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The Hives

The Hives

The Hives are a Swedish rock band formed in Fagersta in 1993. After gaining traction in Sweden through the 1990s, they rose to worldwide prominence in the early 2000s during the garage rock revival. The band's line-up—consisting of Howlin' Pelle Almqvist (vocals), Nicholaus Arson (lead guitar, backing vocals), Vigilante Carlstroem (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Dr. Matt Destruction (bass), and Chris Dangerous (drums)—remained unchanged from 1993 until 2013, when Matt Destruction retired for health reasons and was replaced by The Johan and Only.

The Hives have released six studio albums: Barely Legal (1997), Veni Vidi Vicious (2000), Tyrannosaurus Hives (2004), The Black and White Album (2007), Lex Hives (2012), and The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons (2023). They have also released the compilation album Your New Favourite Band (2001), the live DVD Tussles in Brussels (2005), and the live album Live at Third Man Records (2020). Their mainstream success came with the release of Veni Vidi Vicious and its single "Hate to Say I Told You So", considered their signature song. They are known for always dressing in matching black-and-white tuxedos and for their energetic and eccentric live shows, with critics hailing them as one of the best live rock bands of the last two decades.

Albums

1997 Barely Legal
2000 Veni Vidi Vicious
2004 Tyrannosaurus Hives
2007 The Black and White Album
2012 Lex Hives
2023 The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons
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Latest Articles

Features / Interviews
The Hives
The Hives On Their New Album & Australian Return: 'It's So Fun To Just F*ck Sh*t Up And Rock Out’
As The Hives return to Australia for the first time in a decade with a new album under their black and white belts, frontman Howlin' Pelle Almqvist talks about their new record, local return, and how it feels to be zen.
News / Music
The Hives
The Hives Add Second Melbourne Show To 2025 Australian Tour
The Hives will play their first Aussie shows in a decade this July, and already, excitement for their local return has resulted in the addition of an extra date.
News / Music
The Hives
The Hives Announce 2025 Australian Tour
This July, The Hives will return to Australia for the first time since December 2015.
News / Music
The Hives
The Hives Sell Cover Band Franchises
The Hives ask their fans to imagine a world where The Hives are always playing in every city. "That’s a world we want to live in!"
Features / Interviews
The Hives: 'We Never Thought We’d Be Successful'
As they unveil their long-awaited sixth album, 'The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons', The Hives’ founding guitarist Nick Arson takes Steve Bell on an enlightening journey separating fact from fiction and lore from law-breaking.
News / Music
The Hives Return With Their First New Music In 11 Years, Share Single 'Bogus Operandi'
The Hives' new album, The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons, will be released in August.
News / Music
The Hives Lock In Interactive Live-streamed Gig For Aussie Fans
"We have recently found ourselves with a severe rock‘n’roll deficit. This will not stand."
Reviews / Live
Photos by Kane Hibberd
Live Review: AC/DC, The Hives, Kingswood
"AC/DC are undeniable rock'n'roll gods."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: AC/DC, The Hives, Kingswood
"AC/DC live has truly become a right of passage for Australian music fans, the crowd spanning so many generations, all singing along to rock classics."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: AC/DC, The Hives, Kingswood
"For all their flaws, AC/DC's legacy will always live on."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: AC/DC, The Hives, Kingswood
"At one point, Angus Young is standing on a raised stage in the middle of the mosh by himself, holding a rapt 45,000 or so people to attention ... It's. Fucking. Amazing."
Features / Music
Frontman Pelle Almqvist Reveals Plans For A New Record
"We're hoping we come back from the tour with half of a new album or something."