John & Mary

In Buffalo, guitarist John Lombardo, who co-founded 10,000 Maniacs, joined forces with Mary Ramsey, a violinist whose classical training had begun at age five, to establish the duo John & Mary. Lombardo brought rock-driven ideas while Ramsey contributed folk and classical elements, quickly turning the pair into a fixture on the local scene. Mitch Easter assisted with production as they laid down Victory Gardens in 1990, with the album appearing the next year. Alex Chilton and Robert Buck of 10,000 Maniacs lent their talents to the follow-up, The Weedkiller's Daughter. Once Natalie Merchant exited 10,000 Maniacs in 1994, John & Mary became members of that band.