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".
Sooner or Later
Marah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dirt poor we don't want no more
Down the street we kinda meet by bodega flowers
Half the time we will have a time
Don't expect much these days, buddy
Coupla beers and life is so funny
You'll be coming back sooner or later
Tied hands we make our plans on a leather perch
Pretty eyes we can tell no lies, no lies
Kick start our traveled hearts in the evening hours
Fall asleep with the TV on
Don't expect much these days, honey
Coupla beers and love is so funny
You'll be coming back sooner or later
And we'll be waiting for you
Marah's song "Sooner or Later" is a nostalgic ode to nights spent on the street with friends. The lyrics paint a picture of a group of people who may not have much, but they have each other and the simple pleasures of life. The opening lines, "Are free we gravitate toward the evening hours / Dirt poor we don't want no more" set the tone for the song. The characters in the song are drawn to the night and revel in its freedom. They may not have a lot of money, but they are content with their lives.
The song also touches on the theme of waiting. The chorus includes the lines, "You'll be coming back sooner or later / And we'll be waiting for you." The characters in the song wait for their friends to return and join them in their nightly activities. It's a sentiment that speaks to the bonds of friendship and the importance of community.
The lyrics of "Sooner or Later" are simple and straightforward, but they are filled with emotion and longing. They capture the feeling of youth and the endless possibilities of the night. The song is a powerful reminder of the importance of friendship and the joy of simple pleasures.
Line by Line Meaning
Are free we gravitate toward the evening hours
We tend to prefer the nighttime when we are not tied down with responsibilities and can enjoy our freedom
Dirt poor we don't want no more
We are tired of being poor and want to improve our lives
Down the street we kinda meet by bodega flowers
We often gather on the street corner next to the bodega, where there are flowers for sale
Half the time we will have a time
We have fun about half of the time, but the other half is a struggle
Don't expect much these days, buddy
Don't expect too much from life, my friend
Coupla beers and life is so funny
We find life amusing with just a couple of beers
You'll be coming back sooner or later
We know you will return eventually
And we'll be waiting for you
We will be here, ready to welcome you back
Tied hands we make our plans on a leather perch
Even though we feel constrained, we still make plans and dream on our bench
Pretty eyes we can tell no lies, no lies
We trust those with genuine and honest eyes, and we do not tolerate lies
Kick start our traveled hearts in the evening hours
Our hearts are rejuvenated at night, when we can forget about our troubles and explore the world
Fall asleep with the TV on
We often fall asleep watching television, providing a temporary escape from reality
Don't expect much these days, honey
Don't have high expectations for life, my dear
Coupla beers and love is so funny
Love can be comical with just a couple of beers
You'll be coming back sooner or later
We believe you will return to us eventually
And we'll be waiting for you
We will always be here, waiting for your return
Contributed by Connor S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
flyhead2
This is one of greatest bands on the planet. Sooner or later in Spain is one of my 3 favourite concert DVD's, not merely because of the outstanding performance. What really lifts the performance is not only the way the footage was shot; the most important factor is the way the film was edited. Most concert DVD's get destroyed by thoughtless editing whereby no image is held for more than a second. This destroys any 'being there' feeling. Here you can smell the beer, smoke and sweat. Great stuff.
tesoro1966
A briliant live performance, as is usual with these guys. When I first saw them I had never heard of them- I walked out floating and didn`t come down for the best part of a week.
Jim Linus
Was one of the fortunate few that saw them December 11th, 2015 at the Stone Pony. Needless to say, it was an all-time, flat out, Marah symphony. These guys have a second wind, a renewed heart to the craft, expect to hear more in 2016.
flagemdown66
One of the all time greatest rock shows I saw was Marah at the Poontang Grille on Souf Streep, Philthydelpee-ah Hollow Weiner, 1998.
lacassula
MARAH WAS-IS-WILL BE THE BEST BAND EVER Tell your mama! PURE MUSIC
DeadFlowers69
yes, finally a Marah DVD. rocknroll!
bart ebisch
This line-up played also the Blue Highways festival in Utrecht, The Netherlands, in 2006.
Thomas Minarchick Jr.
Anyone else hear about Marah through comparisons to The Replacements when their first album came out? I wish they were still active and making new albums. Maybe a tour and album once COVID is gone
Rod Surber
there shows in indiana were fucking incredable would drive houndreds of miles to see these guys
guitar time
nice