By that I mean every year, for the past four years running, we’ve been to the killer time that is a Better Than Ezra gig at the House of Blues between Christmas and New Years!

This year the band was hosting a “Casino Night” event to benefit their fine Better Than Ezra Foundation and local Houston charity the Grace Foundation. The $175 ticket included casino games featuring Texas Poker, Roulette, Black Jack and Craps tables plus complimentary drinks + buffet, plus a chance to win a grand prize 2 night trip courtesy of L’Auberge Casino & Hotel in Lake Charles, La.

The kicker was an intimate acoustic gig by BTE plus a ticket to the big bash in the HOB! The Foundation is committed to raising funds to support the renewal of the structural and cultural heritage of New Orleans and Southern Louisiana.

To date they have amassed over $850,000 for various causes in and around Nawlins such as Preservation Resource Center, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, Brad Pitt’s Make It Right Foundation and the Audubon Nature Institute to name a few. Very cool indeed. Nice to see a band care so much for their home base bringing an unabashed enthusiasm to all the needy causes they support, along with their always passionate good time concerts. For more info, please visit: http://www.btefoundation.org/.

As far as the gig goes, it was enjoyable, as always. These guys make ya feel like you’re hearing a soundtrack of your college years with their lively good originals which include “Good”, “Desperately Wanting” and “In the Blood” to name a few. The sound this night was especially good after two loud lackluster opening acts on the bill.

The trio never seems to age or tire of bringing their yearning pop melodies on the road and the pro-female crowd was eating it up big time. Having 2 bands open seemed to get the crowd a tad more looped than normal and it felt like a big ole “kegger” party was happening in the cozy confines of HOB!

Fun is the operative word, for sure, when these gents hit town and what’s wrong with that?!

The band has a solid sense of humor with Kevin Griffin and Tom Hammond making it a point to be spouting something funny between songs or having random “tangents” of jamming out to classic rock songs within their vast resume. BTE always have extra musicians or guests who make each gig unforgettable in its own way. They may be one of the best bands out there can still convey deeply broken hearted and lovelorn sentiments with such a gleeful and cheerful delivery!

It’s just flat out hard not to like what they bring to the table and we highly recommend catching them whenever they choose to come to town. They started touring in 1988 and they’ve hardly stopped along the way. They are working on a new album which should ensure some new twists and turns to the “partay” next time.

After all, it is a “holiday” no matter if in December or not in HMR’s book for 5 years now………….Get off your duff and see some live music boys and girls!