The Dave Matthews Band is a jam-band from Charlottesville, Virginia. Dave grew up in South Africa and moved to Virginia at some point. His music is best described as jamming. In his earlier songs, he would improvise chords, lyrics, etc, though he has standardized his music more to appease the fans, I'm assuming. The band has a way of grasping the audience in a swaying heap of people for two hours.
(This chunk is stolen by request from mordel's writeup, which he plans to then delete.)
The band began with Dave Matthews, Carter Beauford, and LeRoi Moore in 1991. Later in '91, the trio approached Stefan Lessard to join (who was 16-years old at the time). I haven't found an official year for when Boyd Tinsley joined, but I have seen mention that he was on the original demo tape, so that would make it also 1991.
A sixth member of the band was Peter Griesar, who played keyboard and harmonica and did some vocals and songwriting. He left the band in 1997 to do his own work. Another familiar name is Tim Reynolds, whom Dave did a duet gig with at Luther College. Tim has played on every CD (to my knowledge), and is an unofficial member of the band. He also tours occasionally with DMB. (End stolen chunk.)
The band is composed of:
Pretty much everyone does back-up vocals from time to time, and Boyd has a new song or two that he sings primarily
The DMB also plays occasionally with Tim Reynolds on guitar, and Dave has his "lovely ladies" whom sing back-up.
Discography:
Nov. 9, 1993: Remember Two Things, on the Bama Rags label. Recorded live at The Muse Music Club on Nantucket Island. The album debuted at #1 on College charts, and was later certified gold by the RIAA.
Sep. 27, 1994: Under the Table and Dreaming, on the RCA label certified platinum four times by the RIAA.
Apr. 30, 1996: Crash, RCA, debuted #2 on the Billboard 200.
Oct. 28, 1997: Live at Red Rocks 8-15-95, on Bama Rags/RCA, debuted #3 on the Billboard 200...with no marketing or promotions and was instantly certified platinum.
Apr. 28, 1998: Before These Crowded Streets, debuted #1 on the Billboard 200.
Jan. 19, 1999: Live at Luther College: An Acoustic Performance by Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 and certified platinum. Again, all with no promotion.
Nov 21, 1999: Listener Supported, an homage to the fans.
Feb. 27, 2001: Everyday, good album overall, very different sound. First album produced by Glen Ballard.
Oct 23, 2001: Live In Chicago 12-19-98 At the United Center, best yet of the (released) bootlegs I've heard.
Jul. 16, 2002: Busted Stuff, don't know much (no money to buy); largely a production based on The Lillywhite Sessions (see also: Steve Lillywhite). Fifth release under RCA Records.
Nov. 5, 2002: Live at Folsom Field, great album (like all DMB releases). Will probably also be known as the best to-date live release (recorded in Boulder, CO).
Dave Matthews Band albums are released on RCA records with a few small exceptions, not listed here. See the discography here: http://www.mtv.com/bands/az/dave_matthews_band/artists.jhtml for more in-depth reviews and minor albums/EPs, etc.