Camper Van Beethoven was founded in 1982 in Santa Cruz, California as an Alternative music, new wave music, and punk rock group. They disbanded in 1990; singer David Lowery went on to found the band Cracker.

In 2002, Camper Van Beethoven released Tusk. Originally 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.

The group's song "Take the Skinheads Bowling" was used as the title track for the movie Bowling for Columbine.

Members of Camper Van Beethoven collaborated with Eugene Chadbourne on a number of records under the name Camper Van Chadbourne.

Camper Van Beethoven Discography

Albums: Compilations:
  • The Virgin Years (1995) Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker
  • Camper Van Beethoven Is Dead: Long Live Camper Van Beethoven (2000) Greatest Hits Album
  • Cigarettes & Carrot Juice: The Santa Cruz Years (2002) Box Set