Copyright 2002 McClatchy Newspapers

"Things Getting Better All the Time for Band"
by Roger W. Hoskins

Better Than Ezra is alive and well. The rock trio with a melody-driven sound is 14 years old and seven years past its double-platinum major-label debut.

But even in its second life as an independent band, the group is selling records and striking a favorable chord with critics.

"Closer," its August 2001 release, has sold 100,000 units and received the band's best reviews to date. The band also has become a television phenomenon.

While rarely cracking the playlists on American commercial radio stations, Better Than Ezra tunes have been heard on TV shows like "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer," "Dawson's Creek," "Roswell" and "Smallville." The song "One More Murder" will be on an upcoming episode of NBC's "Third Watch."

Among Ezra's radio hits were "Good," "Rosalia" and "Desperately Wanting," the latter coming in 1996-97.

Bassist Tom Drummond says that labelless Better than Ezra has found "TV is almost as effective an outlet for new music as radio."

ESPN used the group in one of its "Gameday" commercials touting college football programming. That kind of gig is a natural for the group.

"We met and formed while we were all at LSU," recalls Drummond. The band is now based in New Orleans.

Drummond says the band reasonably can be compared to 1960s bands because "melody is a big part of our songs."

In fact, even some of Ezra's more serious songs have upbeat melodies, which is reminiscent of both Buddy Holly and The Beach Boys.

Drummond acknowledges the group's declining sales. Its 1995 debut, "Deluxe," sold 2 million copies. "Friction Baby" was gold at 500,000 sold, then Electra cut Better Than Ezra when 1998's "How Did Your Garden Grow" sold just 200,000.

He says the band might worry about those numbers if it weren't for one thing: "'Garden' was our best record artistically. Given the right label, the goods are there. For us, it's a matter of finding someone (at a label) who believes in us and will push our music."

And the critics have loved the band's latest album, "Closer." In People magazine, Alec Foege gushed: "Now, a year after being dropped by their former label because of creative differences, BTE weighs in with its best album yet. It's a wonder their music has remained largely sunny. The main reason is singer-songwriter Kevin Griffin, who has a soaring voice and a knack for inspirational-sounding choruses."

While it searches for the right record deal, Better Than Ezra keeps time with a devoted core of fans. "One thing we've been able to do is establish a loyal fan base. We go out of the way to do things for fans," says Drummond.

The fans likewise go out of their way for the band. At every stop, there are baked goods and favorite dishes.

"The fans know what each one of us like and they bring it. (Drummer) Travis (McNabb) likes dark chocolate and I like chupa chups -- they're like lollipops made in Spain," explains Drummond.
The fan base is not only deeply loyal, it also is wide.

"We're a cross-generational band. It's not uncommon to see daughters and mothers at our shows," says Drummond. "Our demographic is 15 to 35 or 40 years old.

"It's because we're not gimmicky," he says. "Most of the lyrics have meaning and BTE fans tend to be more serious listeners."

The man behind those songs is vocalist Griffin. On the Better Than Ezra Web site, he tells how the band makes its music: "The key to original sound is to feed your inspirations into your imagination and come out with something that's never been done before."

Drummond says he and drummer McNabb also play a role in producing Ezra's music at the band's own studio. "Songwriting is a process. Kevin brings in a chorus and melody, and then we work with what we like and drop what we don't. But Kevin writes all the lyrics."

Other artists like Griffin's original songwriting. Meat Loaf and Blondie are among those who have recorded his songs.

After finishing its tour with Cowboy Mouth, Drummond says Better Than Ezra will go back to the studio to record again. Its new CD should be ready for release by next summer.