By Danny Coleman
originally published: 03/16/2017
"Yeah I am, yes I am in the band. I've been in this band for so long in one capacity or another that when I left or leave it's like a hiatus," said a laughing Mary Ramsey of the recently revitalized 10,000 Maniacs. "I've been with the band as a background singer, fiddle player and once Natalie left Lombardo and I decided to go on. We are doing lots of great gigs now and we see a lot of joy in our audiences."
Formed in 1981 under a different moniker, they performed as 10,000 Maniacs for the first time in September of the same year with a line up that included members Dennis Drew on keyboards, Steven Gustafson on bass, Tim Edborg (drums) and Robert Buck (guitar). There were some personnel changes in July of that same year, John Lombardo was asked to join as an additional guitarist and a then 17 year old Natalie Merchant, who was originally added as a background vocalist, took the reins as the lead singer and they performed on Labor Day.
The band would then go through multiple changes in the decade to come, members left and rejoined, others quit never to return and in 2000 the band lost Rob Buck to liver failure at the young age of 42. These changes never seemed to slow the band for too long and Ramsey was part of the evolution as she was asked to join the group circa 1994 after teaming with Lombardo in a folk duo.
Now the front and focal point of the band, Ramsey says that she feels no pressure to pick up where Merchant left off and is very confident in her role on stage. "I'm my own woman," she stated with conviction. "The band has sort of turned into something different since Natalie left but it has always had its signature sound, so it has really turned into something of its own. There's still a demand from our fans and people want to hear and see us. There is no pressure on me or on the group to sound like we did when Natalie was involved. All the musicality that this band has is just amazing and we really do pretty much have a great time while on stage. We really love the music that we do. I have a great respect for Natalie, I've been in my own shoes when I was the background singer now turned lead vocal and we now have a new background singer; it's like poetry (laughs)."
Ramsey has been playing the violin since she was five years of age and even though she playfully stated that she was not going to, "Say how long ago that was," she did excitedly say how the instrument fits into the overall sound and how the band has progressed during this phase of their career. "We can do a lot of improvising on stage and I think it's great. Fortunately for me I've done experimental music, jazz standards and orchestral arrangements and the violin is adaptable to that. Having certain amounts of going off script and going outside the box makes live music; right? These guys "Will sell no wine before it's time," and if they feel something on stage they aren't afraid to go with it to enhance the music (laughs). As I said earlier, we have a signature sound and it's a comfortable place to be for all of us. I feel it's a blessing to be a musician for a living and we all seem to have the folk rock sensibility about us and we like where we are at as a band."
Currently, the band is on the road and will be on the east coast next week beginning with a March 23 show at "The Beautiful Levoy Theater" in Millville, NJ followed by two in New York before returning to NJ for a show at the South Orange Performing Arts Center on March 26. They then head off across the country to Texas, Virginia and Maryland before returning to NJ on May 6 at the Newton Theater. "We've been doing a lot of shows; Chicago, Vegas, we sold out The City Winery in New York City and we've got some big festivals coming up this summer in Brazil and Winnipeg so we are keeping busy for sure."
What else does "Keeping busy" entail? Well, according to Ramsey there is new music on the horizon. "Yes, yes, yes," she answered with the excitement of one who just found a winning lottery ticket. "We are in the process of working on that now, we try to do at least one album a year. We feel it keeps things interesting and us on our toes; so yeah, we've got something up our sleeve."
To discover more about 10,000 Maniacs and their tour dates, please go to www.maniacs.com.
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers Street Trenton
Fri. 7 p.m. White Teeth (Album Release Show), War Twins, Dan Ex Machine, Death By Fiction, (TBA). All ages, $10
Sat. 7 p.m. 6 p.m. The Ongoing Concept, Hearts Like Lions, Capstan, Real Leather, Across The White Water Tower, KOBA. All ages, $12/$15
Sun. 5 p.m. Sun & Flesh, Christian Evanko, Surrender The Night, (TBA). All ages, $10
Mon. 6 p.m. Depths Of Hatred, So This Is Suffering, Lorelei, Djinn, (TBA). All ages, $10/$12
Bill's Olde Tavern2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-0192
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke Contest (Cash prizes)
Ages 21+
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Sun. 1 p.m. "Robbinsville St. Patrick's Day Parade After Party"
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Bowman's Tavern1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Neil Podgurski Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 8 p.m. Dave Dales Trio
Sun. (12 p.m.) Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Fermenter's Trio
Wed. 6 p.m. Lorenzo
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Jullian Presley Quartet. $10 (cover charge/$10 Minimum includes buffet)
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
City Streets 510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays" w/ DJ Brett Gash
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie and Chelsea
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval
COARadio.com Main Street Hightstown
(609) 241-7103
Check Web Site for Programming
Dadz Bar & Grill744 Main Street Lumberton
(609) 267-4344
Thurs. 10 p.m. "Pong Tournament"
Fri. 10 p.m. "St. Pat's Party" w/ Out Of The Red
Sat. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Dubbs
Sun. 4 p.m. Billy Walton
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Superstar Entertainment
Dempster's Pub437 Pine Street Mount Holly
(609) 261-0500
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. DJ DNIAL
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Chris
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Stephen Anthony
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour" feat. Cecil & Ray (9 p.m.) Mia Johnson
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Jazz 180 (9 p.m.) Greg McGarvey
Sun. (11 a.m.)"Sunday Brunch" feat. Joe Robinson Jam (4 p.m.) Soul Custody Trio
Wed. 8 p.m. Sister Blue
Freddies Tavern12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Fri. 8 p.m. Gyrl Band
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Joe Vadala
Grover's Mill Coffee HousePrinceton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction
(609) 716-8771
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Anker
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Fri. 8 p.m. Jumper
Sat. 8 p.m. 52 Pick Up
Sun. 3 p.m. Rake
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. "Local Original Music Series" Hosted by Pat Foran
Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn15 East Broad Street Hopewell
(609) 466-9889
Fri. 8 p.m. Open Mic.
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. John & Carm
Fri. 6 p.m. Jim Matlock
Sat. 6 p.m. Living The Dream
Sun. (2 p.m.) "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Thieves & Poets (6:30 p.m.) "Vintner's Dinner" $35 (Includes tax and gratuity)
Hurricane Jacks Bar and Grill7759 New falls Road Levittown, PA
(267) 914-4517
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 9 p.m. Witzend
Sat. 9 p.m. Light The Fuse
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. John & Maggs
Sat. 1 p.m. Bob Daley & Dave Dedrick
Sun. 2 p.m. Ed Wilson
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 9 p.m. "St. Patty's Day Bash" w/ The Ernie White Band
Sat. 9 p.m. Papa DLux
All shows 21+
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. Jerry Fiess
Fri. 9 p.m. Red Rover Burlesque
Sat. (3 p.m.) King Of Nowhere (9:30 p.m.) New Pony
Sun. (3 p.m.) The Real Fugitives (9:30 p.m.) Trio Of Madness
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Mike
Tues. 9 p.m. Small Batch Bourbon
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Killarney's Publick House1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Thurs. 5 p.m. Dave Murray
Fri. "St. Patrick's Day Celebration" Feat. (1 p.m.) Donegal Scholars band (3 p.m.) Some Assembly Required (7 p.m.) Class A Kings
Sat. 9 p.m. DJ Jimmy G
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 6 p.m. "Girls Night Out" Burlap Sunflower Wreath Making
Fri. 6 p.m. "Fireside Friday"
Sat. 11:30 a.m. "Laurita St. Patrick's Day Festival" feat. (12 p.m.) Tom Brett and the Bog Boys (4 p.m.) Scanlin & O'Leary
Sun. "Laurita St. Patrick's Day Festival" feat. (11:30) Ballyhaunis (3 p.m.) The Snakes
Logan Inn10 West Ferry Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2300
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Stephanie Chin & Brandon Broderick
Mamma Rosa's 572 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Fri. "St. Patrick's Day" feat. (4 p.m.) Stem (6 p.m.) Fitzpatrick Irish Dancers (10 p.m.) DJ Favs
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
New Hope Winery6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA
(215) 794-2331
Fri. 8 p.m. Adam Ezra group. Doors at 7 p.m., $20
Sun. 6 p.m. "A Tribute To The Music Of Buddy Holly" w/ Not Fade Away. Doors at 5 p.m., $30
Nook's PourHouse2043 Route 130 South Florence
(609) 447-0927
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Tuesday w/ Quizoholics
Olde Liberty Tavern2114 Liberty Street Trenton
(609) 396-2262
Sat. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21 +
PANJ RadioBridge Street Lambertville
(609) 460-4673
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Stefanie Johnson
Patriot's Crossing1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Sat. 8 p.m. Blues In Disguise
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Polish Nannies
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Beetle Pie
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Fri. 7:15 p.m. Guy Davis & Fabrizio Poggi. All ages, Doors at 7 p.m., $25
Small World Coffee14 Witherspoon Street Princeton
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Aaron Potocny Trio
South Rio120 South Warren Street Trenton
(609) 943-2123
Thurs. 7 p.m. "All You Can eat Crabs." Music, Drink Specials, Sports on TV
Tues. "$2 Tuesday"
Starbucks2673 Main Street Lawrenceville
(609) 414-3320
Fri. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night Hosted by Anker
1867 Sanctuary 101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Sat. (3 p.m.) McCarter Theater Community Ensemble: "A Christmas Carol" Information Session and Workshop. Ages 14+, Free Admission. (8 p.m.) Solo & Chamber Music Concert series. $20
Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Big Daddy G
Sat. 10 p.m. Black Brant
Tavern On The Lake101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 8 p.m. DJ Mike
Sat. 9 p.m. Pop Comics
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
Temperance House 5 South State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 944-8050
Thurs. 7 p.m. Blues Open session w/ Steve Guyger
Fri. 7 p.m. Pride Of Erin Irish Dancers
Sat. 7 p.m. Steve Guyger
Wed. 7 p.m. Live Jazz w/ John Sheridan & Friends
The Cool Cricket216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. "St. Patrick's Day Party" feat. Unleashed/El Ka Bong
Sat. 9 p.m. Asylum Choir
The Dubliner34 North Main Street New Hope, PA
(215) 693-1816
Thurs. 7 p.m. Mike Brill
Fri. (12 p.m.) Tom Belsky (4 p.m.) Na' Bodach
Sat. 8 p.m. Gabriel Donohue
Sun. 3 p.m. Poor Man's Gambit w/ Irish Dancers
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Entertainment
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. Mike Nabinger & Joe Chianese
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Rockin' Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. Paper Shakers
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Jon Gosselin
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Pines Tavern6217 North Radcliffe Street Bristol, PA
(215) 788-1659
Sat. 9 p.m. The Coconutz Trio
The Raven 385 West Bridge Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2081
Mon. 7 p.m. Ghosha
Wed. 6 p.m. Dena Underwood
The Record Collector358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Sat. 8 p.m. The Red Elvises. All ages, Doors at 7:30 p.m., $20 (advance)
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. 80's Undercover
Sat. 9 p.m. Ar House
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. J Spirit Walker
Sat. 9 p.m. Einstein Bridge
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
Third State Brewing352 High Street Burlington
(609) 387-1620
Fri. 6 p.m. "St. Paddy's Day" w/ Radio Fiction
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. "St. Patrick's day" feat. (12 p.m.)Billy Walsh (4 p.m.) Successful Failures (8 p.m.) Some Assemby Required
Sat. 9 p.m. Mass Folk Commons
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" w/ Diarmuid MacSuibhne
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. "Audio History of Funk and Soul" w/ Professor DJ Tangency
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Benny
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Broccoli Samurai / ELM ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Kelly Stratton Band ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage Night (Sign ups at 6:30 p.m.)
All shows 21+
Triumph Brewing Company (Princeton, NJ Location)
138 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 924-7855
Fri. 10 p.m. Peter Karp and The Road Show Band
sat. 10 p.m. Some Assembly Required
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
Ages 21+
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
