Part I: Pre-concert Party
Pre-concert gathering took place at the Full Shilling which is next door to the Metro. This was the Casey's family party, and we were very fortunate to be on the guest list. We were interviewed and filmed by the video filming crew concerning the website. We met lots of Casey family members. They were all wonderful, gracious people. (Special mention: Uncle Mike Casey, sister Liz and her husband, Mike, and boys, & cousin Katie.) We wanted to meet Marty's parents, but it was not to be. We never did get to connect with them. Meanwhile, next door at the Metro, Marty, Bobby, Dino, and Billy were filming shots for the music video. Naturally we were ecstatic when they walked into the Full Shilling to join the party for a bit. Marty was lovely! The whole band is adorable! Marty graciously thanked us for the website, showed us he was wearing his MartyCasey.org wristbands (one on each wrist!). Below are a few of Amy's pictures from this.
  Two nice photos of Marty at the Full Shilling pre-concert party
 Marty Casey with Amy (Marty's Uncle Mike took this one with Amy's camera. If you look just above Marty's right shoulder, you can see Dino!)
 Dino Kourelis at the Full Shilling
 Marty Casey with The Loop's (97.9 Chicago) Cara Carriveau
and her husband, Bill. ( Photo provided by Cara.)
Here is Marty's autograph:
Part II: The Concert
Setlist from the Metro concert:
UltraSound
Straight as an Arrow
Call of Distress
Clinic
Rain on the Brain
Hold On
Trees
The Riddle (AKA Yes It Do)
Clouds
The Tunnel
Throw My Head (Marty climbed up the light tower during this one and hung upside down while singing a bit)
Eyes Can't See
Trees (to get crowd reactions for music video)
This Town
We arrived late (right as the second band was taking the stage), opting to stay at the Full Shilling, meet the band, and spend a bit of time with Marty's family. Our seats in the balcony were not so hot. Amy did get a few shots during the show.
 Although it was too dark for a good photo
of Marty hanging from the lighting rafter during "Throw My Head", Rob Grabowski snapped this one of the very nice view we had of this moment from the balcony, stage left.
Cara Carriveau from WLUP had the honor of announcing the band. Cara is a special friend of MartyCasey.org and sent us an interesting email the day after the concert that she has received permission for us to post:
From: John Gaskill
Sent: Thursday, November 24, 2005 12:58 PM
To: Cara Carriveau
Subject: TALK ABOUT A ROCK SHOW!!!
so i'm sure you know I had tons of fun! :)
but check out this story- my hand was hurting all night and this
morning, and i was watching the tape of the show when i remembered what
happened!
i was in the stage pit filming the crowd, i had my hand on the stage for
balance, when marty came up behind me and stepped on my hand, it's funny
because the camera goes from a crowd shot right up to marty being right
over me pinning my hand down.
so marty broke my pinky finger and there's a shoeprint on my hand.
talk about a souvenir. i love the lovehammers....
John Gaskill
WLUP
Producer/Engineer
Cara also sent a few pictures that she took at the show.
P.S. Before we leave the concert talk, we have to say "How totally cool were those confetti cannons!!" Wish we had a picture to post. (hint, hint)
Part III: After Party
This was a mob scene. Not anywhere near as intimate, casual or inviting as the Full Shilling party. We were upstairs and watched as Marty was surrounded by tons of fans. We sat and observed not wanting to add to the madness and confusion for him. Amy did however snap a few very nice photos of him which are posted below:
Part IV: Our comments
From Amy
This Thanksgiving was spent with many "firsts" for me. It was my first visit to Chicago, first time seeing a Lovehammers show, first time meeting Marty, Dino, Bob, and Billy, and first time meeting Marty's family. The trip was a whirlwind and every second of it was full of smiles, laughter, and joy. I won't give a story of what happened - there's lots of that on the online forums and the pictures do much of the story telling. So, during this season of thanks I'd like to give shout outs to the following:
* Marty's family:
These folks couldn't have been more kind and generous. I especially enjoyed the time I spent with Uncle Mike, sister Liz, and cousin Katie. Thank you for the words of encouragement and support...and thank you for including me in your family event.
* Lovehammers
Thanks for one of the most phenomenal concerts I've ever attended! I look forward to seeing you in 2006. INXS has their hands full - Lovehammers is a tough act to follow.
* The Snark Ladies
You know who you are. I couldn't have asked for better company...you ladies are the best evah!
* Dan
Dan the mystery man. Thank you for everything - I appreciate you more than you know.
* Hammerheads
Thanks for embracing the "newbie" fans. We love doing shots as much as you guys!
* Marty Casey
Meeting you was a joy. Your thoughtful words and gracious spirit made the last three months of work worth every minute of it. Remember: We're proud of you...."don't change!" Oh, and don't forget to wear your wristbands.<grin>
Amy C. Pascoe
Site co-editor | |
From Cindy, Webmaster
I am such a loser. I did not bring a camera and so do not have any photos to show you. But, yes, I met Marty; Yes, gosh he is lovely! Yes, I got to speak to him. Yes, we talked about the website, and he was so sweet about it and thanked us in a warm and wonderful way. Yes, I got Marty affection. Yes, I got a pic with Marty. Yes, I met Dino, Bobby and Billy, and then thought to myself....boy this whole band is c-u-u-u-u-u-ute. Yes, Dino is just the coolest thing ever--and a complete doll! Many many fans can report on special moments with the band, so I won't bore you with the 499th telling. (Woohoo to all of the fans who got to meet the band too!!!) So why should you read this? Well, here's why: I am very anxious to see everyone's photos from the concert because I am looking for the perfect photo that shows Marty's right left wrist. You see, I had a very special bracelet that I had purchased back this summer from a local antique mall. It was an interesting, beaded safety pin wristband of silver and red, probably handmade, and looked to be a one-of-a-kind. It was vintage in that it is probably 20-25 years old; it is unusual and very cool looking. I collect vintage jewelry. and it was probably my favorite bracelet in my collection so I wore it quite often. Anyway, in one of the most impulsive things I have ever done in my life, when I met Marty and was talking to him, I slipped this wristband off my right wrist and onto his, saying this is a really cool wristband, it is a favorite of mine, and I want you to have it. He thanked me, smiled and said he would wear it tonight during the concert. A man of his word, he had it on all night....I saw it several times when he was on stage and later on his arm at the after-party. It really is a great wristband, looks terrific on his wrist, and I hope he wears it on other occasions. I know I will be looking for it in future concert and public appearance photos! So as soon as I have our photos from Rob, I will post a closeup that hopefully shows the wristband where I can point it out to all of you ...and then you can help me keep an eye out for it--sort of a "spot the special wristband/bracelet" game--and everyone can play along.
OMG! I just realized it. My bracelet/wristband may be famous. It may end up being seen on MTV in the music video or on a photo showing Marty singing at the Metro. It may be immortalized forever on film!! Hmmm...It could feasibly end up on their new CD cover photo or even on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine! Or on Marty's arm when they win their first Grammy! Oh hell! Why couldn't it have taken me with it?
The vintage wristband
Click to see Kim's pic. |
Added 11/26: Alert alert! The vintage wristband that I gave Marty has been spotted. ~*SHR*~ (Kim) has a picture of herself with Marty and you can see it clear as a bell. (Thank you so much Kim for sharing your pic with us!) However, it is on his left wrist. Now I could have sworn I put it on his right wrist....but either I am mistaken or he moved it to his left wrist.
Thanks to all who have emailed me looking for the wrist!!
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