple days later to catch the Sunday show. In the audience I saw someone I know, who is a local musician and guitar builder, Danny Click. It was nice to see him for the show and although he wasn't playing that night, David Lowery was playing Dannys' guitars and they sounded sweet. Check out Danny Click guitars here: https://www.dannyclickguitars.com
Great shows in the pretty cool North Bay venue. KCTurner presents gets the acts in and so far the lineup is looking great. Check out the schedule: https://kcturnerpresents.com/calendar?calendar_page=2
Here are some suggested affiliate links for Cracker music: Kerosene Hat: https://amzn.to/4f2h5Ep Forever: https://amzn.to/3WtHa83 Bittersweet by Victor Krummenacher: https://amzn.to/4d4ucTr
© Cheryl Alterman Photography 2024
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