Editing Better Than Ezra (section)

== History ==
=== Formation and early success ===
Better Than Ezra was formed in 1988<ref name=cbs /> by vocalist and guitarist [[Kevin Griffin]], lead guitarist [[Joel Rundell]], bassist [[Tom Drummond (musician)|Tom Drummond]], and drummer Cary Bonnecaze.<ref name=cbs>{{cite news |first=Ellen |last=Crean |title=Better Than Ezra: Than Ever? |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/better-than-ezra-than-ever/ |work=[[The Early Show]] |publisher=[[CBS News]] |date=August 27, 2005 |access-date=July 12, 2009}}</ref> All four members were attending  [[Louisiana State University]] at the time of Better Than Ezra's formation.<ref name=cbs /> Better Than Ezra's first public performance was at Murphy's in [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana]], also in 1988.<ref name=ledger>{{cite news |first=Tanya |last=Bell |title=Better Than Ezra's Name Is Mystery Around It |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8xATAAAAIBAJ&pg=6480,8422672 |work=[[The Gazette (Colorado Springs)|The Gazette]] |location=Colorado Springs, Colorado |publisher=[[The Ledger]] |date=December 20, 1998 |access-date=August 20, 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Though many theories abound, the band refuses to disclose the origin of its name.<ref name=ledger /> A possibility is it was a tribute to Joel Rundell's grandfather, who was named Ezra.  Another possibility is a quote from the novel ''[[Earth Abides]]'' by [[George R. Stewart]]. In chapter two of part two, the main character, Ish, remarks to himself that he is better than Ezra, another character,  at the task at hand.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} Fans of the group often refer to themselves as Ezralites.

Better Than Ezra circulated a demo cassette tape later in 1988, the ''Chime Street Demo''. While not an official release, this demo is sought after by the band's fans, and traded by collectors. In 1990 the band released a cassette-only album, ''[[Surprise (Better Than Ezra album)|Surprise]]''.<ref name="Larkin">{{cite book |title=The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music |editor=Colin Larkin |editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer) |publisher=[[Virgin Books]] |date=1997 |edition=Concise |isbn=1-85227-745-9 |page=127 |title-link=Encyclopedia of Popular Music}}</ref>

Joel Rundell, the band's lead guitarist, died by suicide on August 8, 1990.<ref name=cbs /> The remaining three members of the band took some time off to reassess its future following Rundell's death.<ref name=cbs /> However, Griffin, Drummond and Bonnecaze reunited Better Than Ezra as a [[trio (music)|trio]] by the end of 1990.<ref name=cbs /> The trio continued playing house parties and fraternity shows across the southern United States during the early 1990s.

The band released its first nationally distributed album, ''[[Deluxe (Better Than Ezra album)|Deluxe]]'', in 1993 on its own [[indie label]],<ref name=cnn /> Swell Records, which caught the attention of major record labels and radio. Better Than Ezra signed with [[Elektra Records]] in 1995.<ref name=cnn>{{cite news |first=Donna |last=Freydkin |title=Better Than Ezra break new ground on third album |url=https://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Music/9903/08/better.than.ezra/index.html |work=[[CNN]] |date=March 8, 1999 |access-date=August 20, 2009}}</ref> Elektra rereleased ''Deluxe'' in 1995, and the single "[[Good (Better Than Ezra song)|Good]]" reached the No.&nbsp;1 position on the [[Hot Modern Rock Tracks]] chart which helped push the album to [[RIAA certification|platinum record]] status by the end of 1995.<ref name="riaa">{{cite web |url=http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=Better&Than&Ezra&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |title=Gold & Platinum&nbsp;– Search Results: Better Than Ezra |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America |access-date=November 13, 2010}}{{dead link |date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

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".<ref name=cnn />

=== 1996–2000 ===
After ''Deluxe''{{'s}} major label release, original drummer Cary Bonnecaze left the band in 1996.<ref name=cbs /> He was replaced by drummer [[Travis McNabb]],<ref name=cbs /> formerly of the band [[Vigilantes of Love]], who was tapped to play on the band's upcoming album, ''[[Friction Baby|Friction, Baby]]''.<ref name="Larkin"/> Bonnecaze's departure set off a series of lawsuits and counter-suits between Bonnecaze and Better Than Ezra.<ref name=cnn /> Bonnecaze, who took his suit to the [[United States District Court]] in New Orleans, argued that the band owed him money "based on his role in fortifying the band's [[reputation]]," according to ''[[Rolling Stone]]''.<ref name=rs>{{cite magazine |title=Really Randoms: Oasis, Beck, David Bowie |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5926177/really_randoms_oasis_beck_david_bowie |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=August 11, 1999 |access-date=August 20, 2009}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> He asked for approximately $1 million in damages.<ref name=rs /> A settlement was reached between the band and Bonnecaze on August 5, 1999.<ref name=rs /> The exact terms of the settlement were not released at the time, though Better Than Ezra's manager John Isbell was quoted as saying that Bonnecaze received "way less" than the one million dollars he had originally requested.<ref name=rs />

