rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...

San Francisco San Francisco (; Spanish language, Spanish for "Francis of Assisi, Saint Francis"), officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Northern California. The city proper is the List of Ca ...

ska Ska (; ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. It combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues. Ska is characterized by a walki ...

folk Folk or Folks may refer to: Sociology *Nation *People * Folklore ** Folk art ** Folk dance ** Folk hero ** Folk music *** Folk metal *** Folk punk *** Folk rock ** Folk religion * Folk taxonomy Arts, entertainment, and media * Folk Plus or Fo ...

hardcore punk Hardcore punk (also known as simply hardcore) is a punk rock music genre and subculture that originated in the late 1970s. It is generally faster, harder, and more aggressive than other forms of punk rock. Its roots can be traced to earlier punk ...

indie rock Indie rock is a subgenre of rock music that originated in the United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand from the 1970s to the 1980s. Originally used to describe independent record labels, the term became associated with the music they produc ...

Take the Skinheads Bowling "Take the Skinheads Bowling" is the signature song of Santa Cruz, California alternative rock band Camper Van Beethoven, written by David Lowery and released on their 1985 album '' Telephone Free Landslide Victory''. The song (as covered by the ...

Virgin Records Virgin Records is a record label owned by Universal Music Group. It originally founded as a British independent record label in 1972 by entrepreneurs Richard Branson, Simon Draper, Nik Powell, and musician Tom Newman (musician), Tom Newman. It ...

Pictures of Matchstick Men "Pictures of Matchstick Men" is the first hit single by Status Quo, released on 5 January 1968. The Status Quo version The song reached number 7 in the British charts, number 8 in Canada, and number 12 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, becoming th ...

Billboard Magazine ''Billboard'' (stylized as ''billboard'') is an American music and entertainment magazine published weekly by Penske Media Corporation. The magazine provides music charts, news, video, opinion, reviews, events, and style related to the music ...

David Immerglück David A. Immerglück (born May 3, 1961)''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010. is an American multi-instrumentalist who is best known as a guitarist in the alternative rock bands Counting Crows, ...

Counting Crows Counting Crows is an American rock band from San Francisco, California. Formed in 1991, the band consists of guitarist David Bryson, drummer Jim Bogios, vocalist Adam Duritz, keyboardist Charlie Gillingham, David Immerglück, bass guitarist M ...

Monks of Doom The Monks of Doom is an American alternative rock band, formed in California in 1986. The band's music draws from post-punk, progressive rock, indie rock, psychedelic and folk rock traditions. including Sitting Duck and the Estonian Gauchos (featuring future Cracker guitarist

Johnny Hickman John Arthur Hickman (born September 10, 1959) is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the rock band Cracker. Biography Early years Hickman is a native of Redlands in San Bernardino County in California's ...

). These bands included future Camper Van Beethoven members bassist and

vocalist Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or withou ...

David Lowery,

guitarist A guitarist (or a guitar player) is a person who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of guitar family instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselv ...

and

multi-instrumentalist A multi-instrumentalist is a musician who plays two or more musical instruments at a professional level of proficiency. Also known as doubling, the practice allows greater ensemble flexibility and more efficient employment of musicians, where ...

Chris Molla, and often drummer Bill McDonald as well. The Estonian Gauchos and a late incarnation of Sitting Duck also included another future Camper Van Beethoven member, bassist Victor Krummenacher, whose joining allowed Lowery to switch to rhythm guitar. Sitting Ducks played a mixture of

punk Punk or punks may refer to: Genres, subculture, and related aspects * Punk rock, a music genre originating in the 1970s associated with various subgenres * Punk subculture, a subculture associated with punk rock, or aspects of the subculture s ...

and

acid rock Acid rock is a loosely defined type of rock music that evolved out of the mid-1960s garage punk movement and helped launch the psychedelic subculture. Named after lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), the style is generally defined by heavy, d ...

, along with what Lowery described as "fake Russian-sounding music". At the same time, Lowery, Molla and Krummenacher were studying in Santa Cruz at the

University of California, Santa Cruz The University of California, Santa Cruz (UC Santa Cruz or UCSC) is a public land-grant research university in Santa Cruz, California. It is one of the ten campuses in the University of California system. Located on Monterey Bay, on the edge of ...

