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LIVE REVIEW Text by Sarah Thirtle Gig photos by Marcus O'Higgins
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Back in 1996 the mysterious Randy Fitzsimmons gathered around him five young Swedes to cultivate perfect three minute punk/pop songs, and put on the most energetic, enthralling, and yes fun, gigs. The five men that are now known as The Hives heeded Randy's call. Cut to today, London, Kings Cross, the Water Rats Theatre. The Hives album 'Your New Favourite Band' has just gone top ten in the UK, and the band are set to play an invite only gig for their fans. And very excited and insistent fans they are to, arriving at the venue hours before the doors open, and waiting outside in the cold and rain to get the chance of sneaking in for an autograph. Meanwhile, inside the venue, The Hives are relaxing, chatting, and drinking tea. Not very rock 'n' roll you may think. But, this is will be their last UK gig in a string of hectic tour dates, and they are looking pretty tired. Pelle Almqvist, the band's singer and all round gorgeous human being, has the flu. Nonetheless, being the very nice man that he is, he agreed to a quick chat with me before soundcheck. I thought I'd start off by asking him whose idea it was for the outfits they wear, smart shirts and ties with a 60s/70s/modish feel. I was hoping to try to start a line of questioning that may lead to Randy Fitzsimmons. "We thought of the clothes we wear ourselves, you know, the black shirts and white ties," replies Pelle. So no mention of Randy there then. I moved on to talk about the band's current Poptones release 'Your New Favourite Band'. "Poptones approached us, and said they wanted to release our songs here (UK)." The Hives had already released two albums and an E.P. through Burning Heart records in Sweden. "We chose the songs for the album ourselves," explained Pelle, "we're really pleased with it. We always thought it would be great to have a greatest hits album when we'd only just started!" Still no mention of Randy there then. The band makes the decisions about clothes and songs to release. I was about to go for the none beating about the bush approach of finding out who Randy Fitzsimmons is, when a cheeky young scamp sauntered into the venue to get Pelle's autograph. He very courteously obliged. Great timing! Anyway, Pelle looked now like he was struggling with his flu , but as I'd furnished him with honey and lemon, I thought I'd get away with a couple more questions. The Strokes are currently rocking their tour bus stereo, as well as a Memphis band called Raining Sound. I also learned The Hives are rehearsing some new songs, and I for one can't wait to here them. But it won't be tonight. Pelle doesn't seem sure himself what they'll play - "We'll probably just go through the whole of the current album." Before that though, the warm up band tonight is Sahara Hotnights. A four-piece femme-punk outfit who rock and pout and scream in all the right places. If you ever get a chance to see this band, jump at it. The drummer nearly smashes through the drum kit at times, and it defies medical science how the singer can scream out those high notes and not do permanent damage. Fucking great! When The Hives take to the stage it's high octane, punk fuelled, thrills and spills from the first clunky, chunky chord. Pelle launched into 'Hate To Say I Told You So' like a man possessed, cavorting and shimmying spectacularly. Leaning in to the crowd, making the girls and the boys swoon, he truly is everything a front man should be, charismatic, captivating, and dangerous. Pretty soon he is quite literally climbing the walls. He is joined in his stage escapades by guitarist Nicholaus (who incidentally is his brother), who leers into the front row, and I'm sure nearly has someone's eye out with the end of his guitar. As mentioned to me earlier, Pelle explains to the audience that for the first time in years they are working without a set list, so "Any requests?" The Hives carry on in the same vein for the rest of the set, frequently conferring with each other and the audience over what song to play next. Highlights in the set for me were undoubtedly 'Hate To Say I Told You So', 'Die Alright' and 'A.K.A I.D.I.O.T.' Just splendid! Very, very soon The Hives will be
massive. They are touring again in May. It is your duty to go and
see what will definitely become your new favourite band. You don't really need
to know about Randy, now do you ?
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