CVB COVERED BY DIVINE FITS
As Camper Van Beethoven plans to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2013,
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 CVB's "I
Was Born In a Laundromat" both in concert and as a b-side to a recent
single.
"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 Kirkwood, 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)
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