Memoirs of a Madman

** The idea for this Diary came from Mr. Nikki Sixx**

JULY 23
HOLY SHIT!!!!! We finished mixing the new album L'Strange. I just got back from Milwaukee (that's where the studio is). It feels great to finally have this thing done. You crazies are going to flip when you hear this thing!!! I wish I could send you all an advanced copy, but it looks like we will have to wait till September 30 to share this with you.

-La Mancha


JULY 26
I keep listening to L'STRANGE, and it sounds better EVERY time. Now we need to get the cover and other artwork done. Anybody got any ideas? Me Bob and The Bay are going to check out the photographer that is going to handle the shoot for the cover today. SEE YOU ALL THIS WEEKEND!

-La Mancha


July 29
We played O'Malley's last night, and it was a blast. It is nice to go home! Being from the Southside, we always look forward to getting crazy with our old friends, and people that gave us our first chances. Zach Mishur, does house sound at O'Malley's, and was the first person to believe in SLH. For that, we will be forever grateful. Dominick, is the owner of O'Malleys. Talk about a cool cat! He always treats us great, and never tried to rip us off or take advantage of us. I can't say that for most people! Anyway, it was a great show, and the crowd was amazing. After the show, Kimmy and I stopped at a White Castle on the way home. I think I am starting to feel those sliders right about now. We have sound check in a few hours for tonight's show at Lincoln Fest, so I am gonna try and get some sleep.

-DLM

July 30

WOW! I just got off the stage at Lincoln Fest, and I am pumped! It turns out that we weren't at the main stage, so I didn't think it would be that crowed. As the set went on, MORE and MORE people started coming up, and by the time we were done, it was mobbed. It looks like CHicago's best kept ROCK secret is NOT a secret anymore! The e-mails are coming in by the hundreds! We need EVERYONE to keep calling the radio stations, and putting up those flyers from our site EVERYWHERE you can. Let's keep this f***er rolling!

-Mancha


THURSDAY, August 3

This website thing is really starting to take off! We are getting more and more hits every freakin' day. It is getting to the point where we can barely keep up with all off you. WHAT A RUSH!!!!!!! We will constatly be putting up new pictures,and trying different things with the site, so keep coming back. Oh yeah, Dan (web cat) wants ALL OF YOU to start sending pictures. They can be as "dirty" or "clean" as you want, but we want everybody to see how crazy all of you are. Just found out that FOX XTREME Sports really digs "Throw my Head". We are going to play at there competition, and I guess they are making a video to air. How F**cking cool is that?!?!?! I'll let you know when it will be on TV.
Rock On,
Muncha

August 9-14
ATLANTA
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Sorry guys, I really don't know what happened. I know we were in Atlanta, and I know it was my birthday yesterday, but the rest is a blur.

8-17
LEAVING FOR GREECE
We left for Greece today. I was really worried cause we were flying Luftansa, which is affiliated with United. After last week's trip to Atlanta on United, I can't imagine flying them again. Anyway, this flight kicked ass. The 81/2 hours flew by thanks to the alcohol and pills I took. I slept like a baby! We met the coolest dude, Sammy on this flight. I probably got along with this cat better than anyone I have met in a long time. THIS DUDE WAS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD - figures. At that age, there are no biases, pre-conceptions, worries, or any of that bullshit. Too bad everyone couldn't act, think, and party, like this 4 year old.

NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT
DON'T HAVE TO THINK
NATIVES ARE RESTLESS
SAMMY IS WEAK
HE IS ALL ALONE NOW
NO WORRIES IN THE WORLD
EXACTLY THE LIFE THAT NO ONE WAS TOLD

-DUCK

8-17/9-2
Europe kicks ass!!!! Everyone is laid back, and helpful. I can't beleive this trip is finally over. Actually, it will never be over with the new friends that were made, and the old friends that were visited. I look forward to going back there really soon. The hardest thing to do is leave the people you love behind, but that makes the reunions that much better.

-DUCK

9-3
JUST SAW THE CD ARTWORK. IT KICKS ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!
-DK

9-9
Just found out we were accepted into CMJ - music conference in NY. Lucky Strike is again going to sponsor us. They have been great this past year, really giving us a lot of support. I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

- Duck Mancha

9-29
We just did a surprise set with some friends of our Rubber at Penny Road Pub. We wanted to get one last rehearsal in before the release party. Everyone there was really cool and seemed to dig our music. Not bad for a place that is used to hearing cover bands. Rubber rocked the f**ckin house. I think they are going to be a contender when they start writing more of their own shit. CAN'T WAIT TILL TOMORROW!!!!!!! IT IS GOING TO ROCK! PROMISE!!!!!!!!!!

9-30 CD RELEASE
I haven't slept since Thursday! I am too excited about tonight. I know everyone will love the new shit. We are probably going to play a few NEW songs that aren't even on this Cd too.
Ok, We just dropped off our shit at Joe's, and got something to eat. It is nice to see that this night is finally here. I know how much work we and the bar put into this night, and to see it all come together is just beautiful.
Just had soundcheck. Marty's grandmother is sick, so he was at the hospital, but everything else sounds fine. Nothing to worry about, as Marty is sure to F**ckin rock tonight.


10-01
I am still in a haze, so I will get back as soon as I figure out what happened last night. I know there were a ton of people and the night rocked, but there are too many blackouts right now. I am still in awe of how many people came out. It was amazing!!!!!!

10-19
We arrived in NY. This city is more far out that I could have ever imagined. We got in prretty late, so most of the guys chilled. ME and Dan went to go see Disturbed. I think it is important to support bands out of Chi-Town. Chicago's rock scene isn't the greatest, so the few bands that to exist need to stick together. Actually, I think all bands should stick together. That is the only waywe will continue to provide/create this artform we call music. Disturbed was cool, and we went in their dressing room to wish them luck on their upcoming tour with Godsmack and STP. It was cool to see that these guys were still grounded, and cool as shit. Talk about cool as shit, we got a chance to meet NIkki Sixx. He said he would try and make the show tomorrow (today), and that I could drop off a cd at the hotel tomorrow. I have to go to sleep, wake up and make sure I am not dreaming this shit.

Later - D

10-20

Well it wasn't a dream, but it was a dream come true. My and Bob dropped off a press kit. We left it with Nikki's, friends, assistants, etc, Regina and Paula. These two are some of the coolest people I have ever met. Really nice, really fun, really crazy, and just plain real! They are going to try and make the show tonight. I hope they do, but can't imagine they will be able to fit it into their schedule.

just ran into Nikki, Paula, and Regina in the Lobby.

HOLY SHIT, THEY ARE COMING TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Marty and Bill got a chance to talk with VInnie from Sponge too.

Many people meet their "idol/heroes" and are disappointed. My respect for Nikki Sixx just multiplied exponentially (did I spell that right). Here, everyone is mobbing him, and he still has some time to rap, and hang out, etc. As an inspiring musician, I try and learn and take pieces from all others that preceded us. These people are responsible for the development of music, and I think we owe it to them to continue this tradition. People like NIkki SIxx have been rockin' for 20 fucking years, and continue to kick ass. That is something that blows my mind.

AFTER THE SHOW
I don't think we played very well, but the crowd was kick ass, and helped us through some of the tougher times. We were the only rock band on the bill (SURPRISE SURPRISE), so I think people liked the change of pace. We were pretty nervous and tentative, but gave t everything we had that night. IF WE CAN GET ONE FAN PER SHOW I AM HAPPY. That connection is what I thrive on. Nikki Sixx showed up, and caught a few tunes. What a cool fuckin dude! I wish we could have played better, but either way, I am hoping he saw something in us that he dug. I had a few moments to talk with him, but people were starting to mob him again. I am embarassedand feel shittyabout that. He takes time out of a crazy ass weekend, and he can't even get some space. That thing that sucks is that I knew a lot of these people, so I feel somewhat responsible. A lot of times people are selfish in these situations and take advantage of these celebs. I think it sucks if you don't allow them to breath and enjoy themselves. After all, they are people too

Traci came with Paul from Anthrax and his girlfriend. Another cool guy that drove from Jersey to check out teh show. THis is the second time I met Paul, and he has been great both times.


I guess all we can do now is wait for feedback, and continue to work at writing better songs and rockin'

Rock On - Dino


OCT 27 - OMALLEY'S

What else can I say, but it is good to come back to the Southside. There can be anywhere from 100-1,000 people at O'Malley's, and I get pumped either way. Dom is the coolest owner of any club we ever played at, and has treated us with respect since day 1. Zach has been doing our sounds for years, and is one of the guys that sat us down a few years ago, and told us to quit fucking around and start getting serious. We needed that kick in the ass, and probably could use another one right about now. I'm getting a burrito, and going to bed.

OUT - MANCHA


11-4

Just played Cubby BEar for the first time since last year. It sure is different playing there when your leg isn't busted, and your not drugged up on Vicodin (spelling???!?!?). Decent show, a few dudes from Why Store opened up, and I enjoyed them. Not my type of music, but they were great. Scot came by (our attorney?!?!?!?!?!?!?) and I think he enjoyed the show. Real cool guy that just seems to dig music, and enjoy working in the biz. I just got back ome, and we are having some sort of party upstairs. I need to try and stay up for another 30 minutes. Me and Kimmy got a bet going, and she thinks I will pass out by odhfkdzfj'driasfmclzf[sdfgjsdogjkspd'fksfgjkrsgo
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11-10
back to isu
fIRST TIME PLAYING HERE IN A COUPLE YEARS. mAN THINGS HAVE CHANGED. eVERYONE IS WEARING NEXT TO NOTHING, DOING ECSTACY, AND PARTYING HARD. cOULDN'T BELIEVE HOW MANY PEOPLE FROM cHICAGO CAME TO THE SHOW. 1/2 HAMMERHEADS 1/2 COLLEGE KIDS, 1/2 LUNATICS. i THINK THE BAR DUG US, SO WE WILL HOPEFULLY BE GOING BACK SOON. i LOVE GOING TO THESE COLLEGES AND INTRODUCING OUR TUNES TO NEW PEOPLE. i HAVE A FEELING slh IS GOING TO START SSPREADING LIKE A FUCKING WEED. wE JUST NEED TO KEEP BUSY, AND HAVE ALL OF YOU JUMP ON FOR THE RIDE.

-dK




12-16
SOrry I have been gone for a while. We are trying to get all the New YEars shit taken care of, so it is really crazy. I just spent the past 2 nights partying my ass off with Regina from La la land, and a couple of her friends, John and Jodie. Holy shit, am I exhausted - not to mention sick as shit.
OK here's the New Years plan - we are at a place where a ton of great people played - Hendrix, Joplin, Stones, you name them. They now only have bands 1 a year (New Years) and we are fortunate enough to play this year. This is going to be big gang - HUGE sound, lighting, effects, stage - you name it and it will be there. I have to go shovel, so I'll talk to you soon.

-dK




12-18

Man, sometimes this shit gets frustrating. Can't remember the last time we didn't pack a big show, but yet these people seem to FUCK us every time. We have the greatest fans/friends, and they show their support - I really don't see any other band in CHicago (local) having a better draw, but yet these booking agents give us the hardest time when booking shit. Why does everything have to be such a fight in this biz. I just wish for once that shit would make sense. Egos seem to rule.What's that commercial - Leggo My Eggo - I wish some people would Let go of their fucking EGO.


You think you are so much better
You sucked cock to climb the ladder
Watch your step at the top
I'll be sure to follow
You will be stopped
Cause your head and heart are hollow.

-dK





CALIFORNIA TRIP

Wow, what a great time! Rather than insert my hundreds of pages of my actual diary, I have decided to write a few words that best describe the trip.

Americoma, Regina, Big Wille, Tequilla, Best Western, Sky Bar, Lucas, Rainbo, American Music Awards, Britaney Spears, LL, Aerosmith, O - Town (ha ha), Ride that horse, ironing board, throwing up, jello shots, Ester, Lance, New York New York, Venice,


We have a ton of pics, and will put some up too. I would find it amusing if some of you put a story together with the words above and sent it to me.





Recording Sessions
w/ Steve Albini - Feb 2-4

Going into a recording session is always an experience. There are times of fear, happiness, excitement, dissapointment, insanity, ectasy, misery, fun, and the list continues. My point being that every emotion that you can possibly think of, will most likely be felt. Nothing like being trapped in a studio with a bunch of dudes for 12 hours at a time.

First Night-

Didn't know what to expect going in to record with Steve. Heard rumors, read articles, listened to his work (how could you not - Nirvane, Bush, Helmet, etc). We went in very intimidated, but after a few minutes realized how cool, and down to earth he really is. The sincereity is what impressed me the most. No bullshit - just music.

We wanted to get a different feel with these new songs. A live feel, and I think we have already captured it today. Drums, Bass, most guitars are all complete. We did it all live too - holy fuck who would have thought that would ever have happened. Usually we break the shit out, which I think causes us lose that energy that is evident in our shows. I am really happy and excited with the work we got done today. It is about 2:00 AM and we started at 11:00 AM, so I am going to bed. We start at 11:00 AM tomorrow.

OUT - Dino

Day two

Holy shit, we are almost done. Finihed up the few lead guitar parts that we needed, Marty knocked out the vocals, and we even started mixing. I know I keep saying this, but i am very excited with this new material. It is going to ROCK!!!!! No bullshit, just rock-n-roll baby. ROCK-N-FUCKING ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to get in there tomorrow, to finish the mixing. It has been very tiring, but I think it will all be worth it.

Day Three

I am too tired to write. You'll all just have to wait until the cd is out. I only have a couple things to say:
STEVE ALBINI - COOL
NEW CD - COOL

Sunday, Feb 18

I am just sitting here anticipating a crazy week, and even crazier Summer. We are going to try and do as many Fest type shows as possible, cause it is important to us tat all fans get to come to the concerts. It is not always about money. We want people of all ages to come out and rock with us!!!!


SAT, FEB 24

DAMN!!! WHAT A GREAT SHOW LAST NIGHT. Lifehouse was great, and they were great people too. I really dig those guys, and wish them the best. We play with sooo many bands, and it seems like the most successful usually are the ones that are the easiest to get along with.

My head is still spinning, and I think I am still drunk. I met someone by the name of Mr. Daniels, and I am paying for it now. His buddy Mr. Cuervo wasn't too good to me either. I had the chance to see some old friends last night. Boy was that wild. I guess a ton of emotions go through your head when this happens - joy, pain, embarassment, happiness, relief - shit that is just to name a few. You always wish you can go back in time and make things the way you wish they could have been - make things "right" if you will. What do people always say, "If I knew then what I know now......blah blah blah" I can honestly say that I have done most of the things in my past out of love or for what I thought was the "right thing" at the time. Now that is saying that what I thought was the right thing wasn't fucked up, but I think in most cases I can accept my actions knowing that I never tried to be vicious or hurt anybody.

Wednesday, February 28

I just got laid off from my job today!!!! Over three years getting underpaid, lied to, and taken advantage of, and they let me go just like that - POSITION TERMINATED. Thanks MCI Worldcom, thanks for your FUCKING loyalty. I will say that this is the best thing that ever happened to me, do to the fact that I hated working there, and new that they were taking advantage of me for so long, but just too comfortable to leave. This lights a fire under my ass, let's me re-group, decide what I want to do, then do it. I also have some more time to do band shit, which I love. I will miss SOME of the people, but over all I will say that I couldn't stand all the fake, pathetic, ass-kissing losers that worked there. I can walk away saying that I I always did what I felt was right, not what someone else wanted me to do or say. That is a lot less than I can say for most people there. Then again most of my closest friends had already left, realizing long ago that they could make 30% more cash somewhere else. You are probably asking yourself why I am so upset if this is a good thing. Well, I'll tell you. I hate the fact that I was asked to stay continuously throughout my tenure (as recently as a month ago), and stayed out of loyalty, then I get a phone call saying that my position is terminated. Thanks, you FUCK! My biggest concern is for the puppets that still work there. I pray that this last re-org will open their eyes as to who, or should I say what they work for. I think it is rather ammusing how they cover up their blunders, by letting employees go. Upper assholes screw up, lose a ton of cash, make cuts. Maybe if the people at the top (or even management) weren't total fucks, we wouldn't be in this situation to begin with.