, and were musically active there as well. The former two played in the Santa Cruz-based Box O' Laffs, which also included future Camper Van Beethoven members Richie West,

Anthony Guess Kevtone (born Kevin Anthony Guess, December 30, 1964) is an American musician, percussionist, and songwriter from Seattle, Washington. Performing live and in studio, his rhythm style may best be described as improvisational, melodic, progressive, ...

, and Chris Pedersen at various times. While on summer break in 1983, Lowery and Molla returned to Redlands and formed a new band, Camper Van Beethoven and the Border Patrol. The group featured Lowery, Molla, Krummenacher and McDonald, along with several other musicians at various points, including guitarist David McDaniel, harmonica player Mike Zorn and violinist Daniel Blume. Although this initial incarnation of the band only existed for three months, during this time they wrote much of the material which would feature on their debut album, including "Take the Skinheads Bowling". The band's name was coined by McDaniel: according to Lowery "McDaniel was into this stuff that would sound like it made sense, but really it didn’t... He’d watch a lot of TV, accept all this mass-media stuff and spit it out all chopped up. I got the whole absurdism influence from him". When Lowery, Molla and Krummenacher returned to college in Santa Cruz, Lowery and Molla resumed playing with Box O' Laffs. After meeting

violin The violin, sometimes known as a ''fiddle'', is a wooden chordophone (string instrument) in the violin family. Most violins have a hollow wooden body. It is the smallest and thus highest-pitched instrument (soprano) in the family in regular ...

ist,

keyboardist A keyboardist or keyboard player is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical inst ...

and guitarist

Jonathan Segel Jonathan Segel (born September 3, 1963) is an American composer and multi-instrumentalist. He has played with Camper Van Beethoven, Sparklehorse, Eugene Chadbourne, and Dieselhed. Early life and education Segel was born in Marseille, France, a ...

, they decided to re-form Camper Van Beethoven and the Border Patrol in Santa Cruz, with drummer Richie West replacing McDonald.

First three albums (1985–1987)

In 1985, the band reduced its name to Camper Van Beethoven, replaced West with Anthony Guess, and recorded their debut album, ''

Telephone Free Landslide Victory ''Telephone Free Landslide Victory'' is an album by musical group Camper Van Beethoven, released on Independent Project Records and released in June 1985. It featured the band's best known song, "Take the Skinheads Bowling". The album has sold o ...

''. The record featured their first successful single, "

Take the Skinheads Bowling "Take the Skinheads Bowling" is the signature song of Santa Cruz, California alternative rock band Camper Van Beethoven, written by David Lowery and released on their 1985 album '' Telephone Free Landslide Victory''. The song (as covered by the ...

", the lesser hit "The Day That Lassie Went to the Moon", and an experimental country-influenced

cover version In popular music, a cover version, cover song, remake, revival, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording by a musician other than the original performer or composer of the song. Originally, it referred to a version of a song release ...

of Black Flag's "Wasted". The album featured songs with humorous lyrics, often simultaneously celebrating and mocking 1980s counterculture, and instrumental tracks featuring ska-beats and Eastern European, Mexican or Spaghetti-Western influenced guitar or violin lines. Shortly after this record was released, lead guitarist

Greg Lisher Greg Lisher (born 29 November 1963) is the lead guitar player for Camper Van Beethoven. He is also one of the founding members of the Camper Van Beethoven spin-off Indy prog rock group Monks of Doom. He has also released three solo records. Hi ...

joined the group. The band recorded a set of songs with an expanded version of the lineup that recorded the debut, with Lisher playing lead on some songs. Guess departed shortly thereafter, leaving Lowery and Molla briefly to take turns swapping drumming duties. This incarnation recorded a second set of songs, with Molla handling the drums. At the end of the sessions, in 1986, long-term drummer Chris Pedersen was added. The band's second album, ''

II & III ''II & III'' is a 1986 album by musical group Camper Van Beethoven, released on Pitch-a-Tent and Rough Trade. It was the band's second album. After releasing their debut album, original drummer Anthony Guess left the band, and guitarist Greg ...

'', was culled from both recording sessions. Segel played

mandolin A mandolin ( it, mandolino ; literally "small mandola") is a stringed musical instrument in the lute family and is generally plucked with a pick. It most commonly has four courses of doubled strings tuned in unison, thus giving a total of 8 ...

and

sitar The sitar ( or ; ) is a plucked stringed instrument, originating from the Indian subcontinent, used in Hindustani classical music. The instrument was invented in medieval India, flourished in the 18th century, and arrived at its present form ...

in addition to violin, and Molla played pedal steel guitar on some tracks. The album featured a noticeably expanded sound, with influences of country music and Americana mixed in with faux Indian or Arabic music and psychedelia. Released later that year, their self-titled third album featured guest membership from experimental banjo and guitar player

Eugene Chadbourne Eugene Chadbourne (born January 4, 1954) is an American banjoist, guitarist and music critic. Life and career Chadbourne was born in Mount Vernon, New York, but grew up in Boulder, Colorado. He started playing guitar when he was eleven or twel ...

on their cover of Pink Floyd's "

Interstellar Overdrive "Interstellar Overdrive" is an instrumental composition written and performed by Pink Floyd. The song was written in 1966 and is on their 1967 debut album, '' The Piper at the Gates of Dawn'', clocking in at almost ten minutes in length. The so ...

" and several other tracks. On the album, the elements of psychedelia on the previous album came to the fore. The album also featured some satirical political commentary on songs like "Good Guys and Bad Guys" and "Joe Stalin's Cadillac," the former which enjoyed some underground college radio play. Krummenacher, Lisher, Pedersen and Molla also formed the side project

Monks of Doom The Monks of Doom is an American alternative rock band, formed in California in 1986. The band's music draws from post-punk, progressive rock, indie rock, psychedelic and folk rock traditions.David Immerglück David A. Immerglück (born May 3, 1961)''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010. is an American multi-instrumentalist who is best known as a guitarist in the alternative rock bands Counting Crows, ...

. Molla left Camper Van Beethoven after touring for the third album, reducing the band to a five-piece with Lowery, Krummenacher, Segel, Lisher, and Pedersen — the longest-standing lineup in their initial career. Released in November 1987, the EP ''

Vampire Can Mating Oven ''Vampire Can Mating Oven'' is an EP by the alternative rock band Camper Van Beethoven, released in 1987. The EP includes satirical liner notes relating false stories behind the songs. A re-recorded version of "Never Go Back" was included the fo ...

'' preceded a major label bidding war. The EP featured a more streamlined and accessible sound, with Lisher's lead guitar taking a major role for the first time.

Virgin Records years (1987–1990)

In 1987 the band signed to

Virgin Records Virgin Records is a record label owned by Universal Music Group. It originally founded as a British independent record label in 1972 by entrepreneurs Richard Branson, Simon Draper, Nik Powell, and musician Tom Newman (musician), Tom Newman. It ...

. They released their fourth album '' Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart''. The album featured a more streamlined, song-oriented approach, cutting back on the psychedelia and reducing the number of instrumentals, but keeping much of their eclectic approach. This was followed by extensive touring and preparations for recording their next album. Due to internal tensions, Segel left the band during rehearsals for their fifth album. Written mostly as a four-piece, the resultant LP, ''

Key Lime Pie Key lime pie is an American dessert pie. It is made of lime, egg yolks, and sweetened condensed milk. It may be served with no topping, topped with a meringue topping made from egg whites, or with whipped cream; it may be cooked in a pie crust ...

'', featured the violin playing of Don Lax before the replacement violinist Morgan Fichter (of the Bay Area band Harm Farm) was found. Fichter played violin on Opening Theme, Pictures of Matchstick Men and Flowers. The album featured a noticeably darker lyrical outlook as compared to the band's previous records. Musically, it featured less of the world-music influences of the previous albums, replaced with more elements of

Americana Americana may refer to: *Americana (music), a genre or style of American music *Americana (culture), artifacts of the culture of the United States Film, radio and television * ''Americana'' (1992 TV series), a documentary series presented by J ...

, along with a lusher, a more orchestrated version of psychedelia than their previous records had featured. They scored a minor hit with a cover of the Status Quo song "

Pictures of Matchstick Men "Pictures of Matchstick Men" is the first hit single by Status Quo, released on 5 January 1968. The Status Quo version The song reached number 7 in the British charts, number 8 in Canada, and number 12 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, becoming th ...

", their highest-charting single. David Immerglück (of the Ophelias and the Monks of Doom) joined in 1990 for touring behind the record, playing some of the departed Molla and Segel's instrumental parts on steel guitar, guitar and mandolin. They broke up in April 1990 after a show in

Örebro Örebro ( , ) is the sixth-largest city in Sweden, the seat of Örebro Municipality, and capital of the Örebro County. It is situated by the Närke Plain, near the lake Hjälmaren, a few kilometers inland along the small river Svartån, and ...

, Sweden.

Inactive period (1990–1999)

''

Camper Vantiquities ''Camper Vantiquities'' is a 1993 rarities compilation album by musical group Camper Van Beethoven, released on I.R.S. It included the earlier EP '' Vampire Can Mating Oven'' and a number of other unreleased tracks, compiled by bassist Victo ...

'', a compilation album packaging the ''Vampire Can Mating Oven'' EP with outtakes, demos, and rarities, was released in 1993. After disbanding, Lowery and Hickman formed Cracker with bassist

Davey Faragher David Allen "Davey" Faragher (born August 18, 1957) is an American bass guitarist from Redlands, California. Faragher's career took off and received critical notice as a founding member of the nineties band Cracker, and his subsequent work with ...

. Krummenacher, Lisher, Immerglück and Pedersen intensified their activities in Monks of Doom, which remained active until 1993. These members also collaborated with Chadbourne under the name Camper Van Chadbourne. Immerglück later collaborated with

Counting Crows Counting Crows is an American rock band from San Francisco, California. Formed in 1991, the band consists of guitarist David Bryson, drummer Jim Bogios, vocalist Adam Duritz, keyboardist Charlie Gillingham, David Immerglück, bass guitarist M ...

, officially joining the group in 1999. Krummenacher began a solo career, recording several solo albums with guests such as

Dave Alvin David Albert Alvin (born November 11, 1955) is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer. He is a former and founding member of the roots rock band the Blasters. Alvin has recorded and performed as a solo artist since the late 1980s a ...

. Pedersen moved to Australia in 1998. Segel played with

Dieselhed Dieselhed was a San Francisco-based band, originally from Arcata, California.Prato, Greg. " Dieselhed: Biography, Allmusic. Retrieved May 22, 2010. Early career Dieselhed formed in 1989 in Arcata, California later moving to San Francisco, Californ ...

and Sparklehorse, and fronted his own bands Hieronymus Firebrain and Jack & Jill, later playing under his own name. He later became involved in experimental and

electronic music Electronic music is a genre of music that employs electronic musical instruments, digital instruments, or circuitry-based music technology in its creation. It includes both music made using electronic and electromechanical means ( electroac ...

, including collaborations with Fred Frith and

Joelle Leandre Joelle is a feminine given name, and may refer to: * Joelle, actor and singer * Joelle Behlok, Lebanese television presenter and winner Miss Lebanon 1997 * Joelle Carter (born 1972), American actress * Joelle Fishman (born 1946), American politicia ...

, and Chaos Butterfly, an electro-acoustic duo with Dina Emerson. Segel and Krummenacher also ran their own record label, Magnetic Motorworks.

Reunion; ''Tusk'' (1999–2004)

In 1999, Lowery, Segel, and Krummenacher regrouped in the studio to assemble the experimental rarity set '' Camper Van Beethoven Is Dead. Long Live Camper Van Beethoven'', which also contained newly recorded material. Segel and Krummenacher, along with Greg Lisher, also joined Cracker for a tour, playing a set of Camper songs for a section of the set, backed by drummer

Frank Funaro Frank Funaro is an American drummer who has played with Del Lords, The Brandos, Camper Van Beethoven, Joey Ramone, The Dictators, Cracker, Nils Lofgren & Dion DiMucci. Funaro collaborated with Joey Ramone on his first solo record '' Don't Worr ...

and other Cracker members. In 2002, the group played its first proper live shows in twelve years. With Lowery, Segel, Krummenacher and Lisher forming the core of the reunited lineup, two New York dates also featured Immerglück and two members of Cracker, drummer Frank Funaro and keyboardist Kenny Margolis. Three California dates omitted these latter three musicians and saw Pedersen return to the kit. Also in 2002, they released the double-CD ''

Tusk Tusks are elongated, continuously growing front teeth that protrude well beyond the mouth of certain mammal species. They are most commonly canine teeth, as with pigs and walruses, or, in the case of elephants, elongated incisors. Tusks share ...

