Marah (band)

Marah
Marah, Loganton, PA
Background information
Origin	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Brooklyn, New York, USA
Genres	Rock'n'Roll
Years active	1993–present
Labels	Yep Roc Records, Artemis Records, PHIdelity Records, Valley Farm Songs
Website	www.marah-usa.com
Members	David Bielanko Serge Bielanko Christine Smith Adam Garbinski Dave Petersen Mark Sosnoskie
Past members	Joe Hooven Mick Bader Mark Boyce Mike Brenner Jon Kois Jamie Mahon Rich DiNapoli Danny Metz Ronnie Vance Mike Ambs Jon Wurster Kirk Henderson Joe Gorelick Johnny Pisano Martin Lynds Bruce W. Derr

Marah is an American Rock'n'Roll band that formed in the early 1990s and is closely associated with the cities of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Brooklyn, New York. The band is known for its intense live performances, classic rock production style, and association with authors Nick Hornby and Sarah Vowell and musicians Bruce Springsteen and Steve Earle.

Marah was formed by singer/songwriter/guitarist Dave Bielanko from Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, bass guitarist Danny Metz and drummer Ronnie Vance in 1993. Singer/songwriter/guitarist and harmonica player Serge Bielanko, Dave's older brother, joined the band in 1995.

Several years before Marah formed, Serge and Dave Bielanko (still in high school) were in a band called the Lusty Toms with Michael Lepore, which had a far different sound that resembled the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The Lusty Toms never got signed and distributed several cassette tapes locally.

Marah saw Serge and Dave alter their sound and musical direction. Marah featured Mummers Parade influenced banjos combined with standard rock music instruments to create a highly eclectic Roots Rock sound that drew comparisons to early Bruce Springsteen.

Marah 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 records were recorded and produced by the band and recording engineer/producer Paul Smith above an auto repair garage (Frank's Auto Body) in south Philadelphia.