Music - Marty Casey & Lovehammers #1 - 'Cause the forest gave us the answer

in kaos · 07-28-2006, 08:25 PM

MARTY CASEY & LOVEHAMMERS FAN THREAD

MCLH are...

Marty Casey (lead vocals)

Billy Sawilchik (guitar)

Dino Kourelis (bass)

Bobby Kourelis (drums)

Photo credit:
http://www.martycasey.org

Quote:

When Marty Casey was named runner-up on the hit television show Rock Star: INXS, it only meant he wasn't going to be a member of INXS; there was no doubt he was already a rock star. Of course, anyone who has seen Casey and his band Lovehammers perform over the last five years (or heard any of their four self-released albums) already knew that. INXS knew it as well, and they invited Casey & Lovehammers to join them on their upcoming tour.

The group (lead vocalist Casey, guitarist Billy Sawilchik, bassist Dino Kourelis and his brother, drummer Bobby Kourelis) approached its self-titled Epic/Burnett Records debut with the confidence of a band used to winning over crowds. After all, their albums have sold more than 25,000 copies without a label or distributor, and their sweaty, electrifying performances have made them one of the Windy City's most popular live bands. They recently amassed a few million new fans thanks to Casey's remarkable run on Rock Star. Over the course of the series, Casey's electrifying performances made him a fan favorite and his hook-happy single, "Trees," was a No. 1 download on MSN.com. That amplifies a resume that includes gigs opening for Nickelback, Jerry Cantrell, Interpol, Puddle of Mudd, and most recently, Cake and Gomez on a 21-city tour. In 2004, their DVD Live/Raw debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard DVD chart.

"We always wanted to have our shot, to step up and do it on a large scale," says Bobby Kourelis." Adds Dino: "We knew the songs were there. It was just a matter of getting heard."

The material is certainly there. The Lovehammers have a knack for writing songs that grab you with a good crunchy guitar riff, surging melodies and Casey's powerful and emotional voice. With the exception of Casualty, which was written after Rock Star: INXS wrapped, the album was drawn from the Lovehammers existing repertoire. While this is their major label debut, Marty calls it "a greatest hits record." The roster of producers who have lined up to work with the Lovehammers is proof that they're ready for their close up. "Straight As An Arrow" was recorded by Chicago legend Steve Albini (Nirvana), with Marty Frederickson (Aerosmith, Mick Jagger) and Johnny K (Staind, Disturbed) manning the mixing board on additional tracks.

And of course, the album features "Trees," the hook-ridden song Marty introduced on Rock Star, and host/ex-Jane's Addiction/Red Hot Chili Pepper guitarist Dave Navarro predicted would be a hit.

Knitting so many disparate recordings into a coherent album might have intimidated lesser bands, but for Marty Casey & Lovehammers it only the makes the end result more exciting. "A lot of today's records sound the same-perfect tone, same guitar sound," says Casey. "But on some great old-school records-the Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers is one example, every song had a different sound. They'd use a different drum kit, they used different instrumentation." The Lovehammers record, he says is a "total collage of different sounds, different recording techniques. For me, it makes for a really cool record."[...] [- Read rest of band bio -]

CLICK ME!

Official sites:
http://www.lovehammers.com
http://www.myspace.com/lovehammers
http://www.martycasey.org
http://www.billysawilchik.com

in kaos · 07-28-2006, 08:36 PM

Decided to make a Lovehammers fan thread

I hope there are other fans here in FF other than me... I'll make a fan list if you want, just tell me if you want to be added

I just got the cd and I'm not disappointed

Marty was my fave on RS: INXS and I'm happy that the all the things people loved about him on the show (his voice, intensity and attitude) is showcased in their album. The other guys are great too, and the band sound makes me believe Marty's better off not winning Rockstar, he'd have been diluted in INXS imo

Fave MCLH song at the moment: The Tunnel

-res cogitans- · 07-28-2006, 10:18 PM

Im a fan!!!!!!!!!

majorly! loved marty on RS:INXS last year..he was amazing...i have all thier albums!

in kaos · 07-29-2006, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insanitic

Im a fan!!!!!!!!!

majorly! loved marty on RS:INXS last year..he was amazing...i have all thier albums!

You have their 4th self released ones? Lucky!

Their major label debut kinda serves as the rerecorded GH of their old stuff + some new stuff thrown in so I guess I shouldn't feel too bad about it

Btw, here's some news of interest...

Quote:

Trees MV

Here is a still from the Marty Casey and Lovehammers Music Video for Trees. (dated June 15th, 2006)

From:
Stock Yard Films: News

- I was searching around for some stuff on why MCLH doesn't have a music video yet for an album released back in January and this is all I found.
- Take note that Stock Yard Films is producing and that post is just last month. They're the company the band used to produced their self-released videos prior to signing with Epic. This + Epic's non promotion leads me to believe the band's funding the music video on their own. It's like the record company thinks Marty's RS: INXS exposure was enough and they needn't exert effort in promoting the band and the record thus no videos, no tv spots... *scratches head*
- I hope we get a video soon. Granted, Trees is an old single but better late than never.

in kaos · 07-30-2006, 06:55 AM

Tour dates from Lovehammers Fan Club

No date anywhere remotely near me (Asian dates guys!) but if you can catch one of these dates, show some love and check the band out

Even if you're not a fan yet, they're sure to win you over

Quote:

MONDAY, JULY 31: 20TH CENTURY THEATRE
3021 Madison Road
Cincinnati, OH 45209
8:00 p.m.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1: MR. SMALLS THEATRE
400 Lincoln Ave.
Millvale, PA 15209
8:00 p.m.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 3: THE PARADISE ROCK CLUB
GET TICKETS HERE!
967-969 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
Time TBA

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4: WORLD CAFE LIVE (WXPN STUDIOS)
3025 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
8:00 p.m.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 5: STONE PONY
913 Ocean Avenue
Asbury Park, NJ
8:00 p.m.

MONDAY, AUGUST 7: RAM'S HEAD LIVE
Baltimore, MD

TUESDAY, AUGUST 8: CANAL ROOM
285 West Broadway @ Canal Street
New York, NY 10013
212 941 8100 (box office)
Show time is 8:00 p.m.
Tickets are $15.00
The presale will run Wednesday, June 28 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
The public on-sale will begin Thursday, June 29 at 10:00 a.m.
For tickets simply click here: TICKETMASTER and enter "metro" in the password box.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 10: LEE'S PALACE
529 Bloor St.
W. Toronto, Canada
8:00 p.m.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11: SHOWPLACE THEATRE
1063 Grant Street
Buffalo, NY 14207
8:00 p.m.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 12: LOVEHAMMERS ROCK HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
The Lebowsky Center, Owosso, MI
7:00 p.m.
Tickets go on sale at the Lebowsky Center on June 12 at 9 a.m.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 13: ST. ANDREWS HALL
Detroit, MI SHOW CANCELLED

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16: PEABODY'S
Cleveland, OH

THURSDAY, AUGUST 17: THE BASEMENT
Columbus, OH

FRIDAY, AUGUST 18: MUSIC MILL
3720 East 82nd Street
Indianapolis, IN 46240
8:00 p.m.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19: THE BLUE NOTE
Columbia, MO

MONDAY, AUGUST 21: GRAND EMPORIUM
Kansas City, MO

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23: KNICKERBOCKER'S
Lincoln, NE

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24: VARSITY THEATER (Please note that this venue has changed since first posted.)
1308 4th Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Time TBA

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25: CANOPY CLUB
708 South Goodwin
Urbana, IL 61801
8:00 p.m.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26: THE ANNEX
Madison, WI

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2: NAPERVILLE JAYCEES LAST FLING
Naperville, IL

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16: WICKER PARK OYSTER FESTIVAL
Chicago, IL
Set time - 8:30 p.m.

-res cogitans- · 07-31-2006, 01:32 AM

^ too bad i dont live in the states

in kaos · 07-31-2006, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insanitic

^ too bad i dont live in the states

Me too

Marty's such a charismatic frontman... The band's sure to light that stage up, I wanna see them live!

Listening to the album

You've been trapped and can't escape.
You've been sad and losing weight.
I can't believe what's happened to you
In one year...

sjjo1973 · 07-31-2006, 06:56 PM

Thanks for posting this thread. Marty Casey & Lovehammers are Chicago's best keep secert and thanks to Marty going on Rockstar last year they are now known world wide but still need their fans help supporting and spreading the love! by the way if you are looking for some of their older stuff their friend dan has be selling them on ebay under "seller_and_buyer" Live Raw video/L'strange/Ultrasound....Murder on My Mind you can still purchase on line at amazon. I highly recommend seeing them live they put on a awesome show....ROCK ON!!!

sweet_zelda · 07-31-2006, 08:42 PM

I just got their record and it has become my new favorite! Soooo awesome!

in kaos · 08-01-2006, 01:19 AM

Welcome to the thread sijo1973 and sweet lynn

Their album definitely kicksass!

sweet_zelda · 08-01-2006, 11:04 AM

Thank you for the great welcome! I adore "Casuality" and "Trees", very great songs!

in kaos · 08-01-2006, 04:51 PM

Yeah, those 2 tracks are among my faves as well

The version of Trees on the album is darker and longer in the album than when Marty performed it on RS:INXS. I like both versions, it depends on your mood what version you'll be listening to

Speaking of Marty on RS:INXS, here are download links of the performance vids/audios dug up from 3 months worth of blogs from rickey.org. You can all love me now

http://www.rickey.org/blog/files/mar...ere-092005.wmv
http://www.idolforever.com/media/vid...ree-091405.wmv
http://www.idolforever.com/media/vid...tic-091305.wmv
http://www.idolforever.com/media/vid...asey-creep.wmv
http://www.idolforever.com/media/mp3/Trees-Acoustic.mp3
http://www.idolforever.com/media/vid...eep-091105.mov
http://www.idolforever.com/media/mp3/Trees-Live.mp3
http://www.idolforever.com/media/vid...y-everlong.wmv
http://www.idolforever.com/media/vid...asey-trees.wmv
http://www.googlx.com/idolforever/me...-were-here.wmv
http://www.googlx.com/idolforever/me...ge-for-you.mov
http://www.googlx.com/idolforever/me...e-love-you.mov
http://www.googlx.com/idolforever/me...-more-time.mov
http://www.googlx.com/idolforever/me...Brightside.mov
http://www.rickey.org/blog/files/Mar...-wide-open.mov

A reminder of what made us fall in love with the head Lovehammer in the first place

in kaos · 08-02-2006, 03:53 PM

Sucks that I can't see the tour

Just watched the VH1 acoustic performances and I really, really wanna see 'em live! They're not opening for the Manila INXS show (MiG, who apparently is releasing an album this August, will be the opener. Just in case there are MiG fans in here

) which is just as well since I don't wanna fork a thousand pesos or so to see ant-sized MCLH do a 5-song set

But a fan who's in touch with Sony BMG Phil. said there's a chance they're coming over for a promo stop. Hope so, if they do a gig @ Hard Rock, I'm so there!

BTW, here's the newest newsletter (7/31) with a tour update from Dino

Quote:

HAMMERHEADS!

2 days into the tour, and it is going great!
We just did a Gibsin show in Nashville, and it was very cool.
Night before was sold out in St. Louis.
We'll let you know what Kentucky is like.... KENTUCKY!!?!?!?
I don't even know where that is!!!!

ROCK!
Dino
MARTY CASEY & LOVEHAMMERS

"ROCK!" is right, Dino rocks! I'm glad they're having a blast on their first headlining US trek

And how cool of Dino to let the kid play!

Photo credit: Sylwia

More tour pics + reviews