One of the very first musicians we met from the local music scene was this very warm and welcoming man, Walt Prez. Our first night at the open mic at Judge and Jury we came upon this tall, friendly guy outside having a smoke. He right away said hello with a big smile and made us feel like we were home.
Walt has a charismatic way about him and was extremely influential in the local music scene. He called himself the Witch Man and I believe he really could have put a spell on you with his charm! He always wore a top hat which I think he got in Salem MA. He was in several bands and played guitar and wrote songs most of his life. I don’t know how many of you remember “The Late Show” on Lackawanna Ave. in Scranton PA. It was run by a local couple, a hippie style man and his wife, Wanda, back in 90s. Known for eclectic vibe, alternative music scene, and unique fashion items that stood out from traditional department stores. He played there and also included the place in one of his songs. He wrote lyrics about local people and places making it real. Always there for the local community and known and loved by everyone. The “Witchman” spell!
Walt and Malaker and Baransky got along great. So much in fact that Walt started a new band that included them and drummer Dave Raymer. This new band was called “Walt Prez and The Awesome” They had so much fun in this band, they even recorded a few records at WVIA with the icon George Graham. It was really a very memorable time with Walt and The Awesome.
Unfortunately it couldn’t continue, because by now Ed’s sister Martie was now playing full time in the band and they were called “The Steel Knives.” She always had played with them but more behind the scenes. I feel she was a great add and her keyboard skills are amazing. But now they really didn’t have the time to be in two bands. Walt remained a close friend and eventually found some amazing replacements for them. Slug from Luqosis Morphine on the bass and Honey Man Lightnin on guitar.
My favorite Walt Prez and The Awesome song “Dawning Of The New Age”
RIP Walter Prezelski III 10/ 24/1965 to 2/11/2016
I hope you enjoyed. Thanks for reading and GOD Bless. If you would like to read more checkout my other posts at https://nancy.32hertz.com/all-posts/
So, as it should happen, one night while The Steel Knives were playing at “I Brewed It My Way” in Pittston PA. We met a gentleman who said he made Ouija boards. He also mentioned to us a folklore tale about Devil’s furniture made of stone. He told us if you sit on this type of furniture bad things would happen. If you should be so brave as to sit on it three times, someone would die. This man also revealed to us that there is a Devils couch in Eckley PA. He sparked our interest. Ed and I liked to investigate anything related to Ghosts , Aliens, or the occult. Now we have to take a road trip…
We decided as long as we were heading that way we would stop at the old mining village in Weatherly, PA. This was on April 5, 2009. The weather was already starting to be nice and spring was in the air. The drive wasn’t too excessive and it was relatively easy to find. Plenty of signs, as there isn’t very many tourist attractions except this 19th-century mining town. The population in the Mining Village was 12. There have also been rumors that the village was haunted.
Short drive to Devils Couch.
As it’s been said “The tale grows in the telling”. So this is some of the information I found…
“The Stone Couch: One legend tells of a rock formation where a grief-stricken mother’s ghost cries for a sick baby who died waiting for a stagecoach. Another legend say’s a Native American woman placed a curse on the stone couch when her infant died on it. And yet another tale takes place during the flu pandemic of 1918. A man driving his sick wife and child to the hospital, knowing they weren’t going to make it, made a couch of stones for them to rest on.
If you sit on the couch it is believed to bring bad luck or marks on your skin.
If you sit again, someone you love will die.
If you are brave enough or even foolish enough To sit a third time, you will die!
Ed and I both sat on the couch one time. I’m not sure if anything happened because as the saying goes, “If it wasn’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have any!”
The Devils Chair folklore actually started in the nineteenth century . There were stone or concrete seats placed in cemeteries, for mourners to rest. They referred to them as “mourning chairs” or “monubench.” Overtime misinterpreted, it resulted into Urban Legend Folklore.
Fun fact: In Shropshire, England, in a place called “The Stiperstones” there is a natural rock formation labeled the Devil’s Chair. Old British folklore claimed the Devil dropped rocks from an apron or held gatherings of evil spirits there.
You know how much we enjoyed Open Mic’s and the local music scene. Well there was another great place to go. This place was further away but not far enough that you would mind the extra miles. We met some fantastic people and there was an amazing amount of talent there. This place was called “I Brewed It My Way” located at 295 Wyoming Ave in Wyoming, PA. It was a small family owned and operated, homebrew supply shop and music/event venue.
We were introduced to this place by an amazing musician and song writer who we met at the “Judge and Jury” Walt Prez. His good friend Lily was having a Birthday Party and he asked the guys if they would like to play a few songs. Malaker and Baransky never turned down the chance to play out and really were very honored that Walt had asked them. So this became a very special place to all of us.
R.I.P. Walt and Lily hope you are dancing and jamming in Heaven together.
Hope you enjoyed reading and looking at the old photographs. Thank You and GOD Bless.
So let me tell you about Jay Luke if you don’t already know about him. I would consider Jay to be a local legend. He has played out live hundreds of times, hosted open mic’s, won awards, and played in several bands. Not to mention he is a fantastic artist who draws amazing realistic charcoal pencil drawings. (They make great gifts)
Jay is really an amazing multitalented individual. Although, I never got to know him very well, I’m very impressed by all his talents. He was, and still is a major part of the local music community.
I filmed this at “The Judge and Jury” benefit for homeless.
Frank and Ed sang a few songs with him and also were recorded on a Walt Prez album at WVIA studio by iconic George Graham. The record is called “Good Energy.”
Jay just recently won the 2026 “Gold” ISSA award for Emerging Artist Of The Year in Atlanta. Way to go Jay!
Even though “Sweet Sacrifice” only had one official show under their belts they took a chance at the battle of the bands. It was at the iconic Sea Sea’s at 217 Birney Avenue, Moosic, PA on September 1, 1991. The venue opened in the early 1990s and closed around 2000. Even though I didn’t get to see it one of my favorite bands Type O Negative also played there once!
They said that the band “Sweet Sacrifice” was from “The Gutters Of Pennsylvania.
Sweet Sacrifice even ended up winning the first round, unfortunately that was the furthest they made it. But not bad for a few young men and their second interaction with a live crowd! What a great experience, very memorable.
Trooper Josh Miller graduated from the State Police Academy in April 2003 and was assigned to Troop M, Bethlehem, Northampton County. He then later transferred to Troop N, Swiftwater. Miller also served as a Marine prior to being a trooper.
On Sunday June 9, 2009, Trooper Josh Miller and partner Trooper Robert Lombardo at around 7:45 PM, chased a man who kidnapped his own 9 year old son. The chase went approximately 40 miles. The suspects car was then stopped and the two exchanged gunfire. The 31 year old suspect was killed but the child was unharmed. Trooper Lombardo was wounded and sadly Trooper Miller died from his wounds in the Leigh Valley Hospital.
In August 2009, there was a benefit…
Thank you for your service. RIP Trooper Joshua Miller.
So you might wonder about the early days. Of course I wasn’t there so I can only tell you the things I was told. Tales passed down sometimes get changed so you can conclude what you like.
These pictures are from an early Malaker and Baransky taken in an Uncles basement that they turned into a music studio.
Anyhow, the early days started when Ed was born of course. He is the oldest of four children, two sisters and one brother. The family moved around a lot. His parents divorced when he was at a young age. He remained with his Mom who remarried the man Ed always considered his true Dad. Skipping most of that, Ed always wanted to be a Ninja when he grew up. Sweet, right! If you know Ed right now you’re laughing your ass off. He grew to be one of the clumsiest people I know knocking things and dropping things where ever he goes. (Ninja’s are notoriously known for stealth.) His best friend at the time Justin, who noticed Ed’s Kungfu magazine, and he would do some practicing. It never amounted to anything and his friend sadly moved away and that was that. Dreams die, but luckily his good friend moved back and was now into guitar. He introduced a new concept called Ozzy Osbourn to Ed and a new dream was born. His love for music grew and he wanted to someday be as good as the famous Randy Rhodes.
I drew this picture of Randy Rhodes on my computer using paint for our video “The End”
Of course, Ed as you already have seen was a throw yourself into practice kind of guy. Day in day out, he would practice. I’m not sure but I believe it was on his Dad’s old guitar. His dad told him if he would save some money he’d match it and then he’d be able to get his own guitar. So plans were made and carried out. End resulted in a brand new used guitar all Ed’s. A shiny black Tanara guitar. which he has regretted having sold for a mere $100.00 in installment payments later. Lesson learned. Now he Never gets rid of a single instrument! Then he got his yellow Ibanez electric guitar which he is known for playing. And yes, still has it today!
He would make cassette tapes of sounds and music, you know kid stuff. This could be considered the beginning of his recording career. (Later he did complete an online recording course. Turns out he’s quite good at it)
He had a subscription to a music magazine and would anxiously await the next arrival. Then read it from cover to cover or more like study it. He’d learn all the songs it contained. Unlike Ninja, he had a real knack for music. (I’m still laughing about Ninja) Justin lent him his book ” Doug Marx Metal Method 1983″ about Music theory and it showed him how to write music. He absorbed music knowledge and anything related about music like a sponge becoming a well rounded artist. His music inspirations were now Steve Vai and Joe Satriani.
