Better than Ezra is a college rock group in the literal sense – it was formed by four students at Louisiana State University in 1988. Two of those four – Kevin Griffin (vocals and guitar) & Tom Drummond (bass guitar) – have been the constant core of the group. The third, guitarist Joel Rundell, died before the group signed its first recording contract. The fourth, drummer Cary Bonnecaze, left the group acrimoniously after their first major-label album went platinum.

Griffin and Drummond decided to keep Better than Ezra going by hiring a new guitarist/keyboardist, James Arthur Payne Jr., and a new drummer, Travis McNabb. McNabb left on good terms in 2009, and Michael Jerome took over the drums.