I am boycoting MCI Worldcom, and I invite you to do the same (It probably won't be a problem since their service sucks anyway). Lets get together and take a stand. Let them know that they way they just treated over 20% of their workforce is bullshit.

Anybody looking for someone with a Finance Degree from U of I Champaign? Let me know!!


FUCK YOU MCI - FUCK YOU FOR FUCKING ME!!!!!!!!!!


SXSW

Where do I begin? How do I end? Once again, I try to abbreviate my paper Diary onto this page, but so much shit happened at SXSW, it is hard to pick and choose.
The weekend started with a limo ride, and ended with a magic carpet ride. I was a bit dissapoiunted with the Trade Show, and Panels that were there, and even most of the bands that we saw, but there were a few that were incredible.
FAV Band - CRUD (former members of Sponge). It was amazing to see Vinnie (lead singer) turn that small little venue into ANYTHING he wanted. Black Crowes and The Cult were also very cool too see. You don't get to see band slike this in small venues, so I tried to soak in as much as I could.
Once again Americoma Records was our savior. Introducing us to people, taking us places, sharing stories/ideas, giving advice etc. Got to meet James Michael, a singer songwriter that I kind of dig. I hope to get him to come to Chicago to play with us, but we'll see if that ever works out.
I got my new bass at SXSW. it was sent to Nikki Sixx's tech, who lives in Austin. Nikki was kind enough to sign it, and shit. That was cool as shit, especially since it was the first one he signed.
Hanging out with someone that you have looked up to, and respect so much is f**cking insane. It is not like we are star struck or that stupid shit, but it is pure respect and admiration. To have someone like that be that cool and real is amazing. Ten years ago, if you would have told me that I would be sitting in a bar shooting hte shit with Nikki Sixx, I would have told you to go fuck yourself. Regina always says how cool her boss is, and I saw it first hand. I have met, and partied with a lot of my friends bosses, and this was just another night with my friends boss. He treated us like friends, and never acted like he was better, etc, etc, etc.
I don't know how people like that deal with so many weirdos. Man WE were getting annoyed just hanging out. So many people come up, and say the stupidest shit, or try to challenge him somehow, and it is like, back off. I think the alcohol has a lot to do with the shit though - people not having the balls to say something to him, then after a couple of beers, are as courageous as Titans, and the nonesense just starts coming out. What I get a kick out of is all the people that make fun of musicians/bands/actors/ etc, and never give their support by watching a movie or buying a disk, then freak out when they see them in a public place. OH MY GOD THERE IS .....................>!!!!!!!!!

That weekend stole a year of my life, but it also lit a match under my ass. I know what I want to do, and it is time to do it. I have a feeling that there are going to be quite a few people wishing that they hadn't counted the Lovehammers out. We are infants in this crazy music biz, but by the time it is over we are going to be old and withered.

Please check out the new disk, catch a show, and help spread the word. There is no way we can do this without you

Just browsing through the old stuff and loved rereading this, thought you all might enjoy it too, so....BUMP!

really cool!  thanks for finding this

I have seen this before, it was all different sizes but I don't remember where.

Old board, me thinks Jessij.  ...They were that boards version of this one's Diary - I can't remember if it was actually on the old main page or through a link posted somewhere in the old board.  ...But, yeah, the old board is where I first found it.

Yeah, it was a link to another diary on the old board.

Here's the link to the history page at lovehammers fan club which is still being added to.  There's a link midpage to the actual page where Dino's entries are:

http://lovehammersfanclub.com/lhfanclub/History.html

If I recall correctly, this diary page comes from a older site up before the old Lh site.  Maybe, an Slh one?  B/c on the old Lh site, the diary format was different.

Don't know.  :)

Hey Shuck...thanks so much for finding this and giving it the bump.   And thanks to jj for bringing it over here.  I just love wandering down memory lane...well not my memory but....you know   :wink:    There's some awesome stuff on the Old boards...and especially on the Old, old boards.

That was the most I have ever heard dino say ever!  ROFL

What year was that from?

I think so too, I was a lurker there

Awesome post!  Loved reading it.

peeps...what year?

oops, wrong, 99-00', my bad  :roll:

Hi btw.  8)

Thanks for reposting these JJ.  Righteous indignation is hot.

BTW, I miss the hell out of you.