The Czars

After spending six years as a student in Germany, vocalist John Grant returned to Denver, CO, and formed the first incarnation of the Czars with bassist Chris Pearson, drummer Jeff Linsenmaier, and a revolving door of guitarists. Andy Monley, who had played with Pearson in Jux County, offered his services on guitar and eventually became a full-time member. The band sent a copy of a self-produced CD to the Cocteau Twins' Simon Raymonde, who had just started his own label -- Bella Union -- with bandmate Robin Guthrie. Impressed with the band's diverse mix of shoegaze and alterna...