To say the past 25 years have been ‘Good’ for New Orleans-based rock band Better Than Ezra would be an understatement. The band had been selling out venues across the country since forming at Louisiana State University in 1988 where the band started touring on the Southern college circuit.
As announced by The Hollywood Reporter today, the group, featuring co-founding members Kevin Griffin (vocals, guitar) and Tom Drummond (bass) along with drummer Michael Jerome who joined in 2009, is thrilled to partner up with The End Records, distributed by ADA, for the release of their highly anticipated eighth full-length album, with Grammy nominated producer/mixer Tony Hoffer (Beck, Fitz and the Tantrums, M83, Silversun Pickups) at the helm, release details to be announced soon.
When discussing signing to The End Records and the new album, lead singer/songwriter and founding member Kevin Griffin had this to say, "We couldn't be more thrilled to team up with The End. With this upcoming album, it was really about exploring and reinventing a band that has been together for 25 years while staying true to who we are as artists."
In support of their forthcoming album, the trio will hit the road for a national tour this spring.
4/23 – New York, NY at Irving Plaza
4/24 — Boston, MA at Paradise Rock Club
4/26 — Westbury NY at The Space at Westbury
4/27 — Washington, DC at 9:30 Club
4/28 — Philadelphia, PA at Theatre of the Living Arts
4/30 — Atlanta, GA at Variety Playhouse
5/3 — New Orleans, LA at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
For tour dates and ticket info, please visit: http://www.betterthanezra.com/tour.html
More on Better Than Ezra:
After self-releasing their first album Deluxe in 1993, major record labels expressed an interest in the band. But it wasn’t until after two years of touring and creating an intense loyal fan base that dubbed themselves the “Ezralites,” that Better Than Ezra signed with Elektra Records. Elektra rereleased Deluxe and its single ‘Good’, which reached the #1 position on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart driving the album sales to platinum status.
The band quickly became a staple in the ‘90s pop/rock scene immediately releasing two new albums within three years of being signed. Friction, Baby, released in 1996, and How Does Your Garden Grow? in 1998 produced hits ‘Desperately Wanting,’ ‘King of New Orleans,’ and ‘At the Stars.’
In 2001, Better Than Ezra released the critically acclaimed Closer, followed by Before the Robotsin 2005. The latter featured the hit ‘Juicy,’ licensed by several commercials and brands, was also featured in the promotional advertisements for the popular ABC television series Desperate Housewives.
The band came to a cross-roads in early 2009 when longtime drummer Travis McNabb made the difficult decision to leave Better Than Ezra and become a full time member of the hit country supergroup Sugarland. “Travis is like family and this was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. We couldn’t be happier for him,” says founding member Tom Drummond of McNabb’s departure.
McNabb was replaced by drummer Michael Jerome as the band announced their seventh studio album Paper Empire which was released in May 2009. This album reached the Top 10 albums on iTunes, with hits like ‘Absolutely Still’ and ‘Just One Day.’
While the band has found success nationally, they never forgot their beloved home of New Orleans. Wanting to find a way to leave a lasting impression on the city that first embraced them, the band created the BTE Foundation. With the annual Ezra Open, which they established 10 years ago, the foundation is committed to funding renewal efforts to support the structural and cultural heritage of New Orleans and Southern Louisiana. Throughout the years, the entertainment community has joined Better Than Ezra in their cause and has raised over $850,000 for various causes in and around New Orleans.
Looking for new and creative ways to connect with their fans, in 2011 BTE debuted their inaugural Krewe of Rocckus Mardi Gras Extravaganza in March of 2011, which was hailed by visitors and locals alike as the “the best way” to experience Mardi Gras. Designed as a fan-based vacation event, the band gave patrons the ultimate insider experience to the nation’s biggest party.
Better Than Ezra - Album releases to date:
Surprise (1990)
Deluxe (1993)
Friction, Baby (1996)
How Does Your Garden Grow? (1998)
Closer (2001)
Before the Robots (2005)
Paper Empire (2009)
For More Information:
Official Site
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