For the “core four,” – love, friendship, and respect are essential to be part of 10,000 Maniacs.

And the radio documentary, entitled 10,000 Maniacs: Can’t Ignore the Train to air on WRFA, also chronicles the genesis and early career of the band.

The second episode of the documentary is set to premiere at 6 p.m. on Friday.

Emily Drew, and her late husband Aaron Perez, and their company Crying Out Loud Productions, produced the documentary along with WRFA.

Steven Gustafson, co-founder and the band’s bassist said himself, drummer Jerome Augustyniak, keyboardist Dennis Drew, and rhythm guitarist John Lombardo are still the “core four,” the rhythm section for 10,000 Maniacs.

“We still love and respect each other. We’re still friends and we still enjoy playing our songs. It’s as simple as that. Mary Ramsey has stepped off the train a few times for much deserved rest but she’s been working with us since 1991. We consider each other family,” Gustafson said.

Dennis Drew echoed Gustafson’s thoughts.

“Steve and I have known and loved each other since 1972. Nothing could break our bond. So we just weathered the storms that came along – members quit (and former guitarist) Rob Buck passed away. We just kept putting one foot in front of the other,” Dennis Drew said.

Emily Drew, and her late husband Aaron Perez, and their company Crying Out Loud Productions, produced the documentary along with WRFA.

Emily is the daughter of one of the founding members of 10,000 Maniacs, Dennis Drew.

Emily Drew said the documentary begins by illustrating the environment of the Jamestown music “scene” in 1978 when The Ramones and The Runaways arrived in Jamestown. Then through interviews with the band’s peers and early collaborators, it details the subsequent six years including 10,000 Maniacs’ journey in and out of Jamestown through different sounds, identities, and lineups, culminating in the Maniacs first major label record release with The Wishing Chair.

Gustafson said that being in the band is fun, challenging, rewarding, and an arduous experience.

“And a pretty cool part-time gig, really,” Gustfason said. “There aren’t many jobs with a 350-mile daily commute and a standing ovation waiting for you at the end of the work day. We’ve often said that we’ll continue as long as we have our health. We’re having fun and people want to see us play.”

Other episodes will follow on Aug. 9, and Aug. 16 on WRFA.

Following the final episode, WRFA will host a live event 10,000 Maniacs Can’t Ignore This Train: Conversation and Reflections with the Founding Members. The panel discussion with founding members Augustyniak, Dennis Drew, Gustafson, and Lombardo, will dive deeper into the band’s genesis and early evolution. The discussion will take place at the Reg Lenna’s media arts studio at 7 p.m., and tickets will allow access to a prepanel reception with archival content view. All proceeds to benefit WRFA. for more information on the discussion visit wrfalp.com.

Keep tuning in.