Lovehammers

The Lovehammers continue to demonstrate why they are one of Chicago’s paramount modern rock bands, with the release of their fifth full length album.

Teaming up with producer Marti Frederickson, who has worked with such artists as Aerosmith, Buckcherry, Pink, Faith Hill, Papa Roach; ‘Heavy Crown’ presents the unparalleled work of Marty Casey (Vocals), Billy Sawilchik (Guitar), Dino Kourelis (Bass), Bobby Kourelis (Drums).

Released on the bands own record label known as REEP Records (with distribution through Fontana/INgrooves), this album features 11 new tracks and 3 bonus tracks.

New tracks that fans can look forward to listening to include, ‘Guns’, ‘Your Time My, My Time’, ‘Find Your Way’, ‘Honest I’ll Wait’, ‘Oh My Baby’, ‘Loaded’, ‘Heavy Crown’, ‘That’s Life’, ‘Black Angel’, ‘Never Fall’, and ‘Driving Blind’.

Bonus tracks that may also be found on the album are, ‘Velvet’ (Live Acoustic), ‘Eyes Can’t See’ and ‘Juniper Bill’.

The diversity of the tracks on the album are very well balanced. Two of my favorites tracks are ‘Heavy Crown’ and ‘Neverfall’.

‘Heavy Crown’ being the albums title track, is an emotional piece whose melody and lyrics stir deep emotions. The first time that I listened to it, I recalled my Grandfather passing on and having been by his side trying to ease his fears as he let go. Emotionally it was difficult to remember that time, but hearing “Walk into the light / It will be ok / There will come a day - We will reunite...” offered unexpected comfort to those feelings. Truly a brilliant piece, that is haunting.

Having faced many challenges throughout the years, the track ’Neverfall’ could easily be considered the Lovehammers anthem. It is an all out, in your face song, that refuses to back down or be taken prisoner. And as the line goes “ No we'll never, no we'll never fall / Down, like we're supposed to...” and knowing this band I believe that that is the truth. They shall never fall!

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I was given the opportunity to ask Dino Kourelis, one of the creative forces within the Lovehammers a few questions regarding their new release, what to expect from this hard hitting album and a little about the bands own record label.

The current album entitled "Heavy Crown" originally started out as "Let Me Out"... a long time project started out by you. Obviously, it has undergone some very dramatic changes within a short period of time. What inspired the band to create an entirely new album in within a few short months?

Dino Kourelis: “When the idea for ‘Let me Out’ was created, most of the band hadn't even spoken to each other in 6-7 months. Once we all re-connected, we decided that if a new record was going to be put out, then we wanted it to be all new music. We will save the ‘Let Me Out’ idea for a later time.....”

What makes this album different from those you have released in the past?

Dino Kourelis: “We have grown as musicians and songwriters for this album, and that continued growth has given us the confidence to try new things and take more chances. We are proud to have created our best album to date, and look forward to trying to top it!”

What was the creative process for everyone involved in putting this album together?

Dino Kourelis: “This album was written, recorded, mixed in a few months, so the creative process was rather hectic. Some songs were old that we had never finished, so we finished them, and updated them. Other songs were brought in as ideas, and the band jammed together to finish them, and there were a couple that were pretty much done that just needed some finishing touches and production. The great thing about this album is that many parts were literally created as we were playing them live, so there is a fresh, spontaneous vibe to a few of the songs.”

If you could select one track out of all of those on this release that holds a special meaning to the band, which one would that be and why?

Dino Kourelis: “ ‘Heavy Crown’ is a beautiful song that I think everyone should listen to. It is a very powerful story about losing someone you love and letting go....”

Anything you creatively wish in retrospect, that you would have done differently on this album?

Dino Kourelis: “There are a million things that we would do differently. The trick is to finish the album and just move on. If you try to sit there and nit pick everything, you will never finish, and eventually drive yourself crazy. Rock-n-roll is not supposed to be perfect, and too many bands ruin great songs by over thinking, over producing them.”

Tell me a little about REEP Records and what creating this label means to you as an artist in the Music Industry?

Dino Kourelis: “REEP RECORDS stands for Record Executives Everyday People. The basic concept is to basically have true music lovers and fans of the bands make some of the most important decisions - such as single releases, videos, touring, etc. The model for "Traditional Record Labels" has been broken for sometime, and times are changing. Bands are getting smarter, and taking more control of their lives and careers. Musicians have been following these unwritten rules for 100 years. We have been taken advantage of for so long, it is refreshing to see bands finally starting to make a change. We think what we are doing is rather revolutionary, so we hope more bands either join us, or do similar things. For many years music was run by people in fancy offices in tall buildings, and we are trying to bring it to the streets - to the real experts - the fans!”

What does the future hold for the Lovehammers and all of the fans of this amazing band?

“Dino Kourelis: We will have a radio campaign starting very shortly, and hope to see everyone on the road. This is a grassroots adventure for us, so we need everyone’s help to get the word out!!!!”

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If any band can supersede in this “grassroots adventure”, then it is without a doubt the Lovehammers.

Encompassing previous works such as ‘Marty Casey & Lovehammers’ (2006), ‘... and the rest is history’ DVD (2006), ‘Merry Christmas (All Year Long)’ (2006), ‘Murder On My Mind’ (2003), #1 Billboard debuted ‘Live Raw’ DVD (2004), ‘L’Strange ‘(2000), ‘How We Live EP’ (2001), ‘Demolition EP’ (1999), ‘Ultrasound’(1997), the Lovehammers continue to prove that hard work and unwavering determination is in their blood as much as the unyielding passion for creating music!

Selling out packed venues and maintaining the support of a massive fan base, this band is a first class act, whose talent has only just begun to flourish.

Opening for such acts as the Plain White T’s, Interpol, Nickleback, Jerry Cantrell, New Found Glory, and Cake and Gomez; the Lovehammers continue to gain the momentum of an unstoppable freight train!

‘Heavy Crown’ is truly one of the best works that I have heard in a long time and I would recommend for all the Lovehammers fans and those who just enjoy listening to great music. It is all about what rock music should be... simple, pure and felt to the soul, with every electrifying riff and ever heartfelt lyric. - Sugarbuzz Magazine

Heavy Crown is the powerful new disc from Lovehammers, one of Chicago’s long-standing leading rock bands. The fifth full length from the band - Marty Casey (vocals), Billy Sawilchik (guitar), Dino Kourelis (bass), Bobby Kourelis (drums) - was produced by heavy-hitting producer Marti Frederickson (Aerosmith, Buckcherry, Pink, Faith Hill, Papa Roach) and restores faith that anthemic and heartfelt rock and roll can still thrive. Set for release July 21, the album includes 11 new and reworked studio tracks including thought-provoking, hook-injected airwave contenders and two bonus live versions of classic Lovehammers songs, "Eyes Can't See" and "Velvet."


With a back catalog of four albums and three EPs and friendships that date back to their Hickory Hills Little League days, the band’s chemistry can’t help but be special. It’s that chemistry that brought the guys together to create REEP Records, the label that will release Heavy Crown to the masses, with distribution through Fontana/INgrooves. "Lovehammers has been known to think outside the box and the release of Heavy Crown is no exception," says bassist Dino. He continues, "REEP - which stands for Record Executives Everyday People - will make decisions regarding singles, videos, touring, etc based on feedback from the real music experts - the fans."

Lovehammers’ renewed D.I.Y. attitude comes as the direct result of the band surviving the blessings and curses that came their way when vocalist Marty Casey became a household name, earning the adoration of millions of television viewers as the runner-up on the 2005 reality series "Rockstar INXS." The band was forced to alter their title to put Marty’s name in front for their lone Epic Records release. Now the foursome has come full circle by returning to the Lovehammers moniker. "We have control again and feel comfortable returning to our original name," says the frontman.

The new disc was originally planned as a remix album, with the band re-releasing some of its signature songs on its own terms. While in the studio, the album quickly turned into the band’s first new studio disc in three years. Heavy Crown kicks off with the band’s explosive opening salvo "Guns." The track is an ode to the servicemen and women who have given their lives while protecting our country. The chorus - "Let's pray for all those sweet lives/That die with a gun in their hands/Let's pray for all those sweet lives/That fight for our lives till the end" — reemphasizes the band’s dedication to honoring these men and women. Previously, the band created the "Shoebox Of Love" campaign which encouraged fans to donate care packages to those fighting abroad. To date, over 1000 packages have been sent and the band is working on their "Shoeboxes @ Home" campaign to support veterans.

"Heavy Crown is Lovehammers firing on all cylinders," says Dino. Other standout tracks on the album include "Your Time, My Time," "Neverfall," "Oh My Baby," the uplifting title track, the in-your-face "Black Angel (Not Gonna Be The One)" and "Driving Blind," with its soaring chorus and strings performed by the Chicago Junior Symphony Orchestra. Marty hopes that each song finds a home: "I want ‘Your Time, My Time’ blasting a summer barbecue." As for the highly personal "Oh My Baby," Marty says that: "When you write the goodbye letter and watch someone you love walk off into the sunset, you don’t really want to mail it. You’d rather burn it." - Ultimate Guitar

Lovehammers – ‘Heavy Crown’ {Buy the record here}
Album Review
*** (3-Stars)
By Anthony Kuzminski

What can be said about Marty Casey and the Lovehammers? After being together for well over a decade, Casey tried out for Rockstar television show in 2005 featuring INXS and while he didn’t win, it allowed him enough exposure to finally take his band to new heights after three independent full-length records. Their self-titled major label debut (Marty Casey & Lovehammers ) was a rock-solid record with the genuinely phenomenal single “Trees”. Despite an assortment of side gigs, including one in Tracii Guns version of LA Guns, Casey has returned to the Lovehammers and together, they have created a record that to my astonishment is a colossal step forward. The band flexes their musical muscle proving they’re more than a fly-by-night success story. The trials and tribulations of being thrust into the spotlight, not to mention his many side projects has given Casey a refined outlook on life and his songwriting shows it. At their core, the Lovehammers are a united band of brothers whose friendship and history go back over two decades. Their shared history can be heard on their latest disc, Heavy Crown through burning performances that prove to be rather irrefutable.

Melding influences from the last few decades, you hear a bit of pop, grunge and even hair metal thrown in here making for a varied listen with the amps turned up. “Your Time, My Time” is a solid bit of sugary pop, while “Find Your Way” invades you with a chorus that encompasses you like a gust of wind on a perfect day. “Honest I’ll Wait” features a soul searching lyric and a finely tuned vocal that may turn some off, but the zeal pulls you in never wanting to let go even when the song begins its fade out. “Oh My Baby” is a mid-tempo number performed with a hushed ambiance amidst some soaring melodies provided by the ringing guitar. “Driving Blind” evokes overriding optimism with a band shooting for the highest heights while “Neverfall” could very well find a home as their main set closer in concert as it pumps the adrenaline with persuasive energy.

Not all of Heavy Crown works for me. “Loaded” has its verses sung through a distortion echo box of sorts and while it’s inspired, it falls flat. “Black Angel” ventures into Nickelback territory a bit too much for my liking. However, as I listened to “That’s Life”, I was impressed with its minimalism and its directness. The song has no musical theatrics, but it’s a reminder that sometimes the best rock n’ roll is the most simplistic. The title track is a towering ballad featuring a beseeching vocal from Casey (his best on the record) with the band carefully inducing a sense of earnestness from their collective efforts. Ballads live and die depending on how well you can sell it. Aerosmith’s “Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” works because even though they didn’t write it, they dug deep and established empathy. On “Heavy Crown” Casey’s vocals and the band’s orchestral surging here are feel as good as the sun beaming onto your face on a perfect summer day. When the Lovehammers converge and transport songs like this, they take the listener away from their everyday troubles and in the end; can you fault anyone for that? - AntiMusic Network

