Amazing in MN!!

[ktbrandy]

Hi Guys! I have finally managed to write my review and it is a little long so grab a glass of wine and enjoy!

Round 1:
I decide to take my 8 year old son to this concert since it was rescheduled and my husband could not go with me on this new date. We find the venue just fine and park. We get there a little early so we have plenty of time to find our seats and put our jackets down finally (no coat check!). We visit with the rabid INXS ladies around us – I am feeling a little outnumbered and the intensity simply scared me! We were fourth row up balcony which extended all the way to about 20 rows from the stage so they were not bad seats. I figured we definately could of done worse. My son woke up at 5:45am that morning because he was so excited about the concert. He wouldn’t nap on the way into Minneapolis because he was so excited and I knew he would just crash at some point because he goes to bed at 7:30pm normally. So I am feeding him Cokes to keep him up – thus we are on our way to the bathroom – again!!! We went to the bathroom a lot! A security guy comes up and hands me earplugs for my son and says “It gets pretty loud in there, you should protect his hearing”. Well, my son was born hearing impaired, he has 50% hearing on his good side and about 10% on the other. So I tell the guy that he is doing a good thing and that I am such an advocate about children and hearing loss, etc. We get in this big discussion and he then says “Where are you sitting?” so I tell him “balcony” and he says “Let me see your tickets.” I think he is going to tell me where my seats are and I was just going to let him since he was being so nice although we already knew. He pulled me over into a corner and wrote something on my tickets. He then handed them back and said “Well, now you are in the pit and be sure to take that guy (my son) right up to the stage”. I was thinking “This NEVER happens to me, it just doesn’t! Woo Hoo!”. I tell my son we are moving shop and we are going to the front! I can tell he is thinking that this must just happen all the time. It wasn’t filled in when we got there and the show started right away so I just centered me and my son pretty close to the middle along with some other wonderful LH fans from all over internet who also managed to get in the pit.

The drums for Ultrasound start and it was OMG amazing! That is the coolest intro I ever remember seeing and then Dino and Bill come out and start playing. I really couldn’t believe that I was standing there with my hands on the stage. It was surreal! Then Marty slinked out in the black fringe pants, and black long sleeve shirt with dk grey specks. It was really amazing. I was so close it was just phenomenal. They played really tight and I watched Marty – a lot. He was right in front of me at times on the floor and I was feet away and looking at his face and he seems in such a trance like he sees things but not really. I could see for the first time some of the comparisons to Iggy Pop and David Bowie. I got a totally different feel for him than I have to date. He is very much a performer and VERY SERIOUS! I see so many smiling pictures of him that I thought he would be cute and sweet – some of the time and he really wasn’t. INTENSE! That man means business when he is on stage! So I DO guess he did see us (our group) there hammering away because we got a lot of attention from him. He stood in front of me and my son A LOT. I mean his feet were within 6 inches of my hands. I could have pulled him off stage for a big ol’ smoocher BUT he was kinda scary with the intense performance so… I stayed in Mommy mode and kept pointing to his converse right there in front of us because my son had his on that night. I was completely intimidated by his presence and being so close – don’t know why. I could not bring myself to touch him. I SO could have grabbed his leg and clung on. I literally was staring straight up his legs and EVERYTHING WAS RIGHT THERE! He looked me straight in the eye a couple of times but like I said he doesn’t seem to really ‘see’ when he does this. He came over once and bent down and sang to my son and then another time he knelt all the way down, grabbed his hands, sang and then put his closed fingers to my son’s cheek. HOLY CRAP! I was like ‘Give Momma some of that!’. He was literally sweating and spitting on us which I was totally into but after a big drop of sweat hit my son in the face he looked at me and wiped it off and said 'Gross!'. It was very cute! Dino came over in the beginning of the set at one point and handed my son a guitar pic while he was playing and after the set he came over grabbed his hands and let him strum his bass. Every time Dino would come close to us I would scream ‘DINO!’ and we all would. I know he heard us because he would smile a little. He is SO much more approachable and I would have grabbed him off of stage because he doesn’t have that intimidation factor at all. He just didn’t get close enough – LOL! Marty could stand as close to me as he liked because he knew I wouldn’t do anything. He must have wanted some lovin’ because he knelt down in front of JoMarty and grabbed her arm and put in on his thigh! THUD!! I was so shocked I didn't even get a pic although it was probably too close! LITERALLY my camera told me my shot was TOO CLOSE many times. UNBELIEVABLE! My son and I got LOTS of looks from Billy across the stage and he smiled and nodded a few times and I would yell out ‘BILLY!’. I have read what people say about Billy and you don’t get it until you see him. He has such an awesome ‘spark’ or energy that comes off of him that is so positive and FUN! I could see all the little looks they were passing to each other like ‘come over here and jam’ or ‘WTF?’ or ‘Dude This SO Rocks!’. It was like being right there ON stage with them and enjoying it from that perspective. SURREAL! So I am watching Billy come out and jam during the Tunnel and trying to get a good pic of him because he totally has me hooked now and I am watching him more than Marty – almost! LOL! When all of a sudden Marty is up in the balcony right where our seats were and he looks over like he wants to jump and then just bends over backwards and hangs off with only one leg holding on. I was torn between taking a pic and calling an ambulance. My son was like ‘COOL!!’. Marty should preface his stunts with ‘DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME KIDS!’ but didn’t! Some girl was holding him for dear life and I thought that could have been me until I remembered I was watching this all from the stage…. DUH! .....

[ktbrandy]

Round 2:

SO, I actually got eye contact with Bobby quite a few times. I LOVE SHY GUYS – I married one! He just kind of scopes things out from behind his drums, but he definitely watches!! I could not get a pic of him at all. It is really hard the way things are set up. I am really bummed about this because my son LOVES Bobby and he is his favorite but no pics! Just got his drum kit and you know he is in there because you see a drum stick. Bobby came over to us after the set and gave my son a drum stick. HE LOVES THAT DRUM STICK!!! Jeremy played again for This Town and jumped up on the drum stand. All the others (Marty, Dino, and Billy) were laughing like “look who is full of himself”. First time Marty seemed ‘relaxed’ to me. Jeremy was just kicking it up like a rock star and going out in style! It was cute. Then the INXS guys were coming out with a video camera and the guys were posing for him. I don’t know how Marty keeps singing during all of this but he does. Then they come out in janitor uniforms and start sweeping the stage and moving Dino out of the way so they can get that spot. So I am watching this and I see Billy unbuttoning his pants. Then he changes his mind and buttons them back and keeps playing. Then me and some other people start yelling ‘GO FOR IT!’.
So he decides that he will go for it and we get a really good shot of the ‘moon’. Have I said how much I really love Billy! All the while he is still playing guitar !! Very talented young man to multi task that way! Let’s see, Dan (I think) came out and gave us some Dino pics and handed me the set list which was really cool and now we wait for INXS…

We head back out to the lobby and get more Coke and make another bathroom trip or two. I ask my son if he wants to sit in our seats for INXS or go up to the stage again. He picks the stage so we head back down. It is MUCH louder and he is a little bothered by that but sticks it out. A couple lets him stand between them and Andrew Farriss comes over in front of my son and gives him a nod and ‘Hey’. My son is enjoying it and is kinda dancing. I am thinking JD is much hotter in person (I know! I am sorry but I like guys with dark smoldering looks!). He never appealed to me before but it may have been the eyeliner??? So his voice is good and strong and we are having fun then all of a sudden my son turns around and says ‘Alright! I am ready to go home!’. We had only listened to about 2 or 3 songs down there so we came out into the lobby. I told him if we stayed for one more hour he could get his drumstick signed by Bobby. He had also worked very hard on some sketches of each of the guys playing their instrument and Marty singing. He went through all the photos on line and picked his favorites. I printed them off for him and he worked hours on these sketches. He hasn’t ever done a sketch from a photo and he was so serious about it. He wrote on each of them For: Billy From: his name. I knew he wanted to give these sketches to the guys in person so he agreed to stay and we went up to our seats in the balcony. It took him about 5 minutes to fall asleep on his coat so I stayed and watched. The girls up there were rockin’ out and it was good to hear all the old INXS goodies! JD wasn't MH but he sounded good and I enjoyed it. I woke my son up 2/3 into it to get in the M&G line because I knew he was wiped out and that line would get LONG. We got in line about 20 people back and he immediately went back to sleep on our coats on the floor. We waited for about 40 minutes and the band came in. I had some very nice people to chat with so all was good in the line. It took the entire time from when they walked in and I first woke him up until we got to Marty to actually get him awake!!! Thank goodness we were back a bit. He just kept laying down and leaning on me. Bless his heart! I kind of started thinking I was a terrible mom keeping him up this late and subjecting him to this but I knew we would look back on it and it would be worth it.

[ktbrandy]

Round 3:

Marty was first and when my son handed him the picture he looked like he was gonna sign it. I stopped him and said ‘That is for you’. It was from a photo of Marty singing into the microphone while he is at a 90º angle. His legs are up the side then his torso and face are facing the top of the page. So Marty was turning it this way and that and I laughed and said ‘It goes this way, you were doing the bendy!’. Couldn’t I have anything more intelligent to say to Marty the first time I met him?? “Bendy??”. Anyway, and Marty looked at my son and said ‘You made this for me?? That is so great! You are an Artist man! Do you play an instrument?’. My son couldn’t really hear in that environment and I had all of our coats and crap and couldn’t sign to him so I answered for him and said ‘He doesn’t yet, but he will. He loves the drums!’. Then Marty yelled at Bobby and said ‘Dude, we got a drummer here!’. I noticed that even when Marty was talking to my son he was looking straight at him and his eyes were SO intense and his voice. He has such a presence. Then that was it! I totally forgot to tell Marty how great the show was, how much I have enjoyed their music!!! ARGGGGG! Dino was so moved that Bryce drew a picture of him too and was so sweet thanking him. Then we got to Bobby and he was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! It is hard to believe these guys are rocker sometimes. He saw that my son couldn’t really hear well (because he does wear hearing aides on both ears) and made it a point to ask his name. Then he said his name then “I love this picture, I can’t believe you made this for ME. Thank you so much”. He made sure my son was looking at his lips and talked loud and clear for him. He then signed his drum stick and Dino thinking Bobby was getting all the credit threw a guitar pic to my son and said ‘Here is a pic in case you change your mind about being a drummer and want to play the guitar!’. Then there was some talk between the two about how drummers suck and don’t see any action….AGAIN I was a total idiot and just told them how thankful I was to them for being so nice and how much my son loves them and their music. HELLO I LOVE THEIR MUSIC TOO! It was so quick and I was so flustered with handing my son the next picture to give and trying to sign with one hand and make sure he could tell what they were saying. Then we get to sweet Billy. I LOVE BILLY! He got the picture and said ‘Man I can’t believe you did a picture of me! Thanks so much!’ then he said ‘Hey! You were the little dude on the front row, we tried to pull you up on stage!’. They were SO sweet and seemed like they could have enjoyed their pictures and talked to my son all day. Then we were trying to say more but the security guard (NOT TED!) said I was holding up the line with all the chitty chat and to get a move on. How could that have held up the line I will never know because it seemed like it was over in two seconds and I never got to say what I wanted. At least my son had an amazing experience in the line and I live vicariously through that. What a moment for him! I loved Marty first on RS, then loved the LH music, now I love each one of them personally for who they are and what BIG hearts they have. They are more than a bunch of rockers and they made a bigger difference in a little guys life than they could ever imagine. I overheard him tell a friend the other day that ‘Marty Casey said I am an Artist!’. Everyone tells him that but to hear it from Marty is priceless. I didn’t make out to bad because I did get the set list signed which was really cool but I felt bad for not shaking their hands and telling them how much I enjoyed everything. I wish they knew what a difference they made for my son.

Not to get to ‘spiritual’ on you guys but I was so torn about taking my 8 year old to this concert. When it got re-scheduled and my husband could not go, I just thought about it and said ‘No way can I take a young kid!’. So I prayed thinking it would be clear whether I should take him or not and it began to just felt more and more right. To have it end up the way it did and so many things fall into place the way they did. It seemed like greater powers were at work here. I really get chills thinking about it and I am so blessed to have had this opportunity to share with my son – forever! Just me and him. I have had these few moments in my life that are surreal like that and the last one I had was about 10 years ago. They don’t happen often but when they do….. WOW!

[ktbrandy]

Oh! I have pics too, I just need to work with them a bit and that is NOT my strong suit. So be patient!

[ndluv]

loved meeting you! It was so cool to rock out with you!

[ktbrandy]

You too babe!

[mchell]

What a great story. That must have been so exciting for your son. I think it was exciting for all of us. I was up in the balcony about where you said your seats were. I was in 3rd row close to where Marty ran up to. It gave me a heart attack when he went over the edge of the balcony. I had seen him hanging from things in pictures on here but didn't realize he was going up in balcony's way up that high hanging by his knee's like that. I freak out if I even lean over the edge on a balcony like that and he went all the way over. I almost ran down the other isle which I was right next to just to look at what he was hanging on to. But then he came back up.

I know what you mean about his intensity. At one point he faced me and there was no one in between in the way and I thought he looked right at me. I had a pink Lovehammers shirt on and I pointed to the Lovehammers on it and then later realized I was pointing at my boobs...lol. Anyway like you said it's like he's looking at you but not when he's performing. He would have this intensity and do these poses like I remember him doing on Rockstar. It almost made him seem larger then life or something. Instead of just singing and being like hey how's it going.

That's so funny about the sweat hitting your son. I guess I didn't think about that but man they really do work up a sweat up there. Kids are so funny aren't they? They just say it like it is.

Your experience in line getting autographs sounds like it was really fun for your son. I had things to say too but didn't. I mean I have been playing the CD so much I have practically worn it out but did I say how much I love there music no. Duh. I did manage to ask Marty for a hug which was great. It was surreal and I don't even remember it all. I think I passed out without knowing it...lol.

I had gotten Dino's autograph earlier when he was coming in from outside down there in the entryway. Some girls were standing and talking to him so I went right up to him and said hi Dino. He asked me what my name was. Then I had him sign my CD and he had me hold his beer when he signed it. I said I'll try not to drink it. Then the pen I gave him didn't show up on the paper. I pulled out a sharpie which worked. After that I didn't say anything. I wanted to ask about where they were going now and plans for the future but I am not sure why I didn't. There were other girls there talking to him though too so it wasn't like I was standing there going duh or anything....lol.

Then when I was in line since Dino had already signed I just said you already signed and went to Bobby and said hi Bobby. He asked me my name too and then when I went to Billy I said hi Billy and he asked me my name. I thought it was nice that they all did that.

Hey I wanted to ask you about when JD was up on stage and you were right up there with your son. Were you still there when JD was doing that weird stuff with the microphone stand. I thought he went too far with that whole thing. I was thinking what about the kids in the audience. If you were up there with your son for that what was his reaction? He's probably too young to know what it was about but man that was weird when JD did that. Sorry I just had to throw that in there since you said your son was right up front.

[ktbrandy]

Wow! I can't believe you were up in the balcony! I would of had a heart attack. I didn't even know what was going on until he looked over the edge like he was gonna jump!

Also glad to know I am not the only one who doesn't get it all said during the m&g session. I hope they don't think I just wanted something from them. I could of cared less about the autographs (except for my son). I really wanted them to know how their music touches me. Oh Well!!

I will respond to that JD question, I kind of already did on another board. I like to stay positive here about JD so took it out. But it is fair to answer it. We had already gone back up to our balcony seats and I was sitting down 'holding' my son getting him comfortable to take a nap. Everyone around me was on their feet so I couldn't see the stage at all. Then I saw all these GUYS - YES GUYS !! screaming "F*** Ya!" and things like that so I stood up to see what was happening and about died! WWHHAATT? I just didn't get why INXS needs THAT in their show. GROSS!! I actually enjoyed most of their set and all the back catalog of songs. But the lewd acts made me think that JD was really horny. He really LOVES his band up which I think is TOO MUCH! Good thing most of the kids were asleep by then, I saw several around that were. Definately NOT a turn on for me. He needs to learn to be more subtle sexually on stage like someone else we know..... Maybe it is the inexperience of it all and he will improve. Lets hope for that for him.

[soveryspecial]

What an amazing experience. I am really glad you and your son had such a wonderful time. Don't feel bad about taking him there...it did seem destined to be and he will definitely remember that night forever.

Thank you for sharing this great story and for narrating with such detail. I felt like I was right there with u, your lovely son and the guys

I completely understand about the intensity and the strong stage presence. Marty is an electrifying performer and he definitely seems to go into a trance, which is what i like most about him, that passion and energy and soul he brings into the interpretation/performance...its like greater forces (good ones) are at work.

I can't wait to see your pics!!

[shuckra]

ktbrandy, your review is the best one I have read yet. Such a great night, your son is lucky to have such a great mom to share the experience with!

[ktbrandy]

You guys are all so sweet - you make me feel warm and fuzzy!!!

[rachael]

ktbrandy and mchell, thanks so much for sharing your concert experiences. The details are so wonderful to hear about. kt, glad your son enjoyed himself so much! Can't wait to see the pics! Being right up near the stage had to be so GREAT!

[jomarti]

ktbrandy - I have met Marty several times and I still don't get it right when I meet him. I wish I could really get it right one of these times. But, I think we provide these guys great entertainment with all are stumbling, bumbling!

Mchell - it was really nice to meet you. If you don't remember me I was the one who was the crazy street teamer - I had long brown hair and a white LH's shirt on. I was so excited to see a pink LH t-shirt. I'm sure I acted like a dork, but it was fun to see the fans that were there for the LH's.

I didn't realize you were in the balcony where he was doing his death defying feat. I don't usually get nervous about things like that - I like doing exciting things and sort of crazy stuff like jumping out of planes and stuff like that. But, Marty had me somewhat nervous when he was hanging off because it really looked like he was planning on jumping off the thing and I'm like no Marty you've lost your head - that would not have been a good idea - he would've landed on seats. I could've (but not really) seen him jumping off into the isle, but not into the seats. I hope his mom wasn't at the concert, she would've had a heart attack.

[chk]

Kitbrandy, thanks for that amazing review. We are sooooo right to love these guys.
Make sure your son saves all his cool souveniers!

[Sharon (sdbrins)]

Excellent review. Love the detail, helps the rest of us feel like we were there.

They really are great guys, nice guys. I am glad your son was able to see rockers can be nice guys and he had a real moment with each one of them.

Thank you for sharing such a special time for you and your son with us. ;D

Sharon

[ktbrandy]

We are DEFINITELY going to keep the souvenirs! My son's birthday is coming up and I am going to get it all framed with his ticket that has 'PIT' written on it. Otherwise my kids may use the drum stick to hit each other over the head!! Jeremy told me they would have a kids LH t-shirt on line and they don't. I hate to have one made when I could support the band. Does anyone know any different? Maybe someone could ask Dan for me?

[Vicki]

Hey, don't worry about not getting to tell them everything you wanted to tell them. I don't think any of us ever do!I know I didn't and I was on the bus with them. I could not even say Hi to Dino and he is the one that invited us on there! I think any of us really maintain our cool when standing infront of these guys. I am so glad that they made your sons moment an unforgetable one! That is what makes them so special... they really do care about us.

[ChiTownChick]

ktbrandy, what a wonderful review. I'm so happy for you and your son. The guys are so down to earth and really care about the fans which is why we love them so much.

I agree that they should have kiddie LH shirts - they would sell a lot of the kiddie shirts if they offered them.

[rockfan]

ktbrandy, loved your story. That was so cool for your son. A moment he will never forget. Thanks for sharing.

[ktbrandy]

I know I would buy 3 kiddie shirts!!! Plus we need a cute women's t-shirt like the old ones they used to offer. They need to work on the merchandise thing. I am sure it is coming but I do miss some of the older stuff and wish it was still offered including l-strange cd. I should of gotten it when I had the chance. Hmmm! I guess we need to be patient. Not a strong characteristic of mine.