By: Michael Levans, Scripps Howard News Service (page 4F)

After the platinum success of 1987's In My Tribe, the socially conscious 10,000 Maniacs (who are about as misleadingly named as any band around) were back on the road in 1989 with a new arsenal of conscientious tunes from the album Blind Man's Zoo.

But even a social conscience needs a break, and the band is planning to take 1990 off.

It couldn't come at a better time for keyboardist Dennis Drew.

"We've been on the road since 1982," he said. "Everything is sort of blending together."

He plans on relaxing during the break, before gearing for the next Maniacs release.

Touring has been tough on Drew's ego, considering he's a keyboardist in a band whose lead singer, Natalie Merchant, is the only figure with whom the audience truly identifies.

"It's funny," Drew said. "I can walk anywhere and not be noticed. Natalie has a little more problem with that. . . . I think in the long run it's a blessing."

But image is last on Drew's mind, even though he may like to joke about it. It's the music and what the Maniacs have accomplished that he considers important.

"We proved you can be someone from a small town [Jamestown, N.Y.], start a band with a funny name and sing songs about only social issues and become successful and conquer the world of corporate rock 'n' roll. We've made a statement, and we've lived by it."