Better Than Ezra Invite Fans to Experience Mardi Gras

By Steve Baltin Posted Jan 13th 2011 12:00PM

The rock cruise ship, while successful, has been done. But Better Than Ezra, who did the original Rock Boat cruise, wanted to do something in that vein -- with a twist. "We kind of got the idea to do a destination event -- like a package -- because of the success of the Rock Boat and all those other big cruises that John Mayer does, [or] Barenaked Ladies. Lynyrd Skynyrd does one amazingly, [and] the thought of a Lynyrd Skynyrd cruise just sounds pretty fun," Better Than Ezra frontman Kevin Griffin tells PopEater.

Well, if you're a New Orleans-based band, there is one event that everybody wants to check out. "We were talking about it one day about this time last year. We're like, 'We live in New Orleans. It's a great city that embraces their musicians and their music. And what if we just thought of New Orleans and the French Quarter and Harrah's Casino as just an on-land cruise ship?'" Griffin says. "We were like, 'Why don't we do a branded event during Mardis Gras and invite people around the country who want to experience Mardi Gras?'"

Mardi Gras, of course, offers a wide variety of entertainment depending on how you choose to spend that visit. There is the locals' version of the colorful parades, incredible music and food, and rich cultural history. There is also the Girls Gone Wild experience of flashing, beads, endless daquiris and "What the hell happened last night?" Now, Griffin says the Krewe of Rockkus event -- named from a play on words of the famed Bacchus parades -- will be more in the tradition of the former. "We need to show people around the country who are music fans and fans of great food what the real Mardi Gras is about, that locals know," he says. "So it's three days of nonstop music, food, drinking, where you have Better Than Ezra playing, Pat Green, Big Sam's Funky Nation, a lot of local acts, and you've got your own private balcony on St. Charles Avenue for the parade[s]. You've got your own balcony on Bourbon Street, and then there's a brunch with James Beard award-winning Chef John Besh, jazz funeral parades too; that's where you walk down the street and you have the jazz band leading the way."

Does that mean that this will be a PG-13 Mardi Gras party? "We're gonna have this balcony on Bourbon Street, and when you're down on Bourbon Street and in Mardi Gras you're gonna see stuff that is not PG-13. And so you can get as crazy as you want, but the whole point was it's not just about mindless drinking and stupidity; it's about the history of Carnival and the food and the parades, 'cause it's an amazing tradition," Griffin says. "So, I think it will be tamed down, but we're gonna give you the options of different things to do. You can be as cultured as you want or you can say, 'Screw it, I'm just gonna go off on my own and hang out in the French Quarter and may be full of self-remorse when I leave.'"

Watch Better Than Ezra's 'Absolutely Still' video here.

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Comments

(2)

Thursday 13 January

By James

Vote down Vote up Report this

Both fans?

Friday 14 January

By UglyShirts

HILARIOUS, James. No worries, though. The legions of Better Than Ezra fans who reliably sell out their club shows really like the fact that our favorite band is still so down-to-earth and accessible. I'd call them a well-kept secret, but all their shows I'VE been to (and that's a LOT) seem to indicate that PLENTY of people can't keep their mouths shut. Which is great. So many other bands that emerged at the same time they did are gone, but BTE have played it very, very smart, and continued to put out great music and tour to very loyal, enthusiastic response.

P.S.: Your favorite band smells like cheese.

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