Songwriters

I remember the first time lyrics appealed to me that weren't directly political (i.e. not Dead Kennedys, Millions of Dead Cops, Reagan Youth, etc.). They were those of Dave Lowery of Cracker, whom I discovered before I knew Camper Van Beethoven. I wasn't much into the burgeoning "indie" scene growing up. I didn't like Sebadoh, I hated (still do) Pavement. Didn't like Weezer. (And besides, The Connells, whom I did like, should have gotten credit for starting emo, along with Rites of Spring.) But I was a huge Babes in Toyland fan, and so the first episode of 120 Minutes I ever saw was to see Kat Bjelland perform live. That episode also featured "Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)" and I was hooked. From Cracker came Camper Van came REM came Afghan Whigs, Screaming Trees, Gumball, Half Japanese, and so on.

Here's a recent live performance of Cracker doing my favorite song off their s/t debut, Dr. Bernice.