As Camper Van Beethoven plans to celebrate 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

CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN

12/27 San Diego, CA – Belly Up Tavern
12/28 San Francisco, CA – The Independent
12/29 Petaluma, CA – Mystic Theatre
01/18 Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live
01/19 New York, NY – Stage 48
01/20 Cambridge, MA – Middle East Downstairs
01/23 Augusta, GA – Sky City
01/24 Athens, GA – 40-Watt Club
01/25 Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle
01/26 Atlanta, GA – The Earl
01/27 Charleston, WV – Mountain Stage *
02/23 Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios

* = w/ Calexico & Bonnie “Prince” Billy