Early life

Marshall was born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He started out his music career by playing his father's drums. He states that after scratching his father's drum set a few times, his dad decided it was time to buy him a bass guitar. He cites Steve Harris, John Entwistle, Geddy Lee, Justin Chancellor, and Doug Pinnick as major influences.

Career

Creed

Main article: Creed (band)

After being recruited into the band as a full-fledged member by Scott Stapp and Mark Tremonti, Marshall came up with the name Creed, which had previously been known as Naked Toddler, after a band he was in earlier called Mattox Creed. He was in Creed until late 2000, when personal issues with vocalist Scott Stapp led him to depart the band after criticizing Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder during a radio interview, though some sources state that Marshall was fired. Marshall, however, remains silent about this issue and does not state the reasoning behind his departure. For Creed's third album, Weathered, guitarist Mark Tremonti played bass. Brett Hestla played bass during live performances. Due to his playing style he developed the nickname "The Sloth."

However, after months of speculation, Creed announced in April 2009 that they had reformed, and also announced that Marshall was back in the band. He appeared on Full Circle, the Creed album released in October 2009, making it the first album since Creed's sophomore release, 1999's Human Clay, to feature him on bass. The band toured in support of Full Circle throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and South America during the summers of 2009 and 2010. Marshall had once said that he would never perform on stage with Scott Stapp again, but later stated after the reunion was official that he was happy to be back in Creed.

Alter Bridge

Main article: Alter Bridge

When these projects started getting off the ground, however, Marshall was asked by Tremonti and then-former Creed drummer Scott Phillips to join a new band since they enjoyed his playing and company. After calling the new band Alter Bridge, Tremonti contacted Myles Kennedy, formerly of The Mayfield Four and the current touring vocalist for Slash's band, and asked him to be the band's singer. Alter Bridge was officially formed in January 2004 and released their debut, One Day Remains, in August of that year, followed by their second album, Blackbird, in October 2007. A third Alter Bridge album titled AB III was released in October 2010 and their fourth album titled Fortress was released in September 2013.

Other projects

After leaving Creed in 2000, Marshall stated that he had "Taken some time to clear his head" before he later got back into music. In 2001, he began writing and recording music with a band he formed called Grand Luxx, featuring his former Mattox Creed band mates, guitarist Dan Bartley and drummer Hardy Mattox. Singer Matt Knabe, who had previously performed in a band called Project Simon, later joined and the newly formed quartet began recording songs. Marshall stated, "I'd say our music is rock, but it's very eclectic, and I think it can reach a wide audience. We have a little bit of alternative and some hard-rocking guitar riffs too. And Matt brings in some pop flair because his influences are people like David Bowie and the Cult." He also stated that with Grand Luxx, he had "kind of moved to a different role" and did more work on the production side. By July 2001, the band, having played a few shows, had six songs written with initial plans to record an album that fall. Some of Grand Luxx's original songs include "Stagnant" and "Insomniac's Dream." Also during this time, Marshall was in a band called Head Heavy.

In 2012, Marshall joined Mark Tremonti's solo band the Tremonti Project but due to personal reasons he was replaced by Wolfgang Van Halen in September 2012.

Personal life

Marshall attended Choctawhatchee Senior High School (1988-1991), Tallahassee Community College (1991-1993), and Florida State University (1993-1995), where he graduated with a bachelor's degree. Newly divorced from Donna Marie Reynolds, he currently lives in Orlando, Florida, with his wife Melanie and their son Cooper. Outside his music career, he works as a real estate broker in the Orlando area.

Discography

Main articles: Creed discography and Alter Bridge discography

Creed

• My Own Prison (1997)
• Human Clay (1999)
• Greatest Hits (2004)
• Full Circle (2009)
• Creed Live (2009)

Alter Bridge

• One Day Remains (2004)
• Blackbird (2007)
• Live from Amsterdam (2009)
• AB III (2010)
• Live at Wembley (2012)
• Fortress (2013)

Soundtracks

• Scream 3 (2000)

[ Source: Wikipedia ]