By Jessica Klausing

Day 1 - Friday

Victor Krummenacher
Camper Van Beethoven
Cracker

KC Turner Presents is hosting the 11th annual concert cookout series at the Hopmonk Tavern in Novato. KC Turner, a prolific promoter known for organizing quality music events and private house concerts throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, is behind this event. If you’ve never been to a KC Turner event, do yourself a favor and go! KC is an all-around great guy, who always ensures his audience has a great time!

As soon as Cracker was announced to perform for three days at the Hopmonk Tavern, I bought the tickets and made the travel arrangements. I had a feeling this was going to be special—and I was right! It turns out the rumors were true: Greg Lisher joined Victor Krummenacher and David Lowery for a surprise Camper Van Beethoven mini set!

My last Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven show was in 2014 at their Camp Out festival, which used to take place every September at Pappy & Harriet’s in Yucca Valley, California. You can read about it HERE

Victor Krummenacher Band

Victor Krummenacher photo by Jessica Klausing.

Victor Krummenacher and his band opened the show on Friday. Victor has been a musical hero of mine since middle school when I discovered his other band, Monks of Doom. Seeing him perform his solo material was a real treat. His vocals are both beautiful and emotive. Blue Pacific is my favorite solo album of Victor’s, and it’s one I listened to on repeat during a particularly rough time in my life. Hearing the title track, “Blue Pacific,” transported me back to that healing period. Additionally, hearing the heartbreak in Victor’s voice during “If I Could Only Close My Eyes” nearly brought me to tears.

Joining Victor onstage were Paul Olguin (bass), Greg Lisher (guitar), and Loralee Christensen (backup vocals). Loralee stole the show with her gorgeous, powerhouse bluesy vocals on “Hard to See Trouble Comin’” and “The Cock Crows at Sunrise.” Loralee and Victor complement each other vocally. I can only hope these two continue to make music together.

Victor Krummenacher:
Head for the Hills
Blue Pacific
I Aint Got No Home
If I Could Only Close My Eyes
Hard To See Trouble Comin’
The Cock Crows at Sunrise
Autoluminescent

Camper Van Beethoven

David Lowery and Carlton Walker Owens (Cracker’s drummer) joined Victor and Greg onstage for a surprise Camper Van Beethoven set. Despite the absence of Jonathan Segel and Chris Pederson, the band delivered a solid four-song mini-set of their renowned psychedelic rock quirkiness. “Take the Skinheads Bowling” was a crowd favorite, inspiring lots of dancing and singing. The band closed their set with “Club Med Sux,” a rarity from their Telephone Free Landslide Victory album. As much as we all wanted CVB to continue, it was time for the main act of the night—Cracker.

Camper Van Beethoven:
Good Guys and Bad Guys
Take the Skinheads Bowling
Pictures of Matchstick Men
Club Med Sux

Cracker

From left to right: Johnny Hickman (lead guitarist), David Lowery (frontman, guitarist), Bryan Howard (bass), and Cracker night one setlist photos by Jessica Klausing.

Cracker’s co-founders, David Lowery (lead singer) and Johnny Hickman (lead guitarist), have been playing together for three decades and are still going strong! If I had to describe night one, I would call it "lightning in a bottle."

Johnny was on fire! Watching him shred his guitar and feeling his blissful energy was truly infectious. Despite the scorching 104-degree heat that evening, it didn’t stop me and countless others from singing and dancing our butts off! Bassist Bryan Howard even got into it and was seen headbanging during “Get Off This.” Drummer Carlton Owens was all smiles, keeping tempo during the hype.

Crowd favorites like “Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now),” “Low,” and “Eurotrash Girl” prompted some of the loudest sing-alongs. As the night went on, David slowed things down with the beautiful and reflective “I Want Everything,” while Johnny shined vocally on his heartbreaking “Another Song About the Rain.” The band closed out the night with “El Cerrito” for their encore. My body was buzzing from all the energy—it was a high I never wanted to come down from.

Cracker:
St. Cajetan
Someday
Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)
Mr. Wrong
Low
Loser
Get Off This
Been Around the World
I Want Everything
Happy Birthday To Me
Eurotrash Girl
Another Song About the Rain
Encore:
El Cerrito

Day 2 - Saturday

Megan Slankard
Cracker

KC Turner at Hopmonk Tavern. Photo by Jessica Klausing.

Just when I thought nothing could top day one, day two took it to the next level with more talented musical guests and surprise Cracker rarities making it into the setlist.

Side note: My friend Arie and I embarked on the California Cheese Trail. This is an absolute must for cheese and wine lovers! We followed the trail from Novato to Petaluma, visiting four delicious creameries. The drive is stunning, with breathtaking views of vibrant mountainsides and bustling small coastal towns.

Marin French Cheese Co. was our favorite stop. As the country’s oldest cheese company, they offer a huge selection of cheeses, jams, chocolates, wines, and various charcuterie snacks. You can enjoy these delicious treats beside a lake on their property. It’s the perfect spot for a date night or a picnic with friends and family. As much as we wanted to continue our cheese journey, we had to cut it short to make it to Hopmonk Tavern for the show.

Megan Slankard

Megan Slankard opened the show on Saturday, and seeing her live is a truly captivating experience. She's a phenomenal guitarist with boundless energy! From the moment she stepped on stage, her presence was magnetic, drawing the audience in with a combination of genuine charm and impressive talent. Her music is characterized by remarkable emotional depth and a seamless blend of folk, rock, and pop influences, showcasing her versatility as both a vocalist and a songwriter.

Opening the set with “You Got This” had everyone on their feet, bouncing along to the beat. Megan brought the sass with “California,” delivering lines like, “Did you get what you came here for?/Did you get what you wanted?/Will it fix all of your problems you’ve had since college?” The standout track of the night was her cover of Melanie’s “Brand New Key,” where Megan’s peppy vocals perfectly conveyed the joy of this timeless tune.

Megan Slankard:
You Got This
California
How Can You Tell
Dirty Wings
Brand New Key (Melanie cover)
A Token of the Wreckage

Cracker

Cracker returned for a sold-out night with new surprises added to the setlist. Tonight, we were treated to some hits from their third studio album, The Golden Age. I lost my mind when the band launched into “I’m a Little Rocket Ship” from that album. Of all the songs Cracker played during their three-day stint, this was the one I secretly hoped would make it into the set! A huge thank you to Megan Slankard for making this possible—she played the string arrangements via David’s laptop from the side stage. Many hits from the previous night made it into tonight’s setlist, which meant LOTS of dancing and singing!

Bryan and Carlton’s powerful and rhythmic presence in “100 Flower Power Maximum” fueled the fire. Johnny slowed things down with the sentimental “Hold of Myself.” At one point, the band tried to play “Happy Birthday to Me” but kept messing up, so they ended up playing “Friends” instead. “Happy Birthday to Me” did make it into the encore, with the band closing out the night with the riveting, honky-tonk-esque “Lonesome Johnny Blues.”

Cracker:
The Golden Age
I’m a Little Rocket Ship
Useless Stuff
Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)
100 Flower Power Maximum
Time Machine
Hey Brett (You Know What Time It Is)
Get Off This
St. Cajetan
Low
Don’t Fuck Me Up (With Peace and Love)
Hold Of Myself
The World is Mine
How Can I Live Without You
Friends
Eurotrash Girl
One Fine Day
Give Me One More Chance
Encore:
Happy Birthday to Me
Lonesome Johnny Blues

Day 3 - Sunday

David Lowery
Cracker

Hopmonk Tavern outdoor stage. Photo by Jessica Klausing

Cracker closed out the final night with another stellar, sold-out show. The past three days have been unforgettable and special. Attending a Cracker show feels like a family reunion. The Crumbs (Cracker fans) are some of the nicest music fans I have ever met. Saying goodbye after a show is never easy; the post-concert depression is real! That’s the beauty of concerts—they bring wayward souls together. I will cherish these memories always.

The final night featured an acoustic set by David Lowery and even MORE surprise rarities from Cracker.

David Lowery

David Lowery opened Sunday with a set of songs and stories. His banter between songs was charming and engaging, filled with anecdotes and reflections that provided insight into his creative process and personal experiences. His wit and humor added a layer of warmth to the performance, making the evening feel like an engaging conversation with an old friend.

