BIOGRAPHY
For "The Chillers", it all began in the modest home of Stan and Edith Brajer in the New York Metropolitan Suburb of Rockaway, New Jersey called Birchwood Village. Mike Brajer (Better known as “The Braj”) and older brother Stan Jr. absorbed the harmonies of The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Who, Chicago, Cream and Jimi Hendrix.
In 1963, while in the second grade, “The Braj” was given his first acoustic guitar in which he taught himself “America” and performed in front of the entire Birchwood School at an assembly with no sheet music (to the amazement of all the teachers). In 1967, Stan Brajer Sr. (Dad) purchased a used Harmony Guitar and Lafayette Amplifier for “The Braj” to play rhythm guitar with several buddies in each other’s basements. In 1969 “The Braj” had saved enough money to purchase a natural Gibson Custom SG with a Bigsby Tremelo Bar. Soon after Stan Jr. purchased a used set of Ludwig drums (Just like Ringo’s) and the “Brajer Brothers Blues Band” was formed, playing with many other musicians from the neighborhood.
Throughout High School years the "Brajer Brothers Blues Band" played at many High School Battle of the Bands and many Basement/Garage Parties. But when Stan Jr. finished High School his priorities changed from jamming to running. Stan Jr. has developed into one of the country’s finest runners and is now coaching the Cross Country Team at Fairleigh Dickinson University and has worked for such companies as Starter, Puma, Champion and even the New Jersey Nets and the New Jersey Devils.
Throughout High School Days “The Braj” was recognized as a Morris Knolls Golden Eagle Athlete as he was a guard in basketball and first baseman in baseball for all four years of High School. But at night “The Braj” was jamming in basements with many friends that were not into sports. Most of the people that knew the athletic “The Braj” had no idea he played the guitar, but the people that knew he played Rock and Roll all called him a “Closet Rocker”.
Right after High School in 1974 friend Bob Crowley had made arrangements with “The Braj” to check out a Chevy Vega he was selling because his brother had left a Ford Pinto behind when he went away to College that wasn’t being used. When Bob Crowley came to see the car, Mike Hars (Better known as The “H” or Hars or "The Eraser") came to keep Bob Crowley company. While Crowley was checking out the car, Hars was amazed to discover a guitar case in the room and it was then that The "H" found out that “The Braj” played a Gibson SG guitar. Being a music genius himself, Hars began asking what songs “The Braj” knew. Hars knew every word to every song. Not only did he know the words, he knew the Artist, he knew the year, he knew the history of every piece of every song and every band member and all of their history. The "H", Senior Captain, was also a Starter for Four Years College Football and he also played four years High School Football and Track.
Hars (From the Cedar Lake section of Denville, New Jersey) started singing at the basement jams with the "Brajer Brothers Blues Band". One night when the drummer didn’t show up, Hars and “The Braj” looked at each other, then they looked at the drums, then they looked at each other again...and the next thing you know the band became so tight with “The H’s” percussion (All Done Naturally of course) that he bought the "Ringo" Like Ludwig Drums from “The Braj’s” brother Stan Jr. and the next thing you know the band called “The Plague” was formed with The "H" as the drummer. (The name "The Plague” was given to us by “Mom” who thought that’s what our music sounded like...a disease…”The Plague”).
The "H" continued to Rock at Juniata College with a band called "The Bad Eggs". The Eraser was lead singer for "The Bad Eggs" with standout Dom Diliesi on drums and guitar. And on special occasion, the "H" would take out the Harmonica. But when Hars ended College..."The Plague" infested.
"The Plague" continued on with Mike Hars and Mike Brajer playing with many different musicians like “Bones” Morra, Frank Gayzur, "Mugs" Garie, Nick "The Greek" Gakos, Matt Allison, Kenny Gallagher, "Ace" Pirrello, Dom Diliesi, Gary Griffin, Bob "Dallas" Crowley & O. D. Miles. Many musicians jammed with "The Plague" but the only members that were left were The Hars and The Braj.
After a High School reunion pick-up football game called "The Turkey Bowl" on a warm fall night in 1982 Hars and "The Braj" met up with two High School Buddies that were also playing together, Wally Van Treek and Jeff Lascko.
And it clicked. The secret..."Heart and Passion".
Wally Van Treek (From Denville, New Jersey, Four Year High School & College Track) first started playing in the early 1970's in a garage band called "Ricky & The Redcoats". That band dissolved and Wally joined a band in the mid 1970's in his High School years called "Skull" with Frank Tyminsky, Frank Surget and Tom Stark. After "Skull" broke up Wally jammed with a band called "West Main Street" in the late 1970's consisting of Mike Mosgrove and Gene Porfido. After "West Main Street" broke up Wally remained in the music industry as manager of the infamous Showplace in Dover, New Jersey. Wally purchased his first Bass Guitar in 1981 when he started to play with guitarist Jeff Lascko. Jeff Lascko (From Mt. Hope, New Jersey, Four Year High School Football Player) began playing the guitar in 1981 but his brilliant song writing ability seemed to be far ahead of his time.
It was Bitter Sweet. The name “The Plague” was put to rest after many years and the four High School Buddies formed “The Legend”. Concentrating on all original music “The Legend” created such hits as Jessie Lynn, Juicy Miss Lucy, Monday Night, Cruisin’, Lover’s Lament & Sittin’ On The Edge. “The Legend” performed together for many years. In 1989 Jeff was forced to move to Ohio and that is where Jeff suddenly died, shocking the music world. Wally, "The H" and "The Braj" will miss Jeff. But they knew Jeff would want them to continue to Rock & Roll so the name “The Legend” was buried with Jeff.
The Fans and Groupies cried out for the music so “The Chillers”, an Authentic Rock & Roll Band, was formed in New Jersey, USA in 1989 and is comprised of: Mike Brajer (Guitar & Vocals), Mike Hars (Drums & Vocals) and Wally Van Treek (Bass & Vocals) whose style is reminiscent of Blues Based Rock & Roll in a Power Trio Format. "The Chillers" have over 90 Original Compositions to their credit. "The Chillers" released their Virgin CD called "Four On The Floor-LIVE" and the following three albums: "Sodium Vapor FadeAway" (A Double Album consisting of Songs from "The Chillers" Early Years), "Indigo Surf" (An Album consisting of Songs about the "Jersey Shore") & "Raw Bar" (A collection of "Live" songs performed in the "Garden State"). A screenplay entitled, “Hold You Tight” is being written based on the Life and Times of "The Chillers". "The Chillers" would like to thank Cousin Brucie Hars for being the best Soundman and Lightman in the business. "The Chillers" would also like to thank "The Hortons" and Dave Smith for all the years of camaraderie.
Look for "The Chillers" to bring their exciting brand of Rock & Roll to your town soon. Aloha!
"The Chillers" would like to thank Tim Jacobus for designing "The Chillers" Logo.
Mike Brajer, Mike Hars & Wally Van Treek are "The Chillers"