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Adam J Pollock

MUSICIAN

MUSICIAN • BUSINESS OWNER • EXECUTIVE

Adam J Pollock

From the 80s SF Bay Area post-punk scene, to NYC’s glam rock era with Bender, Adam has spent decades as a lead guitarist and vocalist. Beyond the stage, he has driven international marketing for Sony Music and worked with legendary acts like PJ Harvey and the cranberries.

Musician (Guitar/Vocals)

His private company, Edith Grove Mgmt., handles musician-related accounting. Born in London, Adam holds both USA and UK passports and has traveled extensively. He currently lives in Brooklyn, NY and Sherman, CT.

1980’s – SF Bay Area

Early years paying dues in cover bands doing 3-4 sets a night.
Original band Little Ritual had 4-year run with shows all over the Bay (Mabuhay Gardens, Off Broadway, Berkeley Square, etc.).
Demo produced by Gary Phillips (Earth Quake, Greg Kihn).
Briefly joined East Bay Ray’s (Dead Kennedys) band Scrapyard in 1990.

1990’s – New York City

Formed post-punk/glam rock band Bender, which played NYC clubs (Don Hill’s, Continental, Coney Island High, Life) continuously.
Signed demo deal with Octone/Columbia Records in 1997, recorded debut album at Alex the Great studios in Nashville, TN.
Band personally dropped by Columbia President Don Ienner in favor of other developing act, Maroon 5.

2000’s – NYC

Co-created rock/electronic duo act UFA, which had a #1 single on Amazon’s Dance chart with a cover of “In the Year 2525.”
Recorded many other tracks with guest vocalists, including Chris Day (Tommy Conwell & the Young Rumblers).

2016 – present, NYC and the road

Co-formed Blondie inspired tribute act, Baldie, which played numerous hi-profile shows at NYC venues Django’s and Café Wha!
Featured special guests including Marky Ramone (The Ramones) on drums and Arno Hecht (The Rolling Stones) on sax.
In 2024 started new rock covers band FourDice with female singer Kate Schneider.
In 2025 joined Satisfaction, The International Rolling Stones Tribute Show, for over 30 shows in 17 states.

Adam instruments

Adam plays lead, rhythm, and slide guitar on his 1978 Gibson Les Paul,
1980’s Fender Stratocaster, and 1990’s Fender Telecaster.
He also plays a semi-acoustic Tanglewood and simple keyboards when needed.
His lead vocals are often compared to Tom Petty, Lou Reed, and Keith Richards.

Music Industry Jobs

1988-1992 – San Francisco/Seattle

Relocated to Seattle to work as a sales rep for Polygram records, coinciding with the rise of grunge, and connections to Mother Love Bone (pre Pearl Jam), Soundgarden, and Jane’s Addiction. Returned to SF as regional marketing rep as ‘alternative music’ became a dominant genre. Worked with touring acts Tin Machine (Bowie), The Mission UK, Wonderstuff, Def Leppard, LA Guns, and more.

1992-1997 – NYC

Relocated to join Polygram Label Group and Island Records in their home offices. As marketing director worked with Pulp, Tricky, the cranberries, Julian Schnabel, PJ Harvey, and others.

2000-2004 – NYC

Marketing Director roles at Mammoth records and Sony Classical

2009-2026

Dual roles at Sony Music, creating the international marketing division SIN, which grew to surpass $20M/yr in sales, and private company Creative Entertainment Network, which marketed and distributed over 500 independent releases during its tenure.

ABOUT

Travel and Entertainment writing, freelance

Notable freelance work for BlackBook Magazine, Filter/Flood, and Alice Magazine. Features included high-profile interviews with icons such as John Lydon, Perry Farrell, and Theodora Richards.

13YEARS

OF EXPERIENCE

From 2007 to 2020 worked for BlackBook Magazine, Filter/Flood, and Alice Magazine writing hundreds of features on music, hotels and resorts, and contemporary culture. Notable interviews include John Lydon, Perry Farrell, and Thedora Richards (Keith’s daughter).