Better Than Ezra released their second major label album, ''[[Friction, Baby]]'', in 1996 through Elektra Records.<ref name="Larkin"/> The album produced the hits "[[Desperately Wanting]]" and "[[King of New Orleans]]".  ''Friction, Baby'' was not as commercially successful as ''Deluxe'', but has sold almost 500,000 units as of 1999.<ref name=cnn />

The trio began work on their third major release, ''[[How Does Your Garden Grow?]]'', soon after the end of touring for ''Friction, Baby''. The album was recorded between mid-January and late-April at a studio in New Orleans.<ref name=rollings>{{cite magazine |first=Blair R. |last=Fischer |title=Better Than Ezra Going Gardening |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/betterthanezra/articles/story/5918443/better_than_ezra_going_gardening |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=June 26, 1998 |access-date=August 20, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515001704/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/betterthanezra/articles/story/5918443/better_than_ezra_going_gardening |archive-date=May 15, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The album was produced by [[record producer]] [[Malcolm Burn]], who had formerly produced Iggy Pop and U2,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Knopper |first1=Steve |title=Better than Ezra Cultivates New Sounds for Elektra's 'Garden'. |journal=Billboard: The International Newsweekly of Music, Video and Home Entertainment |date=July 25, 1998 |volume=110 |issue=30 |pages=12–12, 15 |id={{ProQuest |978688}}}}</ref> and released on August 25, 1998.<ref name=rollings /> The album was described as "experimental" and a significant departure from their previous two albums.<ref name=cnn /> Griffin described the album in 1998 as "guitar driven ... rhythmic."<ref name=rollings /> Likewise, Tom Drummond described the band's thinking on its third major album, "We thought the third album was a very important record, because generally a band either makes or breaks on the third record. We wanted it to be a record that didn't necessarily sound like what people expected."<ref name=cnn /> Despite the emphasis on guitar experimentation, two tracks, "One More Murder" and "Je ne m'en souviens pas" contain no guitars.<ref name=rollings />

The [[Single (music)|single]] "At the Stars" debuted, and peaked, at number 78 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name=cnn /> The band was dropped by Elektra Records following the release of ''[[How Does Your Garden Grow?]]'' in 1999.<ref name=battalion />

=== 2000–2008 ===
[[File:Betterthanezraconcert.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Better Than Ezra performing in 2002]]
The band released the [[A-side and B-side|B-Sides]] and rarities collection ''Artifakt'' on its own "Ezra Dry Goods/Fudge" label in 2000.  ''Artifakt'' was only sold online<ref name=battalion /> and at concerts. Tom Drummond, the band's bassist, noted in 2002, "It's basically an album full of rarities."<ref name=battalion />

Better Than Ezra, now no longer with Elektra Records, signed with the [[Beyond Music]] label and began work on new material.<ref name=battalion /> Drummond explained the reasoning for choosing a smaller label, "We decided we wanted to be big fish in a small pond instead of a little fish in a big pond. We just wanted to be with a label who wanted success as much as we did."<ref name=battalion />

Griffin, Drummond and McNabb spent 18 months working on ''[[Closer (Better Than Ezra album)|Closer]]'', their follow-up album to 1998's ''[[How Does Your Garden Grow?]]'' and their first new material since being dropped by Elektra Records.<ref name=battalion>{{cite news |first=Lycia |last=Shrum |title=Better Than Ezra brings its show to Hurricane Harry's |url=http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2002/02/06/AggieLife/Better.Than.Ever-516901.shtml |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070812114613/http://media.www.thebatt.com/media/storage/paper657/news/2002/02/06/AggieLife/Better.Than.Ever-516901.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 12, 2007 |work=[[The Battalion]] |date=February 6, 2002 |access-date=August 20, 2009}}</ref><ref name=mtv2>{{cite news |first=Joe |last=D'Angelo |title=Better Than Ezra Get 'Ordinary' With AC/DC-Inspired Single |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1445418/20010726/better_than_ezra.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010802073408/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1445418/20010726/better_than_ezra.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 2, 2001 |work=[[MTV News]] |date=July 26, 2001 |access-date=August 20, 2009}}</ref> The album was recorded in New Orleans in the band's own studio, which allowed the members to focus on creating music rather than rental costs per day.<ref name=mtv2 /> ''Closer'' was mixed in Los Angeles by Better Than Ezra and the album's producer, [[Brad Wood]].<ref name=mtv2 /> However, the band felt that some tracks needed scratching.  Producer Brad Wood's management company recommended [[DJ Swamp]], who had previously worked with [[Beck]], to mix several tracks.<ref name=mtv2 /> The use of a DJ for two of the album's tracks, the first single "[[Extra Ordinary]]" and "Recognize", marked a departure for the band, who hadn't previously employed a DJ before.<ref name=mtv2 />

