by: Andy Argyrakis
Fans of 10,000 Maniacs and their alternative rock combined with folk music will get the chance to spend some time with the group when the Maniacs take the main stage at 4 p.m. July 4 at Naperville's annual Ribfest.
The group is currently touring the nation in support of its recent CD, The Earth Pressed Flat and this DuPage appearance will give local fans the chance to see the group up close and personal - that is of course if fans get to Ribfest early enough to get a good seat.
This group is known for drawing large crowds during its 18-year existence; a lot of music lovers are falling in love with the band all over, because of the new CD and constant touring. The group is best known as the band formerly fronted by Natalie Merchant. When she left the group in 1993, vocalist Mary Ramsey took over to lead the group to much critical acclaim.
The band is a perfect match for the July 4 holiday with a soundtrack for celebration complete with audience sing-a-longs to some of the group's past hits and new material.
Members of the group enjoy coming to the area. This makes their second stop in DuPage County this year. The group gave an acoustic concert at Sam Ash Music in Lombard this spring.
"The Chicago area has always been a good location for us to play," said Steven Gustafson, bass guitarist for the group. "I'd probably say in the last five years, we've played around that area more than any other city. It just so happens that our demographic seems to work there really well. We sell more records throughout Chicagoland than most any place else thanks to more support from radio stations and great places to play all around town."
The group is fan-friendly. With the outdoor atmosphere of Ribfest, fans may catch a backstage glimpse of the group or even have a brief moment to get an autograph.
"We've never had boundaries between us and our fans and we've always enjoyed talking with them," Gustafson said. "They like music and they enjoy talking about music with us."
Music has been the central focus of the lives of Gustafson and his band mates. To them, being able to translate their CDs into a live performance makes all of their work worthwhile.
"The best part of my job is at the end of the work day, I get a standing ovation," he said. "It makes me feel so good when people say 'you're great,' or 'I love your music,' and to think that I've got a job doing this is a wonderful feeling."