8/1/06 Mr Smalls Theater –Minneapolis, MN

[chk]

posted by gingeroz22:

I want to say a big THANK YOU to the band for stopping in Pittsburgh. Marty seemed especially pleased with the size of the crowd for a Tuesday night which made me feel proud of all of us Hammerheads who braved the extremely high temperatures to support the Lovehammers.

The opening band was Cloverleaf, a local band with a lot of potential. The Lovehammers also felt Cloverleaf had the right stuff and I am sure this was a huge boost in confidence for that young band.

I was lucky enough to get front row and I was not disappointed. The band was electrifying and Marty was absolutely mesmerizing. He frequently stepped out on the barrier right in front of me -- which just added to the thrill of it all. Many people were reaching to touch him -- I am a polite concert goer and just allow performers to do their thing -- but Marty was very patient with them. He also at one point waded into the crowd and went to the back of the venue to stand on the bar. Great way to make sure everyone felt like part of the show. Marty also paid special attention to the young boy standing beside me who was maybe 8 years old and gave him his guitar pick.

I got one of Dino's picks -- yeah!!! I took some photos which I have to get developed. A special shout out to Bobby, one of the best and sexiest drummers out there -- he was so sweet at the Meet and Greet, too.

I have always loved Paint It Black but the punked up version of the Lovehammers is by far the best as well as Ring of Fire.

Also, want to say how nice their roadies are. I was waiting for a taxi outside when they were moving the equipment and they were so polite and friendly. This was my first Lovehammers concert and now I just cannot wait for my next one, Hammerjam in October.

[FlyIntoOblivion]

Posted by aspasia:
Wow, where do I begin. First of all, HUGE THANKS to Cindy for arranging a meeting with the band and my Hammerettes before the show. Cindy, I owe you one... (Yeah Cindy!!) My husband emailed her and told her we were bringing our kids to the show and she told Marty who very graciously invited us to meet them backstage. She even called us before the show to make sure the arrangements were made. We spent about 20 or 30 minutes in the dressing room with them and I am so happy to say that all of the reports about how nice they all are are completely true. Marty was so great with my kids, actually all of the guys were, I can't tell you how excited and happy it made my kids to meet them. We were all pretty nervous for the first few minutes, but they made us so comfortable that we forgot about freaking out and the conversation just flowed. We got some great pictures with everyone, I will post them later. My girls made them some pictures and cards, and Marty hung them up on the refrigerator in the kitchen part of the dressing room and told them how much he loved them. Marty asked them what songs they wanted to hear and they told him "Trees" and "Rain on the Brain". He said he had to sing that one for them since that was their song now. Again, they were so nice and great to us. We all got hugs from them when we left (by the way, Dino smelled really good) and some really great pictures. We were so happy to see them we forgot to get them to sign the girls shirts that they made for the concert, so afterwords at the meet and greet they did it, and Marty told the girls how happy he was that they came and that he hoped they would come to another show. Needless to say, it is all we have talked about today. This morning my 9 year old says to me, "Hey Mom, remember that time we hung out with the Lovehammers"...and then we all high fived each other OK, so now the show...

The band sounded so fantastic. Marty had given me some earplugs for the girls earlier, but they wouldn't wear them once the Lovehammers came on. My older kids my husband and I put the little ones on our shoulders most of the show so they could see perfectly. There was a pretty good crowd there, especially for a Tuesday night, but there was not a bad seat in the house. (OK, we were standing, but you know what I mean) I wish I would have payed attention to the set list, but it seems like they sang almost everything we wanted them to. Pretty much everything from the new CD, most of MOMM, and even some from L'Strange. They also did Paint it Black, Ring of Fire and Wish You Were Here. Marty gave my girls a shout out before he did Rain on the Brain which was so nice, they were thrilled. I can't believe how good they sound live, it is so disappointing when you see someone live you you really like and they don't sound as good. Not the case here though, the boys killed it...of all the concerts I have ever been to, this one has to be my favorite. Part of it was because we were so up close during the show, but most of it was how great they were. OK, I feel like I am raving a little here...

Anyway, the whole experience was too awesome for me to really put into words, but suffice it to say, I feel totally justified about how much I love and obsess about the Lovehammers, my whole family are confirmed Hammerheads, and I can't wait to see them again.

[FlyIntoOblivion]

Posted by yakketyyak:

I don't have alot to say...still stunned/Martyfied I guess.....Marty was wearing The White Pants.....Sadly, he got blood smears on them because he cut his hand somehow...I think it may have been one of the several times he was on the floor crouching, rocking, zoning, or rather pausing to gather energy. It was very hot and humid in Pittsburgh and although the club was airconditioned masses of hot sweaty bodies close to the stage (and I mean the fans, altho the boys were sweating up a storm as well) caused a hot & humid atmosphere at the stage. It was a small crowd, I think there was less than 200 but not bad for a under promoted Tuesday night. I met many LH fans from all the boards and unposters as well. I made some new friends I hope.

The band rocked!!! Marty did not remove his shirt (he wore the black cut-up Levis shirt from the RS Show), although Bobby started shirt-free and never put one on until AFTER the performance! (I got a chance to briefly chat and then get a big hug from Bobby, he was all alone outside of the church/club, earlier in the day--and that boy has a tight body....oh my goodness, he is much slimmer in person than he appears in pictures). Marty was still "very intense" which I noticed has been his mood for the past few shows. He jumped a bunch of times (my fav) and did his "spin" and was VERY high energy....so much so that he ran out of energy for the M&G after the show. The small crowd made for a great m&g....there was NO rushing, people were being very quiet and patiently waited their turn, fans had time to talk to each guy and get autographs. The boys were standing behind a counter at the T-shirt booth but after signing stuff they came out and we were able to get pictures with them eventually.

Due to the last minute realization that all the rechargeable batteries for my digital camera were dead, I did not bring a camera and have no pictures to share but I will be better prepared for the next concert in Philly. My thanks go out to my always-kind Sisterhood friends for finally getting a picture of me with Marty!!! Marty was exhausted after the concert and was very "zombie" like and he spoke in a whisper soft, hoarse voice (even more than his usual raspyness). He was very gracious with fans, especially the young kids that were there, but he obviously had run out of energy. He was sweet and posed for pictures with me and my friends I was with. I also got a picture with sweet Bobby (I didn't expect him to be SO quiet) and with that rascal Dino (Dino always has this impish look on his face). Billy disappeared quickly after the m&g. Hopefully my friends will share and send me their pictures!

Oh yeah, and I managed to get Marty to talk on my cellphone to Heartotexas!!!! I was SO happy to have surprised her. She asked him when are they going to Texas and he told her the next leg of the tour will include Florida, New Orleans area and thru Texas!!!!!! So hopefully the Texas fangirls will finally get their chance to see Marty soon!!!

That's all I have to say...I had a great time....I am looking forward to Philly, New Jersey, NYC and Buffalo!!!!!!