Better Than Ezra is back on the road this summer with Barenaked Ladies and KT Tunstall, and will take the stage in Charlotte for the first time in years at the Charlotte Metro Credit Union on July 5 as part of the “Last Summer on Earth 2018” tour. The alt-rock staple of the ’90s has been busy as of late, celebrating 25 years as a band and releasing new tunes, including the new fan favorite “Grateful.” Yet bassist Tom Drummond found time to chat about the band’s summer-long trek and what fans can expect on perhaps the most enjoyable show you’ll see this summer.
Read more: You’ve Got To Hear This! Better Than Ezra unveil new song “Grateful”
I read that Kevin said this tour is kind of like a dream come true? What makes this tour so special or different from other tours?
“We’ve known these guys for a long time and have always been on friendly terms. In fact, Kevin writes with Ed often, and they are playing something like five songs in their set that they’ve written together over the years. It’s a giant mutual admiration society out here. Everyone gets along and really appreciates the musicianship offered by both BNL and KT.”
Or what makes this lineup click, considering each artist’s style is a bit different?
“They are different, and yet just enough alike to make for a very cohesive show. We rock a little harder, and KT brings the solo acoustic aspect, although you can hardly call what she does solo acoustic.”
Most fans know the ties between Better Than Ezra and Barenaked Ladies, but did you have any connection with KT before hitting the road or how has your relationship grown with her so far on the tour?
“KT is a new friendship and wow, are we blown away. She previewed some of her new material that will be released later this fall, and watch out, the stuff sounds amazing. She has a song mixed by Tony Hoffer who produced and mixed our last album, Altogether Now.”
It’s not often that tours feature collaborations between bands on stage. How has this tour been different in that respect?
“Again, pointing back to the mutual admiration society, it just feels right. It makes for a great experience for the audience.”
Fans have expressed love for “Grateful.” How has it been playing that song live on this tour?
“‘GRATEFUL’ really sounds good live. It really seems to be connecting with our fans, I guess it is speaking to current events. Or at least, people seem to be relating it to their lives somehow.”
Are you diving into any other new tracks live that you’ve been working on?
“That is the only new track so far, however we are trying to play at least one song that we haven’t played on this tour each night. Keeps us on our toes!”
Better Than Ezra, along with KT Tunstall and Barenaked Ladies on the Last Summer on Earth Tour will visit the the Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre in Charlotte on July 4. Tickets for the show in addition to future dates are available here.
Check out the full list of Better Than Ezra tour dates:
July 6 - Saint Augustine, FL @ Saint Augustine Amphitheater*
July 7 - Atlanta, GA @ State Bank Amphitheater*
July 9 - Baltimore, MD @ Pier Six Pavilion*
July 10 - Lewiston, NY @ Artpark Amphitheater*
July 11 - Columbus, OH @ Express Live! Outdoor Amp. *
July 13 - Chicago, IL @ Huntington Bank Pavilion*
July 14 - Clarkston, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre*
July 15 - Cleveland, OH @ Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica*
Aug 3 - South Park, PA @ South Park Amphitheater
Aug 31 - Biloxi, MS @ Beau Rivage Resort and Casino
