Alt-rock icons, Cracker, with special guests Mike Milligan and Steam Shovel, Anthems, The Easthills and The Ready Stance are set to play Kokomo Arts Pavilion in Foster Park Saturday, August 2 from 12:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The event is free.

Cracker have signed with 429 Records and are preparing to unleash a collection of new songs, “Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey”. Long-time musical co-horts David Lowery and Johnny Hickman have teamed up again with drummer Frank Funaro and bassist Sal Maida and along with stellar producer David Barbe (Drive By Truckers), have created a uniquely eclectic trove of new tunes.

Well-worn words used to describe their sound: brash, irreverent, sharp-witted, anthemic and riveting – all are in full-effect on the new project that bursts with their trademark rock, punk, glam, surf and country aesthetic. Friends John Doe, Patterson Hood and Adam Duritz also make spirited guest turns on “Sunrise”. Their 429 Records debut is in-stores on May 5 and the first single to radio is “Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out With Me”.

Taking a new approach to their creative process, “Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey” is a truly collaborative effort for the band. Surprisingly self-disciplined, the whole band would take time out to write together one week every two months between tours over the course of a year.

Focusing on a goal of two songs per day, their individual musical influences combined in refreshing and distinctive ways. On the outside it was a straight-ahead work ethic, but the process resulted in the band clicking creatively with a renewed energy.

Says Lowery: “We weren’t kicking back on an island in the Caribbean, waiting for the muse to hit us. We got down to work, found the punk and glam rock in our blood and woke up to ‘Sunrise In The Land Of Milk And Honey.’”