The Wallflowers and The Lovehammers Entertainment Art Charter One at Northerly Island Chicago, Ill. June 13, 2007

In Grant Park the Taste was going into its third day. Crowds poured in from all over the city to take part in the festival and enjoy the end of the weekend. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the performance by Jakob Dylan and The Wallflowers.

Jakob Dylan, son of the great Bob Dylan, is a master in his own right. After hearing him on his albums for almost a decade I was surprised at just how much better his music sounds in concert. From the moment he walked on stage a sort of bond was formed with the audience.

Unlike most big name musicians, Dylan truly does care about the listener and he went out of his way to show it. A few songs into his set he spotted one of his fans air-drumming to the music. After seeing him with one drum stick in his hand already Dylan proceeded to lean over the barrier and give him one of his own personal sticks. In all my years of going to concerts that has never, ever happened. A fan might walk away with a guitar pick or a drum stick thrown into the crowd but one has never been given away personally in the middle of a show.

Later he asked another person in the audience, singling them out, what song they would like to hear him play. “I see you singing all the words to my songs, which one do you want to hear?” Dylan said to the fan “We want to make sure we play what you came to hear.” That shows a tremendous level of respect for the audience and should be admired in the music community.

The only downside to the night was the rather dull opening act. The Lovehammers certainly have their hearts in the right place but musically they lack creativity. Lead singer Marty Casey, best known for being on the television show Rockstar: INXS, has the potential but doesn’t let it go anywhere.

Though they are billed as grunge rock I couldn’t help but feeling they fit more into the light rock category. They’re songs reminded me of the heyday of Creed or the slow tracks on a Foo Fighters album. The surprising part was watching people actually walk out after the Lovehammers show without staying to see Dylan. That’s like paying for a gourmet steak dinner but only eating the baked potato. It fills you up but never really satisfies.

There is a reason The Wallflowers were the main act and it showed through in every single song. Dylan fills his lyrics with such passion that it’s impossible not to be moved. Jakob, just like his father, is another Dylan not to be missed. When it comes to putting on a first class show there are few that can whet your appetite for good music like The Wallflowers.

Comments

Written by Guest on 2009-07-14 09:43:17     well, I most assuredly disagree with your reviews to a point of wondering where you were during these shows? and your take on the Lovehammers will prevent me from ever reading your subjective and misguided reviews in the future of any music.

Written by Guest on 2009-07-14 11:23:10 Your review was written from a "fan boy" perspective, with slobbering devotion to the myth of the Dylans.  As you are a fan of Bob Dylan and his son, it does not surprise me that you didn't 'get' Lovehammers. I personally find Bob Dylan to be boring and pretentious, and what I heard of his son sounded like more of the same, so indeed, I walked out.   As far as never having seen drumsticks or other items "personally" given away in the middle of a show--you have not been to enough Lovehammers shows! These guys are like that on a regular basis. They also spend personal time with their fans after their shows, staying for hours if need be to meet everyone who wants to meet them. Their fans were going to the merch area immediately after their set to hang out with these guys who have become like members of their extended family and friends. Only the ridiculous security wannabes that day prevented more of that from happening with these guys.   Stick to reviewing 'art rock' and shows you can sit down at, and leave the reviews of real rock, the kind that you HAVE to be on your feet and rocking full out to, to those who understand it.

Written by Guest on 2009-07-14 14:41:29 I went to the Taste to see Lovehammers and Wallflowers. My daughter-in-law really wanted to see Wallflowers - she's a big fan and hadn't seen them before. She had also never seen or heard Lovehammers before. She enjoyed Lovehammers immensely and is now a fan and has been to a 2nd show and planning on a 3rd soon.    As for the Wallflowers? She said we could leave after about 4 songs. She still likes their music - but wasn't enthralled by their show - as you seem to have been.

Written by Guest on 2009-07-14 14:47:31 Oh, and a follow-up to above - I had no problem leaving with her. I was a bit bored myself with their show.    And considering Marty went out into the audience during their set and sang to and danced with a few fans - I wonder where you where during THIS "interaction" with the fans.

Written by Guest on 2009-07-14 20:20:28 I cannot believe that you could criticize the Lovehammers! They are by far the best band I have ever seen live. Talented, personable, entertaining and so great to their fans. Were you on another planet or something??

Written by Guest on 2009-07-14 23:48:47 Hmm The only downside to The Taste Of Chicago was the review written by Jordan Brandes of Lumino Magazine. On this beautiful surreal day the crowds that poured in were not only from all over the city but from all over the country.(to see Lovehammers) The highlight of this day was actually making it to the front of the stage to see Lovehammers (which many did not make it there) through all of the ridiculous seating situation and VIP areas. Next time you may want to research the person or band in your review. Obviously you have never been to a Lovehammer show and are basing your review on this one evening. This one evening where "dull" Marty Casey climbed out into the crowd walking across rows of chairs to get this crowd going and stopping off picking up a child and dancing with him. This one evening where the "uncreative" Marty Casey climbed up the side of the stage and sang from there. Hmmm. From the moment Lovehammers walked on that stage no bond was needed to be formed because Lovehammers already have the most unbelievable bond with their "audience". Caring about the "listener" is not just handing someone a drum stick or asking what song they want to hear(which don't get me wrong is totally cool)(which I have witnessed Lovehammers doing many times). Caring about the "listener" or as Lovehammers refer to their fans as "friends", is connecting with every person they can in that audience during their show, hanging out after the show taking pictures, signing ANYTHING you want signed and sitting down and talking to you, remembering you the next time they see you. This is respect for your "audience". If you were even watching Lovehammers you would have seen the connection they have with the "audience". If you were even listening to Lovehammers you would have heard the passion, which showed in every single song. And the creativity in their music and the potential they DO have and they DO let out. This is Lovehammers: Where Lovehammer fans come from all over the United States and other countries driving, flying whatever it takes to see them again and again and again. And is it because they are dull or because they lack creativity or because their potential is not going anywhere? NO! It is because THEY ROCK they are one of the most talented bands out there. Their fans will wait in line for hours (and I don't mean1 or 2 hours) their fans will drive hours to see them. Their fans know when they go to see Lovehammers it is all worth it and they will walk away not with just a "baked potato" but the WHOLE MEAL not to mention dessert with an "arm" on top! Now that is satisfaction! If you have never seen Lovehammers I hope you will check them out for yourselves because this review by Jordan Brandes is just totally unmerited. Susie

Written by Guest on 2009-07-16 01:13:57 Great review thanks! Got to agree with you about the Lovehammers. Seem like nice guys but their new songs really sound amateurish. The guitarist was competent, but drums & bass were a cut below a garage band. Marty's weak vocals seemed pushed, and without range. I'd love to cheer on some home boys, but sadly cannot. I did hear a lot of comments from middle aged moms who were Lovehammers fans on how great Marty looked. I guess listening to the music has little to with it for them.

Written by Guest on 2009-07-16 03:18:06 After reading the review, I had to wonder if the reviewer had been at the same show watching the same "Lovehammers" ???? Mostly, I will ignore all the commentary about Jakob Dylan because he's not why I was there - and in my ignorance of his music for me to comment on him would be unfair. Perhaps the reviewer might have shown Lovehammers the same courtesy - indeed I would not say Lovehammers were a "grunge" band, I would call them rockers that perhaps fit nobody's preconceived notions while creating a niche of their own.    If you did not pick up on the energy of the Lovehammers, you might want to check yourself for a pulse.    Did many of us Lovehammers fans leave when our band was done? YES - because the guys went out to the so-called merch area (which was a joke due to the rather Nazi-like security folks telling us where to and not to congregate.......and bouncing us around, telling us different places to be. One hopes that if Chicago really expects to be an Olympic city in the future, they need to be sure that whoever handles security is more transparent to people who aren't doing anything WRONG but instead concentrates on those who ARE. The harrassment level of people who were simply trying to spend time with the band was absurd.) and that's where we went to spend time with them. Someone who understood the relationship between Lovehammers and their fans would have known this so clearly the reviewer does not understand Lovehammers or their fans very well, if at all.    I would also point out that by Lovehammers fans moving out of the seating area (particularly directly in front of the stage) this left MORE room for fans of the next act. This simple act is a courtesy that we Lovehammers fans have often NOT been shown; with fans of "the next band up" trying to shove their way forward and displace us. At least in this particular case, the Dylan fans seemed well-behaved and I certainly appreciated that; I suspect other Lovehammers fans did as well.    I'll also address another comment made regarding "middle aged moms"; I am male and 51 and have enjoyed quite a few bands for most of those years. I have not seen where it is written that a bands fan base must be some homogenous group of generation-whatever; to the contrary, a band that attracts a wide cross-section of the population deserves some credit. If one looks a little more closely at a Lovehammers audience (instead of concentrating only on one group), one will see a huge variety of ages from very young who are often there with their parents all the way to folks who were probably "60's hippies" who are about the same age as Bob Dylan and *his* fans, eh?  -HH

Written by Guest on 2009-07-16 07:12:04 Watch out Jordan, now you've upset the "Mom Jeans Maffia"!  That's what all our friends call them.   I *was* a Lovehammers fan from early on, but stopped going to shows because of the Mom Jeans Maffia. I think there is a forum where they trade cookie recipes and drool over Marty Casey the lead singer. These older women show up to all Lovehammers shows and crowd around the front of the stage hours before the start.   Sometimes they bring their kids - or is it their grand kids?  Most of us original fans just stopped coming because of them. Just not cool.

