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.
Scorpio Rising
10000 Maniacs Lyrics
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Dizzy with it stumble
Detail
A chance for us to quarrel
Anger
My head is shaken violent
If I could calm or restrain you
Save the pistol
Save the cynics tongue
Save the cool white stare
And treat me to an honest face sometime
Amaze me now
Trust is
The greatest human error
Empty
Used me as a vessel
Ruthless
You're not known for subtlety
If I could calm or restrain you
For the sake of pity
Save the pistol
Save the cynic's tongue
Save the cool white stare
And treat me to an honest face sometime
Amaze me now
Artful
Well there's quite a skill to torture
Half smile
Was it all you could deliver
Token
So hard to be pleasant
If you could calm or restrain it
For the sake of pity
Save the pistol
Save the cynic's tongue
Save the cool white stare
And treat me to an honest face sometime
Amaze me now
The lyrics of 10000 Maniacs's song Scorpio Rising are dense yet powerful. The verses expose the raw emotions of a person who is trying to deal with the anger and violence of another. The use of astrological sign 'Scorpio' in the song title perfectly fits the intensity and depth of the lyrics. The opening lines describe the feeling of being overpowered, dizzy and stumbling, as if there is an unknown force controlling one's every action. The subsequent lines explore the complex relationship between two individuals, where quarrels and anger exist, yet there is a shared yearning for honesty and trust.
The second and third verses depict the desperation and hopelessness that comes with betrayal and loss of trust. The person being addressed here is not one for subtlety, but instead, uses their power ruthlessly, leaving behind a hollow shell of a person in their wake. The plea for restraint and pity come from a place of great vulnerability, as the singer struggles to hold onto their self-worth and identity in the face of the other's callousness.
In the final verse, the use of 'artful' and 'torture' highlight the manipulative nature of the person being addressed, who delivers only a 'half smile' and 'token' gestures. The closing lines of the song ask for an 'honest face' and for the other to 'amaze' the singer. The sense of longing and yearning for something that may never come to fruition is palpable.
Line by Line Meaning
Power
The ability to control or influence others
Dizzy with it stumble
Feeling disoriented or unsteady due to the exertion of power
Detail
An itemized account of specific aspects or features
A chance for us to quarrel
An opportunity for conflict or argument between two parties
Anger
An intense emotional response characterized by hostility or resentment
My head is shaken violent
Expressing a strong emotional reaction, such as anger or frustration
If I could calm or restrain you
Expressing a desire to moderate someone's behavior or actions
For the sake of pity
As a gesture of sympathy or compassion
Save the pistol
Referring to metaphorical or literal device of violence, urging against its use
Save the cynic's tongue
Encouraging honesty, approaching dialogue with sincerity instead of sarcastic criticism
Save the cool white stare
Urging for an end to a cold, apathetic, or distant attitude in favor of emotional openness
And treat me to an honest face sometime
Requesting honesty and openness in communication
Amaze me now
Expressing a desire for something extraordinary or unexpected
Trust is
Expressing a belief or statement about the nature of trust
The greatest human error
Suggesting that trusting others is a flaw inherent in human nature
Empty
Describing a feeling of hollowness or dissatisfaction
Used me as a vessel
Feeling exploited or taken advantage of by another person
Ruthless
Without mercy or compassion
You're not known for subtlety
Describing someone as being direct, blunt, or insensitive
Artful
Having or demonstrating artistic skill
Well there's quite a skill to torture
Suggesting that causing pain or discomfort to others requires a certain level of proficiency
Half smile
A smile that is not fully or genuinely expressed
Was it all you could deliver
Questioning the effort or ability of another person
Token
Expressing something done merely for show or formality
So hard to be pleasant
Acknowledging the difficulty in maintaining a kind or congenial demeanor
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: JOHN LOMBARDO, NATALIE A MERCHANT, ROBERT BUCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind