Formed in January 2008 by the Habitual Ritual Sketch
Comedy troupe, Crackers & Snackmeat is a throw-together of
guitarist Phil Black and bassist Jayson French (formerly
backups at The Perch), drummer Chris "SkeeZe" Slezak from
a myspace bulletin, and singer/actor/improv comedian James
Lee Walker II. Three weeks after forming, the quartet
played their first show as the house band for the Habitual
Ritual Comedy shows. There was an instant chemistry
between the members that has continued to blossom into one
of Charlotte's premier comedy bands.
Since their inception they have stretched the musical
boundaries with pounding funk grooves, laid back blues,
and hard hitting hooks. Fearless in exploring different
genres, from jazz to rock they continue to grow as a
musical team.
Crackers & Snackmeat have gone on to play numerous shows
all over Charlotte in and outside the comedy arena. Having
developed a solid fanbase in the NoDa district of
Charlotte the band started branching out into the other
music venues in the city to further the growth of their
fanbase. Playing with internationally touring comedian
Doug Stanhope along with local and regional comedic talent
such as Kerry White, Carlos Valencia, Joe Zimmerman,
and Allegra Barnett, they have carved out a solid niche with
other comedy acts as well. It doesn't stop there as they
have shared the stage with The LRC, Satta Tribe, Eyes of the
Elders, One Big Love, Red Letter Blue, a little ugly, The
Side, cul-de-sac, 20 Past 4, The Thought Criminals, Andy
Wood, Case Federal & The Agents, Roots Essential, Matthew Paul Butler, The Lights Fluorescent, Wicked Jones, Tater Famine, and Attila's Honey to name a few.
Crackers & Snackmeat released "Down The Road", their debut album with Milkjug Records in August 2009 and are currently the house band for the live talk show "cultureBeast".
So I heard this rumour that C&S intends to pose as Charlotte's PREMIER comedy theatre band. Pffft ... we couldn't care less ... we're the premier comedy band in Holguin, Cuba ... AND we look good in khaki.