Image of the Day-"Pittsburgh is a Christmas Kind of Town"

 Marah
Kollar Club
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Southside

Billed as a 'Marah Hot Metal Christmas', it was a two night stand organized by fans turned friends turned supporters Dr. Mike and Jimmy. The dedication these guys have towards the band is nothing like I have ever seen in music and although the band plays regular gigs in the city, these are always something special indeed. Scroll down for a nice writeup of the shows here.

Hope in the face of a tragedy

Bielanko Fire Fund Raiser

As a longtime fan of the band Marah, I was saddened to hear of the devastating house fire yesterday of guitarist Serge Bielanko and his young family. I never met his wife Monica in person, but have been internet 'friends' with her for years through social media sites. The good news is that they and their children escaped unharmed. A fellow blogger has set up a fund page for the family here.  Please consider donating and spread the word.

Image of the Day-"City Of Dreams"

Marah
Kollar Club
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Southside

I am an unabashed, unapologetic Marah fan boy. They remind of the little neglected step child who never gets a break. The outsider looking in. When this show was announced I was wondering what the hell is a Kollar Club and more importantly would anyone show up? How wrong I was in that the place was packed! Kudos to my boys Dr. Mike and Jimmy who set this acoustic gig up and did a great job in doing so. Playing for 2 and 1/2 hours, the band gained a bunch more fans this night in the form of the salt of the earth hunky Pittsburghers who kind of fit their style perfectly. The full band returns to Pittsburgh June 18th to the Thunderbird.

First/Last-Jesse Malin & Dave Bielanko

Jesse Malin & The St. Marks Social
Marah
Club Cafe
Thursday December 16, 2010
Southside

I am changing up my year end posts over the next few weeks by spotlighting some terrific albums that were released this year and might have been overshadowed by the seemingly endless Arcade Fire, Kanye and Nationals praise that might be cluttering up others' lists. These albums deserve just as much attention and what better to focus on them by having the artists reflect on their influences?
We start with a double shot from Jesse and Dave, who's albums 'Love it to Life' and 'Life is a Problem' just prove that guys haven't missed a beat in the many years they having been rocking us out. As a bonus for Pittsburghers, both bands play here frequently and for the first time they share a bill Thursday night that brings them to the cozy confines of Club Cafe. The guys were incredibly cool enough to begin what I like to call the HughShows 2010 Year End Advent First/Last Calendar of love! Well, maybe not...

The first album you ever bought?

Jesse Malin: Elton John – “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”.

Dave Bielanko: "Sounds of the Haunted House" collection of creaking doors, howling wind and creepy engineers screaming into the reverb tank. Great album.

Your last album bought?

Jesse: Fistful of Mercy-“As I Call You Down”.

Dave: Bought three "Mississippi Records" country blues collections at earwax records in Brooklyn today after our NYC gig last night at Bowery Ballroom...love the "ghost world".

Favorite album of all time?

Jesse: “London Calling”.

Dave: "Let's cut the Crap and Hook up Later On Tonight" - Marah.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?

Jesse: The Gene Simmons solo album.

Dave: The Bo Bice Record really sucked.

First concert attended?

Jesse: KISS at Madison Square Garden.

Dave: Colonial Middle School Band (mandatory attendance, school sanctioned event).

Last concert?

Jesse: Social Distortion at Roseland.

Dave: Marah/Jesse Malin NYC Bowery Ballroom.

Favorite concert ever?

Jesse: Bad Brains at CBGBs or the Clash at the Palladium or Springsteen at the Garden or Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Ragged Glory – MSG.

Dave: Alabama at the Valley Forge Music Fair.

Least favorite concert?

Jesse: Ted Nugent.

Dave: Definitely a Marah gig, prolly Dallas 05, drunker'n hell. Or Vermont... that sucked.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?

Jesse: I've thought about moving there and dropping out of New York society & getting a band house between those mountains. Also, opening for the Ramones with D Generation at River Fest. Playing Rosebud with my band. Drinking at Gooski's. Singing Christmas songs with Springsteen at Heinz Hall. Playing the Electric Banana and getting ripped off on my first ever tour at gun point.

Dave: Loving Pittsburgh to death recently...love Jacks Bar, love Jimmy And Dr. Mike, IC light, and Willie Stargell!

Thanks so much fellas. Your love of this town has always been apparent and may I sincerely say the feeling is mutual!

Image Of The Day-"So What If We're Outta Tune"

Marah
Thunderbird Cafe
Thursday June 10, 2010
Larryville

I can't believe it's been 4 1/2 years since I last saw Marah. They have been to town since then but for some reason I couldn't make the shows. It was strange not seeing Serge in the band and even though the band was rocking, there inevitably was a touch of sadness that permeated the festivities. They are not the same band as they once were and hopefully they soldier on and I can get over whatever feelings I have to appreciate the rock machine that they are now. Blah, blah, blah. It's rock and roll. They smoked. 'Nuff said.