10,000 Maniacs is an American alternative rock band founded in 1981. They have released nine studio albums, six EPs, and five live albums. They achieved their most significant success between 1987 and 1993, when they released four albums that charted in the top 50 in the US: In My Tribe (1987), Blind Man's Zoo (1989), Our Time in Eden (1992), and the live album MTV Unplugged (1993).
After the recording (but before the release) of MTV Unplugged, original lead singer and songwriter Natalie Merchant left the band to pursue a solo career, while the remaining members continued the band.
Members:
Dennis Drew - keyboards, backing vocals, rare occasional lead vocals (1981-present)
Steve Gustafson - bass, guitar, backing vocals, rare occasional lead vocals (1981-present)
John Lombardo - guitar, bass, occasional lead vocals (1981-1986, 1994-2002, 2015-present, touring member other years)
Jerry Augustyniak - drums, backing vocals (1983-present)
Mary Ramsey - lead vocals, violin, viola (1993-2001, 2007-2023, 2024-)
Former:
Rob Buck - guitar, synthesizers, mandolin, pedal steel, sitar, banjo, mandocello (1981-1998, 1999-2000; his death)
Chet Cardinale - drums (1981)
Teri Newhouse - vocals (1981)
Natalie Merchant - lead vocals, piano (1981-1993)
Tim Edborg - drums (1981)
James Rocky Calavitta - saxophone (1981)
Debbie Heverly - piano (1981)
Duane Calhoun - lead guitar (1981)
Bob "O'Matic" Wachter - drums (1982; died 2013)
Jim Foti - drums (1982-1983)
Jeff Erickson - guitar, occasional lead vocals (2001-2023, guest appearance in 1998)
Oskar Saville - lead vocals (2002-2007)
Leigh Nash - lead vocals (2023)
Matt Slocum - guitar (2023)
From: Jamestown, New York, U.S.
Genre(s):
Alternative rock,
jangle pop,
folk rock
Active From: 1981-present