The group's trademark violin-coated melodies and their ironic take on American culture put them one step away from being a novelty act in the eyes of many critics. But as the band would move from irreverently playful to experimental with their intricate, psychedelic pop meanderings they carved out their own niche in the music world. CVB consciously played with building a mystique about the band, using articles, liner notes and press interviews to weave a bizarre mythology about the band, to the point where it is still often difficult to distinguish fact from fiction.
CVB had roots in the earlier projects Sitting Duck and Estonian Gauchos, proto-CVB projects from which some of the earliest CVB songs originated. Original bandmembers from CVB's early recordings, including 'Telephone Free Landslide Victory,' included David Lowery, Chris Molla, and Anthony Guess, all of whom also did time in Eric Curkendall's project Box O'Laffs.
The core touring and recording contingent of this band consisted of David Lowery, Victor Krummenacher, Jonathan Segel and Greg Lisher with Anthony Guess on drums from early 1985 to fall 1985 for their first album, 'Telephone Free Landslide Victory'. Guess left the band in late 1985 following the tour and went on to collaborate with numerous other musicians and bands, including Pile of Disaster, World Entertainment War, Calm Down Juanita, the Hollywood Lightweights, Billy Dwayne & the Creepers, Travis Morrissey & The Good Ship, and his current project, I Die Everyday.
Chris Pedersen took over drumming in the late 80's and since reformation in 2000, with Cracker drummer, Frank Funaro. After signing to Virgin Records in 1988 and releasing two eclectic yet slightly more accessible LPs, they disbanded in 1990; singer David Lowery went on to found the band Cracker (with guitarist Johnny Hickman, a former member of Estonian Gauchos), while the other members - guitarists Greg Lisher and David Immerglück, bassist Victor Krummenacher and drummer Chris Pedersen - devoted themselves full-time to the Monks of Doom, which had begun several years earlier as a non-Lowery side project. Violinist Jonathan Segel went on to play with Granfaloon Bus, Dieselhed, Hieronymus Firebrain, Jack & Jill and more. Segel and Krummenacher also continue to release solo recordings. More recently Segel has been involved in experimental music, including collaborations with Fred Frith and Joelle Leandre. Krummenacher and Segel collectively run their own record label, Magnetic. Chris Pedersen moved to Australia and currently plays drums for the dub band Daktari.
In 2000, ex-members regrouped to compile the experimental rarity set Camper Van Beethoven Is Dead. Long Live Camper Van Beethoven. In 2002, they released Tusk. Allegedly recorded in 1987, it had all the same tracks as the Fleetwood Mac album of the same name, and a parody of the original album's cover art. A series of reunion tour dates followed with many of the band's former members. The group officially reformed in 2004 to record New Roman Times, their first official studio album in 15 years. A live concert disc was also released entitled In The Mouth of the Crocodile, capturing a 2004 reunion performance in Seattle. Also, segments of a 2004 performance in Chicago were released the following year as Discotheque CVB: Live In Chicago, which was only available at a limited number of record stores. The band continue to play live and co-host the Annual Cracker Camper Van Beethoven Campout, a 3-day alternative music festival in Pioneertown, CA held every September.
CVB's 1985 staple "Take the Skinheads Bowling" was covered by Teenage Fanclub and used as the title track for the 2002 Michael Moore film Bowling for Columbine. A portion of the original Camper Van Beethoven recording can be heard as an introduction to the DVD release of the film. The song has also been covered by many other artists, most notably Manic Street Preachers and Sugarlust, who play it in every show they do; they all have skinheads and it has become their signature cover song.
Members of Camper Van Beethoven collaborated with Eugene Chadbourne on a number of records under the name Camper Van Chadbourne.
The band's official site is campervanbeethoven.com
Change Your Mind
Camper Van Beethoven Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Put my head down on the table, rub two coins together in my pocket
For good luck
'Cause how far can you walk and not grow restless
Change your mind, you can change your mind
I'll be glad to let ya, even if you walk away
The opening line of "Walk, oh walk away" sets the tone for the entire song as the singer suggests walking away from something, or someone, and leaving it behind. The use of the repetition of the word "walk" creates a sense of movement and urgency in the song. The next line is particularly interesting as the singer rubs two coins together in their pocket for good luck, showing a sense of superstition or even desperation for a positive outcome.
The verse "How far can you walk and not grow restless, though the moon may cross from horizon to horizon" suggests a metaphorical journey, where walking symbolizes moving forward in life, while the moon traversing the sky implies the passage of time. This can be interpreted as a struggle with restlessness or impatience while trying to remain patient and steadfast in achieving goals or dreams. The chorus "Change your mind, you can change your mind, I'll be glad to let ya, even if you walk away" offers reassurance that it's okay to change one's mind, and the singer will accept it.
Overall, the song can be interpreted as a reflection on how sometimes, we need to let go of people or situations in order to move forward in life. The song encourages embracing change and taking brave steps even if it means leaving someone behind.
Line by Line Meaning
Walk, oh walk away
Start moving away from here
Put my head down on the table, rub two coins together in my pocket
I am feeling down and rubbing two coins together for good luck
For good luck
I hope to turn my bad luck around
'Cause how far can you walk and not grow restless
I can't just keep moving without getting tired and bored
Though the moon may cross from horizon to horizon
Even though time passes, I am still feeling the same
Change your mind, you can change your mind
You have the power to change your decision
I'll be glad to let ya, even if you walk away
I am okay with you leaving if it's what you want
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: CHRIS PEDERSON, DAVID LOWERY, GREG LISHER, JONATHAN SEGAL, VICTOR KRUMMENACHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind