Alternative rock trio Better Than Ezra is based in New Orleans and formed in 1988 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The current band consists of Kevin Griffin (vocals and guitar), Tom Drummond (bass guitar), and Michael Jerome (drums). The band has released 8 studio albums, the most recent one being 2014’s All Together Now. The band released its first nationally-distributed album Deluxe in 1993 on its own label, Swell Records, which caught the attention of major record labels and radio. Better Than Ezra signed with Elektra Records in 1995 and rereleased Deluxe in 1995 and the single, “Good”, reached No. 1 on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart which helped push the album to platinum record status by the end of 1995 Success came quickly to Better Than Ezra. Tom Drummond commented later in a 1998 interview with CNN “It took us seven years to get signed, and then seven weeks to get to No. 1.” when describing the overnight success of Deluxe and its single “Good.” Better Than Ezra’s second major label album, Friction, Baby, in 1996 through Elektra Records. Friction, Baby produced the hits “Desperately Wanting” and “King of New Orleans.” In September 2004, the band simultaneously released their first live concert DVD, as well as an official live album, both entitled Live at the House of Blues, New Orleans. A Greatest Hits collection was released in 2005. In 2014, the twenty-fifth anniversary edition of “Surprise,” was released. The band continues to tear it up on the road with a great live show.