'', a re-recording of the entire Fleetwood Mac album of the same name. Although initially announced as a rediscovery of a series of 1987 demos, the album was recorded in 2001 by Lowery, Segel, Krummenacher and Lisher as an experiment to see if the members could now work together. Extensive touring, mostly with Margolis and Funaro, followed. The group next released ''Cigarettes & Carrot Juice: The Santa Cruz Years'', a five-disc box set compiling their first three (pre-Virgin) albums, ''Camper Vantiquities'', and a live recording from 1990 they called ''Greatest Hits Played Faster.'' The latter recording featured live versions of several unreleased songs. Shortly thereafter, the band released "

director's cut A director's cut is an edited version of a film (or video game, television episode, music video, or commercial) that is supposed to represent the director's own approved edit in contrast to the theatrical release. "Cut" explicitly refers to the ...

" versions of the first three records and ''Camper Vantiquities'', which included remastering, re-sequencing and additional demo and B-side tracks.

''New Roman Times''; live and compilation releases (2004–2012)

In 2004, the band released ''

New Roman Times ''New Roman Times'' is an album by musical group Camper Van Beethoven, released October 12, 2004 on Pitch-A-Tent Records. It is the band's first studio album of new material since they released '' Key Lime Pie'' in 1989 before dissolving in 1990 ...

'', their first studio album of original material in 15 years. A

concept album A concept album is an album whose tracks hold a larger purpose or meaning collectively than they do individually. This is typically achieved through a single central narrative or theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, or lyrical. Som ...

, the record detailed the rise and fall of an idealistic Texan whose disenchantment following a stint with the American military redirected him towards organized terrorism. It featured the band's familiar eclectic sound, but also added a heavier, prog-metal sound on a few tracks. The lineup on the album included Lowery, Krummenacher, Segel, Lisher, Pedersen and Immergluck. The album also featured contributions by other Camper Van Beethoven associates, including Molla and Hickman. Following the album's release, Pedersen and Immergluck did not participate in the touring lineup, and Funaro started to handle all of the drumming in live shows. A limited-edition live concert disc was also released, ''

In the Mouth of the Crocodile – Live in Seattle ''In The Mouth of the Crocodile - Live in Seattle'' is a 2004 live album by Camper Van Beethoven, released on Pitch-A-Tent Records. It captures a performance by the group at the Crocodile Cafe, February 16, 2004. Track listing #"When I Win the ...

''. Segments of a 2004 performance were released the following year as '' Discotheque CVB: Live in Chicago''. The band continued to frequently tour with Cracker (whom Krummenacher joined for a time), and in 2005 the two groups started an annual three-night "Campout" at Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace in Pioneertown, California. The Campout has seen appearances by Built to Spill,

Neko Case Neko Richelle Case (; born September 8, 1970) is an American singer-songwriter and member of the Canadian indie rock group the New Pornographers. Case has a powerful, untrained contralto voice, which has been described by contemporaries and cr ...

, Magnolia Electric Company, and

John Doe John Doe (male) and Jane Doe (female) are multiple-use placeholder names that are used when the true name of a person is unknown or is being intentionally concealed. In the context of law enforcement in the United States, such names are often ...

, as well as sets from the individual members of the band. A compilation of

greatest hits A greatest hits album or best-of album is a type of compilation album that collects popular and commercially successful songs by a particular artist or band. While greatest hits albums are typically supported by the artist, they can also be crea ...

, ''Popular Songs of Great Enduring Strength and Beauty'', was released by

Cooking Vinyl Records Cooking Vinyl is a British independent record label, based in Acton, London, England, founded in 1986 by former manager and booking agent Martin Goldschmidt and business partner Pete Lawrence. Goldschmidt remains the current owner and chairman ...

in June 2008. As band relations with Virgin Records were poor, they were not granted access to any material from the two Virgin LPs for this compilation. Thus, the band re-recorded five songs from these albums to include on the collection. These were the first and only Camper Van Beethoven studio tracks to include Funaro. In 2011, the band began playing a series of shows that featured the ''Key Lime Pie'' record in its entirety, often joined by Immergluck. In the same year, they also revealed plans for a new album.

