The Hives: Howlin' Pelle Almquist (vocals); Nicholaus Arson, Vigilante Carlstroem (guitar); Dr. Matt Destruction (bass guitar); Chris Dangerous (drums).
In the wake of the New Rock windfall led by the Strokes and the White Stripes, some listeners might have guessed that the Hives were just another one of the hordes of bands that accompany every Next Big Thing. In fact, the group had already been slugging it out for nearly a decade in their home country of Sweden, slowly developing a devoted cadre of admirers. A mix of 1960s beat/mod-group manic energy and trashy Sex Pistols aggression delivered with lead vocalist Howlin' Pelle Almquist's trademark Iggy Pop-meets-Mick Jagger snarl, the quintet's music is unique among their skinny-tied, shaggy-haired brethren. YOUR NEW FAVOURITE BAND is the best place for newcomers to start, as it includes the biggest hits from the Hives' breakthrough VENI VIDI VICIOUS ("Main Offender," "Hate to Say I Told You So"), as well as tracks from the band's earlier albums and singles.