His dad was a CB radio guy and Ed would often accompany him on jobs fixing and wiring. He’d take VCR’s and CB radios apart and recycle the parts. That increased his ability and knowledge with wiring and he was able to use it wiring guitars, mic’s, speakers and for lack of a better word, everything.
Ed’s dad was so very proud of him that he would brag to everyone that would listen about his son’s amazing musical ability. He carried The bands cassette tapes around and would share them proudly. He was doing his sharing with the local convenient store clerk who was none other than Frank Baransky! Well Frank listened to the tape and thought it was fantastic and then joined the band as it’s singer. That band was “Sweet Sacrifice” Members were Ed Malaker (guitar), Lee Weidow (guitar), John Payne (bass), Chris Kundla (drums), Ernie Turbessi (bass) and now included, Frank Baransky (vocals).
EPSON scanner image
John, Lee, Ed and Hammer
So now you know the beginning of an almost life long friendship. Brothers from other mothers and dads!
This is Ed’s grand mother who also was a huge inspiration on his music life. She has an amazing voice, sang in a local church choir and played the organ. Weekends she would babysit and he would spend late nights watching MTV “Headbangers Ball”
Rare Christmas photo of Ed, his sisters and cousins. Not the nose picker that’s his sister Erica.
His Dad managed the “Sweet Sacrifice” band. He would book them some gigs. Really look after and care for them as most of them were young in their teens. His Uncle allowed him to store his equipment and turn the basement into a music studio where he could play and record his tunes. That band was “The Pitts.” Ed and Frank felt bad because they had a friend over to record his songs and he brought beer there. They didn’t clean out his cans and his uncle was angry and disappointed in them for drinking and turning the studio into a place to party. That ended the studio. His uncle, also a musician, played drums in a band and played the bass when he was in his teens. He’s a huge supporter of Ed’s different bands and could be considered our number one fan that genuinely loves our music. His brother Joe is also a musician. He’s an awesome rapper and makes his own beats.
Frank and his Dad
Frank got his music start at a young age, maybe eight or nine. His parents brought him to a wedding reception where there happened to be a juke box. His Mom gave him some quarters to play some songs and sit and behave. He played songs and happened to know all the words. He sang and jumped around drawing a crowd to watch and listen. They enjoyed his performance and clapped and cheered. That was his first big show, where he began his singer/ entertainer career with a ladle for a mic.
He is the youngest child in the Baransky household. He has a brother and a sister. Sadly his mother passed away before I met Frank. I think those quarter’s and her love for him made her most likely the inspiration and the reason for his love of singing and of performing.
I did get the pleasure to meet Frank’s dad at a few of the shows. He was a great guy and an awesome father. Also an amazing baseball player from what I’m told, in his younger days before becoming a parent. He always let Frank be whoever he wanted to be and never pushed him to do things he didn’t want to do.
Meeting Maryann D’Amico was definitely one of the highlights of my times with the bands. We were instant friends. This woman is exciting, high energy, good vibes, remarkable singer, songwriter, musician and so much fun to be around. Just listen to this song she wrote and played live at IBIMW. It shows so much of her talent and her fun personality:
Ed and Frank had the pleasure to play with her and Walt Prez many times. Although it was challenging, from lack of practicing together, they were quite honored to accompany them. They played IBIMW, an art show and even at WVIA television studio.
Judge and Jury. Maryann and a fan, photo bombed by Ed
Judge and Jury, Walt, Ed, Frank photo bombed by Maryann
I’ve never really been into thrash metal music I’m more of a goth, rock and roller, old school style. But this band was one of my favorites. Lead singer Jane was a close friend of Frank and Eds. Jane is a beautiful, amazingly talented, singer, song writer, and amazing guitar player. And Wow what a voice! She has been in numerous bands through out the years.
The band was so good I found myself going to watch them at many shows. “Holistic Threat” consisted of Jane Moser, Doc Martin Mosher, Ray Austin Rivera, and Dave Raymer. The talented Dave Raymer played drums for a number of local bands. Always willing to jump in and help out when ever a drummer was needed. Malaker and Baransky had the pleasure of jamming with him in the band “Walt Prez and the Awesome.” He sadly passed away on October 24, 2011. The music community lost an excellent drummer and amazing man.
Doc, Ed and Jane
Frank, Doc, and Jane
Doc and Jane
Ray, Frank and Dave
This is from one of their shows in Stroudsburg PA that we attended.
Johnny Shit Pile and Doc
Ray, Johnny, and Jane
Jane, Ray and Johnny
Dave
Her band Ashes Remain was one of the bands who opened for Joey Belladonna from Anthrax at “The Sherman Theater” in Stroudsburg, PA. It was an amazing show!
This is one of Janes photos from The Sherman Theater 8/13/2011
