Post by Kari on Feb 22, 2006 20:22:51 GMT -5
Marty Casey And Lovehammers Evade Stalkers And Decline Cash
Wednesday February 22, 2006 @ 07:00 PM
By: ChartAttack.com Staff
Marty Casey and Love Hammers
Marty Casey doesn't need reality television to prove that he's a rock star. It turns out that he already was one, and every bit of him still is.
When the lights went down on the Rock Star: INXS stage and JD Fortune was crowned the new frontman of the reborn '80s band, that didn't mean that Casey — the show's other finalist — was going home as the runner-up. Instead, he returned to Chicago to rejoin his previous band, the Lovehammers, who had been granted a major label deal by Epic Records. They also landed a plum opening slot on INXS' national tour. From the sound of things, there's no bitterness between the two finalists.
"I think we're both really happy and proud of each other," says Casey. "The night before the finale, it was me, JD and Mig [Ayesa] together, and we said, 'Listen, whatever happens, let's understand that our friendship shouldn't change.'
"So I think that kind of solidification has helped keep it real. Right now, JD and I try to hang out when we get a moment, but it's not like there's much time."
"It's all about schedules," adds Lovehammers guitarist Billy Sawilchik. "They sound-check, we sound-check, we walk by in the hall and say, 'Hey man, good show.' We're coming off our stage, they're getting ready to go on... it's just like this all the time."
Casey nods and says, "Our band is really busy with our career, and INXS is really busy doing their thing, too. So I think success will also push JD and I in different directions, and we won't have time to just sit around and hang out for 12 weeks like we did at the mansion. But we'll definitely keep in touch."
One aspect of the Lovehammers' career that's always kept them busy is their solid link to their fans, which hasn't changed a bit since the frontman's televised fame. In fact, Casey cites their connection to the fans as "the reason we've survived and been successful for so long."
"We did have a fan base before all this," notes Sawilchik. "Not humongous, but good-sized.
"Still, things have changed, and I think part of it comes from the TV fans versus the music fans. When you're on television, people perceive you in a different light, instead of the people who love the music and appreciate the art of it. The TV people... they're the more intense ones."
"We never had stalkers before," Casey explains. "We've had diehard fans, but there was always a line that they didn't cross, and so we had no problems.
"Now there's people finding out what hotels we're staying at, so we have to have fake names. All the funny cliches about the rock biz kinda come true when you start to have some success. But with accepting anything, there's always people who want something in return. They've been extremely generous in helping us out, but sometimes we have to draw the line."
He shrugs casually and displays a nondescript expression. "Marriage proposals, love letters, blatant cash given to you in very large quantities... I mean, it can't be a healthy part of your life."
Blatant cash in large quantities?
"A lady handed me $5,000," Casey explains. "That was pretty outrageous. She was like, 'I just wanna help you out.'"
It sounds like the Lovehammers will be good for gas money for the rest of the tour.
—Caitlin Hotchkiss
Wednesday February 22, 2006 @ 07:00 PM
By: ChartAttack.com Staff
Marty Casey and Love Hammers
Marty Casey doesn't need reality television to prove that he's a rock star. It turns out that he already was one, and every bit of him still is.
When the lights went down on the Rock Star: INXS stage and JD Fortune was crowned the new frontman of the reborn '80s band, that didn't mean that Casey — the show's other finalist — was going home as the runner-up. Instead, he returned to Chicago to rejoin his previous band, the Lovehammers, who had been granted a major label deal by Epic Records. They also landed a plum opening slot on INXS' national tour. From the sound of things, there's no bitterness between the two finalists.
"I think we're both really happy and proud of each other," says Casey. "The night before the finale, it was me, JD and Mig [Ayesa] together, and we said, 'Listen, whatever happens, let's understand that our friendship shouldn't change.'
"So I think that kind of solidification has helped keep it real. Right now, JD and I try to hang out when we get a moment, but it's not like there's much time."
"It's all about schedules," adds Lovehammers guitarist Billy Sawilchik. "They sound-check, we sound-check, we walk by in the hall and say, 'Hey man, good show.' We're coming off our stage, they're getting ready to go on... it's just like this all the time."
Casey nods and says, "Our band is really busy with our career, and INXS is really busy doing their thing, too. So I think success will also push JD and I in different directions, and we won't have time to just sit around and hang out for 12 weeks like we did at the mansion. But we'll definitely keep in touch."
One aspect of the Lovehammers' career that's always kept them busy is their solid link to their fans, which hasn't changed a bit since the frontman's televised fame. In fact, Casey cites their connection to the fans as "the reason we've survived and been successful for so long."
"We did have a fan base before all this," notes Sawilchik. "Not humongous, but good-sized.
"Still, things have changed, and I think part of it comes from the TV fans versus the music fans. When you're on television, people perceive you in a different light, instead of the people who love the music and appreciate the art of it. The TV people... they're the more intense ones."
"We never had stalkers before," Casey explains. "We've had diehard fans, but there was always a line that they didn't cross, and so we had no problems.
"Now there's people finding out what hotels we're staying at, so we have to have fake names. All the funny cliches about the rock biz kinda come true when you start to have some success. But with accepting anything, there's always people who want something in return. They've been extremely generous in helping us out, but sometimes we have to draw the line."
He shrugs casually and displays a nondescript expression. "Marriage proposals, love letters, blatant cash given to you in very large quantities... I mean, it can't be a healthy part of your life."
Blatant cash in large quantities?
"A lady handed me $5,000," Casey explains. "That was pretty outrageous. She was like, 'I just wanna help you out.'"
It sounds like the Lovehammers will be good for gas money for the rest of the tour.
—Caitlin Hotchkiss
? hmmm. let's not name names.
I wonder who gave em that $5000! 
Granted, it doesn't hurt that they are HOT. ;D 
