8/8/06 Canal Room – NYC, NY

[chk]

posted by: col

Another high energy show! Nice venue,easy to get to.Good to see show sold out .It seemed there were more hardcore fans at the Stone Pony,who knew every song.The pony show wasnt advertised in weekend paper, so the crowd was smaller. Setlist was the same except for no brain or face.Still another awesome show.

[penny74]

Posted by: sdbrins

ok so i just back to CT going to try to sleep for about 4 hours got to catch a flight out of LaGuardia tomorrow, home to Texas.

The energy in the room tonight was amazing. the show was sold out. Marty was extrodorinary. He wore white pants. No formal meet and greet but there was a kind of casual meet & greet. I did finally get my moment with Marty, who actually took several moments with me.

Dino & Bobby were adorable. Billy pretty much kept outta site after the show.

5 minutes with Marty priceless.

I got to meet more terrific fangirl friends. love you all dearly.

I will write more details later I need some sleep. I took pictures but it will be a little while before I can post them. One very happy fangirl sleeping now.

Sharon

ok I am so bad at writing reviews but here goes...
The Canal Room was my 2nd time to see the LH live and it was so worth traveling from Texas to New York and getting very little sleep for many reasons.
While sitting at LaGuardia waiting to get picked up Monday afternoon I called to check on Taxe & Cyber. They had made it safely and were on their way to their hotel. Tuesday afternoon I met chk & hubby, myo, & mondegreen at Vincent's for a fantastic dinner. We had a lot of fun just chatting it up and getting to know each other a little. We then headed for the Canal Room. We got there about 5:45. I spotted yerba right away, she is the most devoted st'mer and such a sweet sweet person. Standing in line I got to meet alot more hammerheads & fangirl friends, including Hammerme & angel (aka ratdigger), jenny in sarasota, RockDiva & Jodie, myO, mondegreen, chk, yak, and a number of others from both boards. I actually met 12 new LH friends at this show, I will not try name them all at this time, except to say it is always a pleasure for me to get the chance to meet everyone I love you ALL dearly.
Now for the show, Upon getting into the club I went up towards the front of the stage where I spotted Hammerme & angel. This seemed like a good place I wasn't in the 1st row against the stage put I could help ensure there was a safe barrier around hammerme (not that I expected a mosh pit at a LH show but you can never be to careful) and I was in the 2nd row of people and had an excellent position for the show. I agree with the others the opening band, Fixer, was a terrific opening band. A really good lead singer and strong band for getting the crowd rockin.
Bobby, Dino, & Billy came out pretty much at the same time, then Marty.
It was definetly a familiar LH crowd, which was obvious by how many people were singing along. Marty & guys were spot on!! They were fired up and the crowd us serious fuel for Marty's energy. He joked of having to cut off his hand if we only knew the words to Trees. He asked how many people had been to the Canal Room. He was very complimentary of Fixer. He was also very intense. He did fall on stage. yikes!! the stage was very small for him. He thanked everyone for coming and doing their homework of the lyrics. The energy was so powerful in the room I thought at one point the place was about to lift off. It was amazing. Marty asked how many people had music before the new CD when many in the crowd responded Marty said they wanted it back, yeah right...lol. Sadly there was no encore. It seemed like there would be no meet & greet but then they came out in a small area downstairs. Great big thank you to taxe who called me on my cell phone to come downstairs, luv you you're the best!!!
Finally I would get to meet the guys. Although I saw them at Memphis Billy was the only one I got to meet. And although I know that was lucky since he apparently sometimes avoids getting in the middle of the crowd. He is so sweet I did see him open the door and look around when I was down there but he didn't come out while I was there. I spoke to Bobby first he was so sweet!!! signed my set list, oh did I mention I got a set list..hehe. We got a picture and I gave him his gift bag I brought for him. Then Marty...amazingly I was able to speak and I told him my name and where I was from. OMG he was so....sorry about to squee. Oh so what, there is no more beautiful, sweet, thoughtful, and sexy man on the planet. He was so sweet to me, he spent like 5 minutes talking to me, he signed the set list, I gave him his gift bag, we took a picture (he had to help with the camera and we took another), he thanked me for coming all the way from Texas, and asked when he would see me again (to which I answered Wicker Park). He hugged and kissed me and I floated away. Then there was Dino, there was a break in the crowd of women around him so I asked him to sign my set list and told him I had a present for him. He was his usual witty self. I gave him his gift bag, we took a picture and I thanked him.
At this point I rejoined taxe, cyber, & julie and we headed for the hotel bar, after spending about 30 minutes outside saying goodbye to everyone.
WOW...ok, I'm ready for Wicker Park now....

Sharon

[penny74]

Posted by: suezer2

The show was awesome. I had only seen them at Mohegan Sun in crappy seats and this was a small club with like 300 or so people. Dino was outside the club before the doors opened, and in the room before and after the show. Marty popped in to listen to a few minutes of Fixer -- the warm up band who definitely ROCKED. Marty made a comment about playing all over with good and not so good warm up bands and said he thought they were awesome. He also made a comment about dressing up for The Canal Room. I believe he said something like, "we usually play shit holes and this place is fancy, so I have to pull up my collar." It was funny. I missed talking to him and getting a picture after the show by like one person. Oh well--there is always Hammerjam. Saw Bobby still out and asked him if I could have a picture taken with him. He said sure and put his arm around me and pulled me in for the shot. We bumped heads and he started giggling that all I wanted was a picture and he ended up banging my head. Not a problem! My hubby is definitely hammered. He was singing the words to every song even louder than I was.

It was great meeting Jodie and Kelly and all the other fangirls/guys we met.

[penny74]

Posted by: wendyc122

Sorry, no butt crack last night ... Marty was wearing a wide black leather belt with the signature hanging suspenders, so the pants stayed up ... not only does he have an awesome stage presence and that incredible face, the dude does some major stylin' ...

He was more serious last night than in NJ, so no jokes. He talked a bit about people asking him what his songs are about and he said they are about trying to figure out what the f**k is going on in his life ... sometimes the meaning gets clearer much later on.

The show was an hour and fifteen minutes, with no encore. Even though it was an over 21 crowd, he didn't take is shirt off. The stage was very shallow, so even though he moved from side to side, he couldn't be as physical as usual. Also nothing to climb on (with the exception of a brief trip to the top of the bar) or hang from.

The show was sold out, and the club (which is very slick) holds about 450. It was great to see some old friends and make some new ones. I had a newbie join me, and she was totally blown away. So little by little, the fan base is growing.

[penny74]

Posted by: ratdigger

Ok, its 6:00 am, cant sleep, thinking about the concert last night.
First, I'm gonna applogize for not remembering all the names, and who goes to what board name. There were so many people there last night, and everyone was awesome.
Hammerme and I set out early, so that we could be first in line, and hopefully see the guys go in for soundcheck. What ever you do, don't get a map quest, map. We didnt get lost, well, not to much, but it took us the complicated way to the city. We got there about 5 and there were already a few people. Hugs, Hugs, and hanging out for 2 hours. There were quite a few guys there, which was nice to see.

The place was very nice inside. Smaller than I thought it would be. Very clean (even the bathrooms,lol) and very posh. Hammerme and I got right to the front and scoped out the stage area for climbing apparatus for Marty. None to be found, but he ended up being resorceful.

The opening band was Fixer. Check them out. They rocked. Put on a really good show and got everyone pumped for LH. At one point the lead singer grabed a bottle of water and sprayed the audience with it. Us girls were horrified! Hey man, don't mess the hair and clothes before Marty comes out. He was young, and has alot to learn.

Then the guys came out. and the place went crazy. Everyperson in that room gave it their all to make them feel wanted and loved. I was happy that the stage was small, because we were able to see Bobby very well. Usually hes so hidden, except for his awesome playing, you wouldnt know he was there. Unfortunetly, because the stage was so small, Marty had a very hard time exressing his, uh hum, stage presense. He almost fell a few times, and thanked everyone for saving him from certain death.
He was being pretty "playful" and talked quite a bit.(which I love)
Dino and Billy were at their best playing their strings. Lots of smiling!
Marty played "accoustic" clouds. And it reminded me of RS, and why I fell in love with him. He is so intense, even while standing still.
He did manage to find his way through the audience and climb the bar. That was pretty cool, but the limit to his "monkeying around" I think ,frustrated him.
They didn't do an encore, I don't know why. It did feel a little rushed through the show. Or maybe, I just felt it was to short. What ever, it was great.

Now for the exciting part!
We hung around for a meet and greet, which didn't happen. Most of the people left, except for those who were hanging around for the same thing. Dino mingled with the crowd, and looked quite in his element. He's like the social butterfly, flitting about from tree to tree.I tryed stopping him twice, because he had said that they would try to get a picture, with Hammerme, and her unborn hammerchick. (By the way, everyone was so caring and protective of her, I felt very safe for her)
When he walked by us again, to leave, I nudged her and said, go get him!
She followed him and in the crowd, said, Dino, didn't you promise something?. Well everyones heads whipped around, and see a pregnant woman, and the look on Dinos face, was pretty classic. I bet everyone thought there was some drama involved in that. But she reminded him of his promise, and we followed him into the back room. Of course, there was no way in hell, she was going back there without me!

Walked in, and I totally felt like the country bumpkin. The guys were all hanging out, with Fixer, and a roomful of young, pretty girls. Yes, I was most defenetly the oldest there. And Dino, was still "flitting" about, going in and out the room. He cracks me up. Marty was sitting, eating cupcakes, and some brownies that Hammerme made. So we knew they got our care package. I started to ease up a little, because everyone was so nice, and very friendly. Hammerme, got her pic. with the guys(she'll explain that one, and post it). And then they left the room. Again, she got a pic with them, and I didn't. I was upset. We hungout, (all sureal) and Billy and Dino came back. Talked with them. Billy is really proud of his new car. You have to check it out on his new site. Dino was talking about vomiting with some girl. LOL. Bobby came back. (very quite guy, but HOT!!) He doesnt have to say much, its nice to just look at him.
I had asked Marty if he got his shirt I bought him. No, he hadn't. Luckalee, I found the bag I had brought, with the food, and his shirt was in there. When He came back in, I gave him his shirt. (OK, this is when mom mode came in, and I wished, Hammerme would have smacked me upside the head). It looked to big, so, I started nagging him, that he looked like he lost weight. Loveingly of course, but still, nagging. (the italian mom who keeps saying munja, munja) I'm not Italian though.
He read the note I wrote, outloud, after asking me of course. And I wasn't quite sure, if he was busting on me or not. But he put the shirt on, and it was big, but he looked great. And I think, I hope he liked it. He said he looked really white, cause he was wearing his white pants also. I got the courage and asked for a pic. with him. Dino was standing there, so I grabbed him and finally got my picture. We hung out for quite a while. Listened to antidontes, from one of their friends, asked some really stupid questions, and had some nice conversations. The more we talked to Marty, the more at ease I felt. I wont get into word for word. To much, and some of it, ,,, well,,, I want that moment to be mine. Sorry.
We got up to say our goodbyes, nagged Marty some more about gaining some weight. Asked him if he was a vegetarian(DUMB!!!). NO, he just got done eating a whole bag of Beef Jerky(Jen, he got your stuff)
He gave us hugs, we said good bye, and I floated out the door like a school girl.

Whens Hammerjam?!!

[penny74]

Posted by: longislandgrl70

All I can say is Lovehammers ROCKED

I knew watching Rockstar last year he was a great performer, but it's so memserizing to see first hand. I did get a chance to say Hi to Marty afterward, and he signed my ticket. I was too embarrassed to ask for a hug, and the girls were all over him. I ended up talking to Dino for a moment, where he rubbed my head and told me I was cute
It was a great night, and I wish they would come back again soon !

I of course, forgot my camera If anyone can send me shots, I would appreciate it
[e-mail]

[chk]

