Highland, CA, San Manuel Casino 1/26/06

[penny74]

Posted by: Treedom

OMG - this concert was THE best I have evah seen - evah! Just got back and am so amped I can hardly type .......
If you see Marty and the Lovehammers - you will be left HUNGRY for much more..... 45 mins is NOT enuf! (Although I am now deaf and have no voice...it's all so very good.)

My daughter and I got to San Manuel about 5:30, after scoping out the parking lot for the green bus (which we did not find. )
Parked and went up to the venue (all full of security and portable sensors - even a "sniffer" dog!) and a door opened and out blasted INXS doing a sound check on Suicide Blonde (which they opened with, BTW.)

I called Polarfan from MC. org who we were supposed to meet, but the cell service was nil, kept losing the signal. So we went down and had a quick bite to eat (they were playing the old INXS over the Casino sound system - got ME in the mood!) and then headed back up and people were starting to go in. We waited about 20 mins. and played phone tag back and forth with Polarfan, but couldn't connect, so we went on in.

We went over and got a toddy from the bar and scoped the hall out - security everywhere. Signs that said NO CAMERAS - NO VIDEO...Anyway, we found our seats and just before the concert started, we went over and found Polarfan (luckily she'd given me her seat #'s.) She said that she'd tried to call and we kept missing each other - like I said no cell for us, but she got a great connection with Radioclash in Georgia for the whole concert - go figure. The place was super noisy, but fun and everyone was there to just have a good time you could tell. We agreed to meet up at the merchandise table at the second INXS song as Marty had said they would be signing afterward.

It was just ...like... you... dream... it.. to ...be..... drums..... throbbing Bobby drums, lights, loud, thumping and totally Lovehammers ...........I was so up and rocking, I KNEW it was going to be Ultrasound......and... it wasn't - it was Straight As An Arrow! I didn't care AT ALL what the setlist ended up being - it was all good and I was IN THE ZONE. Polarfan got the whole setlist, she was on top of it - all I know is it ended with "Ring of Fire." I was the only one singing in my whole section I think. Mostly INXS fans.

Marty came down through the audience on one song and I was chomping at the bit to get over to him (my daughter said, "Just go!"- so I did! ) I was within probably 2 feet of touching him, but totally rocking out and in the moment. 4Reeds from MC.org actually touched him at that point. We talked later and decided that he's really not too skinny - he's just RIGHT! And we're SO not prejudiced...) Marty was also totally in the zone, just like Shoes said - and manomanomarty are that boy's eyes blue when the spotlight hits them! He's just amazing and it was awesome being there with him. The whole concert just rawked - couldn't get enuf...

Yep -- the eyes will pull you IN to him. Then the teeth and smile will blind you. You ARE hypnotizzzzzzzzed.....Although I was ALSO pulled into him physically - I DO remember that.....long, warm welcoming arms. Arms wide open......

I have a Billy story for you...

Remember I said I was getting a root canal on Wed. and the place where I had it was just past the 15 freeway where the Lovehammers were going to be traveling to Pala?

Somehow Polarfan and I were talking to Billy and Polarfan brought up the OJ-Jodie "bus stalking" from the day before and she asked Billy if he felt weird about that. He said no, not at all! They ended up at a truck stop just down the road when it all came down.

I then told him that when I was in the dentist's chair and realized they were on the fwy. 1/2 mile from where I was getting "drilled" and I thought of the band, taking my mind totally off the situation at hand. Billy said, "Did it help to think of us?" LOL - I said, (OMG) YOU BET IT DID!
Sweet, sweet guy....they all are.

[chk]

Posted by melody4trees

I was at Highland too and got to meet Marty. I missed his performance because we took the wrong exit and there were lots of traffic. I got to talk to Marty briefly. When I told him that I missed his show, he said "how come?" with a real dissappointed expression on his face....He was so cute, I couldn't come up with an answer. I started stuttering. OMG! On the way back home, I keep replaying the conversation in my head, and I could have answered him in so many different ways.........oh well.... I got to hug him and kiss him and held his hand even if I missed his performance. I got some pics of marty and me also on my phone! What a wonderful night!!!!

"Don't let me down....tonight tonight....don't let me down tonight tonight......
This time get louder louder, this time louder louder, this time get louder louder NOw!!!
I wanna hear ya hear ya, I wanna hear ya hear ya, I wanna hear ya ya NOW!!!

[penny74]

Posted by: 4reeds

First, I want to thank Polarfan and Treedom for accepting me into the board and the group last night. It wouldn't have been nearly as much fun without them!!

I've had a couple hours of sleep and several cups of coffee and found my way into work (not too late).

Polarfan and Treedom both wrote such excellent reviews that I don't know where to begin, but here it goes...

The evening was truly perfect. My hubby and I arrived at San Manuel and quickly found a great parking spot.

We went in and got in line for the metal detectors and purse check (gulp - I have a camera in my purse lining and one in my boot) Luckily I make it through with no problem.

We went over and picked up our t-shirts right away since there was no line and see a sign that The Lovehammers will be signing autographs at 10:15 (could I really get that lucky???)

Didn't see Polarfan so we walked around, checked out our seats and got a drink. Then we wandered back to the merch. area and stood around for about 10 minutes until I realize we are standing next to Polarfan!

We waited around for Treedom until the show started and then went to our seats. As soon as the concert started we slipped up to some closer aisle seats with a perfect view. (My hubby was a fraidy cat, he was worried they were gonna kick us out for being in someone's seats)

I am so glad that Polarfan wrote down the set list, because I know I heard all my favorite songs, but I couldn't begin to tell you what order they were in. I did a cellcert for my sister (home watching my kids) during Trees. I later found out she wasn't there but it did record on my answering machine (How cool is that!)

The next thing I know Marty is coming into the audience and is right beside me. I reached out and touched his arm (nice muscles!). He runs past and guess where he ends up??? He's standing on a chair 2 seats from our original seats! My Hubby is still teasing me about missing that.

Anyway, the entire set was awesome, the music was great and the floor shook when everyone got up for Ring of Fire which was excellent.

After the set ended, Polarfan and I finalized our plans to meet after INXS's first song which by the way was pretty good. My hubby stayed behind to watch the show and I left to run around with the MC.org gals.

We didn't wait very long until it was obvious something was going to happen. All the guys in suits starting walking around... the next thing I know Marty Casey is standing less than 20 feet away from our group. In hindsight it was pretty funny, because I am trying to get over there and get the camera out of my boot at the same time. I'm surprised I didn't trip and fall and knock Marty to the ground.

After a group leaves we get up close with Marty. He is so cool and not too thin (as I've heard commented before). I asked him to sign my cd (which came out on my birthday) He told me Happy Birthday, but that they couldn't sign while INXS is playing but they'd be happy to sign it later. We took a ton of pictures with Marty. I told him I had just bought a 2nd CD this morning because my pre-sale never came. He apologized for me not getting it (how sweet is that).

We told him we'd be at Viper Room Friday, and he said 'Wow, how did you manage that, those tics were hard to get'

I had been trying to think of something cool to ask him so I asked about his tattoo (he got it during RSINXS) and he said 'Cool, I haven't thought about the tattoo in about 3 weeks' Then he lifted back his hair so we could see it and take pictures.

All in all, he was a great down to earth person and very nice to speak with.

We then met and took pictures with Bobby and Dino then ended with Billy who is adorable in person! I asked him if Marty had discussed going on RSINXS with the band and how they felt about it. He said that some of them were for it and some were against it. But that it all worked out better than they could have asked for in the end.

I watched a little more of the show with my hubby and then went to stand in line for the signing. We were up near the front so it was over so quickly but again the band was so nice and made it the best evening ever.

I am patiently waiting (not!!!) for Sams Club to open so I can develop my pics. I too am praying for a decent pic of me and Marty to post. (You know, eyes open, no double chin or dorky face)

Thanks again to Polarfan and Treedom for being so great and to my Hubby for letting me run around with the gals so I could have my dream of meeting Marty!

Viper Room - here we come! Hope its as great as last night!