Original drummer leaves band

After Deluxe ‘s major label release, original drummer Cary Bonnecaze left the band in 1996. He was replaced by drummer Travis McNabb , formerly of the band Vigilantes of Love , who was tapped to play on the band’s upcoming album, Friction, Baby . Bonnecaze’s departure set off a series of lawsuits and counter-suits between Bonnecaze and Better Than Ezra. Bonnecaze, who took his suit to the United States District Court in New Orleans, argued that the band owed him money “based on his role in fortifying the band’s reputation “, according to Rolling Stone . He asked for approximately $1 million in damages. A settlement was reached between the band and Bonnecaze on August 5, 1999. The exact terms of the settlement were not released at the time, though Better Than Ezra’s manager John Isbell was quoted as saying that Bonnecaze received “way less” than the one million dollars he had originally requested.