Better Than Ezra
May 26, 2014
For the past five years the Louisiana band, Better Than Ezra's lead singer and guitarist, Kevin Griffin has taken time to do his own solo work but he is now back with the band and about to release an album this summer. The New Orleans' alt-rock trio recently signed with The End Records and enlisted Grammy-nominated Tony Hoffer (Fitz and The Tantrums, M83, Beck, Silversun Pickups) to produce their follow up to 2009's Paper Empire. This will be their eighth studio album, tentatively titled All Together Now. Their new single, "Crazy Lucky" is their usual charming, optimistic, pop/alt/rock track complete with an acoustic breakdown and Kevin's vocals. The upcoming album is fresh and it has a youthful energy, with some definite pop elements, and some out-there things too.
Better Than Ezra was formed in 1988 by its four original members, Kevin Griffin, Joel Rundell, the lead guitarist, bassist Tom Drummond and drummer, Cary Bonnecaze. All four members were attending Louisiana State University at the time of Better Than Ezra's formation. In 1995, they released their major label debut, Deluxe, which sold more than a million copies. Their single, "Good", reached the No. 1 position on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart which helped push the album to platinum record status by the end of that year. Better Than Ezra released their second major label album, Friction, Baby, in 1996 through Elektra Records. Friction, Baby produced the hits "Desperately Wanting" and "King of New Orleans". In 1998, they released their third album, How Does Your Garden Grow?. Subsequent album releases from Better Than Ezra include Closer in 2001, Before the Robots in 2005 and finally Paper Empire in 2009.
This summer, Griffin and his band-mates, bassist Tom Drummond and drummer Michael Jerome, will hit the road for an extensive tour.
"When I'm out on the road, it gives me new experiences, and that helps the songwriting. When I'm at home songwriting, I get a jones for that vagabond lifestyle. I will always go out on the road and play shows with Better Than Ezra. As long as people give a damn, we'll keep doing it."