Opening with the introspective "(I Don’t Wanna Go to the) Lincoln Shrine," he immediately drew the audience into his world, his storytelling style creating a sense of intimacy and connection. “Disneyland Jail” offers humorous yet wise life lessons. "Giving Tree Father" was a standout, weaving together a narrative that reflects on fatherhood, with David's rich and resonant voice carrying an emotional weight.

David Lowery:
(I Don’t Wanna Go to the) Lincoln Shrine
Super Bloom, 1973
Disneyland Jail, 1977
It Don’t Last Long
I Wrote a Song Called Take the Skinheads Bowling
Giving Tree Father

Cracker

From left to right: Johnny Hickman (lead guitarist), Carlton Owens (drummer), Bryan Howard (bass), and David Lowery (vocals, guitarist) photos by Jessica Klausing.

Cracker saved their biggest surprise for the final night. They opened their set with the ethereal, trippy “Bicycle Spaniard,” a rarity that has not been played live in eight years! Apologies to anyone recording near me, as I may have blurted out, “Holy Sh*t!” a bit too loudly in shock.

David Lowery, with his unmistakable voice and commanding presence, led the band through a set that revisited hits and introduced new ones like “King of Bakersfield.” The chemistry between David and Johnny was palpable, and their interplay was one of the night’s highlights. Johnny’s guitar work—whether searing solos or more subtle, nuanced riffs—provided the perfect counterpoint to David’s gravelly vocals. A huge shoutout to Bryan and Carlton for holding down the backbone of this well-curated journey through Cracker’s greatest hits and deeper cuts.

Cracker’s concert was a reminder of their impressive longevity and their knack for delivering a memorable live performance. If you get a chance to see them, don’t miss it—this band still knows how to put on a hell of a show.

Cracker:
Bicycle Spaniard
Friends
King of Bakersfield
St. Cajetan
Someday
Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)
Wedding Day
Eurotrash Girl
California Country Boy
Get on Down the Road
Low
Loser
Movie Star
The World Is Mine
The San Bernardino Boy
Get Off This
Encore:
The Man in Me (Bob Dylan cover)
El Cerrito

By Jess Klausing

I have been a big fan of both Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker for many years.

Well, I started out listening to Monks of Doom first and worked my way back to Cracker and then Camper Van Beethoven. So, I'm a little out of order with things. I had heard of this alleged “Campout” in a place called Pioneertown. Listening to Counting Crows' This Desert Life, I had become pretty familiar with Pioneertown and Pappy and Harriet’s through the song, “Ms. Potter’s Lullaby.”

In fact, it was listening to a Counting Crows bootleg that inspired me to want to make it out there someday. During a live version of "Mrs. Potter's Lullaby," Adam Duritz talks about wanting so badly to escape so he spends the night out in the desert. Adam's description of Pioneertown really intrigued me. I wanted so badly to escape the confinement of the life I was living as well. I had spent most of my life in my dull hometown and was ready to escape like Adam.

At the time, I was living in a small rural town in Georgia, between school and work; I never had the funds or time to fly out there. The closest thing I had in attendance was watching the first ever Campout on DVD. It was not until 2014, when I moved to Los Angeles that I would finally be able to attend my first three day annual Campout extravaganza.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Day 1: Crumb Initiation

On September 11, 2014, I drove out to the high desert for a weekend I would never forget. Yucca Valley has a very chill vibe to it. Despite the dry desert heat, a sense of serenity washed over me as I stepped out of the car. The desert itself was beautiful. Nothing but sand, cactus, blue skies, rocks and Joshua Trees that stretched on for miles. This was the picturesque inspiration for any country western lyrics. I especially loved the fact that the little town was quiet all day and night! It was a much welcomed escape from the hustle and bustle of metro life in LA! Once I checked in to my respective hotel and was settled, I immediately wasted no time in getting to Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace.

The palace is a little restaurant and bar in the middle of nowhere complete with an intimate indoor and outdoor stage. It does not look like much at first but it has plenty of personality. This place is literally a gem buried deep within the desert. Robert Plant, Modest Mouse, and Vampire Weekend are just a few of the many all star talent that performs on these stages. The food is even really good! In fact, I ate there all three nights for dinner. I personally recommend the pulled pork sandwich. Around 6PM, all of the Campout attendees were to line up outside the palace for their festival bracelets. It was at that time I was introduced to many of the other fans in line.

Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker have a tight nit community of fans known as “Crumbs.” The Crumbs consider each other more like family. I couldn’t agree more. Attending the festival alone, I was quite intimidated at first. It seemed like all the fans knew each other, except me. But I was immediately introduced and literally welcomed with open arms into the group. It’s always great meeting other die-hard fans at various shows but the Crumbs are flat out the nicest, most welcoming bunch I have ever met.

Talking with the Crumbs, I became more familiar with the Campout customs. Each Campout day has a particular costume theme. Today was Funaro day. Everyone was to wear their Funaro shirts in honor of Cracker drummer, Frank Funaro. Frank suffered a severe arm injury that kept him from playing the drums this year. He was still there in attendance for Campout to support his fellow Camper/Cracker family. It was a real pleasure getting to chat with Frank. He’s a big flirt and such a delight to be around.

At around 9PM, Johnny Hickman and David Lowery opened Campout as the Cracker Duo with Greg Lisher. The Duo mostly performed stripped down acoustic versions of some of their hits such as "Low," "Dr. Bernice," and "Teen Angst." I really perked up as soon as Johnny crooned into my all time favorite Cracker song, “Another Song about the Rain.” Johnny’s haunting “Ahh Woo” vocals blend deliciously into the clash of his guitar. I can't get enough of this beautiful song.

This Campout was a particular special one because both CVB and Cracker had new albums. Cracker’s new double album, Berkeley to Bakersfield was not available until December but the Duo played several songs from the album.

My favorite of the night was “King of Bakersfield.” This song has a nice old school Conway Twitty western sound with bittersweet lyrics. David explained that the Berkeley side is influenced by punk and garage while the Bakersfield side is more California country. It’s a nice record that showcases the band’s talents with both alternative rock and country. However, I tend to favor the Bakersfield side more. Maybe because it’s pure and gentle pace makes me yearn for the desert life?

Friday, September 12, 2014

Day 2: I Live in LA

Jonathan Segel – 7:30pm- 8pm (outside stage)
Paul Chesne Band – 8:30pm – 9:15pm (outside stage)
Camper Van Beethoven – 9:45pm (outside stage)
The Dangers w/ Johnny Hickman – midnight – 12:45am (inside stage)

After an incredible first night, I was beyond ready to continue on with my Campout adventures. During the day I walked through the small town of Yucca Valley to check out the scenery, which included a stop in Rose and Buster’s Wine Tasting Bar. The owner, Buster is a local to the Mojave desert and just happens to be a Crumb. The bar is decked out in a swanky hippy desert style. Do the wine tour if you have a chance. Buster will treat you to an assortment of delicious cheeses and rare organic wines that can't be found in stores.

It was also a pleasure bumping into many other Crumbs throughout the little town. Everyone was regaling last night’s performance and was hyped about the other bands for tonight’s lineup. Tonight’s costume theme was New Wave vs. Punk. I think Team Punk pretty much dominated the costume category for the night.

Later that day, I returned to Pappy and Harriet’s for my dinner before the festivities began. As luck would have it, some of the guys from Cracker and CVB were having dinner there too. The cool part was I actually got to sit at an adjoining table with David Lowery and Jonathan Segel. Such great guys! I chatted briefly with them and Greg Lisher about music until our food arrived.

While the bands were setting up, I took a walk through the old abandoned Roy Roger’s western movie set, which is now Pioneertown. During certain parts of the day, some of the shops are open to the public. I found out that Kerosene Hat was recorded in the now closed movie soundstage. I like all of the Cracker albums but Kerosene Hat is my favorite and most listened to out of the bunch. It’s such a surreal feeling for me to just take in this area that was the inspiration for many of my favorite Cracker songs.

