Jerry Augustyniak joined as drummer

At the beginning of 1983, Jerry Augustyniak joined the band as their permanent drummer. The Maniacs met Augustyniak when they played in Buffalo, New York , where he was in a punk band named the Stains. Between March and July, the band recorded songs for a second record, Secrets of the I Ching , their debut album, which was pressed by Mark Records for the band’s own label Christian Burial Music. The record was well received by critics and caught the attention of respected BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel in London. One song, “My Mother the War”, turned out to be a minor hit in the United Kingdom and entered the independent singles chart. The band toured extensively during 1983 and 1984, and played gigs in the UK.