Chicago, IL, Aragon Ballroom 12/16/05

[penny74]

Posted by: mrsscreamer

Okay I just came back from the concert! I went with my sister and the whole experience was REALLY funny. Here goes. Shockingly, the Lovehammers were the first band to preform, on time too. We were right in the front and saw everything...(and extra SQUEEEE because marty looked HOt. He had on a "Wish You Were Here"-esque outfit one...black pants, red shirt, black jacket). The show was excellent. You really don't get to see how talented Marty really is untill you SEE him live. I love how he connects with the audience. he makes you think he is singing to YOU in a sea of people. He did all the Marty-isms including the infamous "mad conductor". I loved "Yes It Do" (simply cuz I love the song) and "Call Of Distress" for the same reason. At one point during the set, Marty disappeared into the audience and walked around the WHOLE area. Next thing I know i see his RED SHIRT in front of me, and it was SQUEEEEE!!!...I was right in front of him. THis was during "Better Off Walk away". When he was getting back on stage, people were helping him up...and he said into the microphone, "you guys are CRAZY!" ...NOT in a joking way, but in a real SERIOUS way, which was HILARIOUS to us. Me and my sis were like "yeah I can just imagine what the girls were doing to him while he was walking around in the audience!" Then Marty thought of this real BRIGHT idea. He said into the mike "Let me see if I can walk on this"..."this" being the "fence" that separated the audience from the stage. So there goes Marty doing a balancing act for the audience, nearly FELL plenty of times. Very bright, Marty...very bright LOL.

Then the guitar riff for my FAVORITE song "eyes can't see" came on, and me and my sis were getting all hiped up for it. but THEN Marty turned around, bent over with his back towards the audience, in this dramatic fashion and started swinging his microphone...you know, in a really dramatic way. I SEE the effect he was going for. I UNDERSTAND the look he was trying to make. But it was shot when EVERYONE around me (including myselff) started laughing. Why? because his pants were sagging EXTRA...EXTRA low. And he wasn't just bent over for a second. He was bent over for a good....oh, minute and a half or TWO. He STRAIGHT MOONED the audience LOLOLOLOL Everyone around me was like "Is he mooning the audience???" and everyone was laughing lol. So what a nice intro to my favorite song...seeing marty's ass. LOL

Another highlight was in the middle of the set, Marty had found out that his brother's wife gave birth to a baby girl! It was a very sweet moment, cuz he had recieved and note that was on the stage and held it up for the audience to see. He was like "I just found out 5 minutes ago". Very sweet.

Sometime during the set, Marty did PAINT IT BLACK! AWESOME performance. And the thing about the whole set was that the SAME intensity that was on Rock Star:INXS was on that stage. That man is so INTENSE. And it shined during Call Of Distress and Clinic (loved that performance). The man is amazing. Anddd...by the end of the show, the jacket and shirt all came off. Lovely sight to see lol.

So the lovehammers set was over and I really didn't expect on meeting Marty. But a few minutes after the show the Lovehammers came into the lobby where they were selling t-shirts. So me and my sis stood in the line, for about a good hour waiting to get an autograph and pic. There was Billy, Marty, Dino and Bobby all in a row. I gave Billy the picture i wanted signed and said (just to be funny), "Oh, I just came in. Is this the JD and INXS concert???" and he just CRACKED UP. Marty kinda caught ear of it, he was too busy putting a winterfresh in his mouth (LOL so cute). So He kinda looked my way and smiled. But Billy thought it was hilarious and laughed all while he signed. My sister came in and Billy said cheerfully, "Take a picture of me!!!" LOL. So my sis was like..."uh, okay" ;D Then all of a sudden Marty JUMPED in and posed with Billy, REALLY sudden-like. And he posed by pretending the pen he was holding was a knife and acted like he was stabbing Billy. Awesome picture lol. Then Marty asked me how I was and if I had a good time...I actually wasn't nervous, surprisingly. His eyes, are like...WOW in person. My sister got first hand experience LOL He is really intense with the eye contact THAT is for sure. I kinda said some stuff about how great a performer he is...blah blah blah. After I moved on to Dino and Bobby, my sister was meeting Marty. She was laughing SO hard afterwards because she got the ULTIMATE MARTY CASEY STARE. Like a SERIOUS one lol. She said she wasn't even prepared for it. Marty took her hand and shook it. He stood up and LEANED forward and introduced himself. He leaned forward and gave her a SERIOUS, wide-eyed, non-blinking, "hit me baby one more time"-camera STARE. LOL My sis thought it was HILARIOUS. She said it was SO hard keeping eye contact because it was like, all she could see was his EYES and that eyeliner cuz he was all up in her face with that stare lol. She said it was like having a STARING contest with marty or something lol She couldn't even say what she wanted to say cuz that stare was so intense, she was like "uh....hi....?" LOL SO FUNNY.

After that, I came out officially hammerheaded. LOVED the show and it was a great experience. Jokes aside, Marty and his band mates are SO down-to-earth and cool. Really cool. And the only thing negetive about the whole experience was the fact that the AUDIENCE really wasn't into it like a thought they would be. At the end when Marty did "This Town", he was like, "Can I just get FIVE PERCENT of your energy?? Just FIVE." LOL He tried so hard to get the crowd hiped lol.

So yeah that was my report. Awesome birthday present

[penny74]

Posted by: Kari

;DI too loved the exposed butt crack ! ;D I'm screaming to my 19 yr old niece, whose taking pictures FOR ME with her cell phone - DID YOU GET THE BUTT CRACK, DID YOU GET THE BUTT CRACK, DID YOU GET MY PICTURE! LMAO What is it about men, can't they feel that? My 17yr old daughter is looking at me like what the H*ll happened to my Mom.

My daughter, whose a drummer, was blown away by Bobby! OH my God Mom, did you see what he just did with the cymbals. 8-)Not really, I was looking at Marty . We were up close to the front and I could physically feel the music pounding through me. Marty went out into the audience not once, but twice! I'm standing there trying to figure out what happened to Marty and BAM, there he is 2 feet in front of me. He told us his brother John and sister-in-law Sheila just had a baby girl and held up a sign saying baby girl. He then said, that's the best composition they're ever gonna make (not verbatim). The concert was great, the music was great! ::)G*D it was SO cool

What's really GREAT is how generous the band is. They really took time to sign stuff and not just shove people down an assembly line. My daughter got her drum sticks signed, how cool . Marty signed my poster, looks right at me and and says to me "Thank You". I was blown away, all I could only say was "nice to meet you". He looks you right in the eye and speaks to you like your having a private conversation. Marty makes you feel. . . I'd have to say he somehow made me feel. . . appreciated.

:-*He really does have BEAUTIFUL BLUE EYES

I have to say Bobby, Billy and Dino also took the time to speak directly to the fan they were signing for. Everyone actually looks up and speaks to you and makes it a personal experience.


>:(What was not nice were some of the fans after the show getting their things signed. When the band first came out people were pushing and shoving really hard to get to the table. Hey, we were all there to see the Lovehammers, a little courtesy goes a long way. My daughter got shoved so hard she's got a huge bruise on her leg where she was pushed into the table.

>:(Don't mess with my baby

>:(Somebody grabbed the two Sharpie markers I brought right out of my hand!

I couldn't believe that, if you would have asked I'd have given them to you! It could have been roped off and a line formed to avoid all the pushing shoving. Luckily it seemed to settle down the longer the Lovehammers were there.

:)I have to say it was a great experience! I can't wait to watch the Lovehammers take off from a great local band to a world FAMOUS band!

[glow=red,2,300] BEST OF LUCK AND SAFE TRAVELS TO THE LOVEHAMMERS [/glow].

[penny74]

Posted by: mothermac

Yes Moms rock - I also took my 19 year old daughter. I told her she had to learn the ropes - there were a lot of big burly security guards standing in front of the meet and greet table when the guys first got there. My daughter was 2nd in line to buy a cd and the table was just to the left of her. I was to her right and saw the guys sit down and I said OMG - turn around. She was freaking out (on me) cuz "but mom, the line is starting at that end of the table!!! I just looked at her, went up to one of the big security guards and said "don't think you are going to tell me to get all the way in the back of that line" - he sheepsihly answered "no, I guess not" - Thank you I said and voila I was in front of the table. When I grabbed her hand to bring her up to meet the guys she could barely speak and then said to me afterwards "god, you made that security guy yell at me" I just said "so what, did he kill you?" Geesh she just doesn't know how to work the crowd yet - I guess I will have to take her with me more often.

Here is my review of my night:

TreeBee - what awesome pictures! Did you get those after the show? I know the ladies Angie, Kim, et al told me before the show that they got invited backstage before - lucky lucky. What a nice bunch of people the people on this board are. I was standing with my daughter before the show started and a bunch of people came running up to me to ask me if I was Kramer and though I wasn't (but I was standing in Kramer's meeting place) everyone was so friendly. The music rocked. They all looked great. I definitely need glasses because I couldn't see much but I was able to witness all the great MC moves - without seeing the face that is.

Oh yes, about the crack - my daughter is the one who said to me "omg Mom his crack is hanging out like a plumber." At that point I was lucky enough to borrow some binoculars and YES I SAW HIS CRACK - ALL 4 OR 5 INCHES that were showing for quite a while (no he does not wear any drawers!!)

Their version of Paint It Black was fabulous - wish he had picked that during Rockstar. I loved Clinic and This Town - and hearing Trees live was great.

At the meet and greet afterwards I have to say that Marty is everything everyone says. As crowded as it was he took my hand and looked directly at me as we talked. I got some pictures of all of them but don't know how to use the computer and I was using a "throw away" camera so don't know how they will look.

I had them all sign a blank check - Marty printed his name in the "pay to the order of" and then wrote his name again at the bottom.

I found Bobby and Dino to be absolutely adorable. Dino is so handsome in person and his personality just shines - I wish I had time to really get to know them. They both seemed like really sweet guys and when I introduced my daughter they didn't just mumble "hey how are ya" - they both looked right at her and said "Hi ________" (she'd kill me if if I put her name here) like they've known her forever. I didn't get to talk to Billy as he was at the other end of the table, but he did sign my check and Marty pulled him into my pictures. As packed as it was I felt that each one of these guys took the time to make our few minutes talking to them special - what a great group of guys.

For being as old as I am (52) and being at my first "concert" in almost 25 years I have to say it was memorable and I hope that these guys get all the success that they deserve. The put on a great show, their energy and their love of the music is what is going to take them far. And it is just icing on the cake that they are all sweet guys to boot. My daughter, who is a freshman in college out of town, had never heard of them (she is away all summer so missed my addiction) but she said she really liked them and loved the music so I know that she will be spreading the word to all her friends.

It was well worth the sticky feet and icky smells I was covered with when I left there (did anyone else have smelly hands? I don't know if it was from the railing I was leaning on or the soap in the bathroom). I also got right into the shower when I got home - I will have to go walk in the snow to clean my shoes.

Now I just wish I had bought tickets to the INXS concert.

To all the hannerhead people I met last night - you rock - what a nice bunch of people. And to think I didn't even have on a wristband and I got noticed - LOL.

Marty mentioned during the show that his brother and sister-in-law just had a baby girl 10 minutes before they went on - how sweet is that.

[penny74]

Posted by: chitowngirl

I, too, was at the show last night. It was truly amazing! I expected the LH to be great in person, but they far exceeded my expectations (my husband's too). Paint it Black was really a sight to see. Better off Walk Away is really one of my favorite songs. I was sad to see that it won't be on the new album, but VERY happy to hear them perform it last night. The whole "walk the plank" thing was really funny. Once Marty convinced himself he was going to do something, there was no stopping him. I was really afraid he was going to fall. And, yes, he was completely shirtless for a whole song or two. I think he's been working out. ;D

For those of you who haven't seen the LH yet and wonder what MC is like compared to what you saw on RS:INXS, I have 4 words for you:

A LOT LESS CANDY!!!!!!

I enjoyed every moment of it! I couldn't convince my husband to wait in the long line for the meet and greet. I did however sneak up to the front past a rather large security woman and take a few pictures with my camera. I was probably 3-4 feet from them. Dino was laughing at me. Gosh, he is really handsome. Pictures do not do him justice. Marty also noticed me and gave me a big smile for a picture. The big security lady finally kicked me out of the way. It was really great to seem them all!!

Can't wait until February!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[penny74]

Posted by: penny74

I don't even know where to start with my stories.

Oh, here's a good one:
My friend and I were chatting after the show with a woman and her son and she mentioned this board. Without thinking, I said, "Oh yeah, I post there." She says that she doesn't post much here and that some of the women are really crazy. (uh oh) So then she asks me what my name is here. I said, "ummmm....now I really don't want to tell you." Finally I tell her my name is Penny and she immediately says "Penny74! Sure, I know you." Then BIG PAUSE. Then, "Oh, um, you REALLY like him.

I could have died. And I'm sure she is going to read this eventually and laugh her ass off.

Okay, can I just say I had the BEST place to watch the show?? I got to the Aragon around 5:00 and stood in line with the other popsicles. There were a bunch of Hammerheads in line in front of me that I recognized from some pictures. In fact, one of them is a woman who claims to be my stalker (and how flattered am I to have a stalker, right??) but I had to introduce myself to her! Some stalker. She's fired.

Anyway, we go in (ahem, 17 minutes late, Aragon people. It was damn cold out there!) and my friend and I get a beer and check out the floor. There was an area blocked off - about 3-4 feet in front of the stage and then in the middle, it extended out about 20 feet. Does that make sense? We stood behind a few girls that were right at the end of that pit area, so dead center from stage. All I could do was stare at that microphone on stage and think how great a view we were going to have. My brilliant and observant friend notices that the three girls in front of us are wearing O.A.R. shirts. So I ask them if we could swap places with them for the LH part of the show. They agreed! We are geniuses!

So we move up and we are hanging right on this divider. There are a couple of security guards in there and I start talking to them, asking them if the singers are going to be in that pit area at all during the show, whether the sec. guards are going to be blocking my view, etc. I dusted off some very old and rusty (and dubious) flirting skills, and make friends with the one guard who told me it is likely that a singer or two might mosey my way. And he promised to stay the hell out of my view.

Oh! We were right next to another mc.org girl that I had met at the Metro! Too cool. We got her up on that rail with us.

So the show was awesome. Again, that word. Sorry. Mind-blowing, thrilling, captivating, spell-binding, mesmerizing....all of it. My friend, not a Hammer fan at that point, was completely blown away. Marty was incredible. Broke out the robot moves at the beginning, did lots of scary conductor, some slow motion conductor, lots of jumps, etc. Please don't ask me the set list. I know they played Call of Distress. It's my favorite. Trees of course. Paint it Black (way cool), Clinic, Eyes Can't See, more. This Town was last.

But the best part was...when Marty jumps into my pit area and comes RIGHT TOWARD ME. I think my heart stopped. But I do know that I was beckoning him to me. So he jumps up ON THE RAIL in front of me. Like, where my elbows have been resting. And he is balancing up there singing away. Naturally, I am concerned for his well-being, so I reach out and steady his leg. (And by steady, I mean stroke lovingly.) His leg was trembling. Either that, or my whole body was shaking so much it was being passed through my hand and affecting him. I tried to stop touching that leg. But I could not. I literally could not stop touching him.

When he finally jumped down I almost passed out. And I turned around and hugged those O.A.R. girls so hard they were dying laughing.

(hope I'm not annoying people with this drawn-out story. Feel free to scroll past my fangirly ramblings!)

So at the meet and greet, they were signing away. I enlisted the help of my friend Jackie because I wanted to get a few special things signed. For me, I just wanted the whole band to sign my pink LH tee and mission accomplished!

Billy was first and we had a few seconds to chat because the line was stalled. He is really really nice and just seems so excited about all this.

When Marty got it, we locked eyes (THUD THUD THUD) and I smiled and he stood up and held his arms out for a hug. I can't believe I was able to move forward, but I did. He enveloped me in this huge hug and (I remembered what someone said about a hug at the Metro, so) I just inhaled and breathed him in. It was heavenly. I kissed his cheek as we were letting go (or as HE was letting go, I was hanging on for dear life, and the nearby security was about to pounce) and whispered to him that I was the one rubbing his leg when he was on the rail and I hoped he didn't mind. He laughed and said, "no, thank you!" and I said, "No, no, thank YOU." God, I'm a tool.

Anyway, next thing I know Bobby has the shirt and he is asking whose it is. When he found out it was mine he smiled and started to fold it up all elaborately and handed it to me with this mock bow. It was really cute.

I then had a special something signed by Marty for my pal dramagirl and I was out of there. (There's a bit of a story there, but I want DG to get the thing first.) I had given my friend everything else and just told her to get what she could. She did GREAT! She just LOVES the Hammers now! In fact, she had gotten a group shot of the band signed and she asked me all sheepishly if she could keep it now. I was like HELL YEAH! (and immediately thought about posting the story in the converted friends thread. LOL.)

Oh, the afterparty! LOL

I had found another person at the show that I know and she happens to know the band. I am going to be really vague about this stuff, for fear that she will NEVER let me tag along with her again. Plus, I don't want to blow my cover as "cool friend of the band" chick. Although that may have been out the door when they remembered that I was the one that was stroking Marty's leg. Anyway.

So my friend Jackie wanted to leave, so D asked me to stay and hang out with her and her friends - who also know the band. She didn't know that Marty and co were downstairs signing stuff so we head down there. Security brought her right to the front of the line and Marty vaulted over the table when he saw her and gave her a huge hug and a kiss and they talked for a while. (I didn't hear what they were saying but I'm sure it was all about me.) All the other guys came out to talk to her too and that was really cool.

Then we went back up to listen to the rest of OAR's show (meh) but had a good time anyway. When the show was over, we stayed until everyone had pretty much left and then D was getting some help getting downstairs so I took the stairs to meet her down there. And I saw Dino! I went over to say hi and told him I was with D and that she was looking for them and wondering where they were going. So he told me what bar they would be at. Yay! This could get really long (like it isn't already??) so I'll just say we ended up hanging out with Dino and his gf at the Aragon waiting for the others (MARTY??) to come down. Finally we just said we'd meet them there and took off in my car.

May I just say how totally cute Dino is? And hilarious.

Oh at one point we had been outside and went back in to the Aragon, but security wasn't going to let us back in. So Dino says "we're with the Lovehammers" and I said, "uh, you ARE a lovehammer, Dino." And he says, "yeah, that's what I meant." LOL SO the security ass doesn't believe him and so D pulls out a pic of the LHs and starts to show them like "see? That's him in the pic!" and Dino just said "F%#% this. We're going in."

It was cute. Eh, maybe you had to be there.

Anyway, we get really lost on the way to the bar, because the one guy of D's friends who knows where the bar is is of course loaded. So, I, uh, called my dad. LMAO. Thankfully, he was not too mad I woke him up and he knew how to get us there. Oh my god, is this ridiculously boring or what???

SO, we get there. There's a line, but we got right in. (Again, I'm pretty sure that's because I was there.) We go up, see Dino, who tells us "they're all in the VIP section." All meaning ALL. Marty, Bobby, Billy. D and Marty start talking up a storm (Me again? Geeze, Marty, obsessed much?) and the next thing I know, someone pushes me into a solid wall of Bobby's chest. Deeeeeelish. He apologized - like, are you kidding me?? - found a spot for me to sit and got me a beer. Then he told me that he couldn't sit anymore because he had been sitting all night. So I said, "Yeah, but you looked good doin' it." I'm such a card.

So at one point in this glorious party, I am on the couch smooshed up next to Marty. (I think he might be stalking me. Seriously. It's getting a little worrisome.) D introduces us - and he takes my hand and holds it....and holds it....and holds it....and it was so warm...so warm...warm...Marty....

Uh. What was I saying?

Oh yeah! So I tell him that we actually met at the Metro and he says, "Really?" And I said, "Yeah, but it was a really big moment for you, meeting a real-live editor and all. You were pretty nervous, but you held it together well. I was impressed." All the while he is laughing. At my jokes! Queen of comedy reigns!! Whooo!

Oh, a few minutes after we got there, the bar played Trees! Everyone started singing along and the look on Marty's face was priceless. He looked humble, proud, excited, amazed, and gracious all at once. He stood up, called to Bobby, raised his glass to him and mouthed "How cool is this?" (I think. It might have been "DId you see the totally hot redhead next to me?" Hard to say.) Awesome.

The rest of the party was great. I got to talk to Billy for a while, and met some really cool people (including T-Bone!) I blasted LH songs the whole way home, singing, seat-dancing, and laughing out loud.

What was really cool was knowing that I would have people to tell this incredible story to, that would understand just what it meant to me. I love you guys! (And it's not the beer talking! I'm sure that has all worn off by now...)

[penny74]

Posted by: treebee

Hey, everyone...some other highlights from the night...
When I met Billy he remembered me from the brd and my pm to him wishing him all the best at the show.
Marty and I talked for a little while at the meet and greet and I told him about my son, how we had all met up from the brds, and how far I had come to see them. He said he was blown away by my coming all the way from Texas to see them. He is so sweet and willing to give personal attention to each of the fans which is amazing to me with all the ppl who want to talk to him.
When I was getting the pic with all the guys, Dino's cell phone was vibrating against my back and I said, I think you are ringing or your heart is beating really fast and he said "or maybe something else" hahaha!
Billy and I talked about his kids and how they were not at show because they prefer to stay the night with their grandparents.
Because SpacyTracy and I both had on lh shirts (hers was a cool homemade shirt that Marty just loved, loved) this guy totally interviewed us on television. I think that I made an ass of myself but who cares?!?
At the bar, it was so packed...I was jammed up next to Bobby who is much taller than I thought, I had my hands up in the air because otherwise they would have been right on his pkg. I said to him, my hands are both right here and he looked down at me smiled and said "that's your problem!" hahaha.
Marty got a note on stage that his brother and his wife had a baby girl. Marty said congrats to his bro and said it was the "best composition" of his brothers life. It was a sweet moment.
Marty shook his bottle of water out at the crowd and droplets of water got on my face and hair. His dna is on me...do you think that I could get away with not bathing for awhile or for like ever?!? hahaha
They all so friendly! The show was phenomenal. Tracy and I worked our way to the front practically and had to cross over a pile of chunks to get there but it was all worth it...here are a couple more pics from the show for now...
*Pics removed*

[penny74]

Posted by: UandMe

First, I just want to say that those guys-Marty, Bobby, Billy and Dino-- are such amazing people. Not only did they put on an amazing show but they took the time to meet all the fans as well. I was a very fortunate girlie. : ) : ) : )

O.k., I will TRY to be brief but it will not be easy...bear with me. : )

There were so many hammerheads that we met up standing in line that we are eventually a group of 14 or 15 people. SHR, Treebee, Angie, Hootiowl, Spacytracy, taxegirl, Tara, moonlightmelody, Kristenhead and their hubbies and fiance. All great fun.

Thanks to Angie's hubby, Frank, we got to meet the LH. We are pretty much the only ones in there besides Q101 personel, photographers and 2 ladies from another board who tagged along. Honestly, it was pretty intimidating to be thrown in that situation so I hung back a bit and got to talk to Dino for awhile about the LH boards and all the changes that are in store for them. Very, very cool.

I walk up to Marty...he is so much taller than me...and say absolutely nothing intelligent. "Bllehdioewerhdh" Anyone who thinks they can pull it together when meeting someone they are totally intriqued and floored by is delusional (sp?). I think Marty now thinks I am delusional. : |

I did manage to say something literate eventually and then asked him to sign the only thing I had on me: my mc.org wristband. He studied it for a bit like it was very new to him still (so cute!) Is that cool or what? And then I walked away. I FORGOT TO ASK FOR A PIC!! I am telling you all...the LH have taken my brain and replaced it with mush! LOL But thanks to Frank, I did get a pic with Marty. Love them all! We were in there for like a half an hour and then someone with the band says they need to start wrapping things up but if we all line up on one side, he will take a pic of each of us with the whole band!!!! What a trip. I can't wait to get a copy of it all!!!! Then they went off to get ready to go onstage.

Oh, this is getting so long. Sorry! But there is more...

It was a killer show like I have never seen. I have never seen someone so intense as Marty when he performs. I was really struck by the difference between the Marty we had just left-almost shy and humble--and this dynamic fireball. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just happened to be standing right by the table when all of a sudden the crowd went wild and they came around and sat down. I got to be first in line, baby. They smiled at me and made some comment about me being first after just meeting them and laughed. All of a sudden the crowd pushed forward and I was pushed over the table with my face was right in front of Billy and Marty. I joked and said, "I guess you can sign my face." I realized I was totally flashing them and said "or my cleavage". I would normally not say that at all. LOL These boys just get to me. Marty jabs Billy and says laughingly "did you hear that?" I apologized and said "I am sorry, you guys just got me all worked up with that performance."

After the signing, a few of our group went up and asked them where they were going for the afterparty. The nice guys that they are, they told us. Love them!

So we headed over to the bar and sure enough, later on they showed up. So very cool to have this whole experience. And to be able to hang out with the guys. It really was a fun madhouse. I actually got pushed up hard against Bobby full frontal at one point. Witty guy says "Hi, I am Bobby" Blond hair moment..."I met you before" He grabs me and hugs me and laughs "I know!" Duh! Of course, I am totally getting squashed still and kinda freaking out in a clostrophobic way so I climb up on a bench seat and he asks "Are you o.k?" Not in a 'I'm concerned' sort of a way but a 'should I have you committed way.' LOL I was getting so pushed around that my camera got knocked out of my hand but thankfully, someone picked it up and later returned it to me. So thankful for that. : )

It really was a whirlwind of a time and I am just so thankful to the band for everything. Great music and great people and fans. I will post the pics as soon as I get them.

(Now, I will post this and hope it is not entirely too long! lol Thank goodness for edit)

Edited to try to shorten a little! Didn't work, huh?

[penny74]

Posted by: taxegirl

OK, I'm not sure how far I will get with this post tonight. What an amazing experience. First I want to say how great it was to meet everyone. uandme, treebee, shr, tara, angie, kristenhead, hootiowl, spacytracy - you guys are so awesome.

BEFORE THE CONCERT
We all finally get in after freezing our a**es off. We get patted down, but we all get to keep our cameras (now I wish I would have brought my good one.) We wonder around for a little while, and are hanging out at the Q101 table. One or two of the guys start talking to the radio people, the next thing I know, we are headed upstairs to a small room...with the band...WOW. Just our little group, it was wild. I walk in and shake Marty's hand and introduce myself, but am anxious to get to Billy so I'm still walking. Marty hangs on to my hand and asks me where I'm from (but I have to get to Billy) lol. I tell him and he seems blown away by all the places we all came in from; AR, TX, VA, CA, to name a few. So now I'm really feeling mad about not bringing my Ultrasound CD. Marty, Dino and Bobby signed it at the Metro. Now I have Billy in front of me and no CD. I talk to him a few seconds and step back and just watch all the interactions. They all are so genuine and sweet. It just amazes me how much time and caring they give their fans. They go way beyond what anyone could ask for. I bought a pair of the pink Lovehammer panties and can't decide if I want to get them signed (I'm feeling a little shy and embarrassed.) I finally say the he** with it, and ask Billy to sign them. I move on to Bobby and Dino. They all seemed to get a kick out of it. Before I can get back to Marty to sign, this guy lines us all up to take pictures (this is great, but I can't have panties without Marty on them.) No luck (at this point), it's time for the band to get ready to go on stage.

THE CONCERT
We all go down and find a spot. No front and center, but almost front and to the left for me. Straight as an Arrow kicks the show off. Then The Tunnel. The sound is not as good as it was at the Metro, but I don't care because I'm jumping up and down, singing anyway. Call of Distress, then Ultrasound. Marty is wild, much more than Metro. They rock Ultrasound, I think it should be the opener for every show, Metro was amazing. Throw my Head is next. I think Marty goes into the crowd for the first time here. The energy really picks up. Now even the dead OAR fans are coming to life. They play Rain on the Brain then Clinic (my fav song.) I call my hubby during Clinic (he stayed home with the kids), but he is not impressed (bad hubby.) He doesn't get any of this. Eyes Can't See is next. OAR fans are really pissing me off now, if they don't want to enjoy the concert then they need to get out of the way so the hammerheads can. Yes It Do, um, The Riddle followed by Better Off Walk Away. Marty takes his next walk into the crowd. He walks by me and grabs my arm, and when he climbs back up on the fence, his behind is in my face. That is all I'm going to say about his backside, by now, everyone gets the picture. lol. With no tower to climb, he walks the fence. They do Paint it Black, it's great, but with so many great Lovehammer songs, don't waste that time on a cover. Of course they do Trees, then end the show with This Town. I am shocked at how dead all the people are around me when they do This Town. I'm jumping up and down, screaming, stepping on people (sorry if I stepped on you). Unfortunately I could not see much of Billy from where I was. As great as the concert was, some of the magic of the Metro was missing.

AFTER THE CONCERT
I was lucky enough to be standing there when the boys came down for the meet and greet after the show. I now had my opportunity to get those panties signed by Marty. I was smashed for about 15 min. Security kept trying to move us places we just could not move to. So I gave Marty my panties and he held them up and smiled. Then Dino grabs them, I'm like, "Dino, you already signed them." Too late, I have two Dino sigs. lol. I had them all sign my ticket too.

THE BAR
We all go to the bar where the boys tell us they will be. And they really do show up. We stay in our little corner, not wanting to be a bother. But Marty comes over to say hi. He stands on our table, only to be removed by what seems to be his new babysitter, um, body guard. One of the girls gets a special present, then he is taken away. We closed the bar down and had a great time.

THE COMPARISON
The concert itself, so much better at the Metro. The intimacy, energy, sound, and connection was so much stronger at the Metro. Pure magic. The private meeting, the great new friends, the bar and of course the wild, wild Marty were great at the Aragon. Oh, and how could I forget the drum solo Bobby got. Yea. All in all, put the two together and you have the experience of a lifetime.

I think that's it for now. It was a long trip home. Again, I want to say thank you to all my new friends. Hope we can get together soon.

[penny74]

Posted by: kbrown

Okay, my story pales in comparison to some of the others on here, but I'm posting anyway because, well, it's the only story I've got.

So, my husband and I ended up showing up at the Aragon around 6:30 instead of 5:00 like I had wanted. Anyway, not a huge deal because we actually got a pretty good spot over in front of Billy. I was standing in the second row right behind a big tall guy and his two adorable little kids with a sign they kept holding up for the band.

The show was awesome. I loved every second of it, and I even spotted my husband singing along with some of the songs (he's a reluctant convert). I took tons of pictures, but because I'm not very tall a lot of them are of people's heads and hands. I am going to try to post 3 of the best of Marty out in the crowd.

Okay, speaking of Marty - this, of course, is the good part...I think it was during Better Off (Walk Away), but it doesn't really matter. Anyway, after he did the whole walking the plank thing, he ended up coming down over by where I was standing, and he was touching everyone's hands and everything. So I held out my hand and waited, but he never touched me. I was feeling a little disappointed when, all of the sudden, I looked up and saw Marty Casey standing on the railing right in front of me. I screamed a tiny little bit because I was so shocked to see him. Somehow, I hadn't seen him climbing up on the railing right in front of me - I thought he had walked away. So he was standing on the railing, and then he reached out into the crowd because he wanted to come over the railing and into the crowd. So I, along with a bunch of other squeeing women, reached up and held onto Marty to help him over the railing. I got to touch actual skin - his red shirt had pulled up slightly on the side, and I got to hold onto his side as he made his way over the railing. Anyway, I almost fainted - I was just really shocked by the whole thing. Then he proceeded to walk through the crowd singing. That was the highlight of my evening.

On a sadder note, I didn't realize they would be doing the meet and greet right after their show. For some reason, I thought they'd wait until after O.A.R. so I didn't make my way downstairs until about 20 minutes into O.A.R.'s set. I asked some woman if she was in line for something, and she said the guys were signing autographs. I promptly got in line, but then about 10 minutes later the guys were whisked away. I never got my autograph or my picture, and I have to admit I was a little mopey the rest of the night because of it. I even forced my husband to wait around until the very end of the concert, after everyone left, just on the off chance that the band would come back out. It was kind of sad.

But I hate to end on a sad note. This definitely won't be the last LH concert I'll go to. Hopefully, I'll get my chance to meet the guys at a different concert. In the meantime, I'm hanging on to my memory of touching Marty.

I also wanted to add that when the guys were done signing autographs, they walked right by me and I got to see Marty up close. And he really is as beautiful, if not more, in person.

[penny74]

Posted by: cfeelvr

I know some of you were talking about how bad the security was. Well, here's my story.......
My friend and I took the train from Michigan. Got into town late, so we took a cab to the concert. Got out of the cab and as it was driving away, I realized that I left my cigarette case in the cab. Thats where I was keeping my ticket for the concert. Totally freaked out. We yelled at the cab to no avail. Went inside to see what could be done. As my friend talked to security, trying to get me in, I stood against the wall and balled my eyes out. The security ladies must have felt sorry for me because they let me in without a ticket. I heard from the natives that It was a miracle I got in. We rocked out at the concert. Screamed and sang every song. Didnt get a picture with Marty because the Aragon security people kept yelling at me to go to the back of the line (probably because I was the tallest one in the bunch, 6'2"). I had been standing there, 2 people away from the front, (never saying a word) and wouldnt give up my place in line. I got to hold Bobby's hand as he asked my if I would be alright. I said yes and then got bumped off to the right. (Marty was to the left) Anyway, as you can tell, I saw the good and the bad in the Aragon security. Guess everything happens for a reason. I will try again in Feb in Detroit. Rock On Hammerheads.

[penny74]

Posted by: Doc

Hi guys!
I posted some of my pics at LH site, but wanted to give some love here too!

Aragon was amazing and the guys are so generous and HOT!!! I took three cameras and had every intention of hiding at least 2 in various places but was so pleasantly surprised when the security guys said we could have not profressional ones. I even had a "bra-cam"! Hee, hee. I met some really cool people from this site, hi guys (reddgt and rhiannon) and countless people that I was smashed against in line!(Good thing we all had on parfume!)

Met the guys after the show and said some pretty stupid things, but whatever...got cute pics!

Looking forward to the LA show, though not sure if I can stomach JD!

Anyway, enjoy the pics-they're not great resolution-wise and they boys were in constant flux, there is a lot of motion artifact, sorry!

*Pics removed*

[penny74]

Posted by: BBE

My Aragon Review:

Karen B. (Waiting4MC) and I really bonded over Metro weekend. We felt like we’d known each other for years. We survived the mosh pit together, too!
We have talked or e-mailed nearly every day since then, and we came up with an idea at the same time, just a few days after the Metro show. We wanted to give something to the whole band, not just Marty. Something with their “Lh” logo on it. We both thought of a pendant on a cool “guy-type” cord, because they all wear things around their necks.

We set about finding out how it could be done. Karen and I came up with a design, and worked out the details with the jeweler. We decided to have the pendants made out of 14K white gold, because we wanted them to be silver-colored, but sterling silver would have tarnished, and hey, these are guys—they’re not going to be willing to polish silver.
The letters are cut out from the gold, so that the “L” and “h” are open space.

Karen found a source for some braided leather cords made from high-quality Greek leather (how appropriate!), so we had them made with black and red strands braided together. When we saw the finished pendants on the cords, well—they were UTTERLY KNOCKOUT!!!!! Karen found some red star-shaped boxes that she put “Lh” on with black studs. She also found a journal bound in red leather, with a gorgeous illustration of a TREE embossed in red and black on the cover, plus a pen to go with it.

For Marty, I made an 8” x 10” of the photo I took of him on stage at the Metro, when he was doing a soulful look right into my camera at close range, with the dearly-departed red armband in full view.

We knew that we HAD to find a way to give them these gifts BEFORE the show, because the meet and greet afterward was sure to be insane. We kept trying to find a way, and finally, a wonderful person on this site connected us with someone who had won passes from Q101 for the pre-show meet and greet. That was finalized just the day before the show, so we had been sweating bullets until then. We had to pay a boatload of money for the passes, but at least we knew we were FOR SURE going to get to give them those gifts in a calm setting.

We spent all afternoon at the hotel getting the gifts ready, then we got dressed.
We still hadn’t had any dinner, but we had to get going. We rode the train up from our hotel, and it took longer than expected, so we got in line without getting any food. It was just BRUTAL cold and windy out there. After freezing our butts off until about 5:50 pm (20 minutes AFTER the doors were supposed to open—thank you very much, Aragon security--NOT!), we got in. The security woman looked in my purse, and said, “There’s too much stuff in there for me to search”, and waved me in. Karen and I both got our cameras in with no problem.

We went right to “Will Call” to get our passes, then off to the Q101 booth. Once the group formed up, they escorted us to the cocktail lounge that was to the left as you looked at the stage. Karen and I were at the front of the pack. They took us up the stairs and through the doors, and there was Marty!!! As soon as he saw us, he recognized us from the Metro, and beamed a beautiful smile as he threw his arms open! The other guys were standing beside him, grinning their faces off, too!

We all descended on them. When I talked to Marty, I told him, “Marty, this is the third time I’ve met you, but the first time that my brain’s been working well enough to actually tell you my name. So hi, I’m Nancy!”, and shook his hand.
He was chuckling a little about what I said, and he said, “Yes, I remember you from the Metro and LA.” After he shook my hand, he pulled me toward him for a hug and a kiss. I told him that we had some special gifts for the band, and that when they were done talking to everyone else, to come over to us. I finally got to meet Dino and Billy, and met Bobby again. He also remembered me from the Metro after-party. Wow—they are all so cool and sweet!!! There was lots of hand shaking and hugging all around.

As they, and we, were talking to other people, I ended up right behind Marty, with our backs to each other. This was a rather small room, so we kept bumping into each other. I could feel the warmth coming off of his body, and it felt so good, especially since I was still cold from being outside in line.

After a bit, it was time to give them their gifts, so we gathered all Lovehammers around a table and started in. I told them that at the Metro show, everyone was giving gifts just to Marty, and we thought, “Well, what about the rest of the band?” I said that we came up with this idea because, ”We want to send you off to conquer the world with some symbols of your unity as a band.” Marty was especially pleased by that, and excitedly repeated that to the other guys. (“Hey, these are symbols of our unity AS A BAND!”) I think he’s trying very hard to keep it from being all about him.

We gave each of them their gift boxes with Lh on them, and they were digging the boxes. Then when they opened them, their eyes just about popped out! They were like little kids at Christmas. Marty said, “Look, it’s got our Lh on it!” We told them to look on the backs, and they got even more excited. “Oh wow, this one’s mine!” “That one’s yours!” It was great to see!!!

Karen helped Marty put his on, and he wore it on stage during the show. You can see it in many of the photos. It rests just at the base of his throat, higher than the dog tags. The other guys were wearing T-shirts, so we can’t tell if they wore their pendants on stage. Marty said, “How did you know I would be wearing black and red tonight?” It looked SO perfect with his outfit…..it looked so perfect on him, period!!! It looked like it was always meant to be there. In some shots from the concert, the light is reflecting off the pendant so much that it looks like he’s wearing the sun around his neck.

When we gave them the journal, which is for all of them to write in, they were blown away by the intricately embossed tree on the front. Marty said, “WOW! This should have been the album cover! And it’s RED, too!” (He does love the color red!) They cracked up over the message we had written to them on the first page. The pen that goes with it was pretty cool, too—it’s the kind that can even write upside down.

Then I gave Marty the photo, and had all the guys sign one for me to keep. There was lots of hugging. They were all so happy that they were nearly bouncing around the room. Bobby wrote “THANKS 4 EVERYTHING, MAMACITA!” Lots of special moments with the guys!!!!! Then it was time for them to get ready to go on stage (was about 15-20 minutes until show time by then). So I can tell you that before the show, they were all very happy and seemed to be their usual selves.

Karen and I left the lounge and headed for the main floor. After experiencing the mosh pit at the Metro, we decided to stay back about 20 feet or so from the stage, slightly to the right as you looked at the stage. We could still see everything very well, though, and it was nice to be able to see the whole band at once.

Everyone already knows the song order, etc., so I won’t repeat it. They were all really kicking ass, and were all over the stage! I took some cell phone pics to send to people, and lots of film camera pics. (They won’t be done until next week—darn!)

The most memorable part of the concert for me was when during one song, Marty came way out into the crowd. I could see that he was going to pass behind us. I stepped into a clear spot, called to him, and waved him toward me. He saw me, grinned, and changed direction to come right over to me. While still singing, with his right hand holding his microphone, he came toward me smiling, and held his left arm open. We exchanged a big hug. I gave him a kiss on the cheek, so I wouldn’t disturb his singing. He gave me another little squeeze, then continued on his way. He was still happy at that point. It was some time later that the bad incident happened in the crowd, and I could see that he was angry about whatever had happened.

When he took his shirt off during the last song, that was mind-blowing! That was Performer Marty at his utmost—putting every bit of himself, everything he has, into his performance. He was asking the crowd to give just a little bit more energy. I was so disgusted at the people he had to ASK that of. He gives so much—how could those OAR fans just stand there like that???
I also thought back to what he said to INXS: “If I go totally the other way, what’s left of my personality? Where’s my showmanship?” Watching him, I am SO GLAD that he doesn’t have to meet ANYONE halfway now—that we get to see ALL of his showmanship, because it’s incredible!!! He is SO VERY SPECIAL!!!

After the show, we headed for the merchandise area. I was still standing in line when the guys were brought out for the meet and greet. Instantly it was utter chaos! The crowd rushed all around me, and I was pinned there for over half an hour. I was fairly close to the table where they were, so I got a close-up view of what was going on. At first, Marty looked upset and angry. I think it was left over from whatever had happened with those jerks in the crowd during the show. Then when people started pushing forward and shoving the table against the guys, they all started looking worried. Security told people to back off, or they would take the band out.

Once Marty could see that he was with his own fans again, he seemed to start feeling better, and smiling again. I do think they were all getting annoyed with how security was pushing their fans through the line. I think that security was totally unprepared for the size of the crowd to meet these guys. I was right next to one security guy, and could hear what he was saying over his radio. He said, “We need 2 more people down here RIGHT NOW! We’re about to lose control of this crowd!” He kept telling me to back up, and I kept telling him that I was stuck, and they should go to the edge of the crowd to make people start moving back.

Finally after about 45 minutes, the crowd eased up enough that a security guy was able to pull me out of there, and I went to the actual line.

When I reached Marty, I first told him, “Congratulations on your new niece!” He smiled a sweet smile and said “Thank you!” I told him I had one more thing to give him. “Here is that poem that I tried to give you before, but security wouldn’t let you keep.” (Out in LA.) I gave it to him all folded up, and he slipped it into his pocket. Then I asked if I could get a picture of him wearing the Lh pendant. He said, “Absolutely”, and then he looked up into my eyes with the most incredible look in his eyes. His heart and soul were in his eyes, saying thank you. That look just about dropped me to my knees. I hope that I was able to press the button on the camera and actually take the picture. Then the security jerk started pulling me away. I just had time to reach my hand out to Marty, and he reached out his hand and squeezed mine for a second, with that look still looking into my eyes. Then I was dragged away. I said goodbye to the other guys as I went by them.

Karen and I stood around for a while after that, talking with some other people. We found out then that a lot of the people who had gone into the pre-show meet and greet hadn’t even been on the list, but had just been lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, since some people hadn’t shown up for it. Dang—lucky them! We were watching the line still going through for the post-show meet and greet. We saw some girl get her bra signed WHILE she was wearing it, and we saw Marty climb over the table to kiss his parents goodbye.

After about an hour and a half, security came and took the guys out and took them backstage. There was still a huge line of people waiting, and they didn’t seem too happy about leaving. By then OAR was almost done playing, and were going to need that area for their meet and greet.

Thinking back on the whole Aragon experience, I’ve come to the conclusion that Marty is very perceptive, and he treats each fan according to the cues they give him on how they want to be treated. He seems to try to personalize the experience for each fan. That is truly a unique ability.