Lovehammers

Lovehammers spent years grinding away as fixtures in Chicago's mainstream rock circuit, remaining virtually invisible beyond local boundaries until a reality television platform delivered the breakthrough they had spent years preparing for. At just 14, vocalist Marty Casey assembled the group alongside bassist Dino Kourelis, drummer Bobby Kourelis, and guitarist Billy Sawilchik. Countless rehearsals eventually secured regular hometown performances, where the band's grunge-meets-hard rock style built a devoted following. Their independently issued 2003 album Murder on My Mind drew comparisons to Bush, Nickelback, and A New Found Glory, and a CMJ showcase around that period prompted Mötley Crüe's Nikki Sixx to state, "This is a band to watch out for."

One year later, with the concert DVD Live: Raw newly out, Casey declared a temporary departure from the band in order to try out for INXS. The opportunity took the form of a reality series tracking singers worldwide as they vied to replace the group's former frontman. During the summer of 2005, while Lovehammers continued performing in Chicago with substitute vocalists, Casey emerged as a viewer favorite on Rock Star: INXS, advancing to second place before J.D. Fortune claimed the top spot. Upon returning to Chicago and reuniting with Lovehammers, Casey fielded offers from both the Sony label and INXS guitarist Tim Farriss. Farriss extended an invitation to open for INXS on their upcoming tour, while Sony proposed a recording deal for Casey and the band. Rebranded as Marty Casey & Lovehammers, the group issued its self-titled Sony debut in early 2006 and soon joined INXS on the road.