Around 7:30PM, everyone gathered to the outdoor stage to watch Jonathan Segel. I don’t know really how to describe Jonathan’s set other than 'hippy trippy instrumentalpalooza.' I can dig it! Everyone else seemed to as well; as the smell of weed sure lingered on throughout the entire set.

The Paul Chesne Band was next up and managed to build on the psychedelic atmosphere with some grungy desert rock. “Wet Dog Man” is a gritty dive bar anthem for the rebels. I prefer the more old school piano based "Pink Champagne." The band has a solid blues meets twang sound in the lyrical style of Gram Parsons and Jeff Tweedy. It takes quite a bit to impress me when it comes to country. I will say that Chesne knows how to give a strong delivery.

The much anticipated Camper Van Beethoven took the stage next. CVB had just released their new duel albums, El Camino Real and La Costa Perdida. Similar to Cracker, each album takes you on a musical journey through the different parts of California. El Camino Real focuses on the darker sound of southern California, while La Costa Perdida has the more trippy northern California sound. Their music has always interfused psychedelic rock, ska, folk, European dance and pop. Expect the random. What else could you really expect from them?

The band played quite a few of their new songs. My favorite of the set was "I Live in LA." Having just moved to LA, the lyrics reminded me of the bittersweet goodbye I gave to my friends and family before I left. Another favorite was “Northern California Girls,” which is a sequel to the Beach Boy’s “California Girls.” Of course, I would be lying if I didn’t admit that it was a treat getting to hear the surfy hit "Take the Skinheads Bowling." Jonathan's violin styling complimented Greg's Telecaster along with Victor's bass, holding up the rhythm. These guys were in top form for the night.

After the set, I managed to chat with Victor Krummenacher. I love and respect all of the guys for their hard work and talent, but Victor has a special place in my heart. As I stated earlier, I am a big Monks of Doom fan. I gotta admit I was a little bummed they weren’t on the bill this year, but Greg did confirm to me that a new album was in the works! I told Victor how much his music meant to me and that I just moved out here. He gave me a hug thanking me for coming along with a hearty welcome to California! It was definitely the highlight of my night for sure.

At midnight, we headed to the inside stage for Johnny Hickman and the Dangers. Chris LeRoy and Johnny Hickman gave a powerhouse performance of pop hits such as "Lucky," "Stranger," and "Radio City." Their energy was contagious. This is the kind of music you expect to hear waltzing into a saloon. I was already wiped out from the previous bands but their esteemed brand of Honky Tonk rock kept me on my feet til the end.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Day 3: Crumbs, Crows, and Cracker OH MY!

Los Rios Rock School – 7pm – 7:45pm (outside stage)
Brant Bjork and the Bros – 8pm – 9pm (outside stage)
Cracker – 9:30 pm (outside stage)
The Hickmen – 11:30pm – 12:15am (inside stage)
Victor Krummenacher Band – 12:45am (inside stage)

The last night of Campout. Just when I thought nothing could top the first two days, tonight just got better!

Around 5PM, the Campout bands held a special Meet N Greet session. By special Meet N Greet it's basically you buy the official Campout poster, and the bands all sign it in an assembly line fashion across the table. I defiantly wanted some token to commemorate this weekend, so I participated.

At 7PM, the Los Rios Rock School opened the show. Los Rios Rock School provides programs to help teach kids to play instruments and record professionally. The owner, Tyler Marolf is such a nice guy and you can tell he is really passionate about helping his students. They covered many Cracker hits such as "Low," "Movie Star," and the crowd favorite, "Eurotrash Girl." I was amazed at the talent. I could see that the Cracker guys felt the same way. They stood off to the sidelines happily cheering the kids on. These kids really got into the music like seasoned professionals. One Crumb even exclaimed, “these guys are gonna be the headliners for Campout 50!”

Next up was Brant Bjork and the Bros. I can’t give you my actually review of them that night because I couldn’t hear anything! I had made it up to the front row at this point. Once Brant hooked up his double stacked amps, instinctively, everyone started putting on their ear plugs. I had never heard their music so I didn't think it would be such a big deal. Geez, was I ever wrong! Sure enough the bass was melting the skin off my face. All I could hear was BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, the entire set. I couldn't make out any words! One of the Crumbs felt bad for me and went to get me a pair of ear plugs. Even with the ear plugs, I still couldn't make out anything. Next time I see these guys, I will remember to stay in the far back row!!

