Biography
Cockeyed Ghost emerged through the 1996 album Keep Yourself Amused, whose core lineup consisted of singer/songwriter/guitarist Adam Marsland, bassist Rob Cassell, and drummer James Hazley. Reviewers greeted the record with strong praise, and New York Press singled it out as the "finest debut album of the rapidly aging year." The band backed the release with two national tours, one of them supporting Shonen Knife.
The following year brought Neverest, the group’s second album, which again drew broad acclaim from the press and earned a nomination for Outstanding Pop/Rock Artist at the BAM Music Awards.
After Neverest the band encountered a period of instability: Cassell exited first, Hazley soon followed, and the future of Cockeyed Ghost rested with Marsland alone. Rather than dissolve the project, Marsland secured a contract with Big Deal for a third Cockeyed Ghost album. He also began performing solo acoustic shows and joined fellow Los Angeles indie band the Negro Problem as its touring keyboard player. Marsland next recorded his new material with producer Steve Refling, touring bassist Robbie Rist, and pre-signing members Kurt Medlin and Robert Ramos. The sessions yielded 1999’s The Scapegoat Factory, which conveyed the acoustic orientation and disillusionment Marsland carried from his post-breakup experience while still honoring Cockeyed Ghost’s rock roots.
The following year brought Neverest, the group’s second album, which again drew broad acclaim from the press and earned a nomination for Outstanding Pop/Rock Artist at the BAM Music Awards.
After Neverest the band encountered a period of instability: Cassell exited first, Hazley soon followed, and the future of Cockeyed Ghost rested with Marsland alone. Rather than dissolve the project, Marsland secured a contract with Big Deal for a third Cockeyed Ghost album. He also began performing solo acoustic shows and joined fellow Los Angeles indie band the Negro Problem as its touring keyboard player. Marsland next recorded his new material with producer Steve Refling, touring bassist Robbie Rist, and pre-signing members Kurt Medlin and Robert Ramos. The sessions yielded 1999’s The Scapegoat Factory, which conveyed the acoustic orientation and disillusionment Marsland carried from his post-breakup experience while still honoring Cockeyed Ghost’s rock roots.