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
Take The Skinheads Bowling
Camper Van Beethoven Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And he increases the number of clocks
By exactly one
Everybody's coming home for lunch these days
Last night there were skinheads on my lawn
[Chorus]
Take the skinheads bowling
Take the skinheads bowling
Take them bowling
Some people say bowling alleys
got big lanes
(Got big lanes)
(Got big lanes)
Some people say that bowling alleys
all look the same
(Look the same)
(Look the same)
There's not a line that goes here
That rhymes with anything
(Anything)
(Anything)
Had a dream last night
But I forget what it was
(What it was)
(What it was)
[Chorus: x2]
Had a dream last night
About you my friend
Had a dream
I wanted to sleep next to plastic
Had a dream
I wanted to lick your knees
Had a dream
It was about nothing
[Chorus: x2]
The lyrics to Camper Van Beethoven's song "Take The Skinheads Bowling" are a mix of absurdism and social commentary. The song opens with the singer claiming to pray to Jah (a Rastafarian term for God) and that every day, Jah increases the number of clocks by exactly one. This creates a surreal image, as it is unclear why Jah is increasing clocks and what the significance of this action is. The singer then goes on to talk about skinheads coming to their lawn, which could be interpreted as a commentary on racism and nationalism disrupting the peace.
The chorus of the song is the most memorable part and is repeated multiple times. It tells the listener to "take the skinheads bowling," which seems like another surreal non-sequitur. However, the line could be interpreted as a way of suggesting that instead of fighting against the skinheads or trying to change their beliefs, we should find common ground and engage in a harmless activity like bowling together. This could lead to greater understanding and empathy, rather than perpetuating division and conflict.
The rest of the lyrics continue with the same mix of absurdism and social commentary. The lines about bowling alleys having big lanes and looking the same could represent a sense of monotony and lack of individuality in American society. The singer's dream about wanting to sleep next to plastic and licking someone's knees could be interpreted as a commentary on objectification and fetishization.
Overall, "Take The Skinheads Bowling" is a song that is open to interpretation and can be read in various ways. Its mix of surrealism and social commentary make for a unique and thought-provoking listening experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyday I get up and pray to Jah
As a dedicated Rastafarian, I begin each day by giving thanks and offering prayer to the almighty God.
And he increases the number of clocks
In a symbolic sense, Jah grants me more time each day by adding another hour to the clock, allowing me to continue pursuing my music and interests.
By exactly one
This increase in time is always incremental, providing me with just enough to accomplish my daily goals and responsibilities.
Everybody's coming home for lunch these days
As communal living becomes more commonplace, more people are eating together in a shared space, whether it be a co-op or a family household.
Last night there were skinheads on my lawn
Despite the peaceful environment I seek, there are still those who harbor prejudice and ignorance, as evidenced by the skinheads who trespassed onto my property.
Take the skinheads bowling
Rather than resorting to violent confrontation, I suggest a non-violent activity (bowling) that these skinheads may enjoy, with the hope of diminishing their hatred and aggression.
Some people say bowling alleys got big lanes
There are those who view bowling alleys as a symbol of frivolity and waste, with their wide lanes and colorful décor serving as a distraction from more serious issues.
(Got big lanes)
The idea of 'big' lanes is relative, and can be interpreted in different ways depending on one's perspective and context.
Some people say that bowling alleys all look the same
Regardless of their physical location or cultural context, many bowling alleys follow a formulaic design and atmosphere that can feel monotonous or uninspired.
(Look the same)
This sameness can have a numbing effect on the senses, making it difficult to distinguish between individual alleys and experiences.
There's not a line that goes here
Acknowledging the constraints of traditional songwriting techniques, I draw attention to the fact that not every lyric needs to rhyme or conform to a certain pattern.
That rhymes with anything
Rather than forcing myself into a rigid structure, I prefer to let my creativity and spontaneity guide my lyrics, even if it means departing from common conventions of rhyme and meter.
Had a dream last night
Dreams can be a powerful source of inspiration and creativity, often revealing hidden truths about ourselves and the world we inhabit.
But I forget what it was
Despite the vividness and intensity of my dream experiences, the fleeting and ephemeral nature of these visions can make it difficult to recall them in detail.
About you my friend
Even in sleep, my mind is preoccupied with thoughts of the people I care about and the relationships that matter to me.
I wanted to sleep next to plastic
Dreams can also be unpredictable and absurd, as in this case where I express a desire to embrace an unconventional and potentially uncomfortable sleeping surface (such as plastic).
I wanted to lick your knees
Dreams can also reveal deeper impulses or desires that we may not be aware of in our waking lives, as in this instance where I express an unexpected attraction or affection towards someone else.
It was about nothing
Sometimes dreams have no apparent meaning or significance, serving instead as a reflection of our subconscious thoughts and experiences.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, DistroKid
Written by: Victor Krummenacher, DAVID LOWERY, CHRIS MOLLA, JONATHAN SEGEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BK_Garage
Ahh… one of my dads favorites❤️ he’s not dead or anything but I love him, and this song is nice
@Abegoldhatch
Your dad is a precious treasure. Respect his musical taste.
@danielmoran9902
I too admire this song, and I'm very pleased to learn that Mr Garage is still among us. KIndest regards from Derbyshire, UK.
@shannonlee986
This song reminds me of being 12 and hanging out with my bestie Jessica. She passed away a little over a year ago. I'll always treasure those times. I miss her a lot.
@sanchellewellyn1681
:(
@notorious_one2720
Shannon Lee Really, really sad...
@declanwarner4835
So sorry
@peteroverbaugh6650
Take her bowling when you see her again, if you see skinheads or fascists please send them to the hot place.
@warrenself2710
Your comment was very touching. If you're close to my age (43) we're beginning to day the occasional goodbye, especially those of us who lived on the wild side. These great old tunes can be saddening and bring happiness. Cheers to ya.
@Nerdtendo6366
Was eating dinner with my family and I was talking about bowling. My dad asks “did you take the skinheads bowling?” which confused all of us. We continue eating and he finishes first, goes out to the living room, and starts playing this song via YouTube. Thanks Dad