They are often referred to as "the best band you've never heard of", but mainstream success continues to elude US rockers Marah, despite a devoted following that includes Bruce Springsteen, and six albums to their name. It is a situation that is clearly playing on singer and guitarist Dave Bielanko's mind. "So, are you going to buy our new album?" he asks. "I'm looking at you all and you've got money." He pauses, glancing at his fatigue-style shirt, its sleeves covered with European flags. "I've been wearing this forever."

Marah are devoted to keeping the flag flying for good-time rock'n'roll, and Bielanko, topping off his ensemble with a fur trapper hat, has the air of an old soldier: battered and bruised but undefeated. He has also won a personal battle with booze, documented in the upcoming album Angels of Destruction. The theme of redemption is inescapable, but there is no preaching or self-pity. Just riotous, soul-saving folk-punk.

"I sound pretty good tonight," Bielanko says proudly. And he does: his sandpaper voice shines through harmonies with his brother Serge as the band hurtle through a barrage of songs that spans the Stones-influenced honky tonk of It's Only Money Tyrone to the curio Shine On Harvest Moon.

Fusing the ratty charm of the Pogues with the rawness of the Ramones and the blue-collar spirit of the E Street Band, Marah are a group to fall in love with, it is Marah. But until the record-buying public ignites the romance, Bielanko is left lamenting the band's outsider status. Grasping an acoustic guitar and accompanied by new keyboardist Christine Smith, he sings So What (If We're Outta Tune). When the song ends, he says: "I was fucking breaking hearts there, wasn't I? Buy my T-shirts!"