Artist's Biography
This
band is something of a throwback. A power trio in the tradition of the Jimi
Hendrix Experience or Cream making modern rock music that is at once
controlled and ferocious. It's not normal, but it feels familiar. As
Seattle's The Stranger put it, "Since their first effort way back in the
early aughts they’ve been unable to write anything but drum and guitar
driven, proggy rock songs, whose anachronistic feel is easily forgotten
because they’re just so fun to listen to."
Cracker Factory releases their fourth studio album "Chasing Ghosts" in June,
2015, which they describe as their most nuanced and controlled effort -- the
result, while retaining their adventurous musicianship, is their most
accessible. The album has multiple guest artists that contributed their
talents: Andrew Vait (Sisters), Tim Snider, Steve Scalfati ("The Late Late
Show"), Dan Schmidt (Mts & Tunnels), Ayesha "MusicBox" Brooks and more.
From the opening riffs of "Don't Drink the Water," to the rootsy political
"Mean Ol' Uncle Sam" to the anthem "Heaven for Free," this is a broad and
confident exposition that shows off a band in their prime. The trio will be
touring around the Northwest in support of the album release, and produced a
music video for "Heaven for Free."
RL Heyer, Shane Smith and Denali Williams first played together in Cheney,
WA in 1998. They took their name from "The Simpsons" (Milhouse's dad worked
at the Cracker Factory), and released their first album, "Deep Fried Basket
of Love," in 2003. "Mouth Breather" followed in 2007, "A sweaty, rusty album
completely devoid of pop sheen (save for some ingenious hooks)" (The
Stranger), which delivered "I Know Two Notes," a declaration of style and
substance.
"I Know Two Notes" went on to become the band's best-selling track, with
Dennis Cook from the Dirty Impound saying, "From simple things great things
sometimes emerge. This ditty from Seattle’s Cracker Factory is like a zen
mantra from a sensei that loves Anvil and The Stooges."
In collaboration with animator Andrew Woods the band released a music video
for "I Know Two Notes." [3] Internet personality Mr. Weebl shared the video
and to date the video has has over 17,000 views and over 850 Likes. Fans
said, "And why precisely is this not viral? This song is amazing!"
In 2013 the band released "No One Knows We're Here." The album was their
most successful project to date and one that clearly showed the musical
growth that comes from playing countless shows in Cracker Factory and a
broad constellation of other bands like Flowmotion, True Spokes, Thomas
Mapfumo, Uncle Pooch and many more. Despite all the musical chairs -- or
maybe because of them -- the trio has stuck together for nearly two decades,
always coming home to the Factory.
And the recipe is still working. The band was profiled on the TV show "Band
in Seattle" in 2014, and is booked for several high-profile festivals in
summer 2015.
All of this leads up to this moment in time. Cracker Factory is three
veteran musicians of high caliber releasing their strongest album yet;
warrior poets of that sacred place we call the stage. Now if you will please
excuse them, it is time to rock.
Full Album show of
December 8, 2020
Album: Mouth Breather
Digital Album
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1.Evolution 03:23
2.Amplified Surreal T.V. 06:36
3.Child of Nature 11:55
4.Sing This Song 05:25
5.I Know 2 Notes 02:04
6.? 06:31
7.It's Been A Good Day 06:51
8.Ode to Zach 01:29
9.Fryin' Ryan 00:40
released January 23, 2007
Featured Artist of
Sep 6, 2020
with
the song:
Chasing Ghosts
released June 20, 2015
RL Heyer - Guitars, Vocals, Effects
Shane Smith - Bass, Vocals
Denali Williams - Drums, Percussion, Vocals
GUESTS:
Steve Scalfati - Keyboards on Stronger Than Glue, Group Vocal on Mean Ol'
Uncle Sam
Tim Snider - Strings (and arrangements) and Electric Violin on Escape
Ayesha "MusicBox" Brooks - Vocals on Escape
Dan Schmidt - Vocals on Escape
Eric Miller - Group Vocal on Mean Ol' Uncle Sam
Andrew Vait - Vocals on Heaven For Free
Engineered by Dave West and Pat at Birdhouse Studio in Ballard and RL Heyer
at Hit Factory, Cascadia
Mixed by Scott Colburn at Gravel Voice Studio in Ballard
Mastered by Kevin Jenkins
Produced by Cracker Factory
Cover art by Nikai Birchler and Shane Smith license
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