10,000 Maniacs have gone through a variety of musicians throughout the history of the band. Here is a partial list of the past, present, and touring musicians:
Jerry Augustyniak - Jerry has been the drummer of 10,000 Maniacs since 1983. He's also played with the bands The Stains, Only Humen, League of Blind Women, The Michael Lee Jackson Band, Buffalo Rising, The Damn Straights, etc. He has been the band's main backing vocalist since 1994.
Rob Buck - Rob was the lead guitar player from 1981 to 1999. He co-wrote many of the band's most popular songs. Rob died December 19, 2000 of liver failure at the age of 42.
Duane Calhoun - Duane played lead guitar for 10,000 Maniacs in 1981 while Rob Buck was officially in the band, but not performing with them.
Chet Cardinale - Chet was an early drummer for the band. He left to pursue a career in acupuncture.
Jim Colavito - Jim played saxophone with the band in 1981.
Dennis Drew - Dennis has been the keyboard player in the band since 1981. He's also played with The Mighty Wallop!, where he co-wrote much of the band's material, played keyboards, and had lead and harmony vocal duties.
Jeff Erickson - Jeff took over lead guitar after his friend and guitar teacher Rob Buck died, beginning by playing a short set during the band's only 2001 appearance. The first time he played with the band was December 12, 1998 on the song "These Are Days", while Buck was away from the band. Jeff was a lead singer/guitar player in the short-lived band The Mighty Wallop!.
Tim Edborg - Tim played drums with 10,000 Maniacs in 1981.
Morgan Fichter - Morgan was a touring musician with the band in 1992-1993, playing violin and singing backing vocals. She's also played with Camper Van Beethoven and Phish among others.
Jim Foti - Jim was the studio drummer for the band's 1982 EP Human Conflict Number Five.
Steve Gustafson - Steve has been the band's bass player since 1981. He has also been one of the band's backing vocalists in their live performances since 1994. He was also the bass player in The Mighty Wallop!.
Debbie Heverly - Debbie played piano with the band in 1981.
Michael Lee Jackson - Michael replaced Rob Buck as the touring lead guitar player on December 11, 1998 and stayed in that spot until the summer of 1999, when Buck returned. Michael has played in Animal Planet and The Michael Lee Jackson Band.
Amanda Kramer - Amanda was a touring musician with 10,000 Maniacs in 1992 and 1993 as a second keyboard player, also lending her harmony vocals to some of the songs. Occasionally, she'd back Rob up on guitar, picking up an acoustic on several songs. She was formerly the Keyboardist for the 80's New Wave band Information Society
John Lombardo - John, the band's rhythm guitar player and occasional odd vocalist, co-wrote most of the early Maniacs songs, but left the band in 1986, right before the band "made it big." He returned in 1994 with his duo partner Mary Ramsey, and picked up right where he left off by writing and shaping the band's music. He left the band again in 2002 after the first rehearsal before the "hits" tour.
Natalie Merchant - Natalie was the voice of 10,000 Maniacs from 1981 until she decided to embark on a solo career in 1993. In her later years with the band, she played piano as well.
Terry Newhouse - Born February 19, 1957 in Corry, Pennsylvania, Terry was a keyboard player and vocalist in the band "Still Life", which was the band's name before they began calling themselves "10,000 Maniacs." At one time, she was married to Rob Buck. Newhouse died June 8, 2005 at WCA Hospital in Jamestown, New York at the age of 48.
Mary Ramsey - Mary opened up shows with John Lombardo as John & Mary in 1990 and would play viola and sing backing vocals with the band on a few songs in 1990-1991. She a touring musician with the band in 1992-1993, playing viola and singing backing vocals. When Natalie Merchant left the band in 1993, Mary replaced her on lead vocals and added the viola as a main instrument of the band, starting with live shows in 1994 and continuing on until 2001. Oskar Saville replaced her as lead singer in 2002, but Mary agreed to become a touring musician with the band in 2006, singing backing vocals and playing viola on select songs. Mary agreed to be the lead singer for the band again for their final show of 2007 after Oskar Saville left the band.
