We decided to go to a Halloween show at the New Penny on North Main Ave. Scranton Pa. We definitely wanted to dress up for this show. Some of the bands were Walt Prez and Dave Ramer, The Mess, Lugosi’s Morphine and Go Kart Mozart. It was an excellent show.
Getting ready
Makeup done
“New Penny”
Walt and Dave
Go Kart Mozart
The Mess
Lugosi’s Morphine
Lugosi’s Morphine, Walt Prez and Dave Ramer
Fantastic evening
If you like their music, here’s their Spotify link
Thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed and GOD Bless
The Judge and Jury was where it all began for “Malaker & Baransky” (later known as “The Steel Knives” The Judge and Jury also changed it’s name later to “The Irish Wolf” Located on Linden Street in Scranton Pa, it was close so that made it easy access. They had a weekly open mic hosted by Paul Martin. The people were friendly and fun to hang with. We spent many evenings there. Pete was the owner and I met him a couple times but he wasn’t there to often. He’s a great guy and did however come to a few of “the Steel Knives” shows at different locations. One night at The J &J, he sang “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” with Ed and Frank.
These photo’s are from different days in 2008 , 2009, at The Judge and Jury. Some fans and some performers.
So starting out, Ed and Frank thought the way to get back out in the music scene was to play at an open mic. So after looking around they found “The Judge and Jury” on Lindon Street in Scranton Pa hosted by Paul Martin. This was a good start. They were some what nervous, because they previously tried and from what they said failed miserably. (probably where mask ideas started) I didn’t get to catch that show, maybe a good thing or I may not have stuck around with the band and would never have met so many amazing people. Sorry I tend to loose my train of thought. Anyway we met Paul Martin. I think he’s a super talented musician! What’s not to love! Paul Martin who plays a Martin guitar! We were so impressed by him. Actually everyone was welcoming which helped a lot with their nervousness. We meet Kids On Bikes, Walt Perez. Simo, Cathy, and Barb. Lots of others but those are the ones who stuck out in my memory.
Funny story, Ed and I were so impressed with Paul Martin we saw Paul Martin was playing soon after at a local bar on a Saturday afternoon and decided to go see him. Well it turned out there are two Paul Martins in the local scene. He was very good but we felt foolish. The place was right next to a pumpkin patch so we asked who we could buy a pumpkin from and the bartender said just take one. So we stole a pumpkin, still feel bad about it but it sure was a “Great Pumpkin.” That first open mic really was the beginning of our time with the local music scene.
Chuck Clark was a close friend, almost a brother to them really! Frank and Ed have great stories and fond memories about the good old days with Chuck. There are stories of gluing Chuck’s mothers broken flower pot so she wouldn’t realize they broke it , being horribly lost in New York, and even a bedroom candle fire. He lived to party! He knew how to have fun! Often scheduled and well planned. They would drive around and listen to Pink Floyd, The Doors, and Black Sabbath, but mostly Pink Floyd. He was always accompanied by his guitar, ready to jam. They formed the band Neptune. Practice was in Chucks attic where there were big windows that Frank would sing/shout out. It consisted of Ed, Chuck, Frank, Martie, Jeremy, and Jon. Way to many for an attic band, not to mention an attic! He was also members of other local bands.
By the time I got to meet him he was now a nurses aide caring for his terminal wife. Still playing guitar but was keeping the partying to a minimum. He kicked a heroin addiction, which to me is an amazing accomplishment. He sadly passed away at 32 on May 26, 2009. Everyone will remember him for his kind and compassionate heart, love of music, fun loving spirit and amazing musical talent….
Just a glimpse of the fun they shared
Chuck joins in some original songs with Ed and Frank
Doesn’t this photo look like a blurry wanted for questioning police photo?
This is a rather uncomfortable topic for me. Should musicians wear masks? People wear masks for different reasons. Artistic expression, theatrics, privacy, entertainment, fear, and its just sometimes fun. Some mask wearing bands are Daft Punk, Slip Knot, MF Doom, Bucket Head, Orville Peck, The Residents, Sia, and Marshmello…. I guess the same could be said for wearing heavy makeup like, Kiss, Twisted Sister, Alice Cooper, Motley Crue, Ghost, Poison, The Cure, Insane Clown Posse, not to mention David Bowie’s lightning bolt….
If you watched Daredevil, “Born Again”, resident Psychologist Heather Glen views mask wearing as a “projected persona that strips away your true identity to reveal your raw animalistic nature. Which allows people to act without consequence, which ultimately consumes them.” Well said Dr. Glen! I’m a big fan of Marvel Movies and shows. Too bad it’s only TV. The world might be a better place with masked hero’s even if the good Dr. disagrees.
So here’s the band in raw animalistic nature, so much fun. No, It’s not Halloween!
Frank and Ed at open mic at the Judge and Jury.
Frank Baransky, Paul Martin, Ed Malaker
Frank Baransky, Brad Parks from Kid’s On Bikes, Ed Malaker
Frank
Ed
“Raw Meat” original, done with raw animalistic energy!
One of my favorites, Radio Head, “Creep. “Cover by the Steel Knives Actual Halloween footage.
I like to wear masks! But like I said “It’s uncomfortable!”
Fun fact: The first actor to wear a mask on stage can be dated back to Ancient Greece around the 6th century B.C. Thespis of Icaria. Before this, Greek performances were singing and dancing groups. He was credited for inventing Western tragedy. (Father of Tragedy) Not sure about you, but I wouldn’t want to be called “The Father of Tragedy”!
Birds of a feather do flock together. I got to meet some unique, talented and sometimes odd musicians/friends. I definitely mean odd in a good way. Never a dull moment. Music, musicians, songs, instruments and music related are topics of most conversations. Like sports without the sports. I found some do like sports, just not consumed like they appear to be about music. Where one or more are gathered a band is formed.
Practice makes perfect. Now, ready to face your fears and peers in front of the “Judge and Jury” on Linden St. in Scranton PA,
We meet Paul Martin at an open mic
Bet you like to hear how it sounded. Sorry the camera was not really much good for videos
The videos you just watched were early performances. My camera info said they were filmed on 8/27/2008. I’ve never been one who sets the date on the camera so who knows… I hope you enjoyed the show.
Anyone who knows me and I mean really knows me, knows that I love music, piano and Sir Elton John! As a young girl I’d dream about what it’d be like to have a musician write a song like “Your Song” for me.
Well this is my song!
They may have wanted me to ” Leave them alone” but that was never gonna happen. Groupies aren’t cut out that way! LOL
This video was actually Ed Malaker and Frank Baransky from the Steel Knives with their original song Leave Me Alone. Probably wasn’t written about me…
