wire story from Hartford Courant (section: GO! page: 30)

It has been almost a year since 10,000 Maniacs completed its Blind Man's Zoo tour and quickly dropped from sight.

In that time, charismatic lead singer Natalie Merchant moved from Jamestown, N.Y., where the band was formed nearly a decade ago. Keyboardist Dennis Drew got married, as did drummer Jerome Augustyniak.

Guitarist Rob Buck spent time away in his home in Albany, N.Y., helping produce new bands in that area. And bassist Steven Gustafson bought a house in Jamestown, where he's been putting in some work remodeling.

Now, there seems a manic pace of Maniac activity. A new release, Hope Chest, just out this week, collects the band's first two independent releases, which have been long out of print.

Also new this week is an hourlong video compilation, Time Capsule, directed by Merchant, which shifts from live performances from various stages of their career to familiar studio videos to childhood home movies.

And to promote all this activity, the Maniacs are embarking on a low-key tour.

"It's hard to believe it's been 10 years that we've been together," Gustafson said. "We figure that's a cause for celebration."

The project also marks a reconciliation with John Lombardo, a band co-founder who had a hand in writing most of the early songs. Lombardo left the Maniacs in mid-1986 after the tour following the recording of their big-label debut, The Wishing Chair.

Because of Lombardo's large role with the band during the early recordings - indeed, he sings lead on one title - he will join the band when these songs are played on the current tour. He and his singing partner, Mary Ramsey, will also open the shows. Lombardo joined Merchant and Joe Barbaria in the remixing process.

"It was nice to have him involved," Gustafson said. "It's nice to be hanging out with him again."