Marcy Playground

The American alternative rock band Marcy Playground comprises lead vocalist John Wozniak, bassist Dylan Keefe and drummer Shlomi Lavie. It takes its name from the Marcy Open School in Minneapolis, MN. Wozniak attended the school in the late 70s and his experience there helped inspire many of the songs that he wrote. Keefe, despite being a fellow Minneapolis-native, did not cross paths with Wozniak until they both moved to Nee York City. Introduced to each other by jazz guitarist and mutual friend Kurt Rosenwinkel, the two hit it off and began performing at local haunts together. Marcy Playground officially came to be following the addition of Dan Rieser to the band. The band, that had already signed to Capitol Records in 1995, released its self-titled debut album followed by the single "Poppies" in 1997. The success of its single "Sex and Candy," which topped the Billboard Moder Rock Tracks chart, helped Marcy Playground break into the mainstream music scene and earn the debut album a platinum certification. Two other tracks "Saint Joe on the School Bus" and "Sherry Fraser" also managed to do well commercially. The band began work on its second album Shapeshifter, which was released in November 1999. However, the album fell prey to the 'sophomore curse' and failed to do well commercially. Marcy Playground went on a hiatus and returned in 2004 with the album MP3. The band followed it up with Leaving Wonderland...in a Fit of Rage and Indaba Remixes from Wonderland in 2009 and 2010 respectively. It also released a compilation album titled Lunch, Recess & Detention in 2012.