Chicago, IL, Chicago Theater 2/4/06

[penny74]

Posted by:dlh
(in Aussie thread)

When we were at the theater that night,
his sister Jen called me on my cell phone to
meet chk and me. She introduced her sister Liz
to us and then during the concert she came
over to listen to some of the concert with me
and my daughter-in-law Liz because she wanted
to be around Lovehammer fans that knew the words
to the songs (there were a lot of INXS fans there).
The band was so good. Marty was so awesome as
usual. Jen is so sweet and I think I may have bruised
her giving so many hugs that night.

We left the show early and then went over
to the fan party. Dino and Bobby came over
with some of the crew. I talked with his brother
Chris and let him know how much the internationals
really loved Marty and the band and wanted them to
come there. I also let him know how much we
thought of Marty. He was so nice.
chk spent more time talking with the band
and I talked more with Marty's family....
so I guess you will have to wait for her posts to
get the scoop. I know that Trees will not be coming
out any time soon because either Bobby or Dino
said that the video taping at Metro "sucked".

After that the band went over to the Rocket club.
It was absolutely freezing outside and the line
was not moving very fast, it was 1am and so I decided it was time to call it a day. chk and her sis Dawn
stayed in line to get into the club
.....so again, you will have to
wait for her post to find out how that went.

That was the end of my Casey/Lovehammer
Chicago experience.

Unbelievable!
I wish you could all have been there with us.
It was so nice to hear that they are
working on getting plans to go over to OZ
and that it would be without INXS. That means
a much longer Lovehammers performance
for us!!!!!!

BTW: Jen wanted to know what *chink* *chink* meant on the aussie thread. She knows now. She also told Marty all about the Aussie thread. She is so sweet.

[chk]

Posted by chk
(aussie thread)

I can see the theater out my hotel window. We figure we’ll pick up the cameras after the show and take them to party. So Den and Liz come round to the hotel and drop off their cameras too. We listen to MC&LH on the cd player in the room, then head out to the Theater.

It’s already a scrum. We queue up for T-shirts – there were only two variations and some sweatbands, as I recall. We almost reach the front of the line when Den gets a call from Jen who says she’s in the lobby and wants to meet us. Dawn looks at me like I am completely flipped – one of those looks that says, how often are you online that Marty’s sister is calling you and Denise?

We get our T’s and then find Jen, which isn’t easy because she is the teeniest thing you have ever seen – beautiful, sweet, gracious and really tiny. She knows all our names and introduces us to Liz, Marty’s other sister and her cousins (jill and mike?). Liz asks me why I would fly so far for LH and I tell her “A wise man once said, Life Don’t Wait For No One.” She laughed and everyone agreed that you gotta do what you gotta do.

So the show is about to start. Our seats aren’t very good and it seems that the Caseys are scattered throught the theater –wherever they could get seats. Dawn and I climb up 3 flights to the lower balcony. The good thing is that we are in the front row of the lower balcony. The bad news for everyone behind us is that we are both very tall and we are unwilling to sit down during LH set. Marty comes out and they do abbreviated Ultrasound with lots of conductor moves. Marty is in his black plants with the top stitching, a pink shirt and black jacket. He also has sunglasses on to start the show but neither they nor the jacket stay on very long. I cannot remember the exact set list; I know it included Rain, Riddle, Tunnel, Eyes, and a special treat – Better Off Walk Away. (Marty was sitting on the speaker singing –"Indian style on the bedroom floor getting a kiss and wanting more.”) During Tunnel he ran into the crowd and we lost sight of him. I think he was getting hugs from all the Caseys! Then they did Trees, with Marty playing on Billy’s soundboard for a really cool intro to the song. The crowd was really into it by now and doing the YEAH YEAH YEAH thing again. Then for last song they do Ring of Fire –best bit was my new fave Marty move, a very intense air guitar that mirrored exactly what Billy was doing. There was plenty of backside showing (much to horror of more conservative attendees) lots of conducting, spinning and really ASTONISHING work by Bobby and Dino. Seriously, I don’t think I ever air drummed before, but I did then.

After the LH set, the crowd went nuts, but of course no encores. It was 45 minutes and done. A lot of LH fans went to the lobby to see if band would turn up for another meet and grab. Dawn and I bumped into Jen again who was waiting for her parents. I had one of my airhead moments. Jen was looking toward the front doors when she said she was waiting for her mom and dad so I asked if they were coming just to see INXS –it seemed odd to me that she was waiting for them after LH was done. She laughed and said yeah, they came only to see INXS.

I’m an idiot.

INXS were a couple of songs into their set and Dawn
and I were still talking to various Caseys and Hammerheads. Jeremy came out to say that because the LH had been signing autographs all afternoon, they weren’t going to do a m&g. We all kind of hung out for a few minutes then wandered back into the theater to catch some INXS. JD looked really good, sounded pretty good, but he doesn’t have MH’s range, so when they did Original Sin it just didn’t seem right. Also there was something wrong with their sound –the bass was far too loud. Anyway, we figure we’ll check out the show for a few songs. JD sang By My Side to a little girl in the audience, who it turns out, was Marty’s niece. Then they did this song called something like Taste It. This is the one everyone’s been reading about. JD had some, um, interesting moves during this song during which he simulated masturbation with the mike stand. Dawn and I just looked at each other and decided that was enough JD for us. We get down to the lobby and wouldn’t ya know it, every other hammerhead left at that moment too. It was too funny. Everyone was just kind of creeped out. Dawn and I walked back to the hotel and called Den to tell her that whenever she and Liz wanted to come over and get their cameras, it was fine by us. I think they were already in the lobby too so we met up in about 5 minutes.

So we all decide to walk to Hard Rock Hotel where chitownchick etal have arranged a post-concert party with band. We are very excited as Marty told Nancy/BBE that they would be there. We once again decide to walk past the CT to see the busses and the stage door. The INXS crowd is already filing out. We turn the corner and see Bobby posing for pic with a fan in front of bus. But he turns and runs onto bus before we can tackle him. Unfortunately he is the last Hammer on the bus and it starts to move away. (Which means we have just missed MC, damn!)

We get to HRH and recognize a few fans, (nancy, the two chitowns, Penny, etc) we arrange some cushions and chairs and all start talking about the show. For awhile it’s just some sister fans who have ditched hubbies and boyfriends to hang with band. I am feeling like sad groupie, but if you’re in for a penny, you’re in for a pound. We order some munchies cause we realize that none of us has eaten since Uno. I give the waitress my credit card to start a tab. Then a bunch of people come in including Dino and Bobby and a lot of their old friends from school. Dino is with his beautiful girlfriend Bobby is f-ing gorgeous and about 6’3” .

Immediately the vibe of the whole bar changes from laid back to loud. I realize about 10 minutes into it that I am still sitting down – I think I was having a Fellini moment –it was all too surreal and not at all my usual scene. Dawn and I start hanging with the friends of band who tell us that a couple of years ago the LH used to call them and say “you guys have to come to the show or no one will be there.” And now they have a hard time getting tickets. At some point it occurred to me to retrieve my camera. So Dawn and I get our pic taken with Bobby.

So I then realize I should also take a snap with Dino. I ditch Dawn and head over there. He is laughing with some kids who are there and when I pull up in front of him, this guy on my left says, Dino you should take some pictures with your fans. I say, yeah, I flew from HK for this. He says, you did, I’ll take the pictures. It turns out it’s Marty’s brother Chris who takes the pics.

And I say hi to Dino He says something like, “Hey aren’t you the one who gave us the wine?” and I say, “Yeah, did you guys drink it yet?” Then he answers, “No we were waiting to drink it with you when we come to Asia” (some words to that effect).
I say, “Dino, don’t f with me –are you guys really coming?”
He says, “Yeah, we’re trying to finalize details and work things out – but it won’t be with [INXS].”
Okay I lost it a little and gave him a hug and he kissed me on the cheek. I told him that we would all be happy to take care of them when they came out and that I knew it would be hard to do.

Then I end up talking with Bobby again (no complaints) and he is just being really funny and charming. Dawn, ever composed, asks him what it’s like to perform at such different venues as CT and Joe’s from his perspective. He starts to tell us and is gesturing when his hand bangs into my boob. He then finishes his sentence and says “and I’m really sorry I touched your boob” I say “that’s ok” and Dawn says,” but we’ll have to get you back. So he laughs, covers himself and says, “bodyguard, you have to cup me!”

okay, so the band decides to head to a club called Rockit. It becomes clear that MC isn't turning up at HRH. T-Bone, the manager/website dude, comes over to me and says, “are you the person who came from Hong Kong?” When I assent, he says to PM him cause they have to send me some stuff. I presume it’s Street Teaming stuff, so you should all contact him too so we can get buzz going before the Hammers head our way.
Back to the story…

We all get into taxis and head over. It is now bitterly cold and about 1 a.m. Den and Liz smartly decide to give it a miss. Once we're in, it is an absolute zoo. There must be about 20 fire code violations happening -- literally a thousand people upstairs cramming up to the bar. It was like the hajj for drunk people.

We see Dino and chat with a few hammerheads and hammerfriends for a while, but decide that even if MC did show up (and he'd be NUTS to do so) it was just too much everything. (I mean, people were so drunk they were singing along to Quiet Riot, for chrissake!)

So we actually left the bar and headed back to the hotel. We were too tired to be disappointed and too thrilled with our three-fer weekend to complain.

SO THANKS HAMMERS, THANKS CASEYS, THANKS DEN & LIZ,
THANKS AUSSIES, FOR YOUR PATIENCE!

The end

ok other things I am remembering. I brought up the whole JD thing because at the HRH Bobby asked us something like "was JD touching himself?"
We all laughed and and told him how it was kind of creepy --one of the guys there said that he actually turned and faced the back of the theater during that song cause he felt like JD was looking at him during that sequence. Anyway, Bobby didn't add anything about JD, but said that INXS have been fantastic to them, especially Tim Farris.

oh and adding here.. the reason I mentioned my credit card before is that at this point there were lots of people in the bar and I had no idea how many of them were putting their drinks on my tab. So I asked the waitress to let me have a look at the total -- Bobby was standing there and I said, "Bobby I am happy to buy you a beer, but I don't want to pay for all of these people --it'll be like $8000." He smiled and said I shouldn't pay -- and I think this is what led to the money conversation. BTW, Dawn had already bought him a beer, while Karen was keeping Dino supplied.

at another point, Bobby was going to use the WC and when he walked away all of chicks just watched him and said Nice Ass at the same time.

Another funny thing was when I was with Dino (hug and kiss) and Chris Casey says to me, "You don't need to tell your husband everything that happens in Chicago!" lmao -- I thought no, but I do have to tell all these Aussies!

[penny74]

Posted by: lyrics

Phenominal concert tonight. Lovehammers were outstanding, an absolute blast to see live for the first time. Marty was an excellent showman and his voice, movements and energy were great. My favorites were Riddle, Trees and Ring of Fire, and the set list was pretty consistent with the other venues.

I was pleasantly surprised to be blown away by JD and INXS. JD's voice was solid, and really strong, and the guys were having a ball. For their encore, Don't Change, JD pulled someone's little son (maybe 5yr old) on the stage, and was very sweet with him, getting him to boogy a little, and then Andrew came over with maracas for the little guy to shake. Very impromptu and touching. They told the Chicago crowd we were amazing and the best audience they've had (maybe they say that to all the pretty cities).

I brought my sixth grade son as a reward for making honors, and as we walked toward the parking garage, my son announced it was the best night of his life. Yah!

Then, just to make it a little bit better, I cruised by where the tour buses were parked, and SAW THE LOVEHAMMERS BUS DOOR WAS AJAR WITH PEOPLE STANDING OUTSIDE. I promptly parked illegally and we both ran over to say hi to Marty, Dino and Bobby. They were talking with some fans, probably 20 people in all in small groups saying hello and taking pics or autographs. We were able to say hi, and Marty was soooo cool to my son, congratulating him on making honors and getting to see the show. Marty asked him if he played an instrument, and he said yes, Marty asked which one, he said trumpet, and Marty took my son's head in his hands and said, that's great because it will make your brain smart! EVERY MOTHER'S DREAM!!!! Guess whose night of his life just got even better?

We saw INXS' tour buses (I think they must have been, two white/silver big and shiny ones) and Lovehammers green bus and pull behind thing (that I recognized from Jodie's LA adventure pictures and the 77 on the license plate) just around the corner from the Theater on Lake Street under the el tracks. We stood by them at 7pm before going in, and a guy twice opened the door and came out (their driver?), once with an older guy and once by himself. Then, after getting our car, after the show, probably about 30 minutes after the show ended we saw Marty and guys by the bus.

I've read a lot of posts here, and thought I'd never be lucky enough to see him, but we were!!! BTW, my son informed me he's cutting me out the picture with him and Marty that he's framing for his room. LOL. I told him it's cool. But I'm saving one of the three of us for his scrapbook!

[penny74]

Posted by: xsiveone

just got back from the show. I would've been home sooner, but I had to stop off and get something to eat on the way home because I hadn't had any dinner. It was much more important to me to be there when the LH hit the stage instead of eating.

No meet and greet tonight. I saw a few people in the rows in front of me with the signed copies of the new cd. It looked like they signed the cellophane, so I don't know how people are going to open the cd to play it. That's what it looked like anyway. They might've signed the booklet or even the jewel case. It was hard to tell from where I was sitting.

It was great to see everyone at the show early and on their feet when Marty and the boys took the stage. Marty was very thankful for it too. They switched up the set order a bit and played Trees and then Ring Of Fire as the closer. INXS switched up their setlist as well. So much for making an mp3 disc of the songs on the setlist and playing it in order to prepare me for the show. I was totally confused. Wink

I don't know if it was my seats or if I'm just used to better sound, but the sound was pretty bad in the Chicago Theatre. I've heard much better sound in that theater. A lot of feedback and distortion. INXS did sound better, but their sound wasn't that great either. I was a little disappointed with it.

I think that the LH did a great job considering that they had a little postage stamp section on the stage in front of the curtain and no lighting or anything to speak of. It was like the LH were playing on a kids toy piano and INXS came out and played on a grand piano. Big differences in set and sound, so I hope that the JD fans that are comparing the two bands are realizing that it's apples and oranges from the opener to the headliner.

I'm so thankful that I got to see Lovehammers at the Metro. If any of you have a chance to see them in a smaller venue, by all means do it! The sound was so much better. The vibe of the show was so much better. The setlist was longer. I'm sure that things will be much better when they headline a show.

I like JD enough as a performer and I was looking forward to seeing him with the band, but I must admit that it bothered me that JD was singing all the old INXS songs. Maybe if I hadn't seen Michael Hutchence perform with INXS, I would've been less irritated with it. To me, it felt like I was watching a tribute band instead of the real thing. The problem is that JD is too much like Michael Hutchence. I think that the band would've been a lot better off in the long run by changing things up and going with someone like Suzie McNeil. It would've been different enough, but similar in a way.

Anyway.. That's just how I feel about the whole JD/INXS situation. I probably won't see them again because of it. At least not until JD gets enough of a catalogue of his own with the band, so they aren't playing all the old INXS songs.

During the encore for INXS, JD was talking to the audience and telling us that this was the best show so far. I wonder if there is any truth to that. A few people in my section were shouting for Marty when JD was talking. I thought that it was in pretty poor taste. I wouldn't do that.

I didn't hear or see any of the INXS fans bashing the LH. Where were they? I'd like more info about this because I didn't see it or hear it.

JD did do a cool thing during the encore and brought a little kid up on stage to stand next to JD while he sang Don't Change. Andrew then came over and handed the kid maracas. The kid started shaking them out of rhythm, so Andrew was showing the kid how to shake them in rhythm. JD then picked up the kid and handed him back into the audience. It's going to be a very memorable moment for that little kid.

JD sounded good too. His voice definitely sounded rested. He sounded good on just about everything except for the song when they started the encore. Maybe taking a short break before the encore didn't help his voice much.

I hate this whole nasty JD and Marty competition thing. I wish it would all go away. We didn't want Marty to win the job, even if we thought that he might've brought something different to the band. Actually, like I said, I would've preferred Suzie. I loved the way that she belted out songs like Never Tear Us Apart and Mystify on the RS: INXS show. She wouldn't have been so much like Michael Hutchence and INXS wouldn't have seemed like an INXS tribute band. At least not for me it wouldn't have.

I'm definitely babbling now. It's really late and I'm really tired. I wanted to post something before I went to bed. There wasn't really anything ground breaking that happened at this show that didn't happen at other shows, so I don't what else to add to my review.

Oh.. I wanted to mention one other thing. When I entered the theater, I got a patdown and the lady asked me if I had a camera. I told her that I did and she said that I have to check it where they check the coats. I told her that I wasn't going to use it in the theater, but she said that I had to check it anyway. I was planning on just using it for the meet and greet after the show. That if they saw me with it, they'd take it from me. Whatever.. Instead of checking just my camera, I checked it with my coat and I'm glad that I did because it got a little warm in there and since the seats aren't that large anyway, it would've been a pain to have my coat with me. You guys in warmer climates really have it made not having to lug your coat around. BTW.. The camera rules sure didn't keep people from using camera phones. There were a lot of people around me using camera phones and the security didn't seem to do anything about it.

That's about all I can think of at the moment.

One last thing. For the girls out there. Marty was nearly losing his pants towards the end of the set. He likes them low, doesn't he?

PS.. I'm really kicking myself for not heading down to Joe's the other night instead of going to this show. If I wouldn't have gotten tickets to this show, I definitely would've gone to Joe's instead. As luck would have it, this is the busiest time of the year for work for me, so I had to make a choice and since I already had $80 (with fees) tickets for the Chicago Theatre show, that's the show that I went to.

So.. The point to my story is that for those of you that went to the show at Joe's because you couldn't get tickets to this show, count your blessings. If the Joe's show was anything like the Metro show or even better, you definitely got the better deal!

[penny74]

Posted by: ajbryant89

wow! what a fantastic day! it started out at virgin for the performance and autograph session. the performance was AWESOME! 'wish you were here' live, how cool was that! then i got to meet all the guys but in typical fangirl fashion, i choked and sounded like a moron but it's all good. then the chicago theater was fantastic. they totally rocked the joint, everyone was on their feet the whole time rocking out it was so great. then got to meet dino & bobby at the base bar afterwards. they were so gracious and nice to come and hang out with us. it was very relaxed and everyone was just kind of hanging out. then we heard Marty was over at Rockit and some crazy fangirls (you know who you are) convinced me to go with them and i got to see him. no picture or hug but i can't be sad about that because it was such a great day in everyway. i had such a good time hanging out with all the hammerhead fans i met (melanie,kim,carol(stinky sharpie sheet) & her friend,___jordan,patricia,rachel,penny,nancy,nancy's hubby,karen,candace,imdreaming & friend (hope hubby wasn't too mad at you,and everyone else that i met that night. thanks to all for adding to such a special day. hope we get to do it again.
Peace
Amanda

[penny74]

Posted by: albrmo

We had so much fun!!!

It was me and my hubby and we had a blast!!!

LH totally rocked. I was so happy b/c there were a lot of LH fans around us so everyone was up and dancing. We had great seats, we were about 10 rows back and to the left of the stage. I was able to walk up to the front for a few songs, but then security made us walk back to our seats--no big deal.

I tried looking for LH during INXS, but couldn't find them anywhere. My hubby thought I was crazy that I wanted to look for the bus, and now I see that is where I should have looked--hubby is in big trouble--just kidding.

I do have to say that INXS sounded very good. We were totally dancing at the end for Devil Inside and Pretty Vegas. I was surprised at how little JD looked. Hubby says it was b/c he had on a huge leather jacket and huge sunglasses. I still think he is just short. JD did slap Kirk's ass and almost licked his cheek during the show. I thought that was kind of interesting--hmmmmm.

Besides all of that I think others covered the rest of the show. I'm looking forward to March/April--I hear LH will be having more concerts:)