Written by Guest on 2009-07-16 10:36:56 Looks like ageism and sexism are alive and well and living in Chicago. What a pity!    While you, 'original fan', are busy being 'exclusive', you're excluding yourself out of a lot of fun and some great shows by a really enjoyable band. I personally don't care what the demographics of the other fans are. I am there to enjoy the music and rock out.     No doubt when these guys finally get the recognition they deserve in the music industry, you will be there with your hand up, telling everyone how you've "been right with them all along", blah blah blah, just because you used to go to their parties and drink their booze.     Meanwhile, the newer fans are the ones who are actually working to help promote this band and help them get ahead. I hope the band looks out at the faces in the crowd at their shows and sees who are their supporters, and who AREN'T there anymore, and remembers that.    By the way, try spell check sometime...."mafia" has only one F.

Written by Guest on 2009-07-16 11:12:52 People's taste in music vary as much as all the music on this earth. I have no issue with the reviewer not enjoying Lovehammers and writing about it. But calling them dull is so off the mark. Marty Casey and Lovehammers are alot of things. Dull is not one of them.     As for the remarks about the diversity in age with their fans. Music is ageless. I believe that people who have issues with whatever age groups at concerts should perhaps review their motives. What difference does it make whether the person beside you is 6 or 60 if you are there for the music.    Jordan Brandes has a right to an opinion. I strongly disagree.     BG

Written by Guest on 2009-07-16 11:55:48 Thank you for the review!  I actually listened to both bands with an open mind, I'm not a "big" fan of neither one but trying to be objective here, Dylan's Wallflowers are in a different league.  The opening guys got lots of energy but that's about it. It was fun watching them, but I don't think I would want to listen to them at home.  Overall it was fun to be there, definitely looking forward to the next year!

Written by Guest on 2009-07-16 13:02:04 Incidentally, for the poster who seems to have issues with fans' ages and the fact that some have kids, all the members of Lovehammers are in their thirties, and 2 of them are dads. One of those dads has been known to bring his kids to the shows now and then. Gee, does that make HIM "not cool"? If loving your family is "not cool", then please sign me up for the "not cool" league!  Hmmm, do you suppose that Bob Dylan ever brought HIS kids to a show???

Written by Guest on 2009-07-16 20:44:32 "Mom Jeans Maffia" Classic!  Hey mom, are you gunna correct my spelling too or write a (long) letter to my parents?   Seriously MJM's, stop "working to help promote this band" and just blend in with the background. Lovehammers used to be a good rock band and a fun excuse to party. Now they are easy listening and the MJM's have turned concerts into Disney Land

Written by Guest on 2009-07-17 02:16:36 So let me put this question out to the person who thinks bringing kids to a rock show "is not cool", and please by all means tell us at what age fans should be barred from getting in for being "too old"? And someday when you have kids will you stop enjoying live music because YOU have turned "uncool"?     And so far as Lovehammers being a "good excuse to party", it seems like most people who want to don't need an excuse, they do it anyway. Is that all you saw in Lovehammers? Did you ever do anything to help them sell tickets, CD's or advance their careers or were you too busy thinking only about your excuses to get wasted? Sounds like once they entertained you you stopped caring at the end of the show - an awful lot of us actually DO care about these guys - if you don't, perhaps it is YOU who should "blend in to the background" and get out of the way of the band and those of us who want this band to succeed.

Written by Guest on 2009-07-17 02:39:39 MJM's just don't get it. Lovehammers ain't your kids, stop "helping" them! It's about having fun.   Nope, I never helped sell nothing for them. Never will.  "Fun" is not work. Buying a ticket or CD isn't a job. MJM's just chase away people from the band's target demographic. That's not "help".

pfst Written by Guest on 2009-07-18 10:13:15 The 2 people that invented mjm's, has continually throughout the years never supported the band. Ignore them, they are people that are small minded and think they can run a place just for one band member, always dissing the rest of the band, and stirring shit. ///ignore idiots.

