The quartet recorded two albums together: Let's Cut the Crap & Hook Up Later On Tonight, released on Black Dog Records in 1998, and Kids in Philly, released on Steve Earle's now-defunct E-Squared Records in 2000. Both critically acclaimed CD's were recorded and produced by the band and recording engineer Paul Smith above an auto repair garage in south Philadelphia.
Metz and Vance left the band in 2000, and were replaced by Mick Bader on drums and Joe Hooven on bass. Augmented by Mike "Slo-Mo" Brenner on lap steel, this version of the group toured extensively to support Kids in Philly. Marah performed the song, "Point Breeze" from Kids in Philly on The Late Show with Conan O'Brien in 2000. Bader and Hooven left Marah in 2001 and were replaced by Jon Kois (drums) and Jamie Mahon (bass) of Philadelphia psychedelic rock band The Three For Tens.
The Bielankos, with Kois and Mahon, left for Wales in late 2001 to record their third CD, Float Away with the Friday Night Gods with former Oasis producer Owen Morris. It was released on Artemis Records in 2002.
In 2003, Marah returned to the auto garage and recorded their fourth record, 20,000 Streets Under the Sky. The CD was released on Yep Rock records in 2004. The band toured this album with John Wurster (of Indie Rock-stalwarts Superchunk) on drums, Mike Brenner on lap steel, and Kirk Henderson on bass and keyboards.
In 2005, the band entered The Magic Shop recording studio in New York City to record their fifth album with the help of Henderson and two new members, Adam Garbinski and Dave Peterson. The result, If You Didn't Laugh, You'd Cry (IYDLYC), was hailed by critics as a return to form for the band.
The release of IYDLYC was complemented by the recording and release of a Christmas album, A Christmas Kind of Town, on October 18, 2005. The band, solidified as a three-guitar quintet, embarked on a year-long tour of the US and Europe to support the two albums. Highlights of the tour included Serge Bielanko's intense renditions of "Dishwasher's Dream" off of IYDLYC, as well as occasional performances of "Reservation Girl," an original song that has never been officially released by the band.
Dave Bielanko, Serge Bielanko, and Adam Garbinski at ACL 2006.The band played at the Bonnaroo Music Festival on June 16, 2006, which was highlighted by a rousing introduction by St. Louis scenester/character Beatle Bob and a cover of The Who's "Baba O'Riley." Marah later played the Austin City Limits Music Festival on September 15th, 2006, featuring a spirited performance from the band with Dave and Serge Bielanko jumping over the crowd barriers into the audience. The audio of this performance was released on iTunes on November 7th, 2006.
On September 21, 2006, the band's website announced the release of a live DVD of the IYDLYC tour, entitled Sooner or Later in Spain. The DVD, which was originally recorded and released as a fan bootleg, was released on November 17th, 2006.
Marah, with Christine Smith now a full time member, entered Nashville's 16 Ton Recording Studios in August 2006 to record songs for a new record. In April 2007, the group recorded and mixed additional songs at Brooklyn, New York's Excello Recording. In June, Marah announced that the new record, Angels of Destruction, would be released on January 8, 2008 and previewed the album at a concert/listening party in Philadelphia on September 8th, 2007. Angels of Destruction was preceded by a 6-song 10" EP entitled Can't Take It With You which was released in October 2007. A Christmas EP called Counting the Days was released in November 2007.
The new album was released in early January 2008 to widespread acclaim. Almost immediately afterwards, however, plans for an extensive US tour were cancelled following the departure of Garbinski, Peterson, and Henderson. A statement from Dave Bielenko stated that the current line-up could not agree on tour plans, and that to acquiesce to rhythm section would have represented a "musical regression." Bassist Johnny Pisano and drummer Joe Gorelick were hired as replacements, and in late February the band embarked on a European tour to promote the album.
In August 2008, Dave Bielanko, Smith and Pisano started recording new material at 16 Ton Studios in Nashville. Bielanko has stated his intentions of recording "a lilting beautiful folky record of acoustic guitars, tack pianos, and the stand-up bass".
FEVER
Marah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To grab a hold of anything
Lucky to find a rocket train
And maybe come back someday
With all ways of finding out
We can't hide no longer
A clear sky on a winter night
They zero in our twenty
Aready lost too much blood
For a laugh you can scratch at the borders
But it's the body.
