22 Comments
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Tom Ciorciari's avatar

Tales from the road. Very cool. Another corner of the American dream. And, fwiw, I really dig Float Away… Maybe the production is a bit Brit Pop (so fucking what?), but the tunes, as always, are top notch.

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Serge Bielanko's avatar

Thanks, Tom. It’s always good to hear a few people dig that record. I appreciate that.

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Gordon Johnston's avatar

Marah always rocked. No matter how many people were there, how long the set was or how you guys were probably feeling. That's what made those shows so special for us. For that time nothing mattered but the music. Fuck problems or politics or life or whatever. Just loud rock music. Bliss!

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Serge Bielanko's avatar

Amen, my brother. ❤️

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Anna Selden's avatar

The boat show...wasn't that the one where you destroyed a keyboard and gave it to a stalk...fan? As far as I know, that busted keyboard has survived at least two moves, if not more.

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Serge Bielanko's avatar

Ha. That’s remarkable. I’m glad you got it.

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Jim macrae's avatar

The second time you played Edinburgh there was hardly anyone there.

Not your fault...

Gig was in the back hall of a snooker club .... don't know why it was there.

As far as I know yours was the only gig ever played there.

It was almost a secret gig.

You couldn't tell from outside the building there was even a gig on ,no sign.

The crowd may have been very small but you guys put your heart and soul in to every song.

Another great Edinburgh gig by Marah...saw you the first time you played the city as well...two great gigs.

Thanks for playing Edinburgh...a lot of American bands just play Glasgow,and the unless you have a car you miss the end of the gig to get the last train/bus home .

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Serge Bielanko's avatar

Edinburgh was the most beautiful city I ever saw.

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Jim macrae's avatar

Thanks for that Serge...

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Tom W's avatar

This was a fun read. There's this one thought that keeps rattling around in my head when I read about your band, and I'm not sure how to convey it without coming off wrong. Here goes - whatever the outcome (up for debate in my mind), you don't give yourself enough credit for going for it. Taking the swing that we wish we had taken. The rest of us - or at least me - bowed out at some point. Played it safe, took the easy way out. Hung up the guitar or cleats or paintbrush on the wall and went to sit in front of computers for the next 30 years of our life, all the while wondering what would have happened if we had the guts to keep going. You went for it. And I'm really jealous you had that opportunity. -Tom W.

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Serge Bielanko's avatar

Hey Tom, thanks for your comment. I appreciate hearing other people's vantages and thoughts regarding Marah. Especially if they were a fan or a part of the ride somehow, as I know you were. What you wrote is something I think about a lot: the idea that I did indeed live a life that many never get to. And that it was based on a single decision I made once upon a time (the decision to stick with the band come hell or high water). I think I'll write about that on Thunder Pie soon. I think it will be a good mental exercise for me. Or maybe not? Haha. Take care, man.

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Taryn Phillips-Quinn's avatar

Tales of the road. Phew. You bring it to life most vividly. Marah was exceptional and the songs are timeless. Thanks for sharing some of the memories.

As for Severence, I recently learned the show was filmed at the former Bell Labs about 1/2 hr from where I live. It’s now called Bell Works and has been converted to work space/retail, etc. It’s a massive complex. I had to check it out after doing a deep dive into the show. Looks exactly the same as the show. Saw a guy disappear into what looked like a hidden doorway. Very freaky!

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Serge Bielanko's avatar

No way?! Severance is filmed in Jersey? And you went to check out the location? I absolutely love that, Taryn. That show is so good that Are and I are waiting (impatiently) for a bunch of Season 2 episodes to drop before we start watching because we need to binge watch.

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Taryn Phillips-Quinn's avatar

Some of it was, yes. Definitely exterior shots of the building and water tower (in the shape of a transistor), and the interior reception area. Very surreal to be there! My husband Pete & I will be binge watching. I just loved Christopher Walken and John Turturro.

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Chris Campbell's avatar

Fantastic read. Thank you, Serge.

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Serge Bielanko's avatar

Thanks so much.

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Gina Mo's avatar

i believe your band’s history, the music and tales of the rough road are relevant and valuable. You put it all down so well that it’s quite real and as always, worth the read, especially the MMR gig which oozes joy. Full circle. I think you guys brought lots of joy to your fans. What matters most. The locals. Great writing Serge. RIP. Jimmy.

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Serge Bielanko's avatar

Thanks a lot.

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Kevin's avatar

Love your writing, Serge. I look forward to every one of these. This one was special...any time Conshy lives in the same space as Paris...it brought back the first time I saw you guys live in 2006(?) at the World Cafe Live. Invited a work buddy who never heard of Marah but had great musical taste. He was blown away. I still remember him turning to me and saying "what the fuck" in the middle of your opener Tyrone. I said the same thing back to him.

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Serge Bielanko's avatar

❤️

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Tom Flannery's avatar

I wish there were 1000 of me because we'd all subscribe.

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Serge Bielanko's avatar

Thanks so much, Tom. I know you always know what I’m talking about.

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