Once I got home I did give these guys a proper listen before I made an opinion. I'm really glad I did because what happened next was unexpected. Their particular brand of stoner rock is the type of chill music you want to just listen to while laying on the floor staring up at the ceiling. It sounded a lot more aggressive in person.

Everyone cheered as soon as Cracker took the stage. Tonight’s final theme was “I want out of this circus,” where the Crumbs and the band were all dressed in assorted circus attire. The stage was even decked out with creepy clown dolls. Everyone went all out for the last night of Campout. Tonight was my favorite theme of all. Everyone wore the most creative assortment of costumes and it felt more like a Halloween show than an indie desert rock festival.

Cracker brought it home with some soulful country rock. The band played many of their popular hits, "Low," "Teen Angst," "Sweet Potato" and "Big Dipper" Johnny never fails to amaze me. A seasoned guitarist that can shred it during "Eurotrash Girl" and then change dials into a soulful blusey "Take Me Down to the Infirmary." Most fans have a favorite preference between Cracker and CVB. I really couldn't begin to decipher my favorite. Just like their double albums, they both represent different genres but compliment each other so well.

The biggest treat of all was seeing that Counting Crows ex drummer Ben Mize filled in as the drummer for the night! It was a mix of Cracker/CVB and Counting Crows music that had convinced me to pursue my lifelong dream of moving to California and coming to Pioneertown. Being here to witness the best of both worlds was beyond a dream come true for me. After Cracker’s set, I made a beeline to talk to Ben. He was such a nice, down to earth guy (as all of the guys are). We bonded over the fact that we are both Georgians, in fact; Ben nicknamed me “Georgia” for the rest of the night. It was particularly cool getting to chat with Ben about This Desert Life (which is my all time favorite Counting Crows album).

We both went inside for a few drinks and to check out the Hickmen. Johnny kept the party going with more electrifying Honky Tonk rock. After the Hickmen, I got a chance to chat with Johnny. He was such a sweetheart! He saw that the air was making me chilly so in an attempt to warm me he gave me several big hugs and a kiss.

Victor Krummenacher Band closed out Campout. Being a huge fan of Victor’s music, I was very excited about his hearing his solo work. Victor's music is a cross mix of old fashioned country with a twinge of Irish folk. It's on a much darker side of the spectrum than the sarcastic CVB. Much like Cracker and CVB, Victor was also celebrating a new album release. His ninth studio album, Hard to See Trouble Coming was released earlier last year. "If I Could Only Close My Eyes" has Leon Helm type vocals with an emotional brooding of drums and pedal steel. Amidst the gloomy tracks, "If You Wont Break My Heart, I Wont Stand a Chance," has a slight early rock N roll feel that stood out for me.

After Victor’s set everyone headed outside for the traditional Campout closer of “Porch Stock.” Porch Stock is basically Johnny and a couple of musician friends’ improvised sing-a-long jam session outside the Pioneertown hotel. This was quite a celebratory way to close out the 10th annual Campout!

“Last of the great Pioneertown bars”

Campout X has been very special to me. I have made lifelong friends and am very blessed to have spent three wonderful nights listening to incredible music in a breathtaking atmosphere. All of this made my hectic move worth it in the end. I can guarantee this will NOT be my last Campout! I look forward to more shows and making more Crumb friends. Thank you fellow Crumbs and to the CVB/Cracker extended family for memories that I will always cherish. If you are a music fan and want to get the hell out of the city then I encourage you to check out Pappyand Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace. You will be glad you did! They always have talented musicians that perform there. Campout is usually held every September, unless otherwise noted. Tickets for Campout can be purchased onCracker or CVB's websites.

KC Turner Presents: 11th Annual Concert Series at Hopmonk Tavern Novato

Day 1 - Friday

Victor Krummenacher Band

Camper Van Beethoven

Cracker

Day 2 - Saturday

Megan Slankard

Cracker

Day 3 - Sunday

David Lowery

Cracker

Camper Van Beethoven/Cracker's Campout X 2014