By their own admission, it’s been a while since The Hives have paid a visit to the antipodes. However lead singer Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist is quick to point out that their last tour was in support of the “the great founders of this country”, that being AC/DC. And that’s not a bad way to frame this gig. Reuniting with absent friends on common musical ground.
Let’s start with some numbers.
Firstly, the population of Scandinavia is 20 million people give or take. It moves around a bit depending on which countries you include, noting that Scandinavia is a region, not a country. Or even a completely rock-solid definition of a group of countries for that matter.
Secondly, the historical number of Scandinavian “kick you in the junk” out and out rock bands is three. Again, the boundaries of that assessment are open to conjecture, but for the purposes of the argument, I’m using an Iggy and/or MC5 style frame of reference for that analysis.
Those three bands are Hanoi Rocks, Turbonegro, and The Hives. Of course, you may disagree with that, but let it be known that I will debate this with you in the staunchest of terms for approximately 24 seconds before admitting that I’m wrong. Mostly because it doesn’t matter.
Finally, let’s go to a personal experience component. As of the day before this gig, the number of live shows I have attended across those three bands is zero. Big fat donut. In my weak and problematic defence, I would say that they are all residentially situated on the other side of the world. However, I will point out that I have listened to Hanoi Rocks live album, All Those Wasted Years, approximately eleventy-seven times in my life. Which must count for something. In addition, if you doubt that denim is more rock than leather, then Turbonegro may have some lessons for you.
So, with that foundation established, it was with great excitement and anticipation that I received the opportunity to engage more deeply and personally in this statistically remote confluence of musical circumstances. The Hives. Live in Brisbane. At one of the best rock venues our city has been fortunate enough to call our own, The Fortitude Music Hall.
Clamm open the night for us. I’d pitch them as a tight little garage art noise three piece from Melbourne. One could think that this gig might be a little overwhelming for any opener, but they take it in stride and push out a solid set of raw and precise art punk style compositions for our listening pleasure. Well played Clamm. You’ve won over more than the one or two percent of beating hearts in the room, which is over and above your stated goal. They’ll be back at The Black Bear Lodge in Brisbane later in the year and I’d recommend your participation.
It seems to me that the best rock bands combine a level of theatrics with their live shows. It builds a presence that might otherwise be missing. Soundgarden were musically amazing. But they weren’t musically amazing with 90 minutes of early 70’s Elvis style calisthenics in matching monochrome nudie suits.
The Hives are impeccably dressed high-class hobos on a musical bullet train. The drums and riffs do not stop. The squealing of the brakes is replicated by Pelle’s sporadically timed high-pitched injections and southern Baptist preacher like affirmations. As a mildly autistic middle-aged man, it would be sonically and sensorially overwhelming but for the fact that you cannot look away lest your dancing feet disconnect from your paralysed psyche to operate in total independence for the duration.
Then there’s the songs. Started, paused, and stopped with ultimate precision. Earworms of meticulously curated sequences of ones and zeros. It would be easy to suggest that recipe would lead to a repetitive mind storm of three-minute assaults, but that is never the case. There are many hits in there after all. Unlikely hits maybe. But some music is best experienced rather than analysed. Elvis just is…..or “was” to be chronologically accurate….but that is not the point. Suffice to say just be fully present and all shall follow.
Surrender to the spectacle, for a Hives gig definitely is that. Do their bidding and become part of the show. Follow their directions and participate in the feedback loop that transmits energy from the stage into the crowd, and be part of the collective effort to amplify it and push it back to the band. Because there are not many bands who can channel and focus that energy. And I’d challenge you to explain how those that can conjure it up on demand do so using mere sound and movement.
There are musical experiences of many flavours to be had as a punter. The Hives reinvigorate a niche that brings a new energy to a significant sonic heritage, and in doing so, move it forward in the best of ways. They may not always be what you think you want on any given day, but when they arrive it compels engagement.
As it is with the fresh cuts from their forthcoming album. If the tracks rolled out tonight are any indication, their royal take on themselves per the cover art for Hives Forever Forever Hives, does well to inform us of where everyone stands. A people’s monarchy, benevolent in its appreciation of its subjects, and understanding the give and take required to sustain a productive artistic dominion.
Long live The Hives and the self-proclaimed musical monarch that is their singer, Pelle Almqvist. Long may he reign. And what better then in closing, than a few salient words from the man himself………
Tick Tick Tick Tick Tick Tick Tick … Boom!!!
With special thanks to Frontier music for the media accreditaton
All Image Credit to Chris Searles
The Hives Gallery
Set List:
Bogus Operandi
Main Offender
Rigor Mortis Radio
Walk Idiot Walk
Stick Up
Enough Is Enough
Go Right Ahead
Try It Again
Hate to Say I Told You So
Trapdoor Solution
I’m Alive
Paint a Picture
Come On!
Countdown to Shutdown
Legalize Living
Smoke & Mirrors
Tick Tick Boom
