Cockeyed Ghost

Nominee – 1996 6th Annual LA Music Awards

Consisting of singer/songwriter/guitarist Adam Marsland, bassist Rob Cassell, and drummer James Hazley, Cockeyed Ghost first made itself heard with the release of 1996’s Keep Yourself Amused, which was acclaimed by the music press and even hailed by New York Press as the “finest debut album of the rapidly aging year.” The band promoted the album through two national tours including one opening for Shonen Knife. 1997 saw the release of the band’s second album, Neverest, again roundly hailed by the music press, and culminating with a nomination for Outstanding Pop/Rock Artist in the BAM Music Awards. Following Neverest, however, Cockeyed Ghost entered a difficult period. Cassell quit, followed shortly thereafter by Hazley, leaving the fate of the band to Marsland. Instead of packing it in, Marsland signed a deal with Big Deal for a third Cockeyed Ghost album. He began playing solo acoustic shows as well as touring as a keyboard player for fellow Los Angeles indie band the Negro Problem, after which Marsland set out to record his new songs with producer Steve Refling, touring bassist Robbie Rist, and pre-signing mates Kurt Medlin and Robert Ramos. The result was 1999’s The Scapegoat Factory, reflecting the acoustic sensibilities and the disillusionment of Marsland’s post-breakup experience without abandoning Cockeyed Ghost’s rock roots.