HammerJam Reports & Pics -- Post Here!!!

[hotel45kamran]

Thanks for the great photos hammeryoung and rockfan. And thank you all for the kind words about our show. If the Hammerheads don’t mind, we will post our pictures from this thread on our site on a “Hammerhead photo’s” page. A little clarification: I am the lead guitar dude who had the black jacket with red circles. Our lead singer who did backup vocals to “Trees” is Dan Darrah. And by the way, he had no idea that Marty was going to ask him to do that until Marty asked him in the backstage area shortly before.

Some good news:
Last night, John Gaskill who is putting the Hammerjam DVD together came to my place to pickup the audio tracks for the DVD. (We recorded the audio from HOTEL45 and LOVEHAMMERS shows on HOTEL45’s 24 track recorder.) While we were waiting for the copying to finish, we had some beers and listened to the recordings, playing around with the mixer. The good news is that the recording quality came out really clear and the audio on the DVD is going to sound awesome. John and I thought that If Lovehammers decide to do a live CD, its even good enough for that.

When Marty took his shirt off, I grabbed a camera from our photo crew and took a few pictures from the stage entrance. I’m trying to put a picture on this post, but only the link shows up. Can someone tell me how to post pictures here? Sorry - I’m new at this.

Kamran
(45ver & Hammerhead!)

www.hotel45.com/pictures/Marty&Billy-from-stage-entrance-s.jpg

[ShyNoMore]

Wow, that is a good picture! (You need to enclose it in [ img ] [ /img ] tags for it to show up.) Glad to hear the sound turned out so well.

[wendyc122]

OMG, that picture is incredible. If anyone wants to know what Marty's performances are like, that picture captures it as well as anything.

[Amy]

Thanks Kamran!

[lv2bhamrd]

Hey Kamran, thanks for posting that pic! You guys were pretty cool too

[ratdigger]

What an awesome pic. I'm so busy looking at his pecks, I didn't know he was barefooted.
You guys were great, and I wish I could be in Chicago for your bash. Have fun.

[keysunset]

wow, kamran! Thanks so much for all YOUR support for "Our Band: Lovehammers"!

Thanks for posting and sharing the photo too!

xoxo

[Cindy]

Cool photo kamran.... thanks for stopping by and posting. I will check with our photographers and see if we have any photos to trade. That photo you posted is amazing!

[desinsantarosaca]

It was an awesome show and a great weekend. Thanks to the band and thanks to everyone who made it happen! If anyone cares to hear all the details here's my Hammerjam summary.

First of all, I'm a bit of a chicken when it comes to flying so it's gotta be something good to get me on a plane. LOVEHAMMERS definitely qualify! My husband and I took our first trip without kids EVER. Chicago is an awesome town. We stayed at The Willows in town so we rode the train everywhere. Pretty cool. We loved all the brick and the history and beauty of the city. Since I'm not the most outgoing person in the world it's a good thing my husband is a jabberjaw, cause we met so many cool, friendly people, everywhere. Friday we walked from the Aquarium to Navy Pier. It was beautiful, chilly - but sunny.

Then time for the Hammer dinner. By accident we got there way too early so we went into the Macy's nearby and some shops. It was a cool building with a glass elevator in it. Chicago makes my town of 150,000 people look like Cricketville. We finally went to Gino's at 8:00. I was totally amazed at how nice all the Hammerheads were, every age and from all walks of life. My DD vege pizza was OOTW. The two hours or so went WAY too fast. A few of us went to a club, but DANG it was like sardines in there, and I guess I wouldn't be a great rock chick cause the smoke kills me. But I did have a fantastic time.

We walked a lot on Saturday, people watched, did sightseeing. My 49'r/Giants fan hubby got to see Soldier Field and Wrigley Field. We were surprised the Metro was only a block away from Wrigley Field. While we were there we saw Marty enter for sound check. I probably could have gotten a Marty moment if I ran across the street, but for some reason I had LoverhammerPHOBIA all weekend. What's up with that?

The concert was awesome. They played a lot of their higher energy songs, everything on their latest CD except Rain on the Brain. It was especially cool to hear Faded Grey, Casualty, Hold On, Throw My Head, Clinic, Better Off, and This Town. It all went too fast though. I didn't want them to stop playing. They seemed like they were having a great time too. One day I hope to see them do an acoustic type show of some of their slower stuff like the Shubas section of the RAW DVD. HINT HINT!

I saw Marty talking to people in the VIP section after the show so I thought I'd just wait patiently for my turn, but by the time the guys got downstairs they were somewhat mobbed by fans and my LoverhammerPHOBIA set in again. I did get one of the drum sticks Bobby threw out at the end of the show so I forced myself to ask him for his signature on it. Glad I did something! He was very nice and he said he was glad he didn't hit me with it. He looked tired though. By then the club was getting ready to close already. Thought I'd wait for the guys at the SmartBar next door, but too smoky and crowded for me. I hope other fans got to meet them there? Next year I vote for just one opening band so there's more time for mingling.

I really regret I didn't take pictures, but I just wanted to soak it all in at the time. I most wish
I would have taken pictures of all the cool Hammerheads I met. I met several people who read the Boards, but don't post, so if that's you please private message me. There were SO many people I didn't meet - so I hope there's another Hammerjam next year!

Rock on Garth!

[Stiletto]

desinsantarosaca said:

Chicago makes my town of 150,000 people look like Cricketville.

I know what you mean..........I come from a town of 15,000!!!!

Good thing Toronto is close by so I was not too overwhelmed by all the hustle and bustle...........it's a rarity to hear any sort of siren where I live............and everybody pretty much knows everyone else around town........lol

[oceancat46]

I wrote a novel - so I've broken it into 3 parts

HammerJam Weekend Adventure

Friday Night Pizza

My original plan was to check in at Days Inn O’Hare and somehow get to HoJo’s to meet folks before the dinner – but after sitting an extra hour and a half in the plane at Portland Airport (something about it being Too Windy to proceed to Chicago!!) - all I had time to do was freshen up and take a taxi into downtown (ouch!! - $38 + extra $5 “gas increase fee” + $5 tip - must find better way to travel!! - at least shuttle from airport was free).

So, I get to Gino’s and one of the first buddies I get to meet is Nancy Davis (with her son Daniel in tow!!) - followed by a handful more of the folks I hang with in the mc.org Asylum - was a great time!! Sat with Amy and Cindy (the Amazing Women who gave us such a Special Place to Share the Love and Make Lovehammers connections and new friends at mc.org – Many Many Thanks!!! )

Highlights of the evening - Putting faces to all the names of the friends that I’ve made since January!!! Watching Jodie climb up on a stool and write on the archway above the door “OJ-Odie was here - 10/13/2006 - MC.ORG” in big letters (she repeated that on the wall inside, too! - that gal does like to draw attention to herself and the Lovehammers! ) Meeting the famous (infamous??) RockBeast, Jodie, Diva and so many others! Great food (deep dish and thin crust pizza plus salad and yummy appetizers!!)

But Better Company!!

Knees kept me from mingling as much as I would have liked - but whenever I did get to wander around a bit, I met more of my HammerBuddies! And my camera batteries died with back-ups in the hotel room - probably was too dark for good pics anyway - Sigh!

But, I definitely had a great time - the Energy in the room was Amazing and really felt wonderful!! Just thinking about fans being there from All Over the World, brought together by our love for Lovehammers and great music, and so much more! Even got to chat for a few minutes with a couple of the Aussie gals (peekaboo and ingt). I understand there were fans there from France, Hong Kong (sorry I missed ya chk!), London, Canada and all over the US (on Saturday Dino said something about Istanbul )

Shout Out to Penny - great job on organizing this special evening!!

Trying not to have to spend all my $$ on cab fare, I hooked up with NancyBBE and her HammerHubby for the rest of the evening - we headed to Roadhouse (I was impressed with my being able to walk for over an hour! Partly, this weekend became a chance to stretch my limits!! ) Roadhouse was charging a $10 cover charge, plus huge prices for drinks, so we cabbed it back to Rockit (at least we got a walking tour of Old Town!!) - only to find a huge line to get in - I asked the bouncer if I could get in soon, since I really can’t stand in a line for very long, and he said they were at capacity and no telling when they’d be letting anyone in. So it was off to the transit station (and I’m very glad I didn’t try to negotiate the trains by myself - some of those folks down in the tunnels made this small town gal somewhat nervous!)

Will continue in another post --

[friendlylady90]

the pics are out standing love them all

[oceancat46]

HammerJam Weekend Adventure, Part 2

Sound Check

I was one of the lucky ones who got to go to Sound Check since I entered the Trees Karaoke Contest - turns out that NancyBBE’s hubby was going to sound check, too - and so they graciously agreed to get me there (they were driving) - we had a nice lunch together and then headed downtown - and thanks to their excellent map skills, didn’t sit forever on the highway!!

Want to give a Shout Out to T-Bone for not making me climb the extra flight of stairs to the balcony, so I was able to sit in a chair at the back of the main floor. Tried taking some pics, but my cheap camera doesn’t like dark with spotlights - just got streaks of light - no Lovehammers -

but that meant I could just sit back and enjoy!!

Marty was in good form - joking around - having fun - said they never had a “sound check party” before - thoroughly charming - even conducted us to join in singing “This Town”

At one point Dino came out with black tape over his mouth (wonder what he said???) - had the roll of tape and looked like he was trying to cover his eye (pirate??) (Maybe that’s why Marty used marker on his fingers for the show – Dino used up all his black tape!!)

Watching Bobby play those drums - live, in person - what can I say but WOW!!! Same for Billy and Dino on guitar – I was enthralled with the whole experience!!

Special Guests - Ben Kelly to play Faded Grey - Marty explained that they hadn’t played this song live in a long time (like back when Ben was still with the band) so “be prepared for a train wreck” - it was anything but, of course!

Also, Matt Hoffer (RockStar Supernova & Park West) sang with them for “Eyes Can’t See”

Marty asked the folks in the balcony if he was coming up or they were coming down - but apparently there were other things on his schedule, since T-Bone came and ushered us all out.

And for the rest – next post --

[oceancat46]

HammerJam Weekend Adventure, Part 3

THE CONCERT - WOW!!!! YIPPEE!!!

Outside after Sound Check, the line was already forming - and I could see it would be a too-long 2 hours before doors opened. I went and talked with Metro Security to see if I could go and just sit in the lobby - he said he couldn’t do that, but that I could sit at the bar next door and come back 15-20 minutes before doors open and he’d see that I got in right away. I so appreciate the consideration!! My biggest concern for the concert was getting one of the few seats available - and Metro Security and Amy arranging for a few more tables made it no problem!!

The best thing about waiting in the bar was a couple of gals from Texas were there for their first concert - their enthusiasm was totally contagious!! (Sorry I don’t remember your names - swiss cheese brain and didn’t write notes soon enough!) They had tons of questions (most of which I could actually answer - glad I caught Tara Jordan’s Thursday post from my Dad’s computer before I flew out! And I knew the layout of Metro since I’d been in Sound Check). Hope they got up front like they wanted!!

So, as promised Security allowed several of us who were physically challenged in first - and I got my VIP sticker to sit in the balcony! I had a perfect view from above the stage!! And still was closer to them than I had been in January!

First couple of hours were eating, drinking and visiting with other fans. Cindy, Amy and Nancy Davis were sitting right below me - and various others wandered by or I wandered out to the bar area and met more of my Asylum and board buddies. (I was a little surprised that soda & water cost $3 - glad I had my own water bottle!! )

The opening bands - Hotel 45 and Covergurl (with Jessica from RS:INXS) were really good - and the crowd was really into their music, even while excitedly anticipating the Lovehammers.

I sang along with Every Song - pointed, reached out to grab hands with Nancy and Cindy, reached out to Marty (though he was just a little too far away!), Shouted “Love you Marty” and every couple of songs added a “Love You” to each of the guys just as the clapping and yelling died down before the next song started. I was acting like a crazed, but adoring fan - and loving every minute!!

Highlights – Marty’s banter - so much fun to listen to!

They did Casualty!! Yeah!!

I’ll leave the set list to people with better memories - but they definitely did most of my favorites - and “just for us” they did “Hit Me Baby One More Time” for the “first & last time” according to Billy!! Guest appearances by Ben, Matt and “the cousin” (didn’t catch his name) were All Great!!

Got to meet The Jimmy - he was sitting at my table for a bit watching me rock out as well as watching the show! (For those who don’t know the story ask Penny or Angie )

Marty climbed the light pole and sang upside down (and it sounded perfect - how DOES he do that???)

All 4 Lovehammers were in top form and really having Fun!! Once again the Energy in the place was Totally Amazing!!

Marty’s shout out to his brother (and Bobby & Dino joking around about each other!!)

Marty conducting sections of the audience in a shouting contest - that man KNOWS how to get what he wants!!

Marty shedding layers - as you’ve already seen in the pics - No Shirt for the Encore!! (and I agree with wendyc122 at mc.org - hope she doesn’t mind if I quote her but she said it best!): “And it was great to see him again without his shirt. It confirms once more that he is one of the most beautiful human beings on the planet. I know that many people here see that as sexual ... I don't ... to me, he's an artist through and through, and taking off his shirt isn't just about exposing his body for us to squee over, it's about putting yourself out there for the world to see. Stripped down, bare bones, nothing hidden. And when he started doing the "arm dance" ... it was indescribable.”

After the show it was a mob scene around the guys - I tried to get close enough to Marty to thank him for Letting me Out of My Coma! - each time he moved on just as I got to him - when they kicked us out of the balcony (where the only seating was) - I headed down to the main floor - made a 3rd attempt to have my Marty moment and get the collage I’d done on KodakGallery.com signed - and once again he took off before I got my chance (at least I got to touch him that time!), headed out for a cigarette break - followed by a bunch of more mobile folk (chanvre - I think you and I were opposite each other at that point - so glad that you actually got your Marty moment!! ) Billy and Bobby were also surrounded by a mob of fans and I missed seeing Dino entirely -- so I guess my meet/greet moments with the guys will have to happen when they come back to Oregon.

One of the security guys let me sit on a stool while I waited for NancyBBE and her hubby to be ready to go -- and somewhere in the mad dash for the door and negotiating the crowd on the sidewalk who were waiting to get to Marty or into the Smart Bar - my poster disappeared from my bag. I realized it was gone as we were part-way to the McDonalds parking lot - and figured some lucky person probably found it and I was too tired to go back and look. (HammerHeads being the best fans ever - when I posted my loss on LH.com, someone offered to send me one - Yeah!! )

I so enjoyed meeting most of my Asylum and other mc.org and LH.com buddies! It was a totally wonderful weekend!!!

I want to give a Big Shout Out to rockbeast for posting the beginnings of the idea for this Special Party and to Tara Jordan and all the members of the HammerJam Committee for making it happen!!

Since my camera wouldn’t work at the Metro or Gino’s - I was left to take pics at the airport - just to prove it wasn’t all a dream!!





By the way, Marty did another pose where he reminds me of my sweetie –

[chk]

OC, I can't believe we didn't meet! OMG I have been saying variations of that since I got back! And I was at Sound Check too!!!! aw, man.

Speaking of striking poses, my sis and I popped into Virgin Records on Sunday a.m. and looked at the cover of David Bowie's Heroes album. I really really believe our Mad Conductor was channeling Bowie at the beginning of the concert. Look at the hands!

[chk]

i posted lots of pix in the Aussie thread. Here are a few:





















and my two favourites:

[chk]

i always laugh at the pix because u can tell all the ladies went and had manicures.

[my0bsess10n/my0]

Not sure where the best place is to post this , but it is regarding a found item, if anyone lost a shirt that had signitures on it pm me, I found it saturday night at the Metro .............or ask around cause i know if it was me i would love to have it back................

[Vicki]

someone on the lovehammers board was asking about a missing shirt. The thread is "Hammerjammers-Did anyone find....." under the Hammerheads section.

[my0bsess10n/my0]

vicki said:

someone on the lovehammers board was asking about a missing shirt. The thread is "Hammerjammers-Did anyone find....." under the Hammerheads section.

thanx vicki...could you tell them to pm me?