The Hives Come Alive

I wasn’t planning on writing about this concert I went to three days ago, but I just can’t get it out of my head. Seeing The Hives was special to me for a multitude of reasons. I remember back in 2004 when I went out and bought Tyrannosaurus Hives on opening day (the first time I’d bought an album on opening day). It ruled my summer and ever since I’ve longed to see them live. I used to constantly reread a 2004 issue of Spin magazine I had proclaiming they were ” The Best Live Band in the World!” Maybe that was true for 2004 (probably not), but it wasn’t until last friday that I could finally weigh in on the matter. The result being one of the best shows I’ve ever been to, and definitely the most physical.

The Hives are a band that feed on endless applause. Like frontman Howlin’ Pelle Almvquist continually said at friday’s show “Were like vampires except we thirst for applause”. When that sustenance was achieved from the crowd The Hives seemed to gain an almost superhuman amount of energy that I’ve never experienced at a show. Though there were factors even beyond the music that made this show so memorable. For one it was at Seattle’s Showbox Market, a small venue that immediately gives you an intimate experience no matter where you’re seated. I was surprised to see The Hives playing such a small venue but pleased because of my next point. This was the closet I’d ever been to a band that I liked. I’m talking front row, at least when I wasn’t being clobbered by the audience around me.

I’ve never really experienced a rock show that I could really call “physical” until last friday. When you’re up that close you constantly have people shoving and elbowing every nook and cranny of your mortal flesh. Bros were constantly coming at me while small asian guys on both sides of me danced like seizure induced robots. The front row is a lot of work. You’re constantly handing crowd surfers to security, violently bouncing around to and fro whether you want to or not, and sweating like John Goodman at thanksgiving. I definitely suffered a few bruises and bumps, but it was worth it just to feel that energy.

The opening band “Fidlar” started off the evening with a generic but enjoyable brand of pop/punk despite their terrible, terrible name. The punk element of their sound created another thing I’ve never seen at a show “a mosh pit”. Seven or eight people that violently thrashed and elbowed their way through the crowd. People were falling down and getting hurt, I was pissed. I would expect that at some hardcore punk show but The Hives? I wasn’t shy about pushing anyone back whenever they elbowed into me. After awhile I almost felt like the Incredible Hulk as I had no problem pushing back against a bunch of wiry, A.D.D fueled teenagers. I found the situation partly funny and partly infuriating. Not to mention I was concerned about this thrashing coming back when The Hives took to the stage. Most of the drunk people I talked to beforehand weren’t reassuring either. Fortunately, the thrashing calmed but the manic jumping, dancing, and stomping were just about to begin.

The Hives played a big chunk of their new album, which worked out fairly well despite it’s so-so quality. I say that because the band brought so much energy and pizazz that anything they did was thrilling. Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist and his brother guitarist Nicholaus Arson commanded the stage with such confidence. They leaped and kicked their ways across the stage while drummer Chris Dangerous pounded away and the two fat guys (guitarist Vigilante Carlstroem and bassist Dr. Matt Destruction) kept it cool in the corner of the stage. Of course those two guys weren’t as mobile as the Almqvist brothers, but I don’t know if it would be wise for such rotund gentleman to attempt crowd surfing. As for fan-to-band contact I touched (and not in the Jerry Sandusky way) Nicholaus Arson and Pelle Almqvist for a combined five times, including a handshake from Nicholaus Arson near the end of the show. Once again I don’t want that to sound creepy, but it was something special to get that close to a band I’ve loved since I was 15.

Of course the band’s hits always drew the most energy. “Hate to Say I Told You So”, “Walk Idiot Walk”, and the closer “Tick Tick Boom” pulled the crowd into a frenzy. Though what impressed me the most was the inclusion of “Have Love Will Travel” a cover originally by the legendary 60s Seattle band The Sonics. This was only made better by the addition of former Sonics’ saxophonist Rob Lind. Just to think we Seattleites got something that no one else on this tour got or would get made it that more special. Maybe The Hives aren’t as culturally relevant as they were six or seven years ago, but when they’re on stage today I couldn’t care less.

P.S. The Hives stage crew dress up as Ninjas, now that’s showmanship!