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JAMESTOWN (AP) - Once down a singer and facing grim prospects, the band 10,000 Maniacs is back with a new recording contract.

It has a deal with Geffen Records, bass player Steve Gustafson said.

"It's taken longer than we'd hoped," Gustafson said Thursday. "We were almost ready to take a lesser deal from a smaller label."

The band's future looked shaky after singer Natalie Merchant left for a solo career more than two years ago.

Gustafson said the record deal is a relief.

"Now I don't have to be a bartender," he joked.