Interview with Johnny Hickman of Cracker
By: Andrew Bilach
Cracker 2009
On Wednesday, January 13th, 2010, I had the pleasure of talking with Mr. Johnny Hickman, co-founder and guitarist of Cracker. Now, for those of you unfamiliar with the band, or for those that thought it was a one-and-done thing with “Low” in the mid-90′s, keep on reading. If we were playing the genre game, I’d simply call Cracker and alternative rock band with a flare for eclecticism. Coupled with David Lowery’s witty, sarcastic, ironic, and refreshingly pessimistic songwriting, Johnny Hickman’s dirty, gritty, bluesy riffs create an invigorating atmosphere for fans of rock music.
If you’re interested in free Cracker mp3s, or free Johnny Hickman solo mp3s, please visit the free music page of our site, find the links for Cracker and Johnny Hickman respectively, and you’re all set. It’s a good way to introduce, or reintroduce yourself to this phenomenal band.
Cracker rolls into the Highline Ballroom on January 15th. The thirty-minute conversation that appears below touches on several things within the Cracker community, such as their June 2009 show at Highline, the band’s fans, setlists, Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey, modern country music, his influences, and the list goes on and on.
I implore all of you to visit, revisit, or just plain check out this band. Their live show, although always done without a set list, is as polished as they come. Johnny Hickman is a cool, laid back guy. It comes through in this conversation and his body language when on-stage.
I’m one member of the Cracker cult that is happy the train keeps on rolling.
You can download or stream the interview by clicking here.
Cracker Official Site
Cracker MySpace
Cracker Facebook
Crackter Twitter
** Also possibly of interest...**
1 hit wonder alert! 1 hit wonder alert! 1 hit wonder alert! 1 hit wonder alert! 1 hit wonder alert! 1 hit wonder alert! 1 hit wonder alert! 1 hit wonder alert! 1 hit wonder alert! 1 hit wonder alert! 1 hit wonder alert! 1 hit wonder alert!
ArchedIsisByleveling(Quote) (Reply)
I thought Arched was smarter than the comment above. Maybe Cracker has not been played on radio much since the mid nineties but their live show doesn’t disappoint. Investigate the music before you make such a stupid remark.
Are parts of this interview going to air during the live show or is this the entire thing?
zebo(Quote) (Reply)
I’m a woman and am a pacifist in its purest form but there is something funny when Andrew is constantly wishing death and violence on people. It’s such terrible stuff to say and I know he doesn’t mean it but I share the same feelings about the new country stuff.
Great interview. Very entertaining. I will be investigating Cracker.
Carla(Quote) (Reply)
Why is my comment time-stamped 6 hours before I sent it?
Carla(Quote) (Reply)
Fuck David Lowery! He is a whiny bitch of a man. He can take his and his overthought lyrics that you so wrong describe as witty and shove them up his ass.
mAAT(Quote) (Reply)
The only thing I remember from Cracker is Low (which rocks to this day) and some track they had on the Clueless Soundtrack. Yep – I owned that one.
yiggernes(Quote) (Reply)
NOT MUCH KNOWN OF THIS CRACKER GROUPS IN EUROPE!!!! BUT I LSTNS TO THE SONGS HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND LIKE VERY SO MUCH!!!
SAKF(Quote) (Reply)
I’m not a fan of these guys but this was enjoyable to listen to and Johnny radiates positivity. So yeah, I’m motivated to actually take the advice above and check these guys out. I owned Kerosene Hat back in the day and that CD was MUCH MORE than just Low. That Infirmary track is one of the best hidden tracks in the history of hidden tracks. I’m considering heading to Highline tomorrow – best venue in the city.
Oscar(Quote) (Reply)
Good attitude on this guy.
hatuespatue(Quote) (Reply)
Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey is an awesome album that I encourage all of you to check out. It’s definitely one of their best.
As for Oscar’s comment, “Euro-Trash Girl” is actually the song you’re talking about. If I’m not mistaken, the reason it’s a hidden track is because it was on an EP prior to the release of Kerosene Hat. I’m not entirely sure, though.
Johnny is a cool guy and this was a fun, effortless interview to do.
Andrew Bilach(Quote) (Reply)
I met Johnny – he’s a brilliant man and got me laughing the moment I said hi. Frank (the drummer) is also a sweetie and a great fan of the BBC. Thanks for posting Johnny’s interview – you can’t get a better down to earth person such as he.
Diana Gosciminski(Quote) (Reply)
Diana Gosciminski – I completely agree on all points, except “sweetie” is not a term men use with other men. Glad to see our site reaches out to the U.K.
Andrew Bilach(Quote) (Reply)
Hi Andrew
I’m laughing at your comment…(sweetie). Frank is and it’s a woman’s view on a man. So it’s written in a different context.
The All Knowing Force site was posted by Johnny on a link on FaceBook, that’s how I came across this. He’s proud of this interview. You did a great job and a perfect vehicle to get Cracker’s music across.
Thanks for airing this.
Best wishes – Di
Diana Gosciminski(Quote) (Reply)
listen sweeties
for the most part if akf does some thing with a music guy or w/e i check it out. i think andrew knows what he is talking about to a point
heard some cracker over the yrs, didnt give a shit,but the new album is pretty sick and some thing i can grow into ovr the years
friends is such a good song. not heavy an albumn but check this out
i will stop listening to akf if andrew stops wishing death on ppl
all hail, hickman is a cool dude
godblessya(Quote) (Reply)
I don’t think I’ve ever seen “sweetie” used on this site but Johnny came off as a “sweet” guy. I never listened to Cracker but thought this interview was quite entertaining.
Loch Ness(Quote) (Reply)
Friends could make an impact if given a shot. Tune is catchy.
zebo(Quote) (Reply)
I see they’re already booked back at Highline in May. Sheesh.
Laura in NJ(Quote) (Reply)
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