''Closer'' was released on August 7, 2001.<ref name=mtv2 /> Better Than Ezra launched a tour in support of the album on July 26, 2001.<ref name=mtv2 /> The first single off the album, "Extra Ordinary", which had been mixed by DJ Swamp, was inspired by an [[AC/DC]] song.<ref name=mtv2 />  The album's promotion hit a snag after its record label, Beyond Music, was closed down following a business dispute towards the end of 2002, shortly after ''Closer''{{'s}} release.<ref name=aa>{{cite news |title=Better Than Ezra To Re-Release Closer |url=http://www.alternativeaddiction.com/musicnews/article/1408/Better-Than-Ezra-To-Re-Release-Closer |work=Alternative Addiction |date=June 9, 2009 |access-date=August 20, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Billboard0118032">{{Cite magazine |last=Newman |first=Melinda |date=January 18, 2003 |title=Industry Vet Kovac Forms New Management Firm |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aQ4EAAAAMBAJ&dq=beyond+music+2003&pg=PA10 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |volume=115 |issue=3 |page=10 |issn=0006-2510}}</ref> Beyond Music's closure left ''Closer'' out of print for several years.<ref name=aa /> In June 2009, Better Than Ezra announced that it had acquired the rights to ''Closer'' and would re-release it in the Fall of 2009 with two new previously unreleased tracks, "Simple Song" and "Screwed Up and Beautiful."<ref name=aa />

In June 2001, Better Than Ezra filmed a series of commercials for [[ESPN]]'s ''[[College GameDay (football)|College GameDay]]''.<ref name=mtv2 /> The promo features the band while sports analyst [[Lee Corso]] [[Crowd surfing|crowd surfs]] to the stage, where he continues his sports reporting.<ref name=mtv2 />

On September 28, 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 (Better Than Ezra album)|Live at the House of Blues, New Orleans]]'' through [[Sanctuary Records]].<ref name=rollingstone>{{cite magazine |first=Colin |last=Devenish |title=Better Than Ezra Go Easy |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/betterthanezra/articles/story/6484727/better_than_ezra_go_easy |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=September 15, 2004 |access-date=August 20, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514231243/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/betterthanezra/articles/story/6484727/better_than_ezra_go_easy |archive-date=May 14, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The DVD and album were filmed and recorded at two separate shows at the [[House of Blues]] in New Orleans during the summer of 2004.<ref name=rollingstone />

A Greatest Hits collection was released on March 15, 2005, through [[Rhino Entertainment]], a division of the [[Warner Music Group]].

The band's sixth studio album ''[[Before the Robots]]'' (Artemis Records) was released on  May 31, 2005.  In 2005, ''[[Desperate Housewives]]'' creator [[Marc Cherry]] used the band's song "[[Juicy (Better Than Ezra song)|Juicy]]" as the background music for the [[Desperate Housewives (season 2)|second season]] of the show's promotional advertisements, which Griffin credited with bringing attention to the album.<ref name=be>{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Farley |title=A Chat with Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra |url= http://www.bullz-eye.com/music/interviews/2009/kevin_griffin.htm |publisher= | website= Bullz-eye.com |date=May 12, 2009 |access-date=August 20, 2009}}</ref> The song "Juicy" has also been heard in the background in commercials for Applebee's restaurants.

