TZAR

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ARTWORK by Rik van Iersel... http://www.rikvaniersel.nl/ album online purchasing info tba

Tzar consists of two of exceptional instrumentalists, drummer/bass pedalist Willie B, and organist Michael Stark, who have played together for 10 years now. They have been the preferred rhythm section for such artists as Johnny Dowd, Sally Timms, Jsan, and Hank Roberts. Now, in their own band, they have a chance to show off their song writing abilities as well. From Thelonious Monk to ZZ Top, their influences are vast and their sound individual.

Willie B has performed and recorded with many artists such as Jamie Lidell, Warren Zanes (Del Fuegos), NYC punk legend Jayne County, Hellwood, and Neko Case. He has toured Europe and the U.S. extensively with Johnny Dowd, and surf rockers the Mofos. From punk to jazz to country, Willie's versatility is his strength. He is best known for incorporating organ bass pedals into his drum setup, allowing him to play bass and drums simultaneously. This original sound has become his signature.

Born in Queens, NY, Michael Stark has been writing for and performing with experimental trio WINGNUT, the duo TZAR, aswell as some solo piano concerts. Stark tours in Europe and throughout the U.S. with rock legend Johnny Dowd and holds down left-hand organ bass in the international dub-rock outfit, J-San & the Analogue Sons. He also performs with & has recorded with many great artists/bands...Hellwood, Jennie Stearns, Mary Lorson & Saint Low, Hank Roberts, Sally Timms of the Mekons, Hi Girls , Eric Athey, Crow Greenspun, and Orbiting Art Ensemble.

PRESS...

"Combining Hammond B3-feuled Jazz Funk with groovy Rock rhythms and snyths that add an element of '70s Prog, New Wave, G-Funk and modern experimentalism, New York-based two-piece Tzar (not to be confused with L.A. Rock band Tsar) consists of two musicians who have played together for over 10 years. Keysman Michael Stark handles the B3 and synth décor. The Queens native has studied Jazz and spends much time with his trio, Wingnut, which has toured extensively in Europe and the U.S. Willie B handles the percussion and operates the bass (via pedals) for Tzar. Mr. B has worked with Neko Case, Warren Zanes and Punk cult hero Jayne County.

Stark and B have played together as the rhythm section for artists like Sally Timms and Johnny Dowd and their long-running musical relationship is evident on Tzar's self-titled, self-released six-song EP (available at tzarmusic.com). Besides the fact that it sounds like there has to be many more players on the recordings than just Stark and B, the most grabbing element of the all-instrumental disc is hearing the telepathic interlock apparent between the two players. You get a sense of spontaneity, as if these expressive compositions were cemented in rehearsal sessions by mere knowing glances.

"Don't Drink the Water" bobs on a Dance-club ready Funk grind, as Stark drops in B3 twinkles to give the track a future-meets-past vibe. "Dub Dirg" is perfectly titled as it meshes dubby rhythms into an expansive dirge, highlighted by Stark's atmospheric wash and B's bass work (I have to imagine playing Reggae drums and bass at the same time with your feet, no less -- is about as easy as juggling a family of highly irritable squirrels). Falling closest to "Jazz" on the CD is "When We Met," a slow-burn torch song that creeps and crawls atop a haunting melodic theme (this is one of the songs that seems suited for a vocalist).

Besides offering some solid music (and being on a very cool, eclectic bill), Tzar's local stop is worth checking out just to see how they pull off all of this glorious noise live."

Mike Breen - Citybeat

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