Photos by Andy Argyrakis

The line-up of 10,000 Maniacs, whose always been anchored by keyboardist Dennis Drew, bassist Steve Gustafson, guitarist John Lombardo and drummer Jerry Augustyniak, has stayed relatively stable since the departure of Natalie Merchant in 1993 and the passing of multi-instrumentalist Rob Buck, though it’s been an unusual and interesting year to say the least.

Longtime vocalist/violinist Mary Ramsey and latter day guitarist Jeff Erickson stepped down, Sixpence None The Richer’s Leigh Nash and Matt Slocum temporarily replaced them, then resumed their own band as Ramsey returned.

In any case, none of the shuffling even remotely put a speed bump in the ongoing “Revival” Tour, which comes on the heels of a 40th anniversary outing and continued rolling along with three City Winery sell outs.

The stylish venue is a self-professed favorite for 10,000 Maniacs and steadily becoming its second home, at least as far as the Windy City is concerned, and to quote one of the group’s most famous lines, “we give them what they want.”

Considering no two playlists are ever exactly the same, anything is possible on Friday, February 16 and Saturday, February 17, though in the meantime, the first night featured “Don’t Talk,” “You Happy Puppet” and “Can’t Ignore The Train” as a few of the alternative meets folk rock and jangle pop pleasantries placed towards the front.

As the 100-minute retrospective progressed, so did the smashes that made 10,000 Maniacs a dominating force throughout the late 1980s and early ‘90s, including “Trouble Me,” “What’s The Matter Here?” and “Candy Everybody Wants.”

In addition to originals, Roxy Music’s “More Than This,” off the comeback collection “Love Among The Ruins,” was one of many testaments to Ramsey’s ability to take the reigns following such a formidable force, while Patti Smith Group’s “Because The Night” may as well have been their own after it defined the “MTV Unplugged” era.

And just when it felt like there couldn’t possibly be any more crests, 10,000 Maniacs approached “Hey Jack Kerouac,” “Like The Weather” and “These Are Days” in the timeless tradition that keeps packing them in, no matter the movement of members.

For additional information on 10,000 Maniacs, visit Maniacs.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at City Winery include 10,000 Maniacs (Feb. 16-17); Mamma Mia Brunch (Feb. 18); J. Howell (Feb. 18); Torrei Hart (Feb. 19); Lace Larrabee (Feb. 20); XOXO, Cody (Feb. 21); The Veils (Feb. 22); Howard Hewett (Feb. 23); Soul Brunch (Feb. 24); Al Franken (Feb. 24); Beatles Brunch (Feb. 25); Al Franken (Feb. 25); Nurses’ Night Out (Feb. 26); Melike Sahin (Feb. 27); Avery*Sunshnie (Feb. 28- Mar. 2); Leon & The Peoples (Mar. 3); Skerryvore (Mar. 4); Terrapin Flyer (Mar. 5); Maurice “Mobetta” Brown (Mar. 7); Syleena Johnson (Mar. 8-9); Phil Angotti & Friends Brunch (Mar. 10); Dervish (Mar. 10); “I Think Not!” Live (Mar. 13); Zepparella (Mar. 14); Paul Thorn & Steve Poltz (Mar. 15); Keith Washington (Mar. 16); Soul Brunch (Mar. 17) and Sy Smith (Mar. 17). For additional details, visit CityWinery.com/Chicago.

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