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.
Planned Obsolescence
10000 Maniacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watch religion fall obsolete
Science Will be truth for life
Technology as nature
Science Truth for life
In fortran tongue the Answer
With wealth and prominence
Possession
It's an absence of interim
Secure no demurer
Defense against divine
Defense against his true Image
Human conflict number five
Discovery
Dissolved all illusion
Mystery
Destroyed with conclusion
And illusion never restored
Any modern man can see
That religion is
Obsolete
Piety Obsolete
Ritual Obsolete
Martyrdom Obsolete
Prophetic vision Obsolete
Mysticism Obsolete
Commitment Obsolete
Sacrament Obsolete
Revelation Obsolete
The song "Planned Obsolescence" by 10000 Maniacs is a commentary on the shift from religious beliefs to scientific and technological advancements. The lyrics suggest that science and technology will replace religion as the source of truth in our lives. The lines "Science is truth for life, watch religion fall obsolete" illustrate this point, indicating that religion will no longer hold the same importance it once did in society. The song goes on to suggest that humans are striving towards perfection, but ultimately it's an impossible goal to achieve. The idea that man can attain wealth, prominence, and near-perfection is a fallacy.
The song also highlights the conflict between religion and science, with "Defense against divine, defense against his true image." This line suggests that science is used to defend against the idea of a divine being or higher power. Additionally, the reference to "human conflict number five" emphasizes how this conflict between religion and science is just one of many that have plagued society throughout history.
In summary, "Planned Obsolescence" explores the idea that science and technology will replace religion as the source of truth and that the strive for perfection is a flawed concept. It also highlights the ongoing conflict between religion and science.
Line by Line Meaning
Science is truth for life
The pursuit of scientific knowledge is crucial for understanding the world we live in and making decisions that affect our lives.
Watch religion fall obsolete
As scientific discoveries continue to unveil the mysteries of the universe, religion becomes less and less relevant in explaining our existence.
Science Will be truth for life
This line reinforces the previous one, emphasizing the idea that science is a reliable source of knowledge and that it will continue to shape our understanding of the world.
Technology as nature
Technology is becoming increasingly integrated into our lives, to the point where it is starting to feel like a natural part of our existence.
In fortran tongue the Answer
Fortan is a programming language that was commonly used in scientific applications during the time the song was written. This line refers to the idea that scientific knowledge is often expressed in technical jargon that may be difficult for the general public to understand.
With wealth and prominence
Those who possess scientific knowledge often hold positions of power and influence as a result of their expertise.
Man so near perfection
The advancements in science and technology are bringing us closer to achieving a perfect world or society, where many of the problems that plagued us in the past will be eradicated.
Possession
Ownership of material goods and property is a sign of success and a marker of status.
It's an absence of interim
Possessing material goods and property provides a sense of stability and permanence, as opposed to the uncertainty and instability of not having anything to call one's own.
Secure no demurer
The sense of security that comes with owning material goods and property makes one less hesitant or indecisive in making choices and taking risks.
Defense against divine
Religion is seen as a defense mechanism against existential questions and the fear of our own mortality, which can be a disorienting and distressing experience for many.
Defense against his true Image
This line could be interpreted as a criticism of the way religion has historically been used to perpetuate discriminatory attitudes and behaviors, particularly with regards to issues of gender and sexuality.
Human conflict number five
Wars and other forms of violence and oppression have been justified throughout history in the name of religion, and this line suggests that religious conflict is one of the fundamental causes of war.
Discovery
Science is about discovery and exploration, and this line emphasizes the idea that the pursuit of knowledge is a never-ending process.
Dissolved all illusion
This line suggests that scientific discoveries have a way of shattering the myths and misconceptions that have dominated our understanding of the world, leaving us with a more accurate and nuanced understanding of reality.
Mystery
Science is not just about solving problems and answering questions, but also about exploring the unknown and embracing the mysterious aspects of reality.
Destroyed with conclusion
The scientific method relies on experimentation and empirical evidence to arrive at conclusions, which can be seen as a process of breaking things down and destroying preconceived ideas in order to arrive at a more accurate understanding of reality.
And illusion never restored
Once science has exposed the illusions that we once believed to be true, it is very difficult if not impossible to go back to those old beliefs.
Any modern man can see
The advances in science and technology have made scientific findings accessible to the general public, so that anyone with a basic education can understand and benefit from this knowledge.
That religion is
Here, the song makes a clear statement that religion is becoming increasingly irrelevant in light of the discoveries in science and the resulting changes to our understanding of the world.
Obsolete
Religion is viewed as being outdated and no longer useful in explaining the world and our place in it.
Piety Obsolete
The idea of religious devotion is seen as being outdated and no longer necessary in our modern society.
Ritual Obsolete
Religious rituals and ceremonies are seen as being outdated and no longer serving any practical purpose in our lives.
Martyrdom Obsolete
The idea of dying for one's religious beliefs is seen as being outdated and counterproductive in a world where we value human life and the pursuit of scientific progress.
Prophetic vision Obsolete
The idea of prophesying or predicting the future based on religious beliefs is seen as being outdated in a world where we value empirical evidence and rationality.
Mysticism Obsolete
The idea of relying on mystical experiences or supernatural phenomena to understand the world is seen as being outdated in a world where we value verifiable facts and scientific evidence.
Commitment Obsolete
The idea of blind obedience and commitment to a religious authority is seen as being outdated in a world where we value individual freedom and critical thinking.
Sacrament Obsolete
Religious sacraments and rites are seen as being outdated and no longer serving any practical or meaningful purpose in our lives.
Revelation Obsolete
The idea of receiving divine revelation or messages from a higher power is seen as being outdated in a world where we value empirical evidence and rationality.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: DENNIS DREW, NATALIE MERCHANT, NATALIE A MERCHANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind