In early 1998, Mark Sandman, the charismatic frontman of the American alternative rock group Morphine, found himself nearing a breaking point while recording at Fort Apache studio in Massachusetts. Although the band had achieved critical acclaim and unexpected commercial success with their four previous albums, Sandman was consumed by doubt regarding their new direction following a 1997 signing with DreamWorks Records. The label, founded by industry figures David Geffen and Mo Ostin, sought to create a "big Morphine record," but the lack of clear vision from both the executives and Sandman created significant tension.
Producer Paul Q Kolderie, who had worked on all of Morphine's prior albums, recalled that the label did not know what they wanted, leaving Sandman unhappy. The pressure escalated until DreamWorks dismissed the latest demos, leading to a heated confrontation between Sandman and Kolderie. Sandman subsequently left the producer and the studio to write and self-produce a new batch of songs. These tracks would eventually become Morphine's fifth album, The Night, which was released in February 2000, shortly after Sandman's death.
Sandman, who passed away at the age of 46, was described by Kolderie as an "old soul" who had lived through multiple near-death experiences. Born into a middle-class family in Massachusetts, he left home at 18 to work as a fisherman in Alaska before returning due to severe kidney issues. His life was further marked by the tragic deaths of his two brothers, Roger and Jon, in the late 1970s. These losses, combined with a stabbing incident where he was left for dead and a car crash that resulted in a $20,000 settlement, instilled in him a determination to pursue his artistic vision fully.
Morphine formed after Sandman realized he needed to lead a band that followed his specific creative direction. He invited saxophonist Dana Colley to his loft to jam on a one-string bass, sparking the creation of their debut album, Good, in 1992. The group's unique "low rock" sound, characterized by Sandman's murmured vocals and noirish storytelling, quickly gained traction. Their success continued with albums like Cure for Pain, yet the band remained grounded despite selling out shows and having their music featured in films such as Get Shorty and Wild Things.
During this period of professional growth, Sandman met his partner, Sabine Hrechdakian, at a venue in Cambridge. Despite living opposite lives initially, they moved in together in 1997, sharing Sandman's loft studio, which he called Hi-N-Dry. As work began on the fifth album, Sandman's health appeared to decline; Kolderie noted that he looked grey and was a heavy smoker. After leaving Fort Apache, Sandman returned to his loft to record The Night, an album Hrechdakian believes served as a farewell.
Tragedy struck in July 1999 during a European tour amidst a heatwave. Two weeks prior, Sandman had suffered a minor heart attack but refused medical attention. During a festival performance near Rome, while playing the song Super Sex, Sandman collapsed on stage and was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to an emergency room. Following his death, the band's estate faced legal challenges that stalled a posthumous box set, Sandbox.
Years later, Hrechdakian and manager Deborah Klein took control of the estate and discovered a storage space filled with Sandman's artwork and recordings. With Kolderie's assistance, they identified a collection of 1998 loft demos recorded before the Fort Apache sessions as a significant find. These tracks, featuring new saxophone parts from Colley, are set to be released as Cocoon. Hrechdakian describes the project as a healing experience and a love story that allows Sandman's spirit to live on for fans and family alike.
Sources: The Guardian Music.