Better Than Ezra embraces its Louisiana roots as the band prepares to throw a big bash in New Orleans.
By Cheré Coen

In the past, the band Better Than Ezra has helped to provide the soundtrack to New Orleans’ Mardi Gras with two-night performances at The House of Blues in the French Quarter. Last year, the band’s introduced its Krewe of Rocckus Mardi Gras event in New Orleans. It seemed a natural progression given that one of the band’s founding members, Tom Drummond, grew up in Shreveport, La., but moved to New Orleans in 1993. He immersed himself in the carnival culture, riding in the Krewe of Hermes parade and eventually being promoted to float lieutenant. Drummond and his band mates are only too happy to share with their fans a passion for the “greatest free party on earth.”

From left to right: Tom Drummond, Kevin Griffin, and Michael Jerome are Better Than Ezra. The band has released an EP that shares a passion for LSU football and will host a major Mardi Gras event in New Orleans. Rick Olivier photo

Last year’s event was a success, Drummond said, which is why they are bringing it back. The band will host the second Krewe of Rocckus event Feb. 16–18 in New Orleans during carnival, a three-day package that includes accommodations at the Hilton Riverside hotel, brunch with James Beard Award-winning Chef John Besh, a riverboat cruise, a second line parade, and concerts with Better Than Ezra, Tonic, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, and Ed Roland of Collective Soul.

But the old model needed improvements in a few areas.

“It’s a bit of a learning process,” Drummond said of organizing a tourism event of this magnitude.

The event has grown some for its second time around but band members will remain as the hosts. New this year will be a package without hotel accommodations for locals and added features, such as scavenger hunts “just to keep it fun,” said Drummond, who makes his home in New Orleans.

Krewe of Rocckus participants arrive Thursday, Feb. 16, and attend a welcome party and then the Krewe of Muses parade, which rolls through the streets of New Orleans.

On Friday, Feb. 17, Besh serves up a welcome brunch, followed by a second line march to Michaul’s Cajun restaurant for private stand viewing of the Krewe of Hermes and Krewe d’état parades. The evening concludes with a concert by Better Than Ezra and Tonic at The House of Blues in the French Quarter.

On Saturday, Feb. 18, participants board the Creole Queen paddle wheeler for a trip down the Mississippi, and then view the Endymion Parade with its supersized floats and celebrity riders. Better Than Ezra plays another set at the House of Blues, this time with Big Sam’s Funky Nation. For more information visit www.kreweofrocckus.com.

“Mardi Gras is an incredible time of year where both locals and visitors embrace the city’s music, food, and culture head on,” Drummond said. “So in the Krewe of Rocckus three-day event, we’re making sure to incorporate all of those elements, including our annual shows at The House of Blues.”

While waiting for carnival to roll around, Better Than Ezra has been at work sharing their love of Louisiana State University (LSU) football and the upcoming Bowl Championship Series (BCS) game between LSU and the University of Alabama on Jan. 9 in New Orleans. They recorded an eight-song EP titled “Death Valley,” which features songs such as “Hey Fighting Tigers” and “Tiger by the Tail” in honor of LSU’s Bengal tiger mascot.

LSU and Better Than Ezra share history. The band was formed in 1988 while attending classes at the Baton Rouge campus. Vocalist and guitarist Kevin Griffin and Drummond, who plays bass, are the two remaining founding members. Drummer Michael Jerome joined the band in 2009.

Many of the songs on the “Death Valley” EP–which also is the nickname for Tiger Stadium–are routinely used by LSU.

“These are songs the Tiger Band does but we’re offering them Better Than Ezra style,” Drummond said.

For instance, the last song on the EP is a Better Than Ezra version of “Chinese Bandits,” a song routinely performed by the LSU’s band. Better Than Ezra layered in cheers from LSU’s stadium for its version, plus offered a few punches at the Alabama’s Crimson Tide.

The EP is available through iTunes and on the band’s Web site, www.betterthanezra.com.

Drummond said the band hopes to record a new album in 2012 in the Big Easy, with a tour to follow. They also are slated to appear at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival this year on May 5.

Meanwhile, the guys have some beads to throw in the French Quarter.

Cheré Coen is a contributor from Lafayette, La.