''La Costa Perdida'' and ''El Camino Real'' (2013–present)

''

La Costa Perdida ''La Costa Perdida'' is the 8th studio release by the American alternative-music band Camper Van Beethoven. It was released on January 22, 2013, and contains 10 tracks. The lead-off single from the album, "Northern California Girls", was release ...

'', the followup to ''New Roman Times'', was released on January 22, 2013, preceded by the single " Northern California Girls". The music was inspired in part by ''

Holland Holland is a geographical regionG. Geerts & H. Heestermans, 1981, ''Groot Woordenboek der Nederlandse Taal. Deel I'', Van Dale Lexicografie, Utrecht, p 1105 and former province on the western coast of the Netherlands. From the 10th to the 16th c ...

''-era

Beach Boys A beach is a landform alongside a body of water which consists of loose particles. The particles composing a beach are typically made from rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles, etc., or biological sources, such as mollusc shell ...

. Most of the drumming on the album was by studio drummer and former Cracker member

Michael Urbano Michael Urbano (born March 19, 1966 in Sacramento, California, USA) is a musician, programmer, and record producer. Career One of Urbano's first gigs was as a member of Bourgeois Tagg, a 1980s band that was fronted by Brent Bourgeois and Larr ...

, although Chris Pederson played on some tracks as well. Much of the album featured a gentler, more folky sound than their previous albums. Lowery revealed in interviews that there were seven songs recorded during the sessions for ''La Costa Perdida'' that were not released, which would be included on a follow-up album to be finished in 2013. In August 2013, the band revealed on its Facebook page that it was tracking songs for the album, with Urbano on drums again. The band stated that the album would be a Southern California-themed sequel to the Northern California theme of ''La Costa Perdida''. On March 2, 2014, the band announced a title for the new album, ''El Camino Real'', which was released on June 3, 2014, in the United States and on June 23, 2014, in the UK. In contrast to the previous album, it featured some of the band's most abrasive and intense music, mixing elements of prog-rock and punk with the band's trademark eclecticism. For subsequent tour dates, the band initially alternated Pedersen and Urbano on drums, due to health problems that have prevented Frank Funaro from playing. Since 2015, Chris Pedersen has been flying in from Australia to participate in the band's infrequent tours, resulting in a reunion of their best-known late 80's lineup. David Immerglück also continues to join the band's lineup for occasional shows.

Band members

;Current members * David Lowery –

lead vocals The lead vocalist in popular music is typically the member of a group or band whose voice is the most prominent melody in a performance where multiple voices may be heard. The lead singer sets their voice against the accompaniment parts of t ...

, rhythm guitar,

keyboards Keyboard may refer to: Text input * Keyboard, part of a typewriter * Computer keyboard ** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping ** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware Music * Musi ...

, bass,

drums A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other Percussion instrument, auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair o ...

(1983–1990, 1999–present) * Victor Krummenacher – bass, baritone guitar, vocals, occasional lead vocals (1983–1990, 1999–present) *

Jonathan Segel Jonathan Segel (born September 3, 1963) is an American composer and multi-instrumentalist. He has played with Camper Van Beethoven, Sparklehorse, Eugene Chadbourne, and Dieselhed. Early life and education Segel was born in Marseille, France, a ...

–

violin The violin, sometimes known as a ''fiddle'', is a wooden chordophone (string instrument) in the violin family. Most violins have a hollow wooden body. It is the smallest and thus highest-pitched instrument (soprano) in the family in regular ...

, guitar, keyboards,

sitar The sitar ( or ; ) is a plucked stringed instrument, originating from the Indian subcontinent, used in Hindustani classical music. The instrument was invented in medieval India, flourished in the 18th century, and arrived at its present form ...

,

mandolin A mandolin ( it, mandolino ; literally "small mandola") is a stringed musical instrument in the lute family and is generally plucked with a pick. It most commonly has four courses of doubled strings tuned in unison, thus giving a total of 8 ...

, vocals, occasional lead vocals (1984–1989, 1999–present) *

Greg Lisher Greg Lisher (born 29 November 1963) is the lead guitar player for Camper Van Beethoven. He is also one of the founding members of the Camper Van Beethoven spin-off Indy prog rock group Monks of Doom. He has also released three solo records. Hi ...

