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‘Cracker’ guitarist settles in Loveland |
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Written by Rebecca LaPole
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Thursday, 18 January 2007 |
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Loveland might be a million miles from the center of the new-wave-punk-rock world, but that didn't stop alt-rock innovator Johnny Hickman from settling there.
Hickman, one-half of the rock group Cracker that made its splash in the 90s with hits like “Low,” has traded the California sun for the Colorado sun - and as of late, snow.
“I still have friends and family in California, and a lot of my solo album is about California because that's where I grew up,” Hickman said. “I miss the desert, but that place just beats you to a pulp. It is so populated and expensive and the people aren't that nice because they live in a big giant rat cage. I'd much prefer the snow and living (in Loveland). I'll shovel snow anytime.
“I love it here.”
The solo project Hickman talked about is “Palmhenge,” his first solo album, which was released less than two years ago. Since “Palmhenge” was released, Hickman has toured Europe and helped put out a new Cracker album with David Lowery.
“In Spain we have more fans per capita than in the U.S. I think it's because we have a slight Latin influence in our music,” Hickman said.
“David was on a military base in Spain during his childhood, and I spent a lot of my childhood in Puerto Rico, so we can speak and understand a little bit of Spanish. It's worth it to us to take a tour there because it's like a vacation,” Hickman said. “It is a little nerve-wracking because they think when they hear an American accent that you're in the Iraqi war. But it's beautiful and a pleasure, just like touring in Colorado.
“The people here really appreciate live music and art in a different way.”
And the appreciation goes both ways. Hickman has had the opportunity to work with such local acts as The Piggies, and he's impressed with the area's talent.
“I was really impressed by (The Piggies),” Hickman said. “They knew the songs from my album better than I did in our first rehearsal together last year (for the City Limits show). It's also amusing because I'm hanging out with these guys that are half my age, and they just kick my ass everyday in practice. I'm 50 years old, so they're like my son's age.”
Still, Hickman doesn't feel old making his music or touring. So, it's likely he will have traveled that extra million miles and found the center of the rock universe.
If not, he'll still be happy in Loveland.
———
TO GO TO THE SHOW
Johnny Hickman and The Piggies
9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20
Aggie Theatre, 204 S. College Ave., Fort Collins
Tickets: $8 in advance at ABCD’s, Rockin’ Robbins,
Aggie box office. $10 day of show | Only registered users can write comments.
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