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 andWondermints, 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.".

Described in SPIN magazine as "a high-energy cross between Brian Wilson,
Paul Stanley, and Elton John,"