Cracker finds staying power through diversity

While other bands riding the '80s new wave scene have come and gone, Cracker is still flowing toward its land of milk and honey.

“It makes us happy that 19 years into our career, we're seeing young faces at our shows,” says co-founder and lead guitarist Johnny Hickman, 52, who lives in the Fort Collins area of northern Colorado.

He credits Facebook and YouTube with bringing new fans into the realm, as well as old fans bringing their kids to shows.

“It makes us all very happy when kids come with parents who ... have turned them onto Cracker. That's fantastic,” Hickman says in a phone call from a recent Milwaukee tour stop.

“When people call us the godfathers of alt-rock it sounds a little bit funny to us, but after 19 years, we'll take it. It's quite an honor actually.”

The band is touring in support of its latest CD, “Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey,” and will headline a 9 p.m. show Sunday at The Mill in downtown Iowa City.

It's anyone's guess what songs the foursome will play.

“We have a different show every night,” Hickman says. “We just get up there and play. Occasionally a fan will yell out a song.”

Fast take

Fast take

What: Cracker with opening act The High Strung

When: 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30; doors open at 8 p.m.

Where: The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St., Iowa City

Tickets: $15 in advance at www.iowatix.com

Information: www.crackersoul.com and www.icmill.com

Staying spontaneous is “more satisfying to the band and audience. It doesn't become a grind,” he says. “I understand that bands with big productions with lots of sound and lighting” technicians requires a set routine. “The great thing about being a band at our level is that we can come back and do a few encores, work at our own pace and our own way and have our own artistic control.”

They also break with tradition when writing and recording new material.

“Lots of bands write (songs) then road test them later. We like to play live, especially with this (grouping) stripped down to four pieces,” he says. “On this record we decided to make it a little more streamlined, with two guitars, bass and drums. Playing songs live teaches us something about them every time. We get an idea of what's working. It makes them stronger.”

The new CD showcases a variety of styles - with a little retro-punk, a little blues-funk - but stays in a hard-rocking mode, he says. The biggest departure is the alt-country-flavored “Friends,” which Hickman wrote.

“It's a song about what we do and lifelong friendships. Everybody's got one of those friends who sticks with you through thick and thin and can laugh about your foibles.”

The long-standing friendship between Hickman and the band's founder, singer-songwriter David Lowery, is part of the secret of Cracker's success.

Hickman connects with the fans daily through social media. Lowery is more business-oriented.

“You have to be your own communicator,” he says. “Every day I'm on Facebook and MySpace. ... I enjoy maintaining friendships with these people. David calls me ‘the goodwill ambassador.' I'm a people-guy. I really enjoy that aspect of what we do. David is ‘the ambassador of administration.' He's very astute.

“Another reason we've been going 19 years is that David has a math degree and knows how to keep an eye on things to keep people from ripping us off.

“Whether you like it or not, this is a business and you have to sustain it on all levels. We're lucky we've got a singer and guitar player who write songs together. We're good at different aspects of keeping a small business together.”