Editing Camper Van Beethoven (section)

===First three albums (1985–1987)===
In 1985, the band reduced its name to Camper Van Beethoven, replaced West with Anthony Guess, and recorded their debut album, ''[[Telephone Free Landslide Victory]]''.<ref name="Larkinindie">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Guinness Who's Who of Indie and New Wave Music]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]|date=1992|edition=First|isbn=0-85112-579-4|page=52}}</ref> The record featured their first successful single, "[[Take the Skinheads Bowling]]", the lesser hit "The Day That Lassie Went to the Moon", and an experimental country-influenced [[cover version]] of [[Black Flag (band)|Black Flag's]] "Wasted".<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/> The album featured songs with humorous lyrics, often simultaneously celebrating and mocking 1980s counterculture,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spinner.com/2010/03/10/sxsw-2010-camper-van-beethoven/|title=Camper Van Beethoven Interview: SXSW 2010|publisher=Spinner|date=March 10, 2010|access-date=July 28, 2012|archive-date=July 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722030527/http://www.spinner.com/2010/03/10/sxsw-2010-camper-van-beethoven/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and instrumental tracks featuring ska-beats and Eastern European, Mexican or Spaghetti-Western influenced guitar or violin lines.

Shortly after this record was released, lead guitarist [[Greg Lisher]] joined the group. The band recorded a set of songs with an expanded version of the lineup that recorded the debut, with Lisher playing lead on some songs. Guess departed shortly thereafter, leaving Lowery and Molla briefly to take turns swapping drumming duties. This incarnation recorded a second set of songs, with Molla handling the drums. At the end of the sessions, in 1986, long-term drummer Chris Pedersen was added.<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/>

The band's second album, ''[[II & III]]'', was culled from both recording sessions. Segel played [[mandolin]] and [[sitar]] in addition to violin, and Molla played pedal steel guitar on some tracks. The album featured a noticeably expanded sound, with influences of country music and Americana mixed in with faux Indian or Arabic music and psychedelia.

Released later that year, their [[Camper Van Beethoven (album)|self-titled third album]] featured guest membership from experimental [[banjo]] and guitar player [[Eugene Chadbourne]] on their cover of [[Pink Floyd]]'s "[[Interstellar Overdrive]]" and several other tracks.<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/> On the album, the elements of psychedelia on the previous album came to the fore. The album also featured some satirical political commentary on songs like "Good Guys and Bad Guys" and "Joe Stalin's Cadillac," the former which enjoyed some underground college radio play. Krummenacher, Lisher, Pedersen and Molla also formed the side project [[Monks of Doom]], although Molla was quickly replaced by guitarist [[David Immerglück]].

Molla left Camper Van Beethoven after touring for the third album, reducing the band to a five-piece with Lowery, Krummenacher, Segel, Lisher, and Pedersen — the longest-standing lineup in their initial career. Released in November 1987, the [[Extended play|EP]] ''[[Vampire Can Mating Oven]]'' preceded a major label bidding war.<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/> The EP featured a more streamlined and accessible sound, with Lisher's lead guitar taking a major role for the first time.