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".
This Town
Marah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This town, this town
I know it up and down
I've got a mother in the ground
And enemies surroundin' every corner
I remember you
Yes I do, Yes I do
Pointin' up
You been paralyzed by luck
‘Till you were out shakin' a cup
There on the corner
The song "This Town" by Marah is a deep reflection on the singer's experiences living in a small town. The lyrics are about the singer's familiarity with the town, as well as how the town has changed and how he has changed with it. The first verse talks about how the singer has been around the town for a long time and how he knows everything about it. He also mentions that he has a mother who has passed away and that there are enemies lurking around every corner. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for how life can be difficult and full of challenges.
The second verse is about the singer's memories of a person he used to know. He remembers them as being a "pistol" and "paralyzed by luck" which suggests that this person was full of potential but struggled to make the most of it. The singer mentions that this person was eventually reduced to begging on the street corner. This underscores the tough realities of life in a small town, where opportunities can be scarce and people can fall on hard times.
Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on the ups and downs of life in a small town. It captures both the nostalgia and the harsh realities of such a place. Through the lyrics, the singer is able to convey a sense of familiarity with the town as well as a sense of alienation and struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been around
I've spent a lot of time here in this town.
This town, this town
I'm referring to this specific town that I'm familiar with.
I know it up and down
I'm very familiar with every street and corner of this town.
I've got a mother in the ground
My mother has passed away and is buried here in this town.
And enemies surroundin' every corner
I have a lot of people who dislike me or wish me harm in this town.
I remember you
I haven't forgotten about you.
Yes I do, Yes I do
I'm reiterating that I still remember you.
You were a pistol
You were very lively and energetic.
Pointin' up
You had a lot of potential and aspirations.
You been paralyzed by luck
You've been held back or sidelined due to unforeseeable circumstances.
‘Till you were out shakin' a cup
You resorted to begging on the street to make a living.
There on the corner
You were specifically begging on a street corner.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVID BIELANKO, SERGE BIELANKO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind