Camper Van Beethoven is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2013, with the Jan. release of its tenth album, La Costa Perdida.
Many of the band’s peers and members of R.E.M., Pavement, Built To Spill, Drive-By Truckers, Meat Puppets, Widespread Panic, Minus 5, The Nerves, and Elf Power spoke about CVB’s influence, its pioneering role in creating the genre of indie rock, and their love for the band.

In addition, Britt Daniel’s Divine Fits have recently covered Camper Van Beethoven’s “I Was Born In a Laundromat” both in concert and as a b-side to a recent single (listen to that track here).

“The first time we heard CVB, we knew they were destined for greatness.”
– R.E.M.

“Each member of Camper is a thoughtful songwriter, and a master of his instrument, with a totally unique vision, and together they have a balanced, egoless, and dynamic chemistry that’s created many of my favorite songs.”
– Doug Martsch (Built To Spill)

“Camper Van Beethoven, very much an essential ’80s band traveling on their own arc, punctuated the beginning of my college career. They served it up with panache. ‘Sometimes,’ ‘I Don’t See You,’ ‘Ambiguity Song,’ ‘Circles,’ ‘Dustpan,’ ‘The History of Utah,’ ‘Still Wishing to Course’–all songs that ended up on assorted song cassette tapes in vain attempts to increase overall coolness. They made California cool to a Virginian. It was some good, reliable shit. As they wandered east, they backed it up with great live action. They were good musicians. That was weird. They were sarcastic. That was appealing.”
– Bob Nastanovich (Pavement)

“I’ve kind of come back to a lot of the more American music that got me going in the first place – R.E.M. and Camper Van Beethoven and all these bands that borrowed from more American traditions like Neil Young and the Byrds.”
– Colin Meloy (The Decemberists)

“I’ve been a Camper Van Beethoven fan since the mid 80’s. Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart is actually one of my very favorite albums of that era and one that I still pull out now. I’m thrilled to hear that they are finally making a new album (la costa perdida) and I can’t wait to crank it up. I know this one will be a keeper”
– Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers)

“Camper Van Beethoven caught my ear. It was psychedelic on one hand, innovative folk-spirited on the other. ‘I Saw Jerry’s Daughter’ is the sort of song that makes you smile a knowing smile. Their clever and innovative mix of instrumentation and style made them a breath of fresh air in the down and dirty punk scene that we were growing up in.”
– Curt Wood, Meat Puppets

“Part of the soundtrack of my life. A uniquely American band with wonderful songs. I’m always happy when they put out a new album.”
– Dave Schools, Widespread Panic

“I was already a fan of CVB when they came to Seattle and played the Fabulous Rainbow Tavern. The show was amazing. I remember besides all the great songs from their first album, that they played the ‘Theme From S.W.A.T.’ too, with Jonathan playing the melody on a tiny Casio. Their songwriting and production skills started at great, and got even better with Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart and Key Lime Pie. When I saw them in Portland a few years ago the spark was still there — a fantastic show.”
– Scott McCaughey (Young Fresh Fellows, Minus 5, R.E.M., Baseball Project, etc.)

“The only band i know that can mix elements as diverse as folk, punk, gypsy music, ska, and psychedelic rock together into a wonderful stew, and make it sound completely natural.”
– Andrew Rieger (Elf Power)

“Camper Van Beethoven are giants. I’ve been in love with the band since I first heard them. Like Tom Waits only different, they put an original spin on every kind of rebel music there is. All their records are great. Dig it.”
– Peter David Case (The Plimsouls, The Nerves)

CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN

Fri Jan 18 2013 – World Cafe Live – Philadelphia, PA (w/ Cracker)
Sat Jan 19 2013 – Stage 48 – New York, NY (w/ Cracker)
Sun Jan 20 2013 – The Middle East – Cambridge, MA (w/ Cracker)
Wed Jan 23 2013 – Sky City – Augusta, GA
Thu Jan 24 2013 – 40-Watt Club – Athens GA
Fri Jan 25 2013 – The Grey Eagle – Asheville, NC
Sat Jan 26 2013 – The Earl – Atlanta, GA
Sun Jan 27 2013 – Mountain Stage – Charleston WV
Thu Feb 14 2013 – Burnsville PAC – Minneapolis MN (w/ Cracker)
Fri Feb 22 2013 – Tractor Tavern – Seattle WA
Sat Feb 23 2013 – Mississippi Studios – Portland OR

CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN LINKS:

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/CamperVanBeethoven

Official site – campervanbeethoven.com