Toronto, On, Massey Hall 2/7/06

[penny74]

Posted by: Remus

I attended the Tuesday, Feb. 7th concert at Massey Hall in Toronto with Lovehammers/INXS. It actually went on sale before the Monday show and apparently sold out within 15 seconds. If I had known they were going to add the Monday show, I might have tried for those tickets instead. As it turned out, the general consensus was the atmosphere was much higher energy for the second night and both bands were feeling it. I brought my digital camera but was too timid to snap some pics during the concert because I was close to the back and an aisle with lots of Massey Hall ushers milling about. I later found out they weren't being as strict this second night and lots of folks were taking photo throughout the evening. Oh well, a missed opportunity.

I managed to slide into my seat just moments before Lovehammers took the stage. My seat was one of those partially obstructed by a support pillar but fortunately, it was just a minor annoyance as my attention was focused on the stage the entire night. Most of the concert was already full by 8 pm but in my little row of 8 seats, I was the only one there for all of the opening act. Two people showed up near the end of the set and the rest only came for INXS.

Lovehammers got a very warm welcome from the audience, with Marty being singled out for the most applause, as expected. I'm not very good with remembering set lists (and I apologize to the longtime LH fans for not being as familiar with all their songs) but I think they opened with "Straight As An Arrow". I'm sure others will correct me if I get the details wrong. Marty was his usual bendy-mad-conductory self and the audience members who knew him from the tv show lapped it up. He sang most of the songs from their new album, including "Clinic", "Eyes Can't See", "The Riddle" and "Hold On". Marty thanked INXS for the opportunity for LH to open for them on this tour and also told everyone that despite the new album's title with his name, they were really just Lovehammers ("because it's not about me, it's about US"), then proceeded to introduce each of his band mates. Apparently, bassist Dino had most of the fingers on his left hand bandaged up from injuries sustained while saving a dog from choking earlier in the day. Marty marveled that Dino could still play his bass and joked that he must be doing everything with one finger.

Since most of the crowd weren't overly familiar with the LH songs, the audience, while enthusiastic, remained seated for much of the set. Marty did get the crowd going during one number when he climbed into the balcony (the second level of three at Massey Hall) from the left side of the stage and navigated through the entire front row of the balcony before climbing back down to the stage from the right side of the balcony section. He finally got everyone on their feet and singing along with their second last song, "Trees", and folks remained standing for the finale, "Ring Of Fire". I believe there were a couple other songs in the set but I can't recall which two of "Rain On The Brain", "The Tunnel" or "Call Of Distress" they were. Lovehammers played about 45 minutes in total. Toward the end, Marty invited fans to come meet them after the concert in the downstairs bar/lounge and to show them (the band) a good time by buying them some drinks.

After an intermission to pack up LH's equipment, INXS came on to play a rousing 90 minute set, starting with "Suicide Blonde". The entire audience was on its feet and most stayed that way for the rest of the evening. JD's singing voice was strong, betraying no sign of his recent bout of bronchitis. They performed most of their greatest hits, which were all well-received. From the new album Switch, they chose five songs, including "Devil's Party", "Afterglow", "Never Let You Go", and "Hungry". The live performances of these came off very well - much more electric, I thought, than the studio tracks on the CD. They closed with "Pretty Vegas" (no megaphone though) and did three songs for the encore, capping the night with an emotional "Never Tear Us Apart". Apart from JD, I thought Kirk's saxophone work was outstanding.

Right after the concert, I made my way downstairs to where they were selling INXS and LH merch. Lovehammers were set up behind a table in the bar/lounge area to sign CDs. I joined the long queue and got my CD liner notes autographed by the entire band. They were all extremely appreciative of the fan response. Marty and Billy even shook my hand for saying how much I enjoyed their show. I asked Dino how the dog was doing and he laughed and said it was fine. Unfortunately, because the lineup for signings was so long, no one was allowed to get any posed photos with band members. Bummer. However, I did snap a couple pics of them signing for their fans.

*Pics removed*

[penny74]

Posted by: everlong

My seats were probably the worst in the house. 2nd last row, obstructed view. It was lots of exercise because the merchandise, drinks and signing was all in the basement on the left side of the theatre - as far away from me as you could get.

I bought a great black picture T-Shirt of the guys. $40 for a plain T-Shirt is highway robbery and I usually wouldn't go for it but I was a Lovehammers fan at an INXS concert and I wanted to identify my loyalty lol. I sure hope the Lovehammers get at least 20 of my 40 bucks.


The concert was as amazing as everyone said it would be. From my seat I couldn't see Bobby because of a great big speaker hanging in the air above him or Billy because of the angle, he was below me. I moved over and I was able to see Bobby. The nice thing about my seats was being at the back, I was able to dance for the whole show. At first everyone in my section was up and dancing which was nice but as time went on people started to sit down. The person behind me asked me to go back to my own seat so I went behind her and danced on the top level.

I love how Marty moves. He was constantly on the go in that slinky way he has and I really want to go dancing with him. I can't decide which song is my favourite. It seems to be whichever song they're singing at the time. Rain on the Brain was nice because Dino and Billy changes spots for a bit and I got to see some Billy. I loved watching him climb to the balcony below me and run around the front row. I hated when he ran underneath and I didn't get to see him climb back down.

I didn't get to see Marty while they were doing Trees because everyone stood up and I wasn't higher than the people in front of me. I just watched Dino for that song so it was ok. If I hadn't moved I would have missed Marty up on the speakers dancing and conducting so it was worth it. I moved back to my own seat for Ring of Fire. That song suits Marty's voice completely.

I met one Hammerhead from Lovehammers.com who knew Franny and Kate but I didn't meet anyone from this board. Rumour has it that Franny2 and Kate had the best seats in the house for the Balcony part. The Hammerhead was there with her sister, a J.D. fan and they traded off, with the JD fan in the cheap seats for Marty's part and the Marty fan up beside me for the INXS section.


INXS was pretty good too. The seats were even worse for their section because they were further back on the stage and J.D. was often behind the speaker. I felt like JD didn't look up into our section at all. Marty looked up at our section quite regularly and there was one point that he said 'you' and pointed at me. I meant to remember which song and the exact line but of course it's totally left my head.

Ok, my husband didn't think this was funny but I'm odd so I'm going to tell you anyway. During the song 'Devil Inside' someone near me farted. The smell was excruciating. I kept thinking 'He didn't keep that Devil Inside'.

JD annouced which song is probably their next single. It's a slow one, something like 'Electric'? I really liked it. He said they may release it in Canada first. I'm thinking INXS actually counts as Canadian Content since their lead singer is Canadian. That really improves their chances of getting a #1 single. I think INXS was always more popular in Canada than the U.S. and RSINXS was definitely more popular here so it does make sense.

JD came back for their encore with a cigarette in his hand - really good for his bronchitis. He needs to take care of himself so you guys with concerts coming up don't get disappointed!

I really intended on staying for the whole of INXS but I couldn't resist going down a few songs before the end. The CD signing was well advertised. Marty mentioned it during the show and there were signs so I knew there would be lots of people lining up for signatures. Since it was so far from my seat I knew I'd be last in line if I didn't get there early.

It didn't take long to get to the front of the line. I wanted so much to say something to the guys.

I got to Marty and said 'I'm a big fan' (so original). He looked up at me, smiled and said 'nice shirt'



Thud - ok it was worth the forty bucks. ;D


I said 'Hi Dino' to Dino - either I was rushed or I was still thudding from Marty's comment so I didn't say anything else to him.

I said 'Hi Bobby, so you brought the snow with you' (stupid comment but at least I said something)

I said 'Hi Billy, I hardly got to see you at all my seats were so bad' (whiney - I wish I had mentioned that bad seats meant I got to dance for the whole show, which I meant to say but forgot).

If dh hadn't driven me, I would have got right back in the line for a 2nd set of autographs. As it was, I felt bad keeping my kids awake for a 2nd set (It wouldn't have stopped me from getting the first set). I wish I had paid more attention to them and less to what I was going to say and not looking too much like an idiot. I need to go to another concert!

[penny74]

Posted by: nats

I went to the concert last night with my best friend, Who I have converted to a lovehammers fan as of last night. She thinks the guys rock!!!

