The Hives

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

The Hives are a Swedish garage rock band, formed in Fagersta in 1993 by the brothers Per and Niklas Almqvist. Per performs as Howlin' Pelle Almqvist, Niklas as Nicholaus Arson. The other members are Vigilante Carlstroem, Dr. Matt Destruction and Chris Dangerous. Their name came from drummer Chris, who read the word for the skin condition in a dictionary. In 1995 they signