David Lowery
Encyclopedia
David Lowery is an American
guitarist, vocalist and songwriter; he is the founder of alternative rock
band, Camper Van Beethoven
, and co-founder of the more traditional rock band, Cracker
. Lowery released his first solo record, The Palace Guards, on February 2, 2011 via the 429 Records label.
Lowery was born in San Antonio, Texas
, the son of a career Air Force
father. His family moved around a great deal during his youth before finally settling in Redlands, California
, where he attended high school. Lowery formed Camper Van Beethoven in Santa Cruz, California
. The band is best known for their cover of the Status Quo song "Pictures of Matchstick Men
" from the Key Lime Pie LP and their original composition "Take the Skinheads Bowling" from the band's 1985 debut LP, Telephone Free Landslide Victory
, later featured in the Michael Moore
movie Bowling for Columbine
.
In the early 1990s, Lowery formed Cracker with guitarist and long-time friend Johnny Hickman
, and bassist Davey Faragher
. Cracker rejected the indie-rock sound of Camper Van Beethoven in favor of a more traditional, roots rock sound. Cracker's biggest hits were "Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)" from its eponymous LP released in 1992, and "Low" from 1993's Kerosene Hat
. Cracker continues to perform today, although Lowery has also re-formed Camper Van Beethoven, which released a cover of the entire Fleetwood Mac
album Tusk
in 2002 and a new album of original music, New Roman Times
in 2004. Cracker was still touring throughout the USA during the summer of 2009, Camper Van Beethoven followed with several California shows in September, and early 2010 saw a double bill with both bands together.
Lowery has also done work as a producer at Sound of Music Studios in Richmond, Virginia
, working on records by Sparklehorse
, Counting Crows
, Lauren Hoffman
, September 67, Wormburner, L.P.(lprock.com), Tea Leaf Green
, and others. David, along with Ian Solla-Yates of WNRN
started RadioVA with Sound of Music in May 2010, an interview program hosted by David that has featured The Hold Steady
, Drive-By Truckers
, Minus the Bear
and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
.
On September 13, 2010, David married Velena Vego. Vego has been the manager for both Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven since 2004. She is also the Talent Buyer of the 40 Watt Club in Athens, GA and Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta, GA. Additionally, he is now a lecturer in the University of Georgia
's music business program.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
guitarist, vocalist and songwriter; he is the founder of alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band, Camper Van Beethoven
Camper Van Beethoven
Camper Van Beethoven is an American alternative rock group formed in Redlands, California in 1983.An eclectic band, Camper Van Beethoven mixes elements of pop, ska, punk rock, folk and alternative country, as well as various types of world music. Their aggressive musical pluralism created a...
, and co-founder of the more traditional rock band, Cracker
Cracker (band)
Cracker is an American alternative rock band featuring founders/songwriters singer David Lowery and guitarist Johnny Hickman. They are best known for their platinum-selling 1993 album, Kerosene Hat, featuring the hit songs "Low", "Euro-Trash Girl", and "Get Off This".Founders Lowery and Hickman...
. Lowery released his first solo record, The Palace Guards, on February 2, 2011 via the 429 Records label.
Lowery was born in San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, the son of a career Air Force
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
father. His family moved around a great deal during his youth before finally settling in Redlands, California
Redlands, California
Redlands is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 68,747, up from 63,591 at the 2000 census. The city is located east of downtown San Bernardino.- History :...
, where he attended high school. Lowery formed Camper Van Beethoven in Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz is the county seat and largest city of Santa Cruz County, California in the US. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, Santa Cruz had a total population of 59,946...
. The band is best known for their cover of the Status Quo song "Pictures of Matchstick Men
Pictures of Matchstick Men
"Pictures of Matchstick Men" is the first hit single by Status Quo, released in November 1967. It reached number seven in the British charts, number eight in Canada, and number twelve on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming their only hit single in the United States...
" from the Key Lime Pie LP and their original composition "Take the Skinheads Bowling" from the band's 1985 debut LP, Telephone Free Landslide Victory
Telephone Free Landslide Victory
Telephone Free Landslide Victory is a 1985 album by musical group Camper Van Beethoven, released on Independent Projects. It featured the band's best known song, "Take the Skinheads Bowling".-About:...
, later featured in the Michael Moore
Michael Moore
Michael Francis Moore is an American filmmaker, author, social critic and activist. He is the director and producer of Fahrenheit 9/11, which is the highest-grossing documentary of all time. His films Bowling for Columbine and Sicko also place in the top ten highest-grossing documentaries...
movie Bowling for Columbine
Bowling for Columbine
Bowling for Columbine is a 2002 documentary film written, directed, produced, and narrated by Michael Moore. The film explores what Michael Moore suggests are the causes for the Columbine High School massacre and other acts of violence with guns...
.
In the early 1990s, Lowery formed Cracker with guitarist and long-time friend Johnny Hickman
Johnny Hickman
Johnny Hickman is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist in the rock band Cracker.Hickman is a native of Redlands in San Bernardino County in California's Inland Empire. Prior to his tenure in Cracker, Hickman had stints in various California bands including The Unforgiven and The...
, and bassist Davey Faragher
Davey Faragher
Davey Faragher is an American bass guitarist from Redlands, California. Faragher's career took off and received critical notice as a founding member of the nineties band, Cracker, and his following work with The Imposters, the backing band for Elvis Costello since 2001.Faragher is an accomplished...
. Cracker rejected the indie-rock sound of Camper Van Beethoven in favor of a more traditional, roots rock sound. Cracker's biggest hits were "Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)" from its eponymous LP released in 1992, and "Low" from 1993's Kerosene Hat
Kerosene Hat
Kerosene Hat is Cracker's second album, released on August 24, 1993. It reached #1 on Billboards Top Heatseekers chart, and #59 on the Billboard 200 album chart...
. Cracker continues to perform today, although Lowery has also re-formed Camper Van Beethoven, which released a cover of the entire Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
album Tusk
Tusk (album)
Tusk is the 12th album by the British/American rock band Fleetwood Mac. Released in 1979, it is considered experimental, primarily due to Lindsey Buckingham's sparser songwriting arrangements and the influence of punk rock and New Wave on his production techniques...
in 2002 and a new album of original music, New Roman Times
New Roman Times
New Roman Times is an album by musical group Camper Van Beethoven, released October 12, 2004 on Pitch-A-Tent Records. It is the band's first studio album of new material since they released Key Lime Pie in 1989 before dissolving in 1990....
in 2004. Cracker was still touring throughout the USA during the summer of 2009, Camper Van Beethoven followed with several California shows in September, and early 2010 saw a double bill with both bands together.
Lowery has also done work as a producer at Sound of Music Studios in Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
, working on records by Sparklehorse
Sparklehorse
Sparklehorse was an American indie rock band led by the singer and multi-instrumentalist Mark Linkous.-History:Sparklehorse's first album, Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot featuring Bob Rupe of the Silos and Cracker, was a modest college radio success...
, Counting Crows
Counting Crows
Counting Crows is an American rock band originating from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1991, the group gained popularity following the release of its debut album in 1993, August and Everything After, which featured the hit single "Mr. Jones"...
, Lauren Hoffman
Lauren Hoffman
Lauren Hoffman is an American singer-songwriter. She was signed to Virgin Records America and released her debut album titled Megiddo in 1997. She parted ways with the label in 1999, following her disenchantment with their lack of promotion for her, whilst Virgin went on to issue her sophomore...
, September 67, Wormburner, L.P.(lprock.com), Tea Leaf Green
Tea Leaf Green
Tea Leaf Green is a five-piece jam band from San Francisco Bay Area, comprising Josh Clark , Trevor Garrod , Reed Mathis , Scott Rager , and Cochrane McMillan .-History:Tea Leaf Green began in the fall of 1996, when Scott Rager met Ben Chambers on the...
, and others. David, along with Ian Solla-Yates of WNRN
WNRN
WNRN is a Public Radio, Modern rock, Adult album alternative, and Hip Hop formatted radio station licensed to Charlottesville, Virginia, serving Central and Western Virginia...
started RadioVA with Sound of Music in May 2010, an interview program hosted by David that has featured The Hold Steady
The Hold Steady
The Hold Steady is an American indie rock band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2004. The band consists of Craig Finn , Tad Kubler , Galen Polivka , Bobby Drake , and Steve Selvidge...
, Drive-By Truckers
Drive-By Truckers
Drive-By Truckers are an alternative country/Southern rock band based in Athens, Georgia, though three out of six members are originally from The Shoals region of Northern Alabama, and the band strongly identifies with Alabama. Their music uses three guitars as well as bass, drums, and now...
, Minus the Bear
Minus the Bear
Minus the Bear is an American indie rock band from Seattle, Washington. Founded in 2001, the group features current and former members of Botch, Kill Sadie, and Sharks Keep Moving...
and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros is an American band led by Alex Ebert, vocalist of the power pop group Ima Robot. Their first full-length recording, Up from Below, was released July 7, 2009, digitally and July 14, 2009, physically on Community Records...
.
On September 13, 2010, David married Velena Vego. Vego has been the manager for both Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven since 2004. She is also the Talent Buyer of the 40 Watt Club in Athens, GA and Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta, GA. Additionally, he is now a lecturer in the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
's music business program.
External links
- David Lowery's "300 Songs" Blog
- RadioVA
- David Lowery's personal blog and music collection at MOG.com
- David Lowery collection at the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
's live music archive - Cracker collection at the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
's live music archive - PopGurls Interview: David Lowery