The concert was awesome. Marty is so electrifying to watch. I watched the whole concert then went down to the meet and greet. I think I only waited 5 mins. in line before meeting the guys. Marty looked up at me and posed so I could get a good picture of him. I told him the concert was great and wished him luck. He said Thank you. I said hi to the rest of the band, all seem very nice. My friend took one of the posters from outside for me and had them all sign it for me.

I can't wait until May. I hope The Lovehammers are opening again. I'll be there for sure

[penny74]

Posted by: franny2

It's going to take some time for me to write my review . . . but all I can say is what an AMAZING NIGHT!

The boys were on fire, by the end of their show the whole place had caught the bug and there were a lot of people who had never even HEARD of the Lovehammers before and didn't know Marty because they didn't watch RSINXS. Kate and I were Street Teaming like crazy and I have to tell you, after the Lovehammers played it was incredibly easy to talk to people, everyone we spoke with thought they were fantastic and we convinced quite a few of them to buy their CD. Everlong, I'm so sorry I didn't get to meet you . . . yes we did have some of the best seats . . . right at the front of the balcony, and Marty climbed up and walked right in front of us!! He didn't miss a beat through the whole thing, and is he EVER in a zone when he's performing . . . isn't that just what everyone loves about him though??? Those weren't actually our seats though . . . in fact Kate was {ahem} supposed to be in the gallery. I don't even think she put her foot on the stairs to go up there. The place was almost full, but she followed me in to the balcony level hoping for an empty seat beside mine. I didn't ever sit in my seat either, where I would have been hugging a great big pole all night . . . we sat in two empty seats in the aisle and talked to the people around us about the Lovehammers. When the lights went down we scooted down to a whole section of empty seats at the front of the balcony . . . the only thing we had to do was casually move over one seat when four people came in near the end of the show.

And Nats . . . Li is that you? I almost didn't recognize you here. Everlong, Nats is the one you talked to last night. Nats, you forgot to mention that your friend is a HUGE JD fan, and the only reason she came for the Lovehammers is because she was with you. She didn't want to see them at all, and didn't even like Marty from Rockstar . Well let me tell you, when we talked to her after the show she was definitely converted, she had a big smile on her face and called herself a new fan. People I have to say, you have no idea how good this tour is for the Lovehammers. If they could convert someone like Nats' friend in 40 minutes, and bring her over to the other side of the fence . . . imagine how many new fans they may get from this exposure from people who were neutral and knew nothing about them??? Or people who knew and loved Marty from the show but knew nothing about the Lovehammers (I'm pretty sure all of those people bought the Lovehammers' CD afterwards). There were a lot of people in line before the end of the INXS show, but the line after INXS finished was huge . . . that should tell you everything. I just know the Lovehammers are going to make it big, and although I have a huge story, all I will say for now is that they deserve every bit of this . . . they are working their butts off, and they really love their fans . . . they'll do everything they can to be there for them . . . it really couldn't happen to better guys.

And yes Cindy we got pictures, although most of them aren't mine . . . and more stories which I will be back to tell . . . the Toronto show absolutely ROCKED.

(BTW, good call Luvinmarti . . . I would definitely be in for a Niagara Falls Show, or ANY show the Lovehammers do that I can get to.)

I'll be honest, Dino's fingers are a mess. They are all bandaged up, but even through the bandages they look bad. I'll start with that little story, since you asked.

Kate and I missed the whole INXS show. We were wandering around, talking to people to get their impressions after the Lovehammers show, handing out LH cards and flyers to promote the new album, and after INXS started to play we ended up downstairs by the merchandise booth, across from the Bar where the Lovehammers would be for the signing later, at 10:45 according to the signs.

This was below street level, everyone had gone back for the show and only a few people were there. As Kate and I, and another girl we met who lurks here but has promised to start posting now, came down the stairs, guess who was wandering around with a glass of red wine and chatting to the merchandise people?? Holy cow, MARTY!

He stayed and talked to us for about 45 minutes . . . do you think the gods were smiling down at us last night at all??? There were only a few other people who came down there during that time, and all of them wanted him to sign something and have their picture with him, but for the most part he was all ours. We talked to him about everthing, like the boards and all the things people are doing to promote the Lovehammers. I mentioned my dear friend Palari in New Zealand which started off a whole Australia conversation . . . he knows what all you Ozzies and Kiwis have been doing for the band, and says it's thanks to you that their album is selling there now, not because of anything Epic has done yet. He loves you guys and it was so obvious how much he appreciates what you are doing for them there . . . keep it up people! You are doing a fantastic job. Oh and by the way, Marty knows there is a little horse named Trees in Australia . . . his whole expression went soft and he had a little grin when he mentioned that. I really think it blows him away to hear what people out there are doing for him and the band.

OK, I almost forgot about Dino. Marty told us the whole story, and I don't know how much has already been told here so I'll just tell the whole thing. Dino was on his own and coming off the elevator with Frankie. Frankie was out of the elevator already but his leash got caught when the doors closed. The elevator started going up with the leash and Frankie went with it. Dino jumped back and grabbed the leash and I can only imagine how hard he had to pull to get it free. Marty was showing us on one hand exactly what happened to Dino's fingers, and I think I have this right. EDITED BECAUSE I JUST READ DINO'S DIARY AND DISCOVERED I HAD THE FINGERS WRONG (or Marty told it wrong ;D) On his left hand, the middle finger was split open and he has about (14?) stitches. The ring finger was shredded . . . skin came off, and the same thing happened to his pinky but I don't think quite as bad. (EDITING OVER) Still very bad. It's going to take a long time for them to heal. Dino didn't tell the rest of the guys anything until they saw him the next day, but I'll tell you, he has got to be playing through his pain. Apparently he has changed things around a bit so he can still play his songs, but he still sounds great and I honestly didn't notice any problem at all when I was watching him on stage. He was still all there and playing his heart out. Marty did tell us, however, that Tim Farriss offered to stand behind the curtain and play for Dino!
don't tell me that INXS isn't there for these guys.

So much more to tell . . . the show was incredible and the guys themselves are fabulous. Marty was the one we got to spend real time with, and out of my impressions of him I'm pulling the words kind, funny, warm, intensely private, but at the same time friendly, generous, caring, gracious, intelligent and graceful . . . very focused and very centered . . . he's got an incredibly warm and bright "aura" around him, and I think it's hard for him to do the meet and greets the way they are set up, because he can't get personal with anyone, there just isn't enough time. But when he gets time, he really talks to people. He's really interested, and when he says thank you he means it, and the way he says it, you know exactly what he means. I don't know if he understands yet though, exactly what it means when he gets a "Thank You" back. Marty . . . the Lovehammers . . . they are really very special. If you all are going to be fans of anyone, be happy it's them. You are not wrong . . . these guys are worth it.

[penny74]

franny2 continued.

OK, so I need to write about the actual show before I forget the details.



Kate and I snagged our front row balcony seats while the stage was dark and the drumbeat of Ultrasound was taking over the room. We were in place when the lights came on and THERE THEY WERE . . . how great to have them right there in front of us after only seeing them on the screen all this time. They were honestly riveting, and if people who didn't know them yet were a little slow to get into it, they sure had caught the energy by the second half of the show. I can't remember the set, too focused on trying to be part of the music, but I do know that it was put together so that the energy built in layers . . . Marty sang to the whole audience and "played" on stage, with all of his famous energy, conductor moves, backbends and crouches . . . losing layers of clothing as the set progressed . . . sunglasses . . . black jacket . . . red Aragon shirt . . . down to the Speedfreak Tshirt.

At one point he was crouch-conducting right behind a security guy who was sitting on a chair up against the front of the stage (because you wouldn't want anyone to get up and actually ENJOY the band!) We all know the Lovehammers' feelings about the security . . . and Marty felt the need to do some magic conductor moves over this guy's head . . . a little hocus pocus. . . a sweeping abracadabra . . . even a presto or two . . . singing the whole time while the security guy remained with his arms crossed, looking stony faced out into the audience, completely unaware that he was part of the show. When Marty had finished with him he got up and walked over to our end of the stage . . . laughing . . . and so were we because it was really very funny and he didn't miss a beat. At another point the lights were aimed so the audience could be seen from the stage . . . . . . he spotted a pretty girl in the balcony who was dancing like crazy and he did the same little shimmy-wiggle she was doing . . . then he laughed . . . it was just really cute. He's very good at connecting with his audience, it's very natural and you can tell he's enjoying it.

He also climbed up to the balcony. . . singing. . . singing . . . walked all the way around (remember that Kate and I were right at the front row of the balcony, so we had to stand up to let him walk in front of us - talk about front row seats to the show, how awesome.) Anyway, he walked all the way around the balcony to the other side, stood on the outside edge for a moment . . . singing . . . and scrambled back down to the stage . . . AND DIDN'T MISS A BEAT THE WHOLE TIME!!!! In fact, I still don't know how he got up or down - did he jump? Because although there were speakers there, they weren't exactly stairs. He climbs like he was born in the jungle . . . makes it look so easy. Marty told us later he had promised the day before to climb up to the gallery (second balcony) this time, and he thought about it on the way up, but decided against it because he didn't know exactly what was up there, and didn't know where the exit point was or how he would get back down. I really think he could have done it though. So all this was going through his head while he was climbing AND singing . . . when he passed me and I had a look at his eyes . . . he just looked focused . . . so focused that when he looked at me he DIDN'T quite focus . . . sort of glassy-eyed . . . he saw me but didn't quite register . . . caught up in the song and not losing any of it, all the while trying to figure out how to get inside the audience . . . what a performer. Man I'll tell ya . . .

After the balcony walk, the energy in the room must have doubled. I was expecting him to climb, but this was the first glimpse of Marty for many of the people in that room and they really responded to it. Marty was up on the speakers after that, and the drums a few times. He had everyone standing up for Trees, and they just stayed up for Ring of Fire . . . I was looking around to see if I was blocking anyone . . . but the only ones who weren't standing were people who had just come in and were obviously there for INXS. Even they were grinning and obviously enjoying the part they caught, and they certainly understood and didn't complain that we were standing up in front of them.

Bobby and his drums were amazing . . . very clean, strong, loud rhythm . . . Dino was playing his heart out, sounded great, and you never would have known there was anything wrong with his hand. And Billy . . . well I could go on for a long time about how much I love Billy's guitar . . . Billy was moving back and forth across the stage a lot more than Dino, for obvious reasons, but that worked out nicely for us because we frequently had them both on our side of the stage. I loved being able to actually watch them move, instead of just seeing them in pictures. Marty practically cuddled up to Billy during one of Billy's solos . . . very cute to watch.

I've already covered some of our Marty experience . . . very, very special. I couldn't have imagined getting that much time with him to just talk. . .and he was so relaxed with only a few people around and no security. The meet and greet was different though . . . no time for photos with the guys and only time for a sentence or two. Kate and I had little gifts for all of them, a Canada Toque and Guitar pick chain for Billy, a skull cuff bracelet and braided leather armband for Bobby, and a handcuff bracelet and braided leather armband for Dino. While we had our time with Marty we gave him a razor blade dogtag chain with a cross . . . and by the way, he really loves jewellery he gets as a gift . . . and loves to wear it. If he wears this one, I fully expect it to last only a few weeks . . . before it either goes missing, gets torn off his body, or he gives it to someone . . . but that's ok because there will always be someone else to give him something he will love to wear . . . for a few weeks ;D But every moment counts while they are on tour, and even if it's something that only lasts for a short while, the impact is very big.

Billy, Bobby and Dino . . . what can I say. There was nothing about them that didn't impress me. They know exactly who they are and they are so natural . .. no pretense at all. Dino could probably strike up a conversation about anything . . . he's very responsive if you catch his interest. Bobby unfortunately I didn't get to say much to . . . but I hear from my dear friends Sheowl and Hellosun that he is great to talk to. Billy is incredibly cute and animated, you just can't see it in his pictures. There wasn't a moment where he wasn't grinning . . . really sincere smile . . . full of energy. He's an absolute doll. Kisses to his wife because I think she has something special there. At the end when he was leaving Kate got a hug from him. Security was hustling them out, but I asked if he was giving those hugs for free. He looked at security and said "Yes, but . . . " and then he shrugged them off and came over and gave me a big one. So I got to tell him how much I loved his 'guitar'. And I meant it.

So then they were gone, off to Detroit. But they definitely left some good stuff behind them and I sure know who will be there to watch them when they come back to Toronto again.