The alibis that we're without
Have rendered us repeating
The same old things over and over again
Which is kind of self defeating
With all ways of finding out
We can't hide no longer
So hold chance and leave the dance
Prepare yourself to fire
And we're really on the wire
Already lost too much blood
For a laugh you can scratch at the borders
But it's the body
Forever becoming the problem
And the fever
Is getting badder
The song "Fever" by Marah is a powerful and poignant commentary on the current political climate and the struggles we face on a daily basis. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a society under siege, where every move is watched and every decision has to be carefully weighed. The opening lines, "These arms that open out, To grab a hold of anything, Lucky to find a rocket train, And maybe come back someday" are symbolic of the desperation that many people feel, as they search for a way out of their current situation.
The chorus illustrates the sense of urgency and fear that many of us feel, as we face the many challenges that come our way. "And we're really on the wire, Already lost too much blood, For a laugh you can scratch at the borders, But it's the body" is a powerful statement on the cost of the struggle, and the sacrifices that many of us have had to make along the way.
The song ends on a powerful note of defiance and determination, as the lyrics declare that "Forever becoming the problem, And the fever, Is getting badder." This is a clear statement of the ongoing battle that we all face, and the struggles that we must continue to overcome.
Overall, "Fever" is a powerful and thought-provoking piece of music that speaks to the heart of the human experience. It is a testament to the power of music to inspire and uplift, and a reminder of the many challenges that we face as we navigate the complex landscape of our world today.
Line by Line Meaning
These arms that open out
Describing the act of desperately grasping for anything that could provide comfort or aid.
To grab a hold of anything
Continuing to highlight the intense desire to cling to any hope or help available.
Lucky to find a rocket train
Feeling fortunate to have stumbled upon something that could offer a chance of escape or change.
And maybe come back someday
Expressing a hope or desire to have the opportunity to return to a better situation in the future.
With all ways of finding out
Dismissing the possibility of hiding or avoiding the truth, acknowledging that there are always ways to uncover what is really going on.
We can't hide no longer
Asserting that it is finally time to face reality and stop denying or avoiding unpleasant truths.
A clear sky on a winter night
Creating an image of something beautiful and peaceful that is also associated with the harsh and unforgiving cold of winter.
They zero in our twenty
Using military terminology to suggest that someone or something is targeting them, threatening their safety and security.
And we're really on the wire
Further emphasizing the sense of danger and risk that they are facing, hanging on the edge of a precarious situation.
Aready lost too much blood
Underscoring the physical and emotional toll that has already been taken by whatever conflict or struggle they are experiencing.
For a laugh you can scratch at the borders
Suggesting that the challenges and dangers they face are so extreme that even a small, seemingly casual action could have serious consequences.
But it's the body.
Reinforcing the idea that the risks and dangers being faced are very real and physical, causing harm and injury to their physical selves.
The alibis that we're without
Noting that they have no excuses or reasons for their behavior or situation, leaving them feeling exposed and vulnerable.
Have rendered us repeating
Suggesting that their lack of justification or explanation has caused them to repeat or relive the same mistakes and misfortunes again and again.
The same old things over and over again
Describing the feeling of being stuck in a cycle of monotonous repetition, unable to break free from their circumstances.
Which is kind of self defeating
Acknowledging that their inability to change or improve their situation is actually causing further harm and damage, making things worse for themselves.
So hold chance and leave the dance
Encouraging the listener to be brave and take a risk, breaking free from the familiar but stagnant routine.
Prepare yourself to fire
Advising that the listener should be ready for whatever challenge or conflict may be coming their way, being prepared and vigilant.
And we're really on the wire
Repeating the earlier line to emphasize that the danger and risk is still very present and immediate.
Already lost too much blood
Echoing earlier language to remind the listener of the physical and emotional harm that has already been endured.
For a laugh you can scratch at the borders
Reusing the same phrase to underscore that the risks and consequences are still very real and serious, even in seemingly small actions.
But it's the body
Reiterating that their struggles are physical and real, causing genuine harm and difficulty.
Forever becoming the problem
Acknowledging that their inability to break free from negative cycles and behaviors is causing them to remain bogged down and struggling.
And the fever
Metaphorically linking the physical fever to an emotional state of frustration, pain, and difficulty, underscoring the intensity of their struggles.
Is getting badder
Demonstrating that their situation is deteriorating and worsening, suggesting a sense of hopelessness and futility in their efforts to change things.
Contributed by Liam A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.