Jamestown NY:
10,000 Maniacs radio documentary and live panel discussion coming soon to WRFA and The Reg.
Crying Out Loud Productions and WRFA present “10,000 Maniacs: Can’t Ignore the Train” a
Four-part radio documentary by the late Aaron Perez, set to premiere on WRFA 107.9 FM Friday
July 26th at 6pm.
“10,000 Maniacs: Can’t Ignore the Train”, chronicles the genesis and early career of
Jamestown’s own 10,000 Maniacs. It begins by illustrating the music “scene” in 1978
Jamestown and through interviews with the band’s peers and early collaborators it details the
subsequent six years. In this episodic telling of the band’s journey through different sounds,
identities and lineups, documentarian Aaron Perez captures the enduring themes of youth,
friendship, and creativity culminating in the band’s first major label record release with The
Wishing Chair.
10,000 Maniacs supported the project from the beginning and assisted in the accuracy of the
project making the band’s archive available for use. Documentary producer Emily Drew noted,
“Through the process of working alongside the archival inventory project, many never before
heard rehearsal recordings were uncovered. It was paramount to the authenticity of the
documentary, that content like this was included. Aaron was personally excited that we were
able to include the voice of the late Rob Buck, the Maniacs’ original lead guitarist, in a really
interesting way.”
10,000 Maniacs: Can’t Ignore the Train will air at 6pm Fridays starting 7/26, and continuing 8/2, 8/9, 8/16 on WRFA-LP 107.9 FM. Available for streaming at wrfalp.com.
Following the final episode, WRFA and Crying Out Loud Productions will host an event, “10,000 Maniacs Can’t Ignore the Train: Conversation and Reflections with the Founding Members”.
This panel discussion with founding band members, Jerome Augystinyak, Dennis Drew, Steven
Gustafson and John Lombardo will dive deeper into the band’s genesis and early evolution. The
event will take place at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts Media Arts Studio, and tickets will
allow access to a pre-panel reception with beer and wine available and archival content viewing.
All proceeds to benefit WRFA.
“10,000 Maniacs Can’t Ignore the Train: Conversation and Reflections with the Founding
Members” will take place on Friday August 16th at 7pm, tickets are $29.50 and available at:
reglenna.com. The panel discussion will take place in the Reg Lenna Center for The Arts’ Media Arts Studio.
The documentary was made possible by support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.