Q&A with Dino Kourelis!

[Amy]

Wonderful Mr. Dino Kourelis, bassist for Lovehammers, has agreed to do a Q&A for us!

This is exciting for those of us who have only recently discovered "Chicago's best kept secret." Hopefully we can get the low-down on their history together, writing styles, lyrics....just everything! So put on your thinking caps and ask the hard questions.

Please submit your questions to this thread. I'll send all questions to Dino and he will answer as many as possible. Please remember that he's not able to speak for Marty and that some details regarding current contract negotiations may not be available, so not all questions will be answered.

Deadline to have questions posted is Thursday, Sept. 29th, 11pm EST.

[mzliz]

1. Where were you when you heard Marty was not chosen as lead singer for INXS, how did you find out, and what did you do when you heard it.

2. Are you excited about the possibility of touring with INXS?

3. If you go on tour with INXS will you record a new album or will you tour using MoMM (which is a rocking album by the way)?

4. What is the funniest thing that ever happened at one of the Lovehammer shows? Any other interesting stories/fan encounters?

[lv2bhamrd]

Will you do a Lovehammer's performance b/f starting touring with INXS?

I've heard you might do a Katrina Relief concert in Chicago soon. How will you publicize this so that all of your fans have the opportunity to come?

[XSivelyHammered]

Hi Dino,

1. How many times did you want to kidnap Marty from the mansion this summer?

2. Explain the process of LH songwriting. Who comes up with the lyrics, melody and music?

3. This summer must have been a rollercoaster ride for you and your fellow LH's. How do you see Marty's "growth" in terms of fashion sense, his softer voice and toned down style fitting into the existing Lovehammers? Does that mean you will have to upgrade from jeans and t-shirts?

4. What three things do you think have kept you together as a band all these years?


5. Are you aware of the many fan bases out there? Kool-aid Commune, Treehuggers, Sisterhood, etc. Have you been lurking in any of the threads online?

6. When will we see the Lovehammers on TV? Are any talk shows trying to contact you?


7. When you are not playing bass for the Lovehammers, and answering our questions, what do you do?

8. What is the Lovehammers favorite beer? (or beverage)

9. Would you and the members of your band consider starting a blog that you update regularly? To keep the thousands of new fans updated on your thoughts and goings-on?

Thanks for answering!!

[wonder]

What are the Lovehammer feelings on the new fan base Marty's appearance has brought the band.

I myself being in my 40's have bought MOMM and from reading tons of post notice there are many more just like myself who have discovered we really enjoy the band.

My 3 children have tried to steal my CD telling me I am to old to listen to it. I tell them this is the first time in ages I have found a band I feel this strongly about.

What does Dino think? Are we to old to be listening to his music.

[scaryisgood]

Hi Dino - so glad you agreed to answer some of our questions!!

Do you think the Lovehammers fanbase has/will change signifigantly due to Marty's appearances on RS/INXS? I'm curious as to what your fanbase was like previously. Was it mostly a younger crowd? A mix of guys and girls? How would you feel about a possibly drastic change in your fanbase?

[fabiansparkle]

Hey Dino!

Have you given any thought of how you plan to avoid the Geritol spiked punch in the INXS backstage area?

Also, I've invented a machine that you may be insterested in purchasing....

It's a laser light that scans the concert crowd "squeeling girls" and when it finds one over 18, it automatically burns a small "hickey" like mark on their forehead.

Let me know if your interested in it...the price....1 BILLION DOLLARS!

PS..saw the dancing Dino...at least she left your clothes on!

[cimee]

1. Was that really a sock???

2. Who's sock was it???

3. Can I be a sock?

4. Do you wear socks?

[freefalling]

1. Will the Lovehammers be spending time in LA to record a new album?

2. I'd love to attend a Lovehammers show in Europe or Australia. Will the Lovehammers be touring outside of the US with INXS?

3. I love the softer side of Marty's voice, especially when contrasted with that deep sexy tone. Will you write some more songs to capitalize on that appeal? What about rerecording some of your already great songs to take advantage of Marty's enhanced vocal skills?

4. I think Lovehammers could write some great melodic songs in a similar vein to Wish You Were Here or Creep. Are you interested in broadening your music this way to reach a wider demographic?

5. I love the intensity of the Lovehammers music and I LOVE Marty's voice, especially when he uses the song to build to one POTENT scream. The scream intensity is much more effective that way, instead of scattering it throughout the whole song. Do you agree?

6. I think there is a great demand for DVD material from Marty/Lovehammers. Do you plan to make any videos or record concerts/tours? I'm really enjoying your LIVE DVD already, but am ready for another fix!

7. How do you plan to keep all of us Marty/Lovehammer junkies satisfied? We need our fix!

8. Would you consider recording a Marty/Jordis duet with the Lovehammers?

9. Actually a Lovehammers/Jordis tour would be a hot ticket! Any possibility there?

10. Are you considering having a videographer following the Lovehammers and Marty, as you deal with this sudden thrust into celebrity, possibly to sell as a reality show?

11. Speaking of DVDs, are you aware of the power of the Marty Casey eyef@ck?

12. Speaking of magnetism, Dino, judging from the Live DVD, you have the most beautiful smile and twinkling eyes, are you ready for the big time?

13. Besides buying everything I can find that you sell, how can we best support your new ventures?

14. A blog really keeps the interest up and I loved reading Marty's writing during Rockstar. I know you guys are pretty swamped right now, but does someone intend to do some regular blogging for us?

Thanks for taking the time to answer, Dino!

[mrbrightside]

Hey Dino,

New LH fan from Boston here. What do you think about LH coming to Boston to perform? Did you know that Boston desperately needs some Lovehammers?!

Thanks in advance,
Boston fan

[audly]

when you guys come to Toronto on tour, do you need a tour guide? I know someone *coughMEcough* who could help!

[hobbit]

Why did the Lovehammers drop the "Swinging" from their name? Just curious. :0)

[angela]

How do you see your music evolving after Marty's experience with Rockstar?
ang

[madlyconducted]

Hey Dino! Let's see, there's so many things I want to ask you, but I'll stick to only a few...

1. I know this has been mentioned before, but I thought I would reiterate the suggestion that all of you Lovehammers get a blog. I know you all have one collectively on MySpace, but I was wondering if you've ever considered having a blog for each band member??? Especially now that you have a ton more fans that want to know your every move...lol.

2. Apparently Marty and Bobby started the band, so can you explain when you and Billy joined?? And did you all have the same role in the band back then as you do now??

3. We know Marty was an appraiser. Can you tell us what your day job is when you're not playing in the band? What about Billy and Bobby? (I only ask because I heard one of you guys is a lawyer!)

4. What is your favorite LH song and which would you want to release as your first single??

5. Marty mentioned that you guys will probably start recording a new album soon. Do you already have material ready, or will you be starting from scratch?? And how will that fit into the tour with INXS??

6. What's your favorite thing about making music?? And if you had to choose any career besides music, what would it be and why??


Thanks for agreeing to do the Q&A!!

[brightside]

In addition to blogs for each of you, including Marty, would you consider an email account? Of course your inbox would be full and realistic people wouldn't expect a personal reply, but people sometimes want to email you guys.

Also, if we buy the CDs directly from your site, do you still get credit for the sales nationally? I would rather buy from you all, but I also want you to get the "count" registered.

This is probably a silly question, but since you are from Chicago, do any of you know Oprah? I would love to see you on her show, because she would be interested in you as people, in addition to your talent.

[chanvre]

Oh, nice questions!

My two cents:

What was your initial reaction when Marty told you he was auditioning for Rockstar?

Which city are you most excited about touring?

After looking at your photo albums, you guys look like you're having such a kick-ass time together. Give us details on how the band was originally formed.

Signed,
Patiently waiting for the Lovehammers to take over the world

[susie1129]

Hey Dino, What did the band think of Marty's version of Hit Me Baby One More Time? Could you also elaborate on how Marty got knocked out onstage?

[skybluehope]

I have to admit, I'm not yet familiar with the members of "The Lovehammers", but since it's Marty's band, I'd like to become more familiar.

I guess I'd like to ask:

1. Did you feel sold out when Marty tried to win Rock Star INXS in anyway?

2. What's Marty REALLY like, is he as cool, nice and mature of a guy as he seems so far?

3. Do you like Roger Waters at all? He (i'm sure you know), played bass and was an original founding member as well as main songwriter for Pink Floyd, and I've always loved him ever since I started playing Pink Floyd/Rogers Waters songs ONLY on my guitars, (decided that I'd dedicate my practice to learning his songs in the hopes of playing for him someday), but do you like his solo music at all, and how do you feel about his role as the bass player when he was still a member of Pink Floyd?

4. Will Marty and the LoveHammers ever come to play in New Jersey, or NYC? AND, when and if you do, can you PLEASE let me know in time?

Love and Peace,

Regina
(Sky Blue Hope)

[msgingerbread]

Howdy. This is pretty unrelated, how did you get into playing bass? What was your favourite Marty performance?

[dpheavenly]

Hey Dino

I have some questions for you...

1. Will u be pushing eyes can't see to become a single and for airplay?

Will u try to have the video on mtv or vh1?

2. Will u have any of the other rockstar Inxs contestants as guests during any of your gigs?

3. Have you spoken to any of the other contestants?
I know Jessica was at Marty Party..but have you spoken to any of the others???

4. Is Marty staying in touch with any of them??

Thanks, Donna