Everclear adds some kick to Last Fling music lineup

Alternative rock band Everclear and "Rock Star: INXS" runner-up Marty Casey and the Lovehammers have been added to Last Fling's musical lineup.

The Naperville Jaycees announced Wednesday that the bands will rock the festival's stage Sept. 2, with Marty Casey and the Lovehammers playing from 6 to 8 p.m. – immediately following a two-hour set by Bottle of Justus. Everclear, the evening's headliner, will wrap up the night's musical offerings with a set from 8 to 10 p.m.

In the mid- to late-'90s, Everclear rounded out the string of popular grunge acts to emerge from the Pacific Northwest with its albums "Sparkle and Fade" and "So Much For The Afterglow." Front man Art Alexakis' soul-searching style of songwriting produced a string of hits, including "Santa Monica," "Wonderful," "Everything to Everyone," "I Will Buy You A New Life," and "Father of Mine."

In 2000, the band turned its grunge frown upside down with "Songs From An American Movie, Volume 1: Learning to Smile," which featured decidedly pop-sounding tunes such as "A.M. Radio" and a cover of Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl." Everclear scored its last hit in 2003 with the single "Volvo Driving Soccer Mom."

Marty Casey and the Lovehammers were a popular Chicago-area act years before Casey's 2005 appearance on the reality TV show "Rock Star: INXS." The band had already sold 25,000 albums without the help of a label or distributor, and it had opened for acts such as Nickelback, Jerry Cantrell, Interpol, Puddle of Mud, Cake and Gomez.

But its profile heightened significantly when Casey, a 31-year-old real estate appraiser moonlighting as the Lovehammers' front man, finished second in the contest to fill the late Michael Hutchence's leading singing role in the '80s pop band. Still, his performance on the show and his hit single "Trees" won over so many fans that INXS invited him and the Lovehammers on their tour at the conclusion of the contest.

Both Everclear and Marty Casey and the Lovehammers will appear on the main stage on Rotary Hill. Tickets will be available in advance for this show; visit www.lastfling.org for details.

Last Fling is Naperville's annual Labor Day festival, to be held downtown this year from Sept. 1 to 4. Musical performers already booked for Last Fling are .38 Special, Josh Kelley, Backyard Tire Fire and Mike and Joe.

- Contact Tim Waldorf at 630-416-5270 or twaldorf@scn1.com.