‘Lead some assholes to the top, flip the lid and watch them drop.’
The Hives are back my friends, led by the completely bonkers yet enviably cool Pelle Almqvist they introduce their mythical sixth member, Randy Fitzsimmons. Having been part of their history and possibly the stuff of legend and lore we commiserate and rejoice his passing. Beginning with the raging, insane video for ‘Bogus Operandi’ I have to admit, these guys for me have the best wardrobe in the business! It is a proper strut your stuff number, heavy on the guitars and the madcap visuals, which remind me of BMTH and ‘It Never Ends’ a gore fest in the forest!
Next, we have 1.04 minutes of ditching everything that has ever hurt or harmed you, with ‘Trapdoor Solution’ you get a chance to bin it all, say goodbye and see all your troubles shoved under the floor.
Since their inception in 1993 in Sweden, they have collected every ounce of energy in the entire universe, every atom, every particle and have been serving up this type of boisterous, funny, and no nonsense Rock ‘n Roll for each album.
I love the groove on ‘Countdown To Shutdown’ and Rigor Mortis Radio’ and the words ‘I got your emails, delete, delete’ they have a distinct way with words and music that I feel is only shared by a few bands. They stand proud and tall, aware of their achievements and their reach, they remind me of Anti Flag, serious messages but accessible and relatable.
The Hives have a cunning sense of responsibility shrouded in a warped and deranged production, their storylines and their lyrics, funny at times, let you understand what you will, take what lessons you learn and shape your life. The sound of ‘The Bomb’ is presented in a light-hearted yet rudimentary manner as we get down to the nitty gritty as to what a bomb is and what its role is. A real foot stomper, like all the songs here, it’s party time when The Hives are around. The bluesy guitar twang of ‘What Did I Ever Do To You?’ is steeped in heartache as we see a relationship in trouble and the words ‘Stop screaming, you’re turning blue’ and the unforgiving ‘streets are full of taxis why don’t you hail one of them’ it’s something straight out of a soap opera. We motor over the finish line with the speedy and spontaneous ‘Step Out Of The Way’ an invitation to party until you drop and for those of a nervous disposition can watch the action from the sidelines. It’s never a dull moment with these guys, and with the resurrection of an old friend, let’s raise a glass to Randy, who died but left you this catalogue of chaos and colour to brighten your days.
Azra Pathan
The Hives – The Death Of Randy Fitsimmons out now