 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alex wrote on Nov 03, 2007:
Where: Seattle
When: November 1st, 2007
Story:
It was a dark night in Seattle. A silence fell over the city, as if people could sense there was a presence or energy nearby that wasn't there the night before.
Everyone fed off this energy. The Krispy Kreme down the street was creating treats that were tastier than usual. The Starbucks crew was on fire, making lattes like they were going out of style.
But the crew at the Showbox Sodo... that was something else. Every employee at the venue had A bolt of electricity bouncing in their eyes. You could see that this was NOT like other nights.
We waited patiently. People of all ages, colors, shapes and sizes were clapping in great anticipation of seeing the most amazing band of all time. Then they took the stage. As Pelle informed us, "Yes, we're really here. This shit is really happening." Boy did it ever!
Nicholaus Arson is a madman. A maniacal beast. A crazed lunatic who plays a guitar as if it's been a very naughty naughty girl.
And then it happened. The Hives were playing "Hives-Declare Guerre Nucleaire". Mr. Arson looked at me, a 37 year old man near the front of the stage, singing word for word one of the best songs ever written. He gave a quick smile and a nod of approval, then went back to playing, as the insanity continued!
I have seen a few bands in my day, from Arctic Monkeys to the Rolling Stones. I have never EVER seen any band like the Hives. BEST LIVE BAND OF ALL TIME as far as I'm concerned. If I didn't have to work Friday night, I would have driven down to Portland and seen them again.
I truly hope they plan on returning to Seattle sometime during this tour.
Alex
PS. And I hope they will add ABRA CADAVAR to their set list.
|
|
|
|
Ammy wrote on Nov 02, 2007:
Where: Toyota Center - Houston, TX
When: October 26, 2007
Story:
This was the first time I've ever heard of the Hives, and by the end of the set, I was addicted! (Haha, I was waving my right hand high in the air too.)
Pelle's microphone swinging made me a little nervous, but he totally had it under control. It was such an awesome concert, short as it was, but I'm definitely a Hives fan now! Come back to Houston soon! Much love!
|
|
|
|
Lee wrote on Nov 01, 2007:
Where: Columbia, SC
When: October 18th, 2007
Story:
Well, I don't have any picture. But that's not a problem because i don't need and pictures.
Anyway..
So I heard the great and almighty Hives were playing at the Colonial Center in Columbia, SC. My brother going to collage there. Since i am living down in Charleston, SC, my father and I could not pass up that golden and glorious opportunity.
So we braved venturing to the wretched and festering cesspool of 6th grade girls going to see Maroon 5, and witnessed the greatest band of the 21st century blow the roof of the place. In comparison to the Hive, Maroon 5 looked liked a bunch of 6 year olds attempting to impersonate Nirvana and the Back Street Boys at the same time.
We stayed for roughly 3 Maroon 5 songs, and said..."Damn" So, we got ourselves out of there before our brains could leak out of our ears.
So thank you Hives, for giving me the best 30-40 minutes or so of my life!
|
|
|
 |
JEndo wrote on Nov 01, 2007:
Where: The Middle East & TD BankNorth Garden
When: October 14, 2007 and October 15, 2007
Story:
Many of you Hives fans out there probably scratched your head (or gagged in horror) when you heard that our Swedish heroes were touring with Maroon 5, but take my advice: If you have the chance to see them open at some cavernous hockey rink (as I did on Monday, October 15 at the Boston Garden), do it! Yes, they only play for half an hour. But you will not regret it because you have not lived until you’ve seen the Hives play to thousands of people who don’t know who the hell they are. I’ve seen the Hives three times now and – in a weird way – the Garden show might have been the best. (The rock critic from the Boston Globe even praised them in the first paragraph of the night’s review – absolutely unheard of for an opening act!). Not only is it amusing to watch people around you go from confused to ecstatic, there is clearly something about the challenge of winning over a befuddled/skeptical/unlikely audience that brings out the sheer genius in this band. They could so easily just play gigs where they have us all drooling over their every note. But these guys are too gutsy and too dedicated to continually challenging themselves to do that.
Don’t get me wrong: There’s no denying that it’s a blast to be surrounded by other people who – like you – are singing along to practically every word of every song the Hives play. This was the case on Sunday, October 14 at the Middle East in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Did I love being so near the stage that I could see the veins bulge in Nicholaus’s neck when he’d lean into the crowd and leer? Was it great to see up close how every member of the band plays/sings every song as if it’s their last? Was it heaven to scream and sweat with the Hives and 500 total strangers? What do you think? (It’s also fun to meet fellow fans. Sam: Post your photos!)
And, as if that weren’t enough, these kind gentlemen did an autograph signing within minutes of the show’s close. I paid the $10 to pre-order “The Black and White Album” (a bargain at any price!) and get a poster, but I asked the band to sign the night’s set list instead (given to me by the intrepid roadie who had the thankless job of keeping Pelle’s mic cord untangled every time he ran to the back of the club. After he gave me the set list, I shook his hand and told him he did a great job. He replied, “I was fuckin’ great, wasn’t I?” Healthy egos seem to abound in the Hives entourage.)
As I waited my turn in line, I was impressed by how patient and polite all of them were. Their humility off stage is a fascinating contrast to their respective stage personas. They definitely looked tired (you would, too, if you just poured your heart and soul out for an hour and a half), but they indulged every photo request and chatted amiably. (At one point, Pelle was listening to me so intently, his ear was within an inch of my lips.) HPA chuckled when I told him that – after repeated viewings of the “Walk Idiot Walk” video – my four-year-old daughter thinks he’s cooler than Spiderman because he can sing and climb up walls. He paused and said deadpan, “It took lots of practice.”
I then introduced myself to and shook hands with Chris, Vigilante, Matt, and Nicholaus. It’s embarrassing to admit that a grown woman like me was totally tongue-tied upon meeting the rest of the band. So – in case you guys are reading this – here’s what I meant to say to each of you:
Chris - I’m the one who sent in the question to Q magazine a few years ago asking you guys about your “fantasy band” and all of you answered by naming the person you’d choose to play your instrument. Max Weinberg has nothing on you. I’m not just saying that.
Vigilante - I’m convinced that in some lab in Sweden 20+ years ago they got hold of the DNA of the Big Bopper and Eddie Cochran and somehow created you. Try to deny it.
Matt - Thank you for being sweet enough to recall that we’d met a few hours earlier on the street outside the club. I’m sorry that all I managed to babble was, “Thank you so much!” after we shook hands on Mass. Ave. (Ladies: The man has beautiful blue eyes. Check out the way he looks at the camera in the “Die, All Right!” video if you have any doubts.)
Nicholaus: You are a crazed mad man and for that I am eternally grateful.
To all of you: The new songs sound absolutely brilliant live. I’m addicted to the new album (which arrived the other week thanks to Amazon UK) and amazed that you’re able to combine such diverse influences (I’m hearing the Ramones, Sparks, AC/DC, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, the Cramps, Cheap Trick and Kraftwerk just for starters) into a totally unique sound.
You’re the best. But you already knew that.
|
|
|
|
Rosie wrote on Nov 01, 2007:
Where: Cornwall, UK
When: Sometime in the near future, I hope.
Story:
Can The Hives please get their Swedish arses to Plymouth, Cornwall? or, if that's not possible, to my living room or balcony, Cornwall? If you choose the latter, you'd only be playing to me but I make a great alternative to 10, 000 fans. I will repay you with many, many favors of your choice. Cheers now.
|
|