–

lead guitar Lead guitar (also known as solo guitar) is a musical part for a guitar in which the guitarist plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs and chords within a song structure. The lead is the featur ...

,

backup vocals A backing vocalist is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists. A backing vocalist may also sing alone as a lead-in to the main vocalist's entry or to sing a counter-melody. Backing vocalists are used ...

(1985–1990, 1999–present) * Chris Pedersen – drums, backup vocals (1986–1990, 2004, 2015–present; 2002–2014 part-time) Part-time members: *

David Immerglück David A. Immerglück (born May 3, 1961)''U.S. Public Records Index'' Vol 1 & 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010. is an American multi-instrumentalist who is best known as a guitarist in the alternative rock bands Counting Crows, ...

– guitar,

lap steel guitar The lap steel guitar, also known as a Hawaiian guitar, is a type of steel guitar without pedals that is typically played with the instrument in a horizontal position across the performer's lap. Unlike the usual manner of playing a traditional ...

, mandolin, bass, backup vocals (1990; 2004, 2000-2003/2005–present part-time) *

Michael Urbano Michael Urbano (born March 19, 1966 in Sacramento, California, USA) is a musician, programmer, and record producer. Career One of Urbano's first gigs was as a member of Bourgeois Tagg, a 1980s band that was fronted by Brent Bourgeois and Larr ...

– drums (2011–present in studio, occasional live dates) ;Former members * Chris Molla – guitar, pedal steel, keyboards, drums, vocals (1983–1986; 2002–2004 part-time) * David McDaniel – guitar (1983–1984) * Bill McDonald – drums (1983–1984) * Mike Zorn –

harmonica The harmonica, also known as a French harp or mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used worldwide in many musical genres, notably in blues, American folk music, classical music, jazz, country, and rock. The many types of harmonica inclu ...

(1983–1984) * Daniel Blume – violin (1983–1984) * Richie West – drums (1984) *

Anthony Guess Kevtone (born Kevin Anthony Guess, December 30, 1964) is an American musician, percussionist, and songwriter from Seattle, Washington. Performing live and in studio, his rhythm style may best be described as improvisational, melodic, progressive, ...

– drums (1985) *

Eugene Chadbourne Eugene Chadbourne (born January 4, 1954) is an American banjoist, guitarist and music critic. Life and career Chadbourne was born in Mount Vernon, New York, but grew up in Boulder, Colorado. He started playing guitar when he was eleven or twel ...

– guitar, banjo (1986, studio sessions only) * Don Lax – violin (1989, studio sessions only) * Morgan Fichter – violin, vocals (1989–1990) *

Frank Funaro Frank Funaro is an American drummer who has played with Del Lords, The Brandos, Camper Van Beethoven, Joey Ramone, The Dictators, Cracker, Nils Lofgren & Dion DiMucci. Funaro collaborated with Joey Ramone on his first solo record '' Don't Worr ...

– drums, backup vocals (2000–2004 as guest, 2004–2013 as member, mostly for live dates) * Kenny Margolis – keyboards,

accordion Accordions (from 19th-century German ''Akkordeon'', from ''Akkord''—"musical chord, concord of sounds") are a family of box-shaped musical instruments of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone type (producing sound as air flows past a reed ...

(2000–2006 as guest)

Discography

;Studio albums * ''

Telephone Free Landslide Victory ''Telephone Free Landslide Victory'' is an album by musical group Camper Van Beethoven, released on Independent Project Records and released in June 1985. It featured the band's best known song, "Take the Skinheads Bowling". The album has sold o ...

'' (1985) * ''

II & III ''II & III'' is a 1986 album by musical group Camper Van Beethoven, released on Pitch-a-Tent and Rough Trade. It was the band's second album. After releasing their debut album, original drummer Anthony Guess left the band, and guitarist Greg ...

'' (1986) * ''

Camper Van Beethoven Camper Van Beethoven is an American rock band formed in Redlands, California in 1983, later based in Santa Cruz and San Francisco. Their style mixes elements of pop, ska, punk rock, folk, alternative country, and world music. The band init ...

