Q&A with Dino Kourelis!

[boshmurray]

Dino, I'd just like to say that I'm excited to hear more from the Lovehammers and I think Marty belongs with you guys rather than Inxs and I am happy it worked out the way it did.

1. How long have you guys known each other and what or who inspired you guys to start the band?

2. Who came up with the name Lovehammers and is there a story behind that?

Keep rocking! You guys are the best thing that's hit the music scene since Nirvana.

[MB]

Dino,

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions! It says a lot about you and the band that even during a time where you must be crazy busy, you are taking time to stay connected to your fans.

Here is my question:

I just received my copy of L'Strange - thank you for the personal note - and LOVE IT. I think you could have as many singles from that CD as MOMM. Do you have plans to distribute the CD through additional channels other than the Lovehammers site?

I know nothing about the music industry, but it seems that you could milk your existing music while you take as much time as you need to create a new CD and get your business team in place. Is that true?

[twog8kds]

Hi Dino!

I was just wondering if we can expect to hear "Baby One More Time" included in your set when you tour with INXS? Was also wondering what you guys thought when you found out Marty had to sing that song.

Thanks for taking the time to answer questions and I can't wait to see you guys when you tour. Best of luck to you all and thanks for sharing Marty with all of us during the Rock Star: INXS show. I am totally hooked!

[Sharon (sdbrins)]

Hey Dino,

1. What song (old favorite or new) are you and/or the band most excited about performing on a world tour?

2. Have you got a spot picked out for all the fan mail and gifts that are coming?

3. When Marty said he was going out for the RockStar INXS audition did you ever dream you would end up with the recognition you guys are getting?

Sharon, a fan in Texas

[Mad For Martay]

Hi Dino,
I recently got turned onto your band by watching RockStar...and of course like everyone else fell in love with Marty.So I looked up the band and then fell in love with your music...it really rocks. It brings me back to the 80s with and edgy sound. I have already purchased your cd's and listen to them all the time.

My question for you is Marty sang quiet a diversity of songs while on the show...what song was your favorite perfomance of Marty's? I must say I loved when he sang Hit Me Baby One More Time ...with that song he took someone(me) who HATES that song and all its bubble~gumness and made me love it. He sang with such intensity I could feel down to my bones.He really seems like a good guy and im glad he didnt win he's better then INXS . So now you guys get him back! Keep on rocking and we'll all ROCK with you!! Come to PENNSYLVANIA!!!!

[sweetangel]

Dino

Are you Greek or Italian? I am guessing Greek
What kind of car do you drive?
How tall are you?
When is your birthday?
Do you like sports? If so, which ones?

Just wanted to find out a little about you.
I hope your tour brings you to St Louis, Mo.

Thanks
Mechelle

[jewelergirl]

Dino, thanks for coming over to answer our questions and I also want to thank the band for being willing to let Marty go for the summer. I'm thrilled though that he will get to return to you now that fans outside your Chicago area know about your awesome band.

1. Are you still sending out personal thank you notes in all your CD orders? ( I just ordered both your CD's so this is important to me! ;D)

2. Now that Marty has become so popular are you ready for the same kind of love and attention once he's back with the band and we get to know the rest of the band too? I'm sure all 4 of you will have girls screaming!

3. Will you continue to have Chicago as your home base or do you think you will need to move to California to further your career?

4. When are you coming to Arizona for a concert?

[lesley]

Hi Dino,

It's really cool of you to take questions. I wish I could say I was cool enough to have known you before Marty went on t.v., but alas, I'm not. However, once I learned about you because of the show, I will admit that I was praying pretty hard that Marty would be runner-up instead of the "winner" because I really dig the Lovehammers.

You've mentioned in a few other instances that you guys all have a fierce loyalty to each other. That's really admirable and I hope all of these questions, silly and serious, about Marty and the band don't come off as anything more than the fun they're intended to be.

A few questions I wanted to send your way if you have time:

1. How did you guys come to work with Stevie Albini for Murder On My Mind?

2. Do you have favorites of your own songs that you especially enjoy performing on stage?

3. I've heard that you do a somewhat eclectic group of covers on stage - songs from the Stones to the Eurythmics. True? What songs have you covered?

4. At what point did the group of you go from jamming in the garage to thinking you really wanted to do this for a living? Or were you always set, right from the start, at making a career of music?

Finally, I just wanted to tell you and everyone else in the band that I'm really enjoying MOMM like I haven't enjoyed an album in a long time. It's great, super-charged rock and I hope you don't feel any huge pressure to change from that or go softer or anything of the kind. It's awesome stuff. I'm especially hooked on Eyes Can't See, The Tunnel and Over and Out. Keep it up! You've picked up a new and dedicated fan.

Best wishes to all the guys in the band. I hope there are great things ahead for you.

Take Care,
Lesley

[XSivelyHammered]

Hi Dino,

1. What do you think of J.D? As a performer/singer? As a fellow rocker/guy? Would you party with him?


2. Peanut or plain M&M's?


3. Dog or Cat?


4. What is your favorite INXS song?


5. Free Association: Say the first thing that comes to mind when you hear:

• Rockstar:INXS
  
• Mark Burnett
  
• Marty
  
• Jordis
  
• Bobby
  
• Suzie McNeil
  
• Dino
  
• Billy
  

[dreameraloft]

Hi Dino


Huge props to you for reaching out to the fans in all the ways that you do. The best way to lose fans is to stop addressing and appreciating them. Which leads to my question...........

Have you expressed to Marty that he needs to express some gratitude to his loads of loyal fans? You know for voting and voting and all the support and love........

One more thing,

How long do you anticipate this riding of the coat tails of RSINX and INXS themselves? We know The Lovehammers can fill venues on their own.

My best to ALL the LH's

[takemeout]

Is this where we give our question for Dino? I was wondering if Marty smokes (I'm hoping NOT) because it seemed all the RS contestants and Dave Navarro were smoking all the time.

I'd also like to tell Dino to pass on to Marty that alot of his fans LOVE the scary conductor thing, so please continue doing it!

[peggy]

Marty is sensational and I'm really looking forward to his/your cd coming out. My question is: will that be soon? I especially want a cd with Marty's song "Trees" on it.

I'm really happy for Marty, and your band. Looking forward to answers to all the questions,

Jo

[kikipania]

Dino:

I Think every question that comes to my mind has been asked by others on this board. I would like to thank you for doing this and please if you guys could write a bi-monthly blog so that we can hear from all of you and what you are doing, would make us all very happy.

I had not heard of the LOVEHAMMERS before ROCKSTAR and am patiently waiting for MOMM to arrive. I want to wish you all the best in your careers. Keep on rockin !

[smitten]

Dino:

I, too, am curious to know what you all do when you are not playing music. After all this exposure are you quitting your day jobs?

I loved the clips from the "LA Demos" on your web site. Are there more songs, and will they be on a new album?

Who usually writes the music? I'm guessing that Marty has a lot to do with lyrics but how does it all come together?

I vote for blogs as well.

Thanks for taking the time to connect with fans. I can't wait to see the Lovehammers in person.

[darwinvenom]

Hello Dino,
1. Do the Lovehammers have any scheduled show dates, besides the possible INXS tour?
2. Are you or the other Lovehammer members INXS fans?
3. Are you feeling/seeing any of the fame that Marty has created by being on Rockstar INXS?
4. My Wife and I have become huge Marty fans because of the T.V. Show, we live in Wisconsin near Milwaukee(very dissapointed that we didn't know about you when you played Summerfest this year). We are glad that Marty didn't "WIN" the T.V. Show, We think that he can become much more than INXS can offer.
Do you think that the Lovehammers (in its current form) have what it takes to hit it big with the popularity that Marty has started because of his television success?
5. What do you think of and know about the song "Trees"?
Thank You for your time

[ohmiss]

Hi Dino: You must know the answer to this and I've been curious as Marty wrote this on his Rockstar Blog Board but didn't explain it. How and when did he "knock himself out cold" during a Lovehammers show? Did he have to go the Emergency Room? Obviously, he survived, THANK GOODNESS!

Love your music by the way. Have the two CDs. Would LOVE LOVE LOVE for you to come to Niagara Falls or Buffalo soon!

ciao bella

~Terese, Niagara Falls, NY, USA

[Amy]

Thanks for the questions. I'll be submitting them to Dino today and hopefully we'll have answers soon!

[Amy]

I've received a WONDERFUL response from Dino today. Stay tuned for details.

[Amy]

Dino has answered your questions! You can check out his responses here:

www.martycasey.org/dino_qanda.htm