by Heather Phares & Tim Sendra The L.A. pop-punk group Tsar formed in 1998 and soon won favorable reviews for their energetic gigs and anthemic songwriting. The group (Jeff Whalen (lead vocals/guitar,) Daniel Kern (vocals/ guitar,) Jeff Soloman (bass) and Steve Coulter (drums)) signed a deal with Hollywood Records and delivered their self-titled debut album in mid-2000. The album was an exciting, hook-filled modern power pop record that nobody bought, despite (or perhaps because of) the band's subsequent opening slot on a Duran Duran tour. The group released a promo-only EP in 2001(King of the School) and then due to label politics, nothing. They continued writing songs and recording, finally winning their release from Hollywood in 2004. After some line-up changes (Chuck Byer replaced Steve Coulter in mid-2004, Derrick Forget replaced Jeff Soloman in early 2005) TSAR released Bands-Girls-Money for new label TVT in June of 2005.