DTH Omnibus Page 5
Thursday September 7, 1989
ON
Maniacs bring straight-ahead rock to Triangle
Continuing the string of major
Triangle concerts will be
10,000 Maniacs' performance
at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Raleigh
Civic Center. The band has only
recently begun to headline in ven
ues of this size, formerly opening for
the likes of R.E.M., Squeeze, and X.
Touring behind the hit album Blind
Man's Zoo, 10,000 Maniacs boasts a
reputation as a strong live act.
Originating in Jamestown, New
York, in 1981, 10,000 Maniacs be
gan as a six-member band covering
English post-punk (such as Gang of
Four) and reggae (Bob Marley) tunes.
The original band consisted of Na
talie Merchant on lead vocals; Jer
ome Augustyniak, drums; Robert
Buck, guitar; John Lombardo, guitar;
Dennis Drew, keyboards; and Ste
ven Gustafson, bass.
The band released an EP, Human
Conflict No. Five and a full-length
album, Secrets of the I Ching, in addi
tion to touring non-stop, before catch
ing the eye of Elektra Records in
1985. The Wishing Chair was a col
lege radio staple, forcing even more
extensive touring which prompted
Lombardo to leave the band.
10,000 Maniacs' two subsequent
albums, In My Tribe and Blind Man's
Zoo, have reached platinum, follow
ing an R.E.M.-like path to the top.
The band has managed to achieve
success without altering its basic folk
rock sound. Expect a sound closer to
Blind Man's Zoo than The Wishing
Brian Springer
mmmm
Chair in concert. According to Mer
chant, "BHndMan's Zoo reflects our
live sound, a goal that we've long
wished to attain."
While 10,000 Maniacs will be
performing their hits such as "My
Mother the War," "Like the
Weather," "Can't Ignore the Train,"
and most of the material from Blind
Man's Zoo, don't expect to hear their
wonderful cover of Cat Stevens'
"Peace Train." The band, in disagree
ment with Stevens' religiouspoliti
cal beliefs, has requested that the song
be deleted from future copies of In
My Tribe.
Merchant's songs tend to be po
litically oriented, as do her occasional
between-song monologues. Songs
such as "Please Forgive Us," which
dealt with the Iran-contra scandal,
and "Poison in the Well," which
seemed to predict the Exxon Valdez
oil spill, are sure to be concert selec
tions. While there may be a few surprises,
in general the audience will see a
no-gimmicks, straight-ahead rock act,
with few if any additional musicians.
1 hope the band will unveil a few
new songs, though. 10,000. Maniacs
dispenses with many of the trappings
of big-budget tours, including chore-
u
(7
MS
10,000 Maniacs are (l-r) Steven Gustafson, Jerome Augustyniak, Rob Buck, Natalie Merchant and Dennis Drew
ography, props, and the like. Natalie ered by some of the larger acts on
Merchant is guaranteed to transfix the remainder of the summer's musi-
the gaze of every fan. If past experi- cal agenda.
ence is any indication, Raleigh should J 0,000 Maniacs will perform at the
prepare for a better performance by Raleigh Civic Center Sept. 9. For ticket
10,000 Maniacs than will be deliv- information call 755-6603
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Glimpse of greatness
Sunday at the ArtsCenter
By KELLY THOMPSON Riverfront Times comments, "Miller
Omnibus Editor has blossomed into a musician who
For a glimpse of greatness on its has gone beyond his influences. Soon
way to stardom, few places in the people will be citing him as an influ-
Triangle can beat Carrboro this week- ence."
end. Tickets for the concert are $7 for
Jazz pianist Mulgrew Miller, who the public and $6 for Friends of the
has worked with the likes of Bran- ArtsCenter and students. ArtsCen-
ford Marsalis and James Moody as ter box office hours are 10 a.m. to 6
well as produced four albums of his p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
own, will perform Sept. 10 as part of Saturdays. The ArtsCenter is located
906 Vt Frantctln St., Oupd Hill
UU 967-9033
?7ThundaY
Southern Culture on the Skids
WhiAai
Co-Album Release Party
featuring
Snatches of Pink &
Flat Duo Jets (orisinai members)
9SaturdaT
The Bad Checks w Leap of Faith
f10 Sunday
Nikki Meets the Hibachl &
Cowabunsa & Mind Sirens
911 3 Wednesday
The Lemonheads & The Downsidcrs
91Ttipdav
Alex Chilton & Love Tractor
18 & over admitted
Jazz pianist Mulgrew Miller heats up the ArtsCenter Sunday
the ArtsCenter's Sunday Jazz Series.
Miller will appear with bassist
Clarence Seay and drummer Jae Sin
nett. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
Born in Greenwood, Miss., in 1955,
Miller began playing the piano at
the age of 6. He experimented a broad
range of styles, from classical to
rhythm and blues, but concentrated
on jazz while he attended Memphis
State University in the early 1970s
with another significant pianist, James
Williams.
After college, Miller became a
member of the Duke Ellington Or
chestra and worked with several jazz
leaders, including Art Blakey, Betty
Carter and Woody Shaw. With his
four albums on the Landmark label,
however, he is establishing stardom
in his own right. His latest release,
The Countdown, features prominent
jazz artists Joe Henderson, Ron Car
ter and Tony Williams. The St. Louis
at 300-G East Main Street, Carrboro
For more information, call 929-ARTS.
T RECYCLE
This Newspaper J,
1
Come and Enjoy Your Meals At
The Golden Dragon
fi.
"The First Fast-Service Chinese Restaurant in the Triangle Area"
UNC-STUDENT GOURMET CHOICE AWARD, 1983
Over the years you have known us for the consistent high
quality of our food
Always Fresh
Always the best available ingredients Always at a low cost
Always served with efficiency so your wait is never long
FRANKLIN CENTRE OPEN 1 1 AM-8 PM
DOWNTOWN CHAPEL HILL 929-5728