=== Since 2009 ===
Longtime drummer Travis McNabb left Better Than Ezra in February 2009 and their last performance together was Family Gras in [[Metairie, Louisiana]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Keith Spera, The Times-Picayune |url=http://blog.nola.com/keithspera/2009/02/better_than_ezra_drummer_travi.html |title=Better Than Ezra drummer Travis McNabb leaves to play with Sugarland full-time &#124; NOLA.com |publisher=Blog.nola.com |access-date=April 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829031054/http://blog.nola.com/keithspera/2009/02/better_than_ezra_drummer_travi.html |archive-date=August 29, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>  The primary reason given for his departure was the demand on his time by [[Country music|country]] and [[Bluegrass music|bluegrass]] group, [[Sugarland]], with whom McNabb had previously been touring for some time.  The split was amicable, with bassist Tom Drummond saying, "It's bittersweet. He's fantastic. We're still good friends, and there are no hard feelings. We'll miss him. But this is an opportunity he needed to take." Announced at the same time was McNabb's replacement, New Orleans–based drummer [[Michael Jerome]], formerly of the band Pleasure Club.  In addition, Better Than Ezra announced the May 12, 2009, release date for their seventh studio album, entitled ''[[Paper Empire]]'', which is produced by [[Warren Huart]] and singer Kevin Griffin. The first single, "[[Absolutely Still]]", was released for [[iTunes]] purchase on March 17.

On May 22, 2013, Griffin confirmed that the band plans to release their first new album since 2009 later in the year.<ref>{{cite news |author=Lauren Moraski |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/better-than-ezra-on-upcoming-album-and-getting-another-chance-at-bat/ |date= May 23, 2013 |title=Better Than Ezra on upcoming album and "getting another chance at bat" |website= CBS News |access-date=May 23, 2013}}</ref>

On February 10, 2014, it was announced that the band had signed with [[The End Records]] for the release of their eighth studio album. The album, ''[[All Together Now (Better Than Ezra album)|All Together Now]]'', was released on September 9, 2014.<ref>[http://www.alternativeaddiction.com/musicnews/article/3842/New-Better-Than-Ezra-Album-Due-Out-September-9-2014 New-Better-Than-Ezra-Album-Due-Out-September-9-2014], [[Alternative Addiction]]</ref>

On August 29, 2014, the twenty-fifth anniversary edition of ''Surprise'' was released. According to original drummer Cary Bonnecaze, "The family of Joel Rundell (our original guitarist who passed away in 1990) and I own the original recording, and we thought that with 2014 being the 25th anniversary of its original release, it would be a good time to release it."

On June 1, 2018, BTE released a new track called "GRATEFUL" via The End Records.

On August 13–14, 2021, Better Than Ezra played a pair of sold-out shows at the [[House of Blues]] New Orleans in order to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their second album ''[[Friction, Baby]]''. During these shows, the band played the album in its entirety, as well as some other fan-favorite songs.<ref>{{cite news |author=Veronika Lee |url=https://www.offbeat.com/articles/better-than-ezra-friction-baby-turns-25-a-conversation-with-kevin-griffin/ |date= July 20, 2021 |title=Better Than Ezra's 'Friction, Baby' Turns 25: A Conversation With Lead Singer Kevin Griffin |website=Offbeat |access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> A few months later, the band returned to the same venue to play their album ''[[Closer (Better Than Ezra album)|Closer]]'' in its entirety to another sold-out crowd.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/better-than-ezra/2022/house-of-blues-new-orleans-la-43b78b3f.html |date= May 6, 2022 |title=Better Than Ezra Setlist at House of Blues, New Orleans, LA, USA |website=Setlist.fm |access-date=October 3, 2022}}</ref>

In October 2022, during their "Legends of the Fall" tour, Griffin revealed that the band would be releasing a new album in 2023. "Mystified", a single from the forthcoming album, was released on July 18, 2023.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://americansongwriter.com/better-than-ezra-go-back-to-basics-with-mystified-exclusive-premiere/ |date= July 18, 2023 |title=Better Than Ezra Go Back to Basics with "Mystified" |website=americansongwriter.com |access-date=July 19, 2022}}</ref>
The band's latest single, "Contact High," was released on November 3, 2023.

On March 8, 2024, the band's ninth studio album ''Super Magick'' was announced, and the single "Live a Little" was released.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Edwards |first=Clayton |date=2024-03-08 |title=Exclusive: Better Than Ezra Announce Their First Album in a Decade 'Super Magick' with Euphoric New Single "Live a Little" |url=https://americansongwriter.com/exclusive-better-than-ezra-announce-their-first-album-decade-super-magick-euphoric-new-single-live-a-little/ |access-date=2024-03-09 |magazine=[[American Songwriter]] |language=en-US}}</ref> After some brief delays, Super Magick was released on May 3, 2024, on Round Hill Records.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.999thehawk.com/news/better-than-ezra-announce-first-new-album-in-ten-years-super-magick/ |access-date=2024-05-12 |title=Better Than Ezra Announce First New Album In Ten Years 'Super Magick' |website=999thehawk.com/ |language=en-US}}</ref>