posted by chk

Okay, this concert turned out to be kind of strange for me. Seeing the band outside Chicago was somehow non-plussing, perhaps because I got so used to the Chi-town fans. Anyway, a number of us gathered for a pre-concert dinner in Little Italy then decided to beat a path for CR so that we could stand in line just to get a good spot inside. Met lots of great hammerheads including Sdbrins, MyO, Needy, Yak, Hammer Me, Mondegreen, Julia, Diva, Jodie, and countless others I am forgetting. Big thanks to everyone for all your kind words about mc.org – you lurkers can join in the fun anytime, you know! It was great chatting about the site, RS:Supernova, LH, and everything else. MyO, I am still laughing about your “I almost ran over Marty Casey with my car” story.
While we were waiting Billy came out and waved to everyone. He was heading to the hotel for a short kip before the show (that’s how early we were standing in line --he had time for a nap!). He gave big hugs to the street teamers and was on his way. Randy and Dan were outside later. Randy told us that the band had arrived quite late in NYC after some wrong turns en route. He looked tired but was still enthusiastic. He also noted that the CR would not let fans send pizza into the band (at previous shows fans have provided pizza, lasagna, etc as pre-show meals.) Then we spotted Bobby and Dino across the street. They also waved to everyone then seemed to head for a bodega for a snack or something. Marty quite wisely stayed out of sight.
Okay we got inside and ended up about 3 deep from the stage on Billy’s side. My husband brought the vid camera and I decided since he would be busy taking pix and video, I’d take few pictures and instead just concentrate on enjoying myself. This is my way of explaining why my photos suck. Fixer opened and were pretty good. They really had me for about 4 songs and then it just seemed sort of loud and repetitive. I will say this, tho, they looked good. After Fixer’s set, which lasted about 45 minutes, they cleared the way for LH. At one point the lead singer thanked Marty Casey for showing up, “because if he didn’t we wouldn’t be able to play.”
Once Randy and Dan have it all set up for the Hammers, Bobby, Dino and Billy take the stage and start playing Ultrasound and the crowd, as they say, goes nuts. Somehow Marty sneaks onstage (sunglasses, Love and Rockets T, black shirt, bandana, white pants with belt and suspenders) and starts singing “we control your radio…” FANTASTIC.
It is truly unbelievable how close to the stage I was – I could see just how tired Marty looked, but the crowd, which was a couple hundred strong and totally into it, seemed to really energize the band. They played (in no particular order) Straight As An Arrow, Call of Distress, Yes it Do, Clinic, Tunnel, Eyes Can’t See, Hold On, Ring of Fire, Trees, Wish You Were Here, Clouds, Let’s Get Wasted, This Town.
I was completely and utterly overjoyed as this was the first time I have heard Clouds performed live. It was really amazing. The arrangement is slightly different and during the vocals there is a beautiful pause in “I hope you’ll catch….me” that for some reason tore me up. There were 3 or 4 of us linked together swaying and singing along. Then WYWH, I saw tears from my fellow fans. A great moment.
Some fun moments: Marty talked about how happy he was that the crowd knew the lyrics to all the songs, not just Trees. “I was going to cut my hand off if you only knew Trees. It would suck to lose a hand.”
He also asked if everyone had their previous CDs, not just MCLH. When it seemed that about 99% did, he laughed and asked how did we all get them –cause they might be owed a few dollars. Marty also said that he hoped there was no curfew on Tuesday nights in NYC and said how much they liked the Canal Room. “We usually play in s%*t holes. This place is nice – we had to dress up to play here.” At that Dino looked down at his T-shirt and laughed, then brushed his arms while Marty fixed his own shirt collar. He also called an audible and added Let’s Get Wasted to the list. When Billy played the first chord, Marty stopped them and said he first wanted to talk about Fixer. “We hear a lot of bands. Sometime 4 or 5 bands come on before we do. They’re all okay, but Fixer f&*ing rocked.” Then he looked at Billy and said, “Now we can commence.”
Best of all was that I decided to not worry about pix and just really enjoy the show. At least 3 times Marty looked directly at me and sang and I looked right back at him. (Call of Distress, Ring of Fire were my fave eye contact moments). I seriously would have thought I was imagining it except that strangers were high-fiving me in congratulations.
The show was a blast and ended way too soon. Only 2 things disappointed me –the weirdness of fans stroking Marty’s leg during the show (come on, now, ladies, it’s uncomfortable for everyone to see), and fans calling Marty Marty Marty (not Hammers Hammers Hammers) after the show – it seems to me disrespectful of the other band members, especially after everyone whooped in agreement about the band being Lovehammers not MCLH when Marty talked about it earlier in the show.
Okay, after the show we didn’t stick around too long. Which means, in essence, that I STILL haven’t had my Marty pic/hug. But I did talk to Dino. I asked him to thank all his band mates for mentioning my daughter’s video in the Rain on the Brain contest and for awarding her a prize. He was so sweet and said, “Don’t thank us. She did all the work, we just liked the video! Please tell her thank you from us.”
Then of course, the usual post-concert magic happened. Girls with big hair and little dresses appeared from nowhere to hang all over our fave bass player who seemed to somehow have enough arms to hold them all at once. From now on I will refer to him as The Octopus.
A million thanks again to the Hammers for a fantastic show and to all the fans for being so cool. Can’t wait to see you all in October.