The Swedish quintet took the stage looking more like cocktail waiters than a bunch of dirty rockers playing the second last show on a 98 date world tour. The Hives were out in Australia for the annual Falls Festival shows in Victoria and Tasmania. Fortunately, fans unable to make the trek down South weren’t deprived, as a few side shows around the country were included in the tour schedule.
Presented in their trademark matching outfits, The Hives truly have the ability to keep their crowd impressed, interested and intrigued from start to finish. Front man Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist has a similar on stage persona to Iggy Pop or Lux Interior (The Cramps). The distinct difference to be noted in these comparisons is that Almqvist has the classy dress sense and social decency to keep the majority of his clothing on whilst performing.
The comical delivery of a self appraising set did not at all detract from the band’s performance. This was thanks mainly to Almqvist’s cockiness, guitarist Nicholaus Arson’s machine gun moves and drummer Chris Dangerous’ stick juggling ability. ‘Walk Idiot Walk’, ‘Two-Timing Touch & Broken Bones’, ‘Won’t Be Long’ and ‘Tick Tick Boom’ were a few stand out inclusions.
And alas, the night had come to an end just like all great things must do. Of course, the midnight finish didn’t deter an energetic Sydney crowd from chanting for more. The Hives closed proceedings with a four song farewell which included two covers; ‘Gotta Get Some Action’ by The Hellacopters and ‘Hollywood Babylon’ by The Misfits. As was expected, the song that gained the band a large portion of their fan base, ‘Hate To Say I Told You So’ was used as icing on a very well baked cake. What more could you ask for?
Review by Nathaniel Try
Photography by Jim Graham
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