Neo-psychedelic popsters Billionaire formed in Atlanta in 1997, and consisted of singer/guitarist Marc Tompkins, guitarist Rick Beato, bassist Walter Busbee and drummer Darren Dodd. Upon issuing their self-produced debut LP The Goodnight Sky on the local Radio Telescope label in the spring of 1998, Billionaire signed to Republic to issue the follow-up, Ascension, in mid-2000.