David Lowery has a new album coming out on Cooking Vinyl on May 30th called ‘Fathers, Sons and Brothers‘ and it’s 28 tracks are very much in the biographical vein. Take today’s song – it’s about the time he wrote a song called ‘Take The Skinheads Bowling’, and the band he was in – Camper Van Beethoven – recorded it and then the band’s co-founder found religion and became a missionary.
David Lowery has shared some thoughts on the album: “Over the years, many have encouraged me to write an autobiography. However, it never really appealed to me. Partly because it seemed like I would have to learn an entirely new skill set, but mostly because there is a standard arc to all successful “rock” autobiographies: a tough childhood, a deep passion for music, many obstacles to overcome, relentless striving, and finally, against all odds, success. And that’s not my story. While I have a deep passion for music, I never really struggled. I grew up in a two-parent home. My parents stayed together their whole lives. We didn’t have much, but we never wanted for anything. My father was a career military man but was a sweet and gentle soul. My parents always supported my musical career. The first album I recorded was immediately played on the BBC and later MTV. Within 18 months of releasing the first Camper Van Beethoven album, we were playing arenas with REM. The first song Cracker recorded was immediately in heavy rotation on MTV. And so on. Honestly, I feel like I’ve lived a charmed life.”
