AccuRadio Song Of The Day-10,000 Maniacs

Artist:10,000 Maniacs

Song:These Are Days

Album:MTV Unplugged

10,000 Maniacs were a successful album and touring band. Most of their success was through their music videos getting played on MTV. The CD of their episode of MTV Unplugged was their biggest seller. They never had a big hit single. 10,000 Maniacs are from Jamestown, NY which is near Buffalo. They were called Still Life when they were formed in 1981 by guitarist Robert Buck, his ex-wife Teri Newhouse on lead vocals, Dennis Drew on keyboards, Steven Gustafson on bass and Chet Cardinale on drums. Gustafson invited 17 year old Natalie Merchant to do some vocals and guitarist John Lombardo was brought in. After Teri left the band, Natalie was the new lead singer. Cardinale left and they had a revolving door of drummers. They named themselves 10,000 Maniacs after the 1964 exploitation film 2,000 Maniacs. The band started to have success when they started to perform their own songs usually written by Natalie and Lombardo. They signed with Elektra Records in 1984. The 1987 album In My Tribe was certified 2XPlatinum without the benefit of a hit single. While recording the 1992 album Our Time In Eden, Natalie told the band she was leaving in two years to go solo. So after the tour to support the album, 10,000 Maniacs performed on the MTV Inaugural Ball. Then they performed on MTV Unplugged. Then Natalie announced she was leaving. The MTV Unplugged CD was certified 3XPlatinum so it was their biggest seller. The home video was released on VHS. It doesn't seem to be available on DVD but it can be streamed on YouTube. MYV Unplugged is available as a budget CD. Mary Ramsey was the new singer. They moved to Geffen Records and the 1997 album Love Among the Ruins was their final major label album. They have since recorded for small labels. After Robert Buck died from liver cancer in 2000, 10,000 Maniacs went on hiatus. They reformed in 2002 and they are still around. 10,000 Maniacs released their latest album in 2015. Original members Drew and Gustafson along with long time members Lombardo and Ramsey are still in the band. Here's the video for These Are Days by 10,000 Maniacs.