Lovehammers are great! Written by Guest on 2009-07-18 23:10:19 Obviously, Jordan Brandes doesn't know talent when he sees it. If bands like Kings of Leon and the Jonas Brothers can be on radio why not the LH? Not cool to put down a Chicago band in Chicago, but then again, LuminoMagazine is not a top read for most of us, I don't imagine! Whatever!

Written by Guest on 2009-07-20 03:17:57 To the person who wrote this: "MJM's just don't get it. Lovehammers ain't your kids, stop "helping" them! It's about having fun.   Nope, I never helped sell nothing for them. Never will.   "Fun" is not work. Buying a ticket or CD isn't a job. MJM's just chase away people from the band's target demographic. That's not "help". "---Funny, the band keeps asking for our help, in very detailed and specific ways, such as contacting radio stations, gifting their new single to other fans and to radio stations, etc. It sounds to me like they appreciate our help, so who are YOU to tell us not to?     To the "pfst" person--Whoa! You sure got the wrong people in mind! That's not their style, and they have always supported the band by posting info about the shows, etc. They don't diss the rest of the band--never heard or read anything like that from them. Why not run a place for one band member, when there are places online devoted to each of the other band members, too? The more publicity, the better! Those folks would never tell people to "stop helping the band".

MT Written by Guest on 2009-07-20 14:55:39 Former fan here too. Yea, the scene got lame with all the MJM's and the snot nosed brats running around.   Out of curiosity i checked out their newest CD and its as lame as the scene.   Very sad.

Taste in music Written by Guest on 2009-07-21 07:02:02 How can anyone put Kings of Leon and the Jonas Brothers in the same sentence. That's just wrong!!     Speaking of taste in music - for those who don't like seeing "older" people at concerts - do you think when you turn 40 you start listening to crap music? You're talking about some who have actually seen Zeppelin, Joplin and Bob Dylan live. Do you now expect them to listen to elevator music? Good taste in music or the love of live rock does not die after 40.

Jaundice Jordan Written by Guest on 2009-07-21 10:37:06 Jordan,    I knew you in high school when you were a nerd. Good to see you are making something of all that time you spent along in your bedroom.    Peace!    PK

Jaundice Jordan Written by Guest on 2009-07-21 10:37:47 Jordan,    I knew you in high school when you were a nerd. Good to see you are making something of all that alone time you spent in your bedroom.    Peace!    PK

Written by Guest on 2009-07-22 00:39:50 If I'm still listening to Lovehammers when I'm 50, please shoot me in the head. This band is anything but timeless.  BTW, anyone catch their new CD "Heavy Crown"? it's absolutely terrible. Looks like they ran out of lyrics on most of the songs. They either repeat the same thing over and over or just go la la la.

Written by Guest on 2009-07-22 10:19:30 I seem to be in a minority based on the responses here, but the Lovehammers seem to strike me as posers. Talented posers, but posers nevertheless. They seem to try really hard at meeting the standards of a genre, but do not seem to do anything special with it. The comparisons to other groups are probably right on: The Lovehammers are good, but there are so many others out there that are better.    The Wallflowers on the other hand give me a different impression. I'm am not a big fan, but they do strike me as the kind of people that really do care about the music itself. I am not a fan of the style, but in some odd way they compel me with their emotion.     They seem like polar opposites to me. Good songs that end up being bad because they feel forced and flat, versus songs I don't particularly care for that end up being better because of their emotion. I still can't get into the Wallflowers, but I appreciate what they do and can empathize with their target audience. On the other hand, The Lovehammers get lost in a crowded genre beneath much more talented artist.

Written by Guest on 2009-07-29 15:48:57 Well-I can not stand that Lovehammers received a bad review in Chicago! However the only thing I can kinda agree with is the impression that LH is in the wrong genre. Are the Rock? Pop? What? Personally- i would like them to go the Rock direction. But feel Marty pulls them back towards Pop. Which kills me because I think of him as so Rock! I think they should be playing with Buckcherry- but they just aren't packing enough punch into their songs. Or releasing videos to get the public to notice them. I believe in LH and wish them all the success- but releasing the latest album with songs that were so similar to the other CDs- same words and phrases used!- left me kinda flat. And that breaks my heart to say. I know they have it in them-I just feel like sometimes Mrty trys to be to artsy- what is with your style??? - just let the rock come out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dylan sucked, Lovehammers rocked Written by Guest on 2009-09-09 20:48:38 Whoever wrote this is full of crap. The Lovehammers songs were amazing and the "Wallflowers" songs weren't that great or original. I can see why everybody walked out after the Lovehammers performed. And btw, the Lovehammers are probably one of the most creative bands out their today. So get a sense of good music.

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