BY BILL HOLMES

Just over a year ago, on the eve of their tour to promote the ironically titled Angels of Destruction, the angels did their job. Marah imploded (again) when half the band either quit or were fired (depending upon whom you believe). After the embers cooled, singer/guitarist Dave Bielanko, his guitarist brother Serge and pianist Christine Smith (the newest addition) hit the European circuit with a new rhythm section for several months of scattered gigs, while the local faithful in the States wondered when - or if - the band would ever play here again.

Fast-forward to early February 2009, and Marah is now a band without a new album, let alone a record deal. In fact, with Serge Bielanko gone (either on paternity leave or another quiet casualty), Marah might really be defined as Dave Bielanko and whomever he feels like bunking with at the time. (In an open letter to his fans after last year's split, he made the point that Marah would call it a day when he decided it was time - not needing his brother's permission, nor subject to the turnover of band members.)

Bielanko, Smith and new bass player Johnny Pisano reportedly started recording new tracks last Fall in Nashville, and recently were rumored to have moved into a house in Central Pennsylvania to do some woodshedding in the best Big Pink tradition. Grabbing Nashvillian drummer Martin Lynds, the quartet quickly announced their first US dates in over a year and hit the road for a series of small club dates. But what admittedly was intended as an under-the-radar acoustic tour has seemingly turned into a beta test for just how much noise the stripped-down combo can make. Answer: a lot.

Starting the set with a respectful rendition of the Ramsey Lewis standard "The In-Crowd" might have had the fans in the bar cocking their collective eyebrow. But it only took a few notes of "Coughing Up Blood" to snap listeners back to attention; the album cut's background chant replaced by a more serviceable "whoa-ohh-ohhhh", three voices strong. A textured "City Of Dreams" was enhanced by Pisano's string bow work, and after a smart run through "Angels on a Passing Train", the band dialed it down again for "So What if We're Outta Tune", introduced as "a backwards roller skating song." Couples only, bitches! Any doubts about rock power were laid to rest with scathing versions of "It's Only Money, Tyrone" (with both Bielanko and Pisano switching from acoustic to electric  mid-song) and "Catfisherman", complete with tips of the cap to both "Fame" and "Jungle Boogie". Then pulling a chestnut from the archives, "Limb" took a page from the Ronnie Lane playbook before morphing into a jubilant Irish jig.

A pensive start to "As Time Goes By" screeched to a halt in Costello-on-SNL fashion before Bielanko counted off "Round Eye Blues". Staring acoustic, he soon strapped on the electric, wanking a furious guitar tone that echoed Neil Young and Crazy Horse. Volume and tempo would remain there the bulk of the evening, with "Angels of Destruction" and "The Closer" (with segue in and out of "Too Much Monkey Business") being the highlights and "Point Breeze" and "Faraway You" the crowd favorites.

But aside from getting some kinks out as a performing unit, what's the purpose of the tour? With no label support and limited to small venues, it's not the money. There were no new songs played, although elsewhere on the mini-tour one or two have popped up. As a band, they're still feeling their way musically - there were a few missed cues and off-key harmonies to go along with the occasional equipment malfunction.

Even visually, there's no image, just an odd mix of styles. Pisano is sharp dressed and NYC cool (looking as natty as a Del Lord) and comfortably anchors the stage. But Smith's fishnet garb and Goth hair defers to her constant focus on Bielanko for cues, and drummer Lynds looked so detached he might really have been daydreaming between songs. Dave Bielanko looks exactly the same- a mop of hair stringing out from under a cap, mechanic's zippered coveralls replacing the usual leather jacket - but still commands your attention as the eye of this hurricane.

However, Marah has always been more about passion that precision. Perhaps this is an opportunity to re-light the flame for future endeavors, or maybe it's Dave taking the car for a public test drive before tinkering with the engine again. Who is Marah going to be or perhaps what is Marah going to be? I wish I knew. But it was very intriguing to see the first ingredients tossed into the stew pot as the match lit the pilot light. When it's ready, I'll be there, hungry for more.