Adam Marsland is an American singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known as the leader of '90s power pop band Cockeyed Ghost and later for his extensive touring and sideman work. He was born in Greene, New York.[1]
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Marsland relocated to Los Angeles and formed punk-flavored powerpop band Cockeyed Ghost in 1994 [2]. Along with bands such as The Negro Problem, Baby Lemonade and Wondermints, Marsland and Cockeyed Ghost were driving forces in the popular mid '90s "pop underground" in Los Angeles and signed to Rkyodisc-distributed indie label Big Deal in 1996 [3][4]. The band's debut album Keep Yourself Amused followed shortly thereafter and was acclaimed by The New York Press as "finest debut album of the rapidly aging year."[5]. The band was noted for its high energy and work ethic, performing at the SXSW festival [6] and touring with labelmates Shonen Knife [7], as well as opening for Fastball, Redd Kross, Third Eye Blind and others [8]. The band was also featured on the cover of the L.A. Weekly in November 1997 [9], and appeared briefly in the television movie Friends 'Til The End that same year [10].
Cockeyed Ghost made two further albums for Big Deal, Neverest and the critically acclaimed [11][12] The Scapegoat Factory, the release of which coincided with Big Deal's bankruptcy in early 1999 [13]. Cockeyed Ghost released their final album, Ludlow 6:18, in 2001 on Marsland's own Karma Frog label.
Marsland embarked on a series of coast-to-coast solo tours, performing hundreds of shows a year [14][15] and establishing a reputation as a DIY workhorse [16][17][18]. He released his debut solo album, the live CD 232 Days On The Road, in 2002.
Marsland's album You Don't Know Me was released in 2004 and featured the first appearance of his "Chaos Band", inaugurating his long-running collaboration with soulstress Evie Sands [19] (ex-Cockeyed Ghost guitarist Severo Jornacion also performed with the band until joining the Smithereens in 2006 [20][21]).
With the Chaos Band, Marsland released Long Promised Road: Songs of Dennis and Carl Wilson Live in 2007, recorded by Grammy-winning Beach Boys engineer Mark Linett [22] : a highlight of the album is the only currently available version of Dennis Wilson’s 1971 unreleased gem “(Wouldn’t It Be Nice To) Live Again”.
Marsland returned to his original music with the compilation album Daylight Kissing Night in 2008, which, on the strength of a grass roots push, became a surprise best-seller [23]. Marsland followed with the ambitious double album Go West in 2009, which garnered favorable comparisons to Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road[24]. His final album to date is Hello Cleveland, recorded on the road in less than 9 hours [25], and released in 2010.
Aside from his songwriting, Marsland has an extensive resume as a sideman in various capacities including guitar, keyboards, and vocals. His more notable credits include 2008 Tony Award Winner Stew/The Negro Problem [26], members of the Beach Boys [27], The Wrecking Crew [28], Davie Allan [29], Carnie and Wendy Wilson, Wondermints, and many others. He performed on Badfinger vocalist Pete Ham's posthumous 7 Park Avenue album [30] and in 2011 was briefly a member of the Standells as vocalist/guitarist, appearing with the band at several concerts [31]. That same year he also participated in comeback shows by SST art-punk band Trotsky Icepick [32] and longtime collaborator Evie Sands. He also operates Karma Frog Studio.
| Date | Label | Title | Released by |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 1996 | Big Deal 9031-2 | Keep Yourself Amused | Cockeyed Ghost |
| September 1997 | Big Deal 9048-2 | Neverest | Cockeyed Ghost |
| February 1999 | Big Deal 9060-2 | The Scapegoat factory | Cockeyed Ghost |
| October 2000 | Karma Frog 618 | Ludlow 6:18 | Cockeyed Ghost |
| October 2002 | Karma Frog 619 | 232 Days On The Road | Adam Marsland |
| October 2004 | Karma Frog 620 | You Don't Know Me | Adam Marsland |
| March 2007 | Karma Frog 622 | Long Promised Road: Songs of Dennis and Carl Wilson Live | Adam Marsland |
| March 2008 | Karma Frog 623 | Daylight Kissing Night: Adam Marsland's Greatest Hits | Adam Marsland |
| August 2009 | Karma Frog 624 | Go West | Adam Marsland |
| April 2010 | Karma Frog 625 | Hello Cleveland | Adam Marsland |