Cracker Week - Day 5 Post: The Shows First up. Thanks for the kind comments regarding these posts. This band, and the Crumb Nation that follows them, both hold a special place in my heart. In my opinion the live shows are the most magical part of the Cracker experience. There is certainly magic in the recorded version of the music, but seeing the band perform, in it’s various incarnations, is where the magic goes to the next level. And take it from a guy who was made to disappear from the stage by David Copperfield, I know a thing or two about magic. Cracker: May 23rd, 2000 - Morris Performing Arts Center, South Bend, IN - Key Memories: Some drunken asshats in the front annoyed David to the point that the opening Cracker set was cut short. But not before David yanked down Johnny’s pants during a solo. Later on, during the Counting Crows portion I got into an argument with a dick head that chose to leave his seat and stand in front of my seat in the balcony. I tried to politely suggest the guy move along. The guy then took issue with my displeasure and stepped up to me. My brother Kevin had to intervene and suggest that the guy find his seat. He left, which was probably his wisest move. I love Kevin, and his unconditional support of my big mouth. Cracker: August 27th, 2005 - Palatine Street Fest, Palatine, IL - Key Memories - Hanging with my friend Mike Peters and meeting a ton of Crumbs like myself. Finding out that I had missed the release of a Cracker album called Gentlemen’s Blues (so embarrassing). Meeting Mat, Stiffy, Joey, Rob, the CrackerSoul Wedding Couple, and Dr. Rob from Iowa. Cracker Duo: November 4th, 2005 - Martyrs, Chicago IL - Key Memories - Taking Mike Peters and Kevin to the show with me. Meeting up with AIB and Steve© before the show for drinks. Standing in the front row. Johnny asking for a suggestion from his solo album Palmhenge. I suggested Little Tom and he played it. Seeing David and Johnny from the front row was amazing. Buying Johnny a drink after the show and getting my picture taken with him…and Mike bumped the exposure dial and washed the image out completely. Meeting more crumbs. Cracker: September 20th, 2008 - Cubby Bear, Chicago, IL - Key Memories - Standing up front with some pretty cool folks while Kevin and Mike sat in the back and watched people trip on the short riser at the back of the room. They said they saw some spectacular falls. A fight broke out between two women. One was just standing still and the other one just jumped her. Bouncers were on them in seconds. I tried to help by pointing out that the one was innocent. The biggest bouncer asked me if I wanted to get thrown out too. I told him “No, I’m good.” And the ladies exited out the side door. David followed that incident up with a question to the crowd - “How old are we again?” Cracker: July 3rd 2008 - Hobart Jaycee Fest, Hobart IN - Key Memories - Attended with Kevin. It was freezing that night. The show was held in the parking lot of a grocery store. Ran into Amyth and Rob. Stood next to a couple on the front row that were drunk and arguing and singing the wrong words. David suggested that if their going to sing along that they get the words right. Later in the evening the woman fell forward through the security fence and was escorted out. I think this was the show where Trixie Martha got maced. Cracker at Durty Nellies on Feb 06, 2009 live in Palatine, IL - Key Memories - Attended with Kevin and Joel. Went early, got a hotel had dinner and were the first in line for the doors. Being February, it was really cold and Kevin and Joel were mad that I made them stand outside for almost an hour. The opening band sounded like Pink Floyd but were slightly shorter than U2. Saw Joey and AIB. Rob was there but was pretty intoxicated. Stood on Victor’s side for the first time. Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven: January 10th, 2010 - The Intersection, Grand Rapids, MI - Key Memories - Attended with Kevin and Scott Matthews (his first Cracker show). We arrived to Grand Rapids really early. We asked the folks at the venue where to eat - they suggested this brew pub a couple blocks away…it turned out the brew pub was FOUNDERS Brewery! Amazing craft beer and food! Stood front row for Camper. Tried to hold my spot for Cracker but my new Crumb friend Jerry wedged me out and stood on my feet for the balance of the show. This was the first show that I tried capturing on digital video. I caught Johnny singing “Another Song About The Rain” and Jerry bellowing in front of me. ;) It’s up on my YouTube channel - search Markusss427 to find it. Cracker: May 28th, 2011 - Acorn Theatre, Three Oaks, MI - Key Memories - Our first Home Field Advantage show…only 20 minutes from the house! Attended with Kevin, Chris Jones, Scott Matthews, Jerry & Stephanie Wozniak and Tom & Nancy Majerek. An amazing venue! So intimate! Was also amazed at the amount of money people will spend on a concert only to talk really loud all the way through the show. Shut up and listen to the band! Sat front row on Sal’s side. Really enjoyed sharing Cracker with my Hey Annie bandmates and partying at home before going to the show was a real treat. Crumbs I knew were Jerry Johnson (who danced the entire show) and Tom Conway. Cracker: September 10th, 2011 - Popcorn Fest, Valparaiso, IN - Key Memories - Attended with Kevin. Scott and Patti joined later on. Met John, Morst, Erin and Tim. Stood front row with Erin for the show. The guys sounded great! Show ended quickly due to a 7:30p curfew. Kevin didn’t feel well and we skipped dinner with Erin and Tim…and by doing so we missed having dinner with the band. :( Cracker: February 15th, 2013 - Hard Rock Cafe, New Buffalo MI - Key Memories - Attended with Kevin, Scott and Chris. Fellow Crumbs Jerry Johnson, Gunty Atkins, Tom Conway were in attendance. Kevin Day and Erin drove all the way in for show. I also met Paul Erdman that night because he opened for Cracker. I got to talk to Frank for about 15 minutes before the show. I found out that night that Frank won’t shake hands before a show just in case someone tries to squeeze him too hard. A fist bump is his preferred exchange. This dude abides. Got to talk with Johnny and Sal after the show. We gambled a bit afterwards but we had already won by seeing Cracker so losing a bit didn’t seem so bad. This is all the Cracker/Camper shows I can recall, there may be others I cant reacll (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) and this list doesn’t include seeing Erinstock and the Last Summer On Earth shows via the interwebs. There will be more memories made this weekend as we see Cracker at The Acorn tomorrow night, and Saturday night in Kokomo. If your available please plan to join us. You won’t be sorry. Tomorrow - No post…I’ll be at the SHOW! I love me some Cracker! Crumb Nation rules!
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 04:03:15 +0000
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