Dave Matthews Band also known by the initials DMB, is an American rock band formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991. Founded by the South African born singer-songwriter guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, drummer and backing vocalist Carter Beauford and saxophonist LeRoi Moore. DMB was later joined by violinist Boyd Tinsley. LeRoi Moore died in 2008 from complications from injuries in an ATV accident. Shortly thereafter Grammy Award winner Jeff Coffin joined as the band’s saxophonist, while trumpeter Rashawn Ross, keyboardist Buddy Strong and guitarist Tim Reynolds joined the band permanently.
As of 2018 DMB has sold more than 68 million albums and became the first group to have seven consecutive albums debut at number one. DMB’s most recent album, 2018’s Come Tomorrow continued that trend.
DMB is renowned for its high-energy stage presence, blistering live shows, unquestioned musical chops and devoted grassroots following. The band is also known for playing its songs differently each time that they are performed live.
In 1991 Dave Matthews was working in Charlottesville, Virginia as a bartender and became friends with lawyer Ross Hoffman who convinced the usually reserved Matthews to record a demo of a few songs he had written. Hoffman encouraged Matthews to approach Beauford and Moore. The trio began working on Matthews’ songs but needed a fuller sound and were eventually joined by others including Boyd Tinsley.
Initially the band did not have a name. Reportedly, the story goes that Moore phoned a venue where the band was scheduled and said to write “Dave Matthews.” The person taking the call wrote “band” after the name and from that point on the they became known as the Dave Matthews Band.
In 1993 DMB released its first official album, Remember Two Things, The album debuted on college charts as the highest independent entry eventually going platinum in 2002. As the band kept touring its fan base continued to grow. DMB allowed fans to tape shows for their personal use creating a highly interactive community that continues to this day. In 1994 DMB released its debut studio album, Under the Table and Dreaming featuring the hits “What Would You Say,” “Satellite,” and “Ants Marching.”
DMB’s follow up album Crash broke the band nationally culminating in three Grammy Awards for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group, “So Much to Say,” Best Rock Song, and Best Rock Album for Crash. The band also achieved hits with “Crash into Me,” “Too Much,” and “Tripping Billies.”
During 2000, DMB set up their own recording studio at a large countryside home outside Charlottesville. With longtime producer Steve Lillywhite at the helm, the band began work on its fourth studio album. The songs were heavily influenced by personal conflicts, notably the death of Matthews’ uncle from alcoholism. A newly energized Matthews began writing with Glen Ballard best known for his work with Alanis Morissette with the band joining in to record the album Everyday. While the album gave the band a fresh start, Ballard’s production, which featured a pop-rock music sound and shorter songs differed from the acoustic sound and long jams from their three previous albums produced by Lillywhite. Everyday was a huge commercial success charting the singles “I Did It,” “Everyday,” and “The Space Between.”
By 2001 file sharing sites leaked the Lillywhite studio sessions over the Internet leading to an outcry from the fan base that was less than satisfied with the finished tracks on Everyday. Eventually most of the songs from the Lillywhite Sessions were released.
In 2003 Dave Matthews released his first solo album Some Devil which sold more than 400,000 copies its first week. The album’s lead single “Gravedigger” won Matthews a Grammy Award.
In 2009 DMB released Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King in honor of saxophonist LeRoi Moore who was injured and died of complications from an ATV accident on his farm near Charlottesville, Virginia. Moore is said to be the “King” in the album title. The record peaked at number one achieving platinum status and containing three singles; “Funny The Way It Is,” “Why I Am,” and “You and Me.” “You and Me,” from the Grammy nominated album was played during the awards telecast with accompaniment by live singers, percussionists, a string section, and an eight-piece horn section made up of teenagers from the Grammy Jazz Ensemble.
In 2014 DMB’s summer tour was “A Very Special Evening With Dave Matthews Band,” where the band played two sets at each show, one being acoustic and featuring different onstage lineups, and the traditional DMB electric set, with no opening acts.
In 2016 DMB celebrated its 25th anniversary and went out for a summer tour. In 2018 DMB released its ninth studio album Come Tomorrow. The album became DMB’s seventh consecutive number one album and garnered the biggest sales for a rock album in more than four years.In February 2018 Boyd Tinsley took a leave of absence from the band to focus on his health. Two months later the band announced that Tinsley had been fired from the band in response to a lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct by Tinsley.
On January 20, 2023, the band’s social media accounts posted a teaser video, containing 25 seconds of “Madman’s Eyes”, a song they debuted in November 2021 and played throughout 2022. The video captioned “Excited to bring you something new. 1.24.23”, seemingly alluding to an upcoming studio album announcement.
On January 24, 2023 the band announced their next studio album, Walk Around the Moon, to be released on May 19, 2023. “Madman’s Eyes” was released as the first single, and the tracklist was revealed on streaming platforms. At the same time, the band’s 2023 Summer Tour was announced, with 45 dates starting on May 9 at Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City, and ending with their traditional Labor Day weekend 3-night run at The Gorge Amphitheatre. “Monsters” is the second single. “The Only Thing”is the third single.
Reference – https://www.davematthewsband.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Matthews_Band
Dave Matthews Band discography
Under the Table and Dreaming (1994)
Crash (1996)
Before These Crowded Streets (1998)
Everyday (2001)
Busted Stuff (2002)
Stand Up (2005)
Big Whiskey & the GrooGrux King (2009)
Away from the World (2012)
Come Tomorrow (2018)
Walk Around the Moon (May, 2023)
Sacramento’s K-ZAP 93.3 FM plays the Dave Matthews Band. All part of 50 years of Rock, Blues and More, 24-7 on our station’s stream at K-ZAP.ORG/LISTEN/