'' (1986) * '' Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart'' (1988) * ''

Key Lime Pie Key lime pie is an American dessert pie. It is made of lime, egg yolks, and sweetened condensed milk. It may be served with no topping, topped with a meringue topping made from egg whites, or with whipped cream; it may be cooked in a pie crust ...

'' (1989) * ''

Tusk Tusks are elongated, continuously growing front teeth that protrude well beyond the mouth of certain mammal species. They are most commonly canine teeth, as with pigs and walruses, or, in the case of elephants, elongated incisors. Tusks share c ...

'' (2002) * ''

New Roman Times ''New Roman Times'' is an album by musical group Camper Van Beethoven, released October 12, 2004 on Pitch-A-Tent Records. It is the band's first studio album of new material since they released '' Key Lime Pie'' in 1989 before dissolving in 1990 ...

'' (2004) * ''

La Costa Perdida ''La Costa Perdida'' is the 8th studio release by the American alternative-music band Camper Van Beethoven. It was released on January 22, 2013, and contains 10 tracks. The lead-off single from the album, "Northern California Girls", was release ...

'' (2013) * ''El Camino Real'' (2014) ;EPs and singles * ''

Take the Skinheads Bowling "Take the Skinheads Bowling" is the signature song of Santa Cruz, California alternative rock band Camper Van Beethoven, written by David Lowery and released on their 1985 album '' Telephone Free Landslide Victory''. The song (as covered by the ...

'' (1986) - single * ''

Vampire Can Mating Oven ''Vampire Can Mating Oven'' is an EP by the alternative rock band Camper Van Beethoven, released in 1987. The EP includes satirical liner notes relating false stories behind the songs. A re-recorded version of "Never Go Back" was included the fo ...

'' (1987) - EP * "Turquoise Jewelry" (1988) * "Life Is Grand" (1988) * "Pictures of Matchstick Men" (1990) * "The History of Utah" (live) (2004) – split single with

Calexico Calexico () is a city in southern Imperial County, California. Situated on the Mexican border, it is linked economically with the much larger city of Mexicali, the capital of the Mexican state of Baja California. It is about east of San Diego ...

;Live albums * ''

In the Mouth of the Crocodile – Live in Seattle ''In The Mouth of the Crocodile - Live in Seattle'' is a 2004 live album by Camper Van Beethoven, released on Pitch-A-Tent Records. It captures a performance by the group at the Crocodile Cafe, February 16, 2004. Track listing #"When I Win the ...

'' (2004) – live album * '' Discotheque CVB: Live In Chicago'' (2005) – live EP ;Compilations * ''

Camper Vantiquities ''Camper Vantiquities'' is a 1993 rarities compilation album by musical group Camper Van Beethoven, released on I.R.S. It included the earlier EP '' Vampire Can Mating Oven'' and a number of other unreleased tracks, compiled by bassist Victo ...

'' (1993) – rarities compilation * '' Camper Van Beethoven Is Dead. Long Live Camper Van Beethoven'' (2000) – rarities compilation * ''Cigarettes & Carrot Juice: The Santa Cruz Years'' (2002) – boxed set * '' Popular Songs of Great Enduring Strength and Beauty'' (2008) – greatest hits compilation ;Various artist compilations * ''

Look at All the Love We Found ''Look at All the Love We Found'' is a tribute album by various artists dedicated to Sublime, released on June 21, 2005. The title comes from a lyric in the song "S.T.P." on Sublime's ''Robbin' the Hood'' album. Track listing # " Badfish"/"Boss ...

'' (2005) – Sublime tribute album * ''The ''Sandinista!'' Project'' (2007) -

The Clash The Clash were an English rock band formed in London in 1976 who were key players in the original wave of British punk rock. Billed as "The Only Band That Matters", they also contributed to the and new wave movements that emerged in the wa ...

tribute album * '' Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!'' (2015) film soundtrack

References

External links

Official web page

Audio recordings at the Live Music Archive

Interview
with

Crawdaddy! ''Crawdaddy'' was an American rock music magazine launched in 1966. It was created by Paul Williams, a Swarthmore College student at the time, in response to the increasing sophistication and cultural influence of popular music. The magazine ...

{{Authority control Alternative rock groups from California Musical groups established in 1983 I.R.S. Records artists Rough Trade Records artists Musical groups from San Francisco Musical groups disestablished in 1990 Musical groups reestablished in 1999