10,000 Maniacs in Skokie

10,000 Maniacs are an American alternative rock band formed in Jamestown, New York, in 1981. Their guitar-led folk-pop became known through albums including In My Tribe, Blind Man’s Zoo and Our Time in Eden, as well as songs such as “Like the Weather,” “Trouble Me” and “These Are Days.” Natalie Merchant fronted the band during this period; Mary Ramsey later became its lead singer. In 1993, 10,000 Maniacs recorded an MTV Unplugged performance that became a live album and produced their version of Patti Smith and Bruce Springsteen’s “Because the Night.” After Merchant’s departure, the lineup led by Ramsey resumed touring, and the live release Playing Favorites documented a later hometown concert at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts.