Tsar (band)

Tsar
Background information
Origin USA
Genres Rock and roll/power pop
Years active 1998present
Labels Hollywood Records, TVT Records
Associated acts Ridel High
Members Jeff Whalen - Guitar & Vocals (1998-)
Daniel Kern - Guitar & vocals (1998-)
Jeff Solomon - Bass Guitar (1998-2005, 2010-)
Steve Coulter - drums (1998-2004, 2010-)
Past members Derrick Forget - Bass Guitar (2005-2006)
Chuck Byler - drums (2004-2006)

Tsar is a rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1998, with Jeff Whalen on lead vocals and guitar, Daniel Kern on vocals and guitar, Jeff Solomon on bass, and Steve Coulter on drums. They released an eponymous album on Hollywood Records in 2000, which, although a financial disappointment for the label, availed them a number of dedicated fans. Their songs 'Ordinary Gurl' and 'The Girl Who Wouldn't Die' were featured in the movie American Psycho 2. "Calling All Destroyers" was featured in the opening titles for Super.

In 2004 Chuck Byler replaced Coulter and in 2005 Derrick Forget replaced Solomon. In 2005 Tsar released its second full album, Band-Girls-Money, on TVT Records. The album had been recorded nearly two years earlier with Coulter and Solomon. The titular track was included in the soundtrack for the racing games Burnout Revenge and its PSP and DS spin-off Burnout Legends.

In late January 2010, the band's original lineup ( Whalen/Kern/Solomon/Coulter ) reunited. They played a show at the LA Times, & released a new song ( "Girls Try To Be Cool" ).

In 2011, the song "Calling All Destroyers" from the band's debut was used as the song for the animated title sequence of the James Gunn film Super featuring Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page, Liv Tyler and Kevin Bacon. Later that year Tsar self-released "The Drugboy Tapes," a collection of early demos and live performances from 1998. A split 7-inch featuring the Olsen Twins song "Pool Party" was released by Aderra Records in March 2012.

Members of Tsar have previewed several new songs on Los Angeles internet radio station Moheak.com in 2012. The new material is scheduled for release as an E.P. in August 2012.

Most recently drummer Steve Coulter rejoined the new lineup of Ridel High in 2013.

Albums

Tsar - July 25, 2000

Band-Girls-Money - June 28, 2005

The Drugboy Tapes (Demos 98) - June 3, 2011

Split 7-Inch - March 21, 2012

The Dark Stuff - EP - September 4, 2012

External links