Think of the bands Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven as something akin to the separate but very intertwined families in the ABC television show “Modern Family.”
The father in the sitcom, played by Ed O’Neill, is the common link among the three subgroups. In Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven (which fans just call “Camper”), that linchpin arguably is David Lowery, dubbed the “creative genius” behind both bands. It’s important to note most members of both bands have collaborated and played together since the early 1980s.
“I was the bass player for Cracker for years,” Camper co-founder Victor Krummenacher said. “The two bands are very much like a large family.”
The lineups of the two bands and the members’ well-known side projects are almost as confusing as any extended family tree, but the sound of both distinguishes them.
Camper formed in California and earned its reputation on a more irreverent and more punk sound that notably incorporated violin. The Virginia-based Cracker is more straightforward alt rock with a heavy dose of roots.
“Sometimes we sound like The Allman Brothers Band, and sometimes we sound like King Crimson,” Krummenacher said. “This band was never about straight rock, but we are a lot more professional than we were. That’s ironic because we were never in it to be professional; we were always in it just to [fool] around.”
During this show, expect Cracker to support its 2009 release, “Sunrise In the Land of Milk and Honey.” Also listen for the band’s classic 1990s hits including “Low” and “Get Off This.”
Camper Van Beethoven — which just celebrated its 25th anniversary — likely will play many of its hits — including “Take the Skinheads Bowling” and perhaps some new tunes from “Patriarch’s Blues,” the 2009 solo release from Krummenacher.
Although new Camper music isn’t likely in the near future because of band members’ side projects, Krummenacher isn’t pleased at the suggestion Camper is a reunion band.
“I never know what to say to that,” Krummenacher said. “I will put it this way; we’re not like Foreigner that has two original members. These are all the same people.”
Of course Camper did famously take an almost decade-long break in the 1990s, but the members always stayed in touch and often played together in various projects including Cracker.
“I know I sound defensive when I talk about it, but in this second phase Camper has been together longer than we were during the first phase,” he said. “I’m not into the hierarchy of the music business. We never have been. I guess I still believe in the art of the bar band.”
