A fan's (un)biased view on: Better Than Ezra

          If your a hardcore fan of a certain band, people tend to discredit your opinions on that band because of your enthusiasm.  However, though I am a hardcore fan of Better Than Ezra---there are very great reasons behind this loyalty: this article not only covers the music, but, the band itself.

          First, it must be clear that I am NOT the groupie type of fan---far from it.  I also have not followed my favorite band through out the years that it took them to "pay their dues" --- I had heard of Better Than Ezra, but, didn't just grab onto their music at the time they were "big" just because a friend told me about them.  This turned out to be a regret:  I wish I had listened to my friend when he informed me about Better Than Ezra---and not only because of the music!

          I didn't begin listening to Better Than Ezra during their awesome "Deluxe" debut---I began listening to the band sort of by accident:  I'm just crazy about the television show Smallville, and, at least two of their songs have been in episodes of Smallville.  The one that comes to mind most readily is the song "I Do".   It's an upbeat, pop rock tune that can make you feel what the singer is talking about without being too ballad like.

          Second, I must say, I didn't intend to become an "Ezralite"---a hardcore Better Than Ezra fan that will travel miles upon miles to see the band, sig up to be a member on the message boards at the band's official website---and all of that.  I just wanted to experience the band's music live, especially since I LOVE MUSIC CONCERTS.  On August 4th, 2006, I was going to get my chance!

         Through the band's official website, I learned that they would be appearing at the Watertown Riverfest in Watertown, WI on August 4th, 2006.  So, I clicked the related link to the Watertown Riverfest site, and, although they gave background information in regards to Better Than Ezra, there were no prices mentioned for tickets!  So, I wrote to the festivals' email address and inquired.  Within a couple of days I received a reply stating that, seeing the band is free; however, in order to pay for the bands that perform at the festival, food tickets are purchased when it's time to eat.  My significant other and I thought that this was really cool---and, since I really wanted to see Better Than Ezra, we decided, hey, why not?

           As luck would have it though, life was not kind to Better Than Ezra around this time: a group member had lost a beloved parent, and, the group cancelled the show (rightfully so) to allow the band time to grieve.  Ed and I hadn't checked the website bfore leaving----we just got up and went---and, though kind of disappointed that it wasn't Better Than Ezra who performed that night, we still had a great time listening to two different bands:  The Gufs and The BoDeans.  We are now big fans of those bands as well!

          After this disappointing attempt,  I did not give up.  It was now a mission:  I was going to see this band, and, I didn't really care if I had to travel (we had to travel 3 1/2 hours for Watertown, anyway!).  After looking up Better Than Ezra's tour schedule again at their website (www.betterthanezra.com), I learned that they would be appearing in Clarkston, MI on September 9, 2006 @ DTE Energy Music Theater.   I didn't really want to pay full price for tickets---tickets can be very expensive at times to see anyone----so, I looked the tickets up on Ebay.  I got really lucky on this one:  I won an auction for four lawn seat tickets for a total of just twenty dollars!

         On September 9, 2006--me, Ed (my better half), my daughter Melissa, & her boyfriend Rob left around noon, so that we could arrive in time for Better Than Ezra's performance (they opened for Hootie & the Blowfish).  The first leg of the trip was five and half hours of driving, and, when we arrived, we were definitely glad to be out of the car.  Better Than Ezra performed pretty good that night---however, I believed that they just weren't on stage long enough, due to the fact that they were the opening act.  After staying for a couple of Hootie & the Blowfish songs, we made our way back to IL---and, we decided that night that the next time we see the band---Better Than Ezra would be the headlining act.  Little did I know:  it would be just over a month before seeing the band again.

         After the show in Clarkston, MI is when I began to become an "Ezralite".  I wanted to know the next date that would bring them closer to where I resided, so, I joined the official website's "Ezraflash" newsletter and also signed up to the message boards; I even became a member of Better Than Ezra's Street Team.  I then learned that the band would be appearing at Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University in Indianapolis, IN on October 20, 2006.  On the day the tickets went on sale, I set my alarm clock so that I could purchase tickets as soon as they went on sale:  this is when it struck me, that HEY! I really do enjoy this band!  But I couldn't answer the "WHY DO I ENJOY THIS BAND SO MUCH?" question that was starting to eat at me.

        It only took two and a half hours to get to Indianapolis---however, we were a little late on the opening act (The Waiting Game).  From what we did see of the opening act, they were pretty cool sounding, and, we have souvenirs of the band, although they are no longer together.  It was now Better Than Ezra's turn at the stage: an, being that we had gotten much closer seats this time, I could honestly experience the band members' facial expressions, their body language, and the music all together.  In short, it answered some of the question as to why I enjoy the band so much:  Better Than Ezra is a very down to earth, energetic, fun band---and all members have a sense of humor about them---especially lead singer Kevin Griffin & Tom Drummond (bass).  Tonight's show was a really special show:  an artist known as Howie Day had made a special appearance that wasn't on the set list/planned;  we now are big fans of Howie Day's music as well.

         This wasn't the last Better Than Ezra show that we attended in 2006, however, it was the first show that began to answer why I like the band so much.  Kevin Griffin, Tom Drummond, & Travis McNabb are all very down to earth as well as very hard working.  Kevin & Tom are very witty and entertaining; and, to be honest, the band is better live (with "imperfections") than on cd (the perfected work, according to Kevin Griffin).  Better Than Ezra is also much better in smaller, intimate venues (Clowes Memorial Hall could hold up to 2200; House Of Blues Chicago, up to 1,000)...not due to how they play/how entertaining they are---it's just that when there's a smaller venue, it's just a better and more intimate experience!

          After seeing the band in different venues---my questions of why I enjoyed Better Than Ezra were answered in quite a few areas: first, they are great entertainers---Kevin Griffin & Tom Drummond both have spontaneous, lively & witty responses/reactions during their performances;  I've even heard that from time to time, Travis McNabb (drums) also has comments;  they are very down to earth and acknowledge their fans (during their recent Chicago House Of Blues gig in December 2006, Travis held a drummers' session for those who play drums/which also included a sound check earlier that day); they also are a very hard working band that doesn't ask for more than what they believe to be fair out of their fans (the band recently decided to put fan club memberships on hiatus since they had no special "meet & greets/other happenings planned for the fans).  Speaking just for myself though, I don't mind paying for a fan club membership when the band is as hardworking & entertaining as Better Than Ezra.  They deserve every one of the hardcore fans known as "Ezralites".  And I firmly believe that the band's biggest Kudos are yet to come. Biased or not, they should be granted more fame than what they've received.