10,000 Maniacs - Orange [Human Conflict Number Five] EP 1982 video free download

10,000 Maniacs - Orange [Human Conflict Number Five] EP 1982

This is a "press kit" that the band put together at the time of the release of their first recording, the EP Human Conflict Number Five.

MANIAC HISTORY

In September of 1981 four members of the then-dormant no-wave group Still Life (Steve, Dennis, Norman and Natalie) began informal rehearsals with three ex-members of the bad jazz poseurs Jimmy and the Socialists (John among them) in an attempt to combine the loose, untrained vitality of creative people just discovering how relatively easy it is to actually play those instruments, with long-time skilled musicians wandering aimlessly along the local bar circuit.

Norm went into immediate seclusion; it was always assumed he would return when ready. While early gigs were enthusiastically received, the majority of the music was covers of other people's songs that seemed to go over so well that the group was always playing out and hardly ever writing or rehearsing new material. This early amorphous version of the band was laid to rest during the final weeks of 1981.

Norm returned in January and his impact was immediate; gone were the repetitious jazzy meanderings and endless, unfocused soloing - Norm's menacing guitarwork combined with his unique understanding of contemporary electronic discovery made the sound unmistakable, compelling, and, finally, for them, original.

Drumming, however, became a problem at this point - the first two percussionists seemed uncomfortable with the music itself and both left to rejoin A.O.R. cover bands. After a revolving door of pick-up drummers, Robert was finally pried loose from Amyl and the Accidents, a high-energy Plasmatics-influenced combo. Very, very quickly the rhythmic foundation was solidified.

It remains difficult to categorize the group's overall sound - Natalie's vocals slither and slide, at times the fragile rhyming of a frightened schoolgirl, at times the angry cacophony of Third World victimization. Dub vocals, driving rhythms, other-worldly echoes all seem to come and go; the group seems equally as adept at many kinds of musical styles. Dennis's organ playing remains the roller-rink foundation of the group, at times as reminiscent of Blonde on Blonde as he is at times of Bunny Wailer. Steve and John share the responsibilities of bass and guitar as well as second vocals. The music itself reflects a multitude of musical styles - rockers, dub, motown, minimalist, psychedelic, funk, reggae, pop. The group retains a level of self-reliance rare among modern bands. All artwork, recording, management, and financing are group controlled. The band is committed to particular ideals and values clearly evident in their lyrical content. No charming stage banter distracts the listener from the basic message. No boy meets girl lyrics pander to the least common denominator. This is, in fact, serious stuff.

NORMAN BUCK

Electronic Guitars, Synth

Norman Buck - Born 1958 in Jamestown, N.Y. Joined the band in January '82. Electronic guitarist since 1964.

DENNIS DREW

Fender Contemp Organ

Dennis Drew - Born August 8th, 1957 in Buffalo, N.Y. Measures 5'10" with brown hair and eyes. Founder member of the group Sept. '81.

STEVEN GUSTAFSON

Bass and Guitar

Steven Gustafson - Born Madrid, Spain, April 10, 1957. Measures 6'0" with blonde hair and hazel eyes. Founder member of the group Sept. '81.

JOHN LOMBARDO

Bass and Guitar, Odd Voice

John Lombardo spends almost all his waking hours listening to music.

ROBERT WACHTER

Drums

Robert "Bob" Wachter - Born April 2nd, 1963 in Olean, N.Y. Raised in Salamanca and is now surviving somewhere in Jamestown. Joined the band in April '82.

NATALIE MERCHANT

Voice

Natalie Merchant - Born Jamestown, N.Y., 1963. Measures 5'3". Founder member of the group Sept. '81.