Oskar Saville - Oskar took over lead vocals from Mary Ramsey in 2002. She occasionally plays acoustic guitar during live performances. May 8, 2003 was her first live performance with the band. During the song "Stockton Gala Days", she pulled the band's webmaster (at the time) Adam Zeitz on stage to share lead vocals. Oskar was the former lead singer of Rubygrass and also has a solo career. She left the band in late Summer, 2007 and was replaced by the woman she replaced, Mary Ramsey.
City of Angels
10000 Maniacs Lyrics
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See them walking, if you dare, if you call that walking
Stumble, stagger, fall and drag themselves along the streets of heaven
Where is the blessed table to feed all who hunger on earth
Welcomed and seated each one joyfully served?
See them walking, if you dare, if you call that walking
Stumble, stagger, fall and drag themselves along the streets of heaven
Where is the halo that should glow 'round your face
And where are the wings that should grow from your shoulder blades?
Show them to me
These are sobering sights I've seen in the city of angels
Have all been one rude awakening that was dues to me in heaven
There would have been heavenly music I was convinced before
A host of the dearly to meet me with hosannas sung at the door
But these are sobering sights I've seen in the city of angels
Have all been one rude awakening that was dues to me in heaven
In this city of fallen angels
The lyrics to 10000 Maniacs's song City Of Angels paint a bleak picture of a supposed heaven. The singer questions whether they are truly in heaven, as they see people stumbling and dragging themselves along the streets, hardly able to walk. They go on to ask where the blessed table is to feed the hungry, and where the halos and wings are that should be on display. The singer had expected heavenly music and a welcoming host, but instead is met with "sobering sights" and a "rude awakening."
The song strikes a chord with the listener and encourages introspection. It begs the question of what heaven truly means, what makes it a heaven, and what constitutes a meaningful existence.
The song can be interpreted as a commentary on society's tendency to disregard the less fortunate and overlook their struggle. It shows how the privileged are often blind to the suffering and inequality of others.
Overall, the song is a solemn reflection on life, death, and the afterlife, and the role that each of us plays in making the world a better place.
Line by Line Meaning
Heaven, is this heaven where we are?
Are we really in heaven or is this just an illusion?
See them walking, if you dare, if you call that walking
The people in this heaven stumble and drag themselves along the streets.
Stumble, stagger, fall and drag themselves along the streets of heaven
The people of this heaven are struggling to survive and are not living a peaceful life.
Where is the blessed table to feed all who hunger on earth
Why isn't there a table that can provide food to everyone who is hungry?
Welcomed and seated each one joyfully served?
Why isn't everyone welcomed and served with joy?
See them walking, if you dare, if you call that walking
The people in this heaven still stumble and drag themselves along the streets.
Stumble, stagger, fall and drag themselves along the streets of heaven
The people of this heaven are unable to walk properly and are struggling.
Where is the halo that should glow 'round your face
Where is the halo that should be around every person's face in heaven?
And where are the wings that should grow from your shoulder blades?
Why don't people here have wings even though they should be in heavenly form?
Show them to me
I want to see the truth of what is happening here.
These are sobering sights I've seen in the city of angels
The sights that I have seen in this supposed 'heaven' are very sobering and discouraging.
Have all been one rude awakening that was dues to me in heaven
I was awakened to the truth about heaven and it was not what I was expecting.
There would have been heavenly music, I was convinced before
I thought I would be hearing heavenly music, but I was wrong.
A host of the dearly to meet me with hosannas sung at the door
I expected to be welcomed by dear ones with singing, but this did not happen.
But these are sobering sights I've seen in the city of angels
Everything I have seen here is disappointing and unexpected.
Have all been one rude awakening that was dues to me in heaven
I was awakened to the truth about heaven and it was not what I was expecting.
In this city of fallen angels
This heaven is actually full of fallen angels who are struggling to survive.
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: JAMES MAKER, PETER THOMAS, RICHARD BAKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind