Post by kate on Feb 10, 2006 17:20:09 GMT -5
So, for my review....
Prepare yourselves it is looooong. It was a very eventful night. This is actually a copy from the Lh boards. Please forgive me for spelling or gramatical errors. I typed it up when I'd had very little sleep. Might need to grab a snack and a drink before you start...and perhaps a trip to the bathroom first....lol...like I said, it is a long one......
Thanks to Li from the Lh boards, Franny and I were able to get tix for the Tuesday performance! The arrangements were made very last minute (Saturday) and there was so much to do. A few weeks back, Holly had asked me to lead the Toronto Street Team to which I had to respond that I didn't have tickets and since I live a good 2 hours (or more) away, it wasn't in the cards. However, the last minute ticket meant that I could help out. I contacted Holly and voila, next thing I know, I'm listed as Street Team Leader for Toronto...woohoo! Thanks for your help Holly! It was a pleasure and an honour to be of assistance. Both Franny and Li were also involved AND we met up with Nader who is with Epic's Street Team. He has just started posting here so everyone say Hi if you see him around!
So, Tuesday rolls around and my "wake-up" call to Franny (she works nights) lasted way too long and we were both behind in getting ready. I took my flyers to be printed but the self-serve colour copier wasn't working. They told me they could print them for me and they'd be ready for early afternoon. Nope, on my way to T.O. early in the afternoon. Unfortunately, I had to settle for b & W. Better than nothing though. Thanks to the late departure time AND an unfortunate accident on the highway, we missed our train. Franny had called me around our set meeting time to say that she was running behind...well, what do you know...me too. Turns out she made it to the train station before me and bought the tickets. I turned into the parking lot at the very moment the train left the station. We had to wait for another hour for the next train. Good thing we decided to go "early".
We were to meet Li and her friend in Toronto and while at the train station, Li called. I told her what was up and that we'd be a while. We caught the next train and arrived in T.O. after 4:00 then we met up with Li and her friend. Franny and I had some shopping to do so we went to the mall that adjoins the hotel that Li was at. I had taken some gifts for the guys and Franny wanted to look for something else. We found some really nice stuff and both decided to go together on it so we could present them from both of us. Toronto has great shops. We met the other girls for dinner and then headed to the venue. Good thing that we're all ladies because when we suspected we were going in the wrong direction, we asked for directions. Turns out we were heading in the oposite direction but had only gone about a block out of our way. We turned back and rounded the corner and there it was...the Massey Hall marquis! The doors were open and we went right in.
We took our coats to the coat check and started handing out flyers and cards. We used the ladies room and left some in there...they started going immediately! People were very interested.
Now to find our seats. Franny and I sat in the first row of the first balcony right close to the left hand side of the stage. Lights went down, drums beating....Ultrasound! Lights, we see Bobby....then Dino & Billy....lastly Marty! The crowd was receptive. They only did part of Ultrasound and then went into Clinic, I think. Not sure of the set list...I totally lost track from the high.
I believe they played....
Ultrasound
Clinic
Call Of Distress
Yes It Do
Straight As An Arrow
Eyes Can't See
Tunnel
Trees
Ring of Fire
I'm not sure of the order but I do know that Ultrasound was first, Trees was second last and they closed with Ring of Fire.
Early on, Marty mentioned that the cd is titled Marty Casey & Lovehammers for "obvious" reasons and said that many of them know him BUT that he wants everyone to get to know the other guys so he introduced each one individually and then said "WE are Lovehammers". The response from the crowd was great.
As usual, through the entire set, Marty was all over the place. Billy and Dino Rocked and switched it up by trading places and playing on the same side of the stage a few times. Bobby kept that awesome, thumping beat! That man has energy!!! The ALL do! They sure know how to work a crowd. They gave 110% of themselves and the crowd appreciated it. At one point, we saw Marty bolt to the left of the stage...OUR side of the stage! Yup, he climbed right up to the balcony! Since we were in the front row, we had to stand to let him past. Although the place was nearly full, there were only two other girls in our section of the front row. Of course, not wanting Marty to fall over the railing, I had to hold his arm and guide him past me. He walked the full front row of the semi-circle balcony all the way to the other side of the hall and jumped down on the speaker on the far side of the stage. The crowd lapped it up AND he didn't miss a beat! Not one!
He was all over the stage again and then up on the speakers behind Dino. We saw all of the Marty trademarks that night....like that was a surprise....lol. Back bendy Marty, conductor Marty, on-the-floor Marty, climbing Marty, jumping Marty, all over the stage Marty. All of the guys have such energy and they all know how to play to the crowd. We had a really good view of Bobby this time and I tell you, that man is a machine! He really knocks me out with his amazing talent. They ALL do! Marty gave props to Dino for both saving his dog and for being such a trouper and playing with a messed up hand. Poor Dino. He is such a good sport. And thankfully, Frankie is fine too.
Just before Trees, Marty told the crowd that they were going to play something they would know. Of course, Franny and I danced (in our seats) and sang to EVERY song! I think Marty saw us too...we were pretty obvious. For Trees he asked everyone to stand...thank goodness. Franny, in particular was having a really hard time sitting although she was a long way from being still! The crowd obliged, Trees started and as per Marty's request, many sang along. It was great! They ended with Ring of Fire and it went over very well too. Everyone was still on their feet and many were singing. When the set was over, the audience roared! Franny and I noted how pumped they all were. It was great. Marty announced an autograph signing at 10:45 following INXS' set. Of course, we already knew because we had scoped the place looking for details!
We left the balcony, handing out flyers and decided to go outside. We found INXS' busses but no Lh bus. We walked around handing out promo stuff and then decided to go back inside. I just had a feeling we needed to be back downstairs. We went to the merchandise area to check on flyers and things and then used the ladies room. We ran into another fan that we met before the show (she saw me carrying the flyers) and she asked if she could join us. We'd already made arrangements to meet her after the set but we couldn't find eachother. At one point we met Nader who is with Epic's Street Team. He had done an awesome job of putting up posters all over the poles outside the venue. Eh hmmm...some people took some down to keep as souveniers....not mentioning any names, of course.... He is an awesome guy and he's a Lh fan too! He gave us some Lh post cards to hand out and I talked to him a fair bit about Street Teaming. He asked who I was with and I told him the Band's Website Street Team. He asked us to meet him after the show was done and we later obliged. He has just started posting on the boards so if you see him please say HI!
Well, although I don't think any of us are truly sure of the chain of events, at some point we were near the merch area, either coming in or going out and who should we see? Yes, it was Marty! I heard Franny gasp and I saw Marty...not sure in what order. I looked at her and said "look who is here". He was talking to the merchandise lady and then when it looked like he was ready to leave the table I asked him if he had a few minutes for us to which he said "yes, I do". He was so sweet. I'd seen him before at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago but only on the stage and the little time I had to meet them all at the autograph signing. Totally welcoming, friendly, open, willing to share, genuinely interested....you all know what I mean whether you've met him face to face or not. I had given him the necklace that he's wearing in my avatar, when we were in Chicago. I have a coin like the pendant on that necklace which I wear all the time so of course, I had it on then. I showed it to him and have no idea really of what I said but he acknowledged the necklace and said that he loves it. He also shared that he has a problem with the back portion coming around to the front so he's thinking about a new chain for it...but again, said tha he loves it. What a sweetheart.
I could go on and on about our conversations, what was said and done but it would take ages to type out. I shall sumarize it by saying that Franny and I visited with Marty for a LONG time and our new friend "D" was there too. We talked about all kinds of things...got the story about Dino's hand...poor Dino and Marty mentioned that Tim Farriss joked, saying that he could stand behind the curtain and play while Dino pretended! I told Marty that we understand that INXS is treating them very well and he said they were awesome.
Franny and I had picked up a dogtag-like pendant on a silver chain. The "dogtag" is actually a razorblade with black rubber around the edges and it has a cross pendant on it as well. He was trying to work the clasp but had trouble so I asked him if he needed some help. He said "Yes please" so I opened it up and helped him put it on. He thanked us both so much and then he asked to have a picture taken with both of us. He seemed to really like it. Thanks to Nader for being our photographer...a few times! We asked questions and he shared stories, we talked about his family and so much stuff. Every now and then some other fans would come down, we'd excuse him and then he came back to us. I cannot tell you enough how wonderful our time with him was. It was an awesome experience. The only thing that could have made it better is if we'd had that same kind of visit with the other guys too. Marty was wonderful.
I told him that Holly had appointed me Street Team Leader for Toronto and he thought it was cool. I gave him hugs for Tisha, Gina and Ynot! My pleasure ladies....thanks! He gave me hugs for all of them.... and one for me. My hug also consisted of thanks for being so supportive. He truly appreciates his fans and our support. There is just no doubt there at all. After a very lengthy visit he said that he needed to get back to the guys and but that he'd see us later. "D" had given him some chocolates and he asked her to open them to share...awe.... He walked away without them and "D" and I called out and told him that he'd left them behind. He told her to hold on to them...he'd be back and he'd get them from her later.
A small crowd started to form at the entrance to the bar and we decided to get in line. We handed out more post cards and things while in line and they were snapping them up. We saw Nader again and he was handing them out too. He reminded us that he wanted to see us afterwards. They finally opened the bar area and there was a maze to walk through to get to the table. We went in and then they ushered the guys in. When I got to the table Marty was first and I told him that I didn't have anything for him to sign since I'd already had him do that before. He looked up, smiled, stood up, gave me a hug and then mentioned how nice it was to have that visit. He also acknowledged the necklace that Franny and I had given him earlier.
Next was Dino and I had him sign my cd inserts. Franny and I had a bracelet with small handcuffs on it and a braided leather one for him. I gave them to him and told him they were from both of us. He asked if both of them were for him and I said Yes....he accepted them and said "cool". I told him that I was sorry about his hand and like the trouper he is, he said he'll be alright. Unfortunately they were trying to get the crowd through so we didn't have much time to visit and NO pictures with the guys or while at the table...well some of us cheated the second part of that a little!
Bobby was next at the table and he too signed my cd inserts and Franny and I gave him the braided leather bracelet and the black leather wrist band with skulls on it that we'd gotten for him. Again, not much visiting time. I had taken with me the group pic that I had in Chicago. I got everyone's siggy on it except for Bobby's. He signed it for me so now it is complete.
Billy was the last at the table this time. I saw that he had on a pendant that has a Canadian flag on it. It is the same as one that I gave him at the Aragon. I reached for it and told him that it looked familiar. He looked up and said "did you give it to me?" and I told him that I believe I did. The one I gave him was not on a chain but unless another Canadian gave him the same pendant on a chain then I susupect he put my pendant on the chain. I told him who I was and where I gave it to him. He smiled and apologized for not recognizing me. Well it is pretty hard to recognize anyone when your face is down and you're busy signing autographs. He gave me a hug.
By the time we were finished having all of our stuff signed the line up was almost gone. I had told Dino that Tisha wanted him to call her and asked if it was okay. He said it would be okay when he was done signing. I'd already talked to Tish but she was apparently quite anxious and right on cue, with about 2 or 3 people left, my phone rang. I looked over and said "Dino sweetie, I think it's for you" He finished up and came over to get the phone. They chatted for a bit and when he gave me my phone back I told him that Tisha wanted me to give him a hug...what? It's true! Right Tish? He obliged. It was a very nice hug...thanks Tish! I didn't get a Bobby hug though... NEXT time! They were all being ushered out the door...Billy was the last one at the table and he stood up came over, gave me a big hug and said thanks so much. Then he gave Franny a hug too. He thanked us all for our support, put on his coat and joined the others. What a great group of guys!
I could probably go on even longer but this novel must come to an end. If you've managed to get to this line, give yourself a pat on the back...good job!
If you've had the pleasure of meeting these guys you will know what I mean when I say that there is no way they could possibly be nicer than they are. If you haven't had a chance to meet them yet, you will definitley understand when you do!
Prepare yourselves it is looooong. It was a very eventful night. This is actually a copy from the Lh boards. Please forgive me for spelling or gramatical errors. I typed it up when I'd had very little sleep. Might need to grab a snack and a drink before you start...and perhaps a trip to the bathroom first....lol...like I said, it is a long one......
Thanks to Li from the Lh boards, Franny and I were able to get tix for the Tuesday performance! The arrangements were made very last minute (Saturday) and there was so much to do. A few weeks back, Holly had asked me to lead the Toronto Street Team to which I had to respond that I didn't have tickets and since I live a good 2 hours (or more) away, it wasn't in the cards. However, the last minute ticket meant that I could help out. I contacted Holly and voila, next thing I know, I'm listed as Street Team Leader for Toronto...woohoo! Thanks for your help Holly! It was a pleasure and an honour to be of assistance. Both Franny and Li were also involved AND we met up with Nader who is with Epic's Street Team. He has just started posting here so everyone say Hi if you see him around!
So, Tuesday rolls around and my "wake-up" call to Franny (she works nights) lasted way too long and we were both behind in getting ready. I took my flyers to be printed but the self-serve colour copier wasn't working. They told me they could print them for me and they'd be ready for early afternoon. Nope, on my way to T.O. early in the afternoon. Unfortunately, I had to settle for b & W. Better than nothing though. Thanks to the late departure time AND an unfortunate accident on the highway, we missed our train. Franny had called me around our set meeting time to say that she was running behind...well, what do you know...me too. Turns out she made it to the train station before me and bought the tickets. I turned into the parking lot at the very moment the train left the station. We had to wait for another hour for the next train. Good thing we decided to go "early".
We were to meet Li and her friend in Toronto and while at the train station, Li called. I told her what was up and that we'd be a while. We caught the next train and arrived in T.O. after 4:00 then we met up with Li and her friend. Franny and I had some shopping to do so we went to the mall that adjoins the hotel that Li was at. I had taken some gifts for the guys and Franny wanted to look for something else. We found some really nice stuff and both decided to go together on it so we could present them from both of us. Toronto has great shops. We met the other girls for dinner and then headed to the venue. Good thing that we're all ladies because when we suspected we were going in the wrong direction, we asked for directions. Turns out we were heading in the oposite direction but had only gone about a block out of our way. We turned back and rounded the corner and there it was...the Massey Hall marquis! The doors were open and we went right in.
We took our coats to the coat check and started handing out flyers and cards. We used the ladies room and left some in there...they started going immediately! People were very interested.
Now to find our seats. Franny and I sat in the first row of the first balcony right close to the left hand side of the stage. Lights went down, drums beating....Ultrasound! Lights, we see Bobby....then Dino & Billy....lastly Marty! The crowd was receptive. They only did part of Ultrasound and then went into Clinic, I think. Not sure of the set list...I totally lost track from the high.
I believe they played....
Ultrasound
Clinic
Call Of Distress
Yes It Do
Straight As An Arrow
Eyes Can't See
Tunnel
Trees
Ring of Fire
I'm not sure of the order but I do know that Ultrasound was first, Trees was second last and they closed with Ring of Fire.
Early on, Marty mentioned that the cd is titled Marty Casey & Lovehammers for "obvious" reasons and said that many of them know him BUT that he wants everyone to get to know the other guys so he introduced each one individually and then said "WE are Lovehammers". The response from the crowd was great.
As usual, through the entire set, Marty was all over the place. Billy and Dino Rocked and switched it up by trading places and playing on the same side of the stage a few times. Bobby kept that awesome, thumping beat! That man has energy!!! The ALL do! They sure know how to work a crowd. They gave 110% of themselves and the crowd appreciated it. At one point, we saw Marty bolt to the left of the stage...OUR side of the stage! Yup, he climbed right up to the balcony! Since we were in the front row, we had to stand to let him past. Although the place was nearly full, there were only two other girls in our section of the front row. Of course, not wanting Marty to fall over the railing, I had to hold his arm and guide him past me. He walked the full front row of the semi-circle balcony all the way to the other side of the hall and jumped down on the speaker on the far side of the stage. The crowd lapped it up AND he didn't miss a beat! Not one!
He was all over the stage again and then up on the speakers behind Dino. We saw all of the Marty trademarks that night....like that was a surprise....lol. Back bendy Marty, conductor Marty, on-the-floor Marty, climbing Marty, jumping Marty, all over the stage Marty. All of the guys have such energy and they all know how to play to the crowd. We had a really good view of Bobby this time and I tell you, that man is a machine! He really knocks me out with his amazing talent. They ALL do! Marty gave props to Dino for both saving his dog and for being such a trouper and playing with a messed up hand. Poor Dino. He is such a good sport. And thankfully, Frankie is fine too.
Just before Trees, Marty told the crowd that they were going to play something they would know. Of course, Franny and I danced (in our seats) and sang to EVERY song! I think Marty saw us too...we were pretty obvious. For Trees he asked everyone to stand...thank goodness. Franny, in particular was having a really hard time sitting although she was a long way from being still! The crowd obliged, Trees started and as per Marty's request, many sang along. It was great! They ended with Ring of Fire and it went over very well too. Everyone was still on their feet and many were singing. When the set was over, the audience roared! Franny and I noted how pumped they all were. It was great. Marty announced an autograph signing at 10:45 following INXS' set. Of course, we already knew because we had scoped the place looking for details!
We left the balcony, handing out flyers and decided to go outside. We found INXS' busses but no Lh bus. We walked around handing out promo stuff and then decided to go back inside. I just had a feeling we needed to be back downstairs. We went to the merchandise area to check on flyers and things and then used the ladies room. We ran into another fan that we met before the show (she saw me carrying the flyers) and she asked if she could join us. We'd already made arrangements to meet her after the set but we couldn't find eachother. At one point we met Nader who is with Epic's Street Team. He had done an awesome job of putting up posters all over the poles outside the venue. Eh hmmm...some people took some down to keep as souveniers....not mentioning any names, of course.... He is an awesome guy and he's a Lh fan too! He gave us some Lh post cards to hand out and I talked to him a fair bit about Street Teaming. He asked who I was with and I told him the Band's Website Street Team. He asked us to meet him after the show was done and we later obliged. He has just started posting on the boards so if you see him please say HI!
Well, although I don't think any of us are truly sure of the chain of events, at some point we were near the merch area, either coming in or going out and who should we see? Yes, it was Marty! I heard Franny gasp and I saw Marty...not sure in what order. I looked at her and said "look who is here". He was talking to the merchandise lady and then when it looked like he was ready to leave the table I asked him if he had a few minutes for us to which he said "yes, I do". He was so sweet. I'd seen him before at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago but only on the stage and the little time I had to meet them all at the autograph signing. Totally welcoming, friendly, open, willing to share, genuinely interested....you all know what I mean whether you've met him face to face or not. I had given him the necklace that he's wearing in my avatar, when we were in Chicago. I have a coin like the pendant on that necklace which I wear all the time so of course, I had it on then. I showed it to him and have no idea really of what I said but he acknowledged the necklace and said that he loves it. He also shared that he has a problem with the back portion coming around to the front so he's thinking about a new chain for it...but again, said tha he loves it. What a sweetheart.
I could go on and on about our conversations, what was said and done but it would take ages to type out. I shall sumarize it by saying that Franny and I visited with Marty for a LONG time and our new friend "D" was there too. We talked about all kinds of things...got the story about Dino's hand...poor Dino and Marty mentioned that Tim Farriss joked, saying that he could stand behind the curtain and play while Dino pretended! I told Marty that we understand that INXS is treating them very well and he said they were awesome.
Franny and I had picked up a dogtag-like pendant on a silver chain. The "dogtag" is actually a razorblade with black rubber around the edges and it has a cross pendant on it as well. He was trying to work the clasp but had trouble so I asked him if he needed some help. He said "Yes please" so I opened it up and helped him put it on. He thanked us both so much and then he asked to have a picture taken with both of us. He seemed to really like it. Thanks to Nader for being our photographer...a few times! We asked questions and he shared stories, we talked about his family and so much stuff. Every now and then some other fans would come down, we'd excuse him and then he came back to us. I cannot tell you enough how wonderful our time with him was. It was an awesome experience. The only thing that could have made it better is if we'd had that same kind of visit with the other guys too. Marty was wonderful.
I told him that Holly had appointed me Street Team Leader for Toronto and he thought it was cool. I gave him hugs for Tisha, Gina and Ynot! My pleasure ladies....thanks! He gave me hugs for all of them.... and one for me. My hug also consisted of thanks for being so supportive. He truly appreciates his fans and our support. There is just no doubt there at all. After a very lengthy visit he said that he needed to get back to the guys and but that he'd see us later. "D" had given him some chocolates and he asked her to open them to share...awe.... He walked away without them and "D" and I called out and told him that he'd left them behind. He told her to hold on to them...he'd be back and he'd get them from her later.
A small crowd started to form at the entrance to the bar and we decided to get in line. We handed out more post cards and things while in line and they were snapping them up. We saw Nader again and he was handing them out too. He reminded us that he wanted to see us afterwards. They finally opened the bar area and there was a maze to walk through to get to the table. We went in and then they ushered the guys in. When I got to the table Marty was first and I told him that I didn't have anything for him to sign since I'd already had him do that before. He looked up, smiled, stood up, gave me a hug and then mentioned how nice it was to have that visit. He also acknowledged the necklace that Franny and I had given him earlier.
Next was Dino and I had him sign my cd inserts. Franny and I had a bracelet with small handcuffs on it and a braided leather one for him. I gave them to him and told him they were from both of us. He asked if both of them were for him and I said Yes....he accepted them and said "cool". I told him that I was sorry about his hand and like the trouper he is, he said he'll be alright. Unfortunately they were trying to get the crowd through so we didn't have much time to visit and NO pictures with the guys or while at the table...well some of us cheated the second part of that a little!
Bobby was next at the table and he too signed my cd inserts and Franny and I gave him the braided leather bracelet and the black leather wrist band with skulls on it that we'd gotten for him. Again, not much visiting time. I had taken with me the group pic that I had in Chicago. I got everyone's siggy on it except for Bobby's. He signed it for me so now it is complete.
Billy was the last at the table this time. I saw that he had on a pendant that has a Canadian flag on it. It is the same as one that I gave him at the Aragon. I reached for it and told him that it looked familiar. He looked up and said "did you give it to me?" and I told him that I believe I did. The one I gave him was not on a chain but unless another Canadian gave him the same pendant on a chain then I susupect he put my pendant on the chain. I told him who I was and where I gave it to him. He smiled and apologized for not recognizing me. Well it is pretty hard to recognize anyone when your face is down and you're busy signing autographs. He gave me a hug.
By the time we were finished having all of our stuff signed the line up was almost gone. I had told Dino that Tisha wanted him to call her and asked if it was okay. He said it would be okay when he was done signing. I'd already talked to Tish but she was apparently quite anxious and right on cue, with about 2 or 3 people left, my phone rang. I looked over and said "Dino sweetie, I think it's for you" He finished up and came over to get the phone. They chatted for a bit and when he gave me my phone back I told him that Tisha wanted me to give him a hug...what? It's true! Right Tish? He obliged. It was a very nice hug...thanks Tish! I didn't get a Bobby hug though... NEXT time! They were all being ushered out the door...Billy was the last one at the table and he stood up came over, gave me a big hug and said thanks so much. Then he gave Franny a hug too. He thanked us all for our support, put on his coat and joined the others. What a great group of guys!
I could probably go on even longer but this novel must come to an end. If you've managed to get to this line, give yourself a pat on the back...good job!
If you've had the pleasure of meeting these guys you will know what I mean when I say that there is no way they could possibly be nicer than they are. If you haven't had a chance to meet them yet, you will definitley understand when you do!
