Another Rock 'n' Roll Revival: New Hives a Neo-retro Hyperdrive Triumph
Published July 20, 2004
A vision and a plan
Although the reaction achieved was often hostile, the intrepid young rockers had a vision and a plan, and led by the invisible guiding hand of one "Randy Fitzsimmons" (the band's quite possibly mythical songwriter, guru and sixth member), the crowds at their shows grew from 20 to 200 and eventually beyond when their second (and breakthrough) album "Veni Vidi Vicious" spread like a skin condition across Europe, the U.K., and finally America between 2000 and 2002.
After taking a breather from nearly incessant touring to recoup, record and recreate (Carlstroem has a two-month old son), the Hives are back — the new record is preceded by a very heavy and well deserved buzz.
"Tyrranosaurus Hives" continues in the same general vein of rocket-powered garage rock the band worked to exemplary effect on "Veni Vidi Vicious," but this time the retro-riffs are mined from a broader base than early-'70s Stooges, NY Dolls, and Dr. Feelgood. This time the Hives went after the "machine-like precision of Devo and Kraftwerk," according to Carlstroem, which may sound oxymoronic from a quintet of garage punks until one hears the thrilling result.... Please click over for the rest of the story: a review of the album and a discussion of the White Stripes and the Strokes as well.
More Hives news: The Hives will be swinging by Fuse's Daily Download Studio's today to chat about their new record and their upcoming tour which will kick off tomorrow in D.C. The guys from the new movie Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle are going to be on to "help interview the Hives."
Tune in to watch to show live at 6PM ET/ 3 PM PT and listen for the Daily Download "word." When they tell you the magic "word," click over, put the "word" in the magic "box" and if you are among the first 1,000 fans to click over, you can download "Walk Idiot Walk" for free.
You can check out the video for "Walk Idiot Walk" with their player here.
- Another Rock 'n' Roll Revival: New Hives a Neo-retro Hyperdrive Triumph
- Published: July 20, 2004
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- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Alternative Rock, Music: Punk Rock, Music: Roots Rock
- Writer: Eric Olsen
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- Eric Olsen's personal site
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Comments on this articleComments
Thanks Mark, I appreciate it, and agree on all counts: I like the hard retro-rockin' bands too - great energy; and it's a great idea to put together bands that may be literally dissimilar but that complement each other, like a multi-course meal, instead of OD'ing on a given sound. How many bands can really keep your full attention for 2 hours?
The Hives are ridiculous and seriously great. Pelle has one of the craziest voices in rock and must be heard to be believed. If you've heard the records, know that he actually reproduces most of those strangled, throat-shredding sounds live, and it's amazing.
And between songs, he says things like "OK, shut up everyone, your favorite rock singer is going to sing a song now 1-2-3-4..."
or "I know you can't help but love the Hives. You loooove the Hives." And you do.
The new one does sound more European-influenced somehow, and a little less guitar-heavy, which I think is a misstep, but what the hell do I know? I like it anyway.
The Hives rock.
I find that the White Stripes, on the other hand, are just awful. Neither can play, and his yelpy vocals are ear-shredding. And why is Jack's silly, shallow veneration of old black blues singers given a pass by reviewers and such? They're a one-joke novelty thing. Also, he has made a tacit public admission that he finds Renee Zellweger attractive and/or interesting.
Yuk.
CC, thanks, totally with you on the Hives, but I think you are missing the songwriting dimension of White, and his relationship with American roots music in general seems very deep and genuine. But anyway, the Hives rule!
So what do you think of the Strokes?
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great article E.
i've been pretty happy about this new-new-wave of music. loads of fun.
i'm also hoping for another trend: the return of "mixed-genre" concerts. there was an announcement for an upcoming show in boston: 311 with The Roots and Medeski, Martin & Wood. though there are some similarties between these groups, the lineup reminds me of shows back in the 1960's and early 70's where the warmup acts had almost nothing to do with the headliner.