Eight Gigs: Cracker

Cracker's latest album, Berkeley to Bakersfield, sounds like Cracker with a twist. “Beautiful” leads us through Berkeley's streets with a punkier sound—a bit harder edged than “One Fine Day,” featuring a more pop sound (think Barenaked Ladies). Never fully grunge (or post-grunge), punk, new-wave, or psychedelic and never completely country, blues or folk—these genres all weave throughout the band's long history as an alternative rock band fronted by David Lowery and Johnny Hickman. “Low,” Cracker's biggest '90s radio hit, is way different than the recent “King of Bakersfield,” a country-ish song drawing from the sounds made famous by Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. Victor Krummenacher opens. 13 Main Street in Winters, www.crackersoul.com.