by chimon

I was lucky enough to attend the Friday night Lovehammers show in Mokena. I think this was the sixth show I’ve been to, and it was the best. It had the most energy, excitement, and of course, the best music.

The Pearl Room in Mokena is large venue that holds about 2,000. I don’t think it was sold out, but it must have been close. I got there just before the show started, and was in the back half, with people crowded around me. It was an all ages show, and there definitely were all ages. Lots of kids, many wearing Lovehammers shirts, and some people older than me!

Billy, Bobby, Dino, and Marty were all at their best. Billy’s guitar work was particularly fine. What made them even better was the obvious fun they were having. They were smiling at each other and the audience throughout the performance. Dino was more animated than I’ve seen him before, so it looks like he has recovered from his hand injury. It is a plus when he plays to the audience and shows off his charm. Bobby was as good as ever. I always love his Ultrasound solo.

They played for at least an hour and a half. About a third into the show, Marty said they had a special guest who was with the band in the Swinging Lovehammers days—Ben Kelly, a former guitarist. Ben walked out to great enthusiasm from the band. They proceeded to play The Tunnel and Straight as an Arrow. They all looked like they were having a blast, and the sound was phenomenal. When Ben ended his set with them, there were hugs all around. I wouldn’t mind seeing Ben playing with them again.

Marty was on, the perfect showman. He climbed up one side of the balcony, and walked on the ledge. Then he went into the balcony, which went around the perimeter of the theater, and climbed back down on the other side of the stage, while singing. He also made a foray into the audience and walked towards the back on another song, but not near me. He talked a lot about how great Chicago was, especially the south side, and thanked the Pearl Room owner and pointed him out in the balcony. I think he said something about the guy being his protector when they were young. 

And the best version ever of Trees—to introduce the song Marty said it was great to have an all ages show and to have all of the kids there. He said he wrote Trees as a sort of children’s story. He then asked all of the kids under 18 to come up on the stage to sing. There were about 40 kids up there, from age 4 to 17. They all were singing along and most knew all of the words, some wearing their little LH t-shirts. One little girl had a shirt that said, “I ‘Heart’ the Lead Singer.” Marty walked around with the mic letting them sing their little solos! He was so cute with them and you could tell they loved him. After the song, Marty said one of the little girls told him to pull his pants up! If you ever have seen Marty perform, you would know that this refers to Marty’s pants having the habit of sliding down a tad in the back while he is performing. I guess kids think it’s funny too.