<P> Better Than Ezra was formed in 1988 by its four original members -- vocalist and guitarist , Kevin Griffin ; lead guitarist , Joel Rundell ; bassist , Tom Drummond ; and drummer , Cary Bonnecaze . All four members were attending Louisiana State University at the time of Better Than Ezra 's formation . Better Than Ezra 's first public performance was at Murphy 's in Baton Rouge , Louisiana , also in 1988 . Though many theories abound , the band refuses to disclose the origin of its name . One theory is that it comes from a line in Ernest Hemingway 's memoir A Moveable Feast , in which Hemingway describes a particularly annoying sound as `` ... no worse than other noises , certainly better than Ezra learning to play the bassoon . '' Drummond once told a reporter that the meaning of the band 's name is `` so lame you would n't even want to print it . '' It has also been said that the name came into being when the then nameless band entered a battle of the bands in competition with a group named Ezra . Needing a name to register they simply said that they were better . Fans of the group often refer to themselves as Ezralites . </P>
where did the band better than ezra get its name
the band refuses to disclose the origin of its name