CHICAGO ROCKERS RELEASE FIFTH ALBUM
‘HEAVY CROWN’
DUE IN STORES JULY 21 ON THEIR OWN REEP RECORDS

FIRST SINGLE “GUNS” AVAILABLE NOW

CONTINUE THEIR “SHOEBOX” CAMPAIGN
HONORING ACTIVE SERVICEMEN, WOMEN AND VETERANS BY ENCOURAGING FANS TO EXPRESS THEIR GRATITUDE BY DONATING CARE PACKAGES

CONFIRM RECORD RELEASE SHOW JULY 24 IN NEW YORK CITY
IN ADDITIONAL TO MIDWEST DATES


HEAVY CROWN is the powerful new disc from LOVEHAMMERS, one of Chicago’s long-standing leading rock bands. The fifth full length from the band--Marty Casey (vocals), Billy Sawilchik (guitar), Dino Kourelis (bass), Bobby Kourelis (drums)--was self produced with additional production by heavy-hitting producer Marti Frederickson (Aerosmith, Buckcherry, Pink, Faith Hill, Papa Roach) and restores faith that anthemic and heartfelt rock and roll can still thrive. Set for release July 21, the album includes 11 new and reworked studio tracks including thought-provoking, hook-injected airwave contenders and two bonus live versions of classic LOVEHAMMERS songs, “Eyes Can't See” and “Velvet.”

With a back catalog of four albums and three EPs and friendships that date back to their Hickory Hills Little League days, the band’s chemistry can’t help but be special. It’s that chemistry that brought the guys together to create REEP Records, the label that will release HEAVY CROWN to the masses, with distribution through Fontana/INgrooves. “LOVEHAMMERS has been known to think outside the box and the release of HEAVY CROWN is no exception,” says bassist Dino. He continues, “REEP--which stands for Record Executives Everyday People--will make decisions regarding singles, videos, touring, etc based on feedback from the real music experts--the fans.”

LOVEHAMMERS’ renewed D.I.Y. attitude comes as the direct result of the band surviving the blessings and curses that came their way when vocalist Marty Casey became a household name, earning the adoration of millions of television viewers as the runner-up on the 2005 reality series “Rockstar INXS.” The band was forced to alter their title to put Marty’s name in front for their lone Epic Records release. Now the foursome has come full circle by returning to the LOVEHAMMERS moniker. “We have control again and feel comfortable returning to our original name,” says the frontman.

The new disc was originally planned as a remix album, with the band re-releasing some of its signature songs on its own terms. While in the studio, the album quickly turned into the band’s first new studio disc in three years. HEAVY CROWN kicks off with the band’s explosive opening salvo “Guns.” The track is an ode to the servicemen and women who have given their lives while protecting our country. The chorus--“Let's pray for all those sweet lives/That die with a gun in their hands/Let's pray for all those sweet lives/That fight for our lives till the end”—reemphasizes the band’s dedication to honoring these men and women. Previously, the band created the “Shoebox of Love” campaign which encouraged fans to donate care packages to those fighting abroad. To date, over 1000 packages have been sent and the band is working on their “Shoeboxes @ Home” campaign to support veterans.

“Heavy Crown is LOVEHAMMERS firing on all cylinders,” says Dino. Other standout tracks on the album include “Your Time, My Time,” "Neverfall,“ “Oh My Baby,” the uplifting title track, the in-your-face “Black Angel (Not Gonna Be The One)” and “Driving Blind,” with its soaring chorus and strings performed by the Chicago Junior Symphony Orchestra. Marty hopes that each song finds a home: “I want ‘Your Time, My Time’ blasting at a summer barbecue.” As for the highly personal “Oh My Baby,” Marty says that: “When you write the goodbye letter and watch someone you love walk off into the sunset, you don’t really want to mail it. You’d rather burn it.”

The band will head out on a mini-tour of the Midwest this summer as well as a special, one-off east coast show at New York’s Gramercy Theatre on Friday, July 24. For the latest news on LOVEHAMMERS and their most recent tour dates, check out:
www.myspace.com/lovehammers
www.lovehammers.com
- MSO

DATE: JANUARY 25, 2010
FROM: STEVEN MANOURAS




CHICAGO’S LOVEHAMMERS

GIVE YOUNG BANDS OPPORTUNITY TO OPEN FOR THEM AT HOUSE OF BLUES AND RECEIVE FREE EQUIPMENT

NEW SINGLE IMPACTS RADIO FEBRUARY 2

HOUSE OF BLUES, CHICAGO FEBRUARY 13, 2010




LOVEHAMMERS held an online band search in order to find young, eager and talented bands in need of an opportunity - a chance of winning thousands of dollars in free musical gear, while performing in a first-rate venue. “We basically asked bands to record a video of themselves performing our new single GUNS and upload it to YouTube,” says bassist Dino Kourelis. LOVEHAMMERS received 100s of videos via YouTube, e-mail, and other social networks, but had to narrow it down to 2. Lead singer Marty Casey explains, “The choice was based on creativity and simply their level of energy. When we were in our early teens, we did not know much of anything about music and it was our pure drive to create something together that was the core of the band. We just chose the bands that had that same charisma and looked like they wanted to create music purely for the love of it.” The two bands that met all the criteria and selected were DERAILED and BASBIS, both consisting of kids in their pre to early teens.

On FEBRUARY 13 at Chicago’s HOUSE OF BLUES, the two chosen bands will each perform 2-3 songs to the SOLD OUT crowd. The audience will choose their favorite band, and the winner will take home over $10,000 in musical gear, donated by WASHBURN, RANDALL, and DAVE EDEN, which is what they will actually use to perform.

“We feel like the Chicago Industry is lacking in its support of new artists, and just wanted to do what we could for younger bands by helping them in ways we wish we could have been helped.” admits Dino. “The two biggest obstacles for us were being able to afford gear and playing in a decent venue. Most people aren’t willing to help you until it really isn’t needed anymore. It can be discouraging playing through broken amps in sub-par venues, so we wanted to encourage these kids, give them some hope and let them see what the possibilities are.”

GUNS, the new single by LOVEHAMMERS, impacts radio February 2, but is already climbing the rock and alternative charts.

Bands will be at Best Buy/Michigan Avenue location on Saturday, February 13 at 12:30 to answer any and all questions about this experience.

About Lovehammers:
LOVEHAMMERS’ triumphant new disc, HEAVY CROWN, restores faith that heartfelt rock and roll can still thrive. With an inimitable and unpretentious sound, Chicago’s homegrown heroes punch out an album of thought-provoking, hook-injected airwave contenders that are long on hooks and incendiary riffs.
“Heavy Crown is Lovehammers firing on all cylinders,” says bassist Dino Kourelis. From the explosive opening salvo “Guns” to the soaring “Honest I‘ll Wait,” Lovehammers nail a variety of approaches with expert finesse. With sonic jewels like “Your Time, My Time” and the infectious “Oh My Baby” forging a direct line to the any self-respecting rock music fan, Heavy Crown offers a refreshing respite from today’s over-compartmentalized musical climate.
Yet for all of its creative achievements, Heavy Crown carries some of the weight that its title suggests. Lovehammers have survived the blessings and curses that came their way when vocalist Marty Casey became a household name, earning the adoration of millions of television viewers as the runner-up on the 2005 reality series ‘Rockstar INXS’. Casey, guitarist Billy Sawilchik, bassist Dino Kourelis and drummer Bobby Kourelis found themselves the recipients of a major label deal that didn’t live up to its promise. As it worked to wrangle itself out of a series of unfavorable business arrangements, the foursome’s decade-plus loyalty to one another was tested.
Heavy Crown had a Regional release with a National Release planned for 2010

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For more information, interviews, reviews please contact dK Entertainment:
Steven Manouras: smanouras@dkentgroup.com
- dk Entertainment