Cracker: "Euro-trash Girl"

Cracker was, of course, part of the wave of alternative rock bands that arrived in 1993 following the success of Nirvana and Pearl Jam. They, along with the Breeders, Belly, Soul Asylum, the Lemonheads and various others seemed to be getting their due for being such important parts of the college rock scene of the 80s -- in the case of Cracker, it was via their genesis in the demise of Camper Van Beethoven. I didn't know that at the time though, all I knew was "Low" and that video with Sandra Bernhard boxing. This was my freshman year at college and I was a commuter. One morning, on the 15-minute drive to school, I heard "Euro-trash Girl" on the student radio station and it blew me away. It was like what I'd felt hearing "Lithium" and "Sweetness Follows" for the first time -- a new dimension in Cracker's sound was revealed to me, which helped me better understand a wide swath of the rock landscape. It also made me desperately want a copy of Kerosene Hat.

Last Thursday night, it was one of a number of highlights from a two-hour set. They played Camper Van's "Take the Skinheads Bowling," which was amazing and preceded by "Ain't Gonna Suck Itself," the fuck-you to Virgin Records they included on their covers album, Countrysides -- their cover of "Duty Free," also from that album, was incredible. In the middle of the encore they finally did "Sweet Thistle Pie," and everybody somehow still had the energy for it. The stunning thing was really what they didn't play. They've got probably at least two hours worth of great material in their catalog, and something is always going to get left out. If they come back touring a different set list, I'll be there in a heartbeat.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• madison
• concert
• cracker
• high
• noon
• saloon
• alternative
• college
• rock

[bunnyzero0]

I love this so much. Johnny Hickman is great, and deserves more credit!

[bihlbo]

Man, Kerosene Hat is such an awesome album!

[TommyDore]

awesome

[ellenzlive]

always loved cracker..got to interview then in 1995 at Radio Woodstock..Johnny was engaged.

hope everyone is doing well..playing this- lovin' the memories!

[julagen987]

@natman810 The Greek Theater, right? I was there too!! Ive been hooked on Cracker ever since!

[darienluthers]

Ah Cracker -- the best in ANY LAND! New Haven, California, or Amsterdam!!!

[paulyclos19]

@paulyclos19 nevermind,found it "lonesome johnny blues"

[paulyclos19]

Saw them live and your right bunnyzero0. Johnny sounded great! I was surprised he sang a certain song but I can't remember the name of it? the lyric "Johnny" is in there?



[frizzybob]

its amazing how generations adapt to styles and sounds. love it, but why are the kids these days trying to bring back the 80's. the 80's was full on spandex and hair bands, no one wants that.

[halzar]

@helovedbigbrother111 you had to search the world over... ;)

[helovedbigbrother111]

Sherman Oaks to be exact...

[helovedbigbrother111]

Was on me honeymoon in 1994 and got off the L.A. traffic jam packed hi-way to let the traffic thin. Went into a record store to pass the time. This song was playing. Never heard it b4 or since till just now. I thought it must have been some local band's recording or something. Thought they were saying "you're a trash girl.." Never forgot it. Thought I'd type it in on Google and...Voila!.. (very catchy).