Better Than Ezra

Better Than Ezra is an American rock band formed in 1988 by students at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. The group's constant core has been singer-guitarist Kevin Griffin and bassist Tom Drummond, joined over the years by guitarist/keyboardist James Arthur Payne Jr. and drummer Michael Jerome (after early lineups included original drummer Cary Bonnecaze). Emerging from the college rock circuit of the late 1980s, the band built a devoted regional following before breaking through nationally in the mid-1990s.

Their sound sits at the crossroads of alternative rock and radio-friendly pop, marked by Griffin's melodic songwriting, jangly guitar hooks and anthemic choruses. The band's breakthrough single «Good» became a defining alt-rock radio hit of the era, while songs like «Desperately Wanting» and «At the Stars» further cemented their place on 1990s rock playlists with a blend of emotional lyrics and polished, hook-driven production.

Beyond his work fronting the band, Kevin Griffin became a notable songwriter and collaborator for other artists, including hits written with acts such as Sugarland and Howie Day, extending Better Than Ezra's influence well beyond their own discography. Decades after their formation, the band remains an active touring act and a fixture of the alternative rock revival circuit, especially popular in their home state of Louisiana.