10,000 Maniacs

One of the most critically acclaimed bands of the past three decades, 10,000 Maniacs defined college rock and created the first wave of alternative rock bands. Writing and performing powerful, danceable, and socially original material in and around their hometown of Jamestown, New York, the group has toured extensively. Their music has a wide following of alternate rock bands and includes such tunes as a chart-topping These Are the Days. www.maniacs.com

The original indie rock band, 10,000 Maniacs will perform at the Jasper Arts Center on Saturday, May 18th at 7:30 p.m. The 10,000 Maniacs concert was originally scheduled for Saturday, January 19th. Ticket holders for the initial concert will have their tickets honored at the new concert. New tickets are also available by calling the Box Office at 812-482-3070. The original concert was postponed due to a medical emergency of one of the band members. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our patrons.

To add another layer of flavor, Jasper Arts has asked Schnitzelbank Catering to host a pre-event party on the west lawn of the arts center. They will be selling their famous pretzel brats as well as other food and drink. Music from the era will be played as a teaser for folks who attend the pre-event which begins at 5:30 p.m.

10,000 Maniacs is world-renown on the independent rock scene and is touring to promote their latest album, Music from the Motion Picture. This is the last performance in the New Directions series which is designed to appeal to all audiences but most particularly to 25 to 45 year old patrons.

Now in its fourth decade, 10,000 Maniacs was founded by Robert Buck, Dennis Drew, Steven Gustafson, John Lombardo and Natalie Merchant in the fall of 1981. Jerry Augustyniak joined the band in 1983. Together with artists like R.E.M., they defined college rock and created the first wave of alternative rock bands and what became known as the alternative rock format on FM radio.

Writing and performing powerful, danceable, and socially conscious original material in and around their hometown of Jamestown, New York, the group toured extensively and produced two independently released records, Human Conflict Number Five ('82) and Secrets of the I Ching ('83) on their own label.

By producing, manufacturing and marketing their own recordings, 10,000 Maniacs were the original "indie" band before signing with Elektra Records and making The Wishing Chair. Throughout the decades, the band has formed and reformed, members have come and gone...and come back again. They have toured with the likes of R.E.M., the Grateful Dead, and even played at Bill Clinton's MTV Inaugural Ball where host Dennis Miller famously referred to them as "Chelsea Clinton's favorite band." The band has appeared on The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, and Saturday Night Live.

The band has seen many changes in group members over the years. Natalie Merchant left them in 1992 and was replaced by Mary Ramsey who remains with them now. John Lombardo left and returned. Robert Buck died in December 2000. The band took a three year hiatus following Buck's death. Current band members are Dennis Drew (keyboards, vocals), Steve Gustafson (bass guitar, vocals), Jerry Augustyniak (drum, vocals), Mary Ramsey (lead vocals, viola), and Jeff Erickson (guitar, vocals).

10,000 Maniacs have produced twelve albums and many chart-topping songs. The most well-known of these are These Are the Days, What's the Matter Here?, Candy Everybody Wants, Trouble Me, Because the Night and Hey Jack Kerouac. Their MTV Unplugged live album ('93) went platinum.

There will only be one performance on Saturday, May 18th at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are still available and may be purchased by calling the Jasper Arts Center right away at (812) 482-3070. Prices are $35 for adults, $33 for seniors and $30 for students and children.

Jasper Community Arts is a department of the City of Jasper. Additional support is provided by Friends of the Arts, Inc., the Indiana Arts Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts. It is also a Kennedy Center Partner in Education and provides arts education programming to local schools.

For more information or for tickets, contact (812) 482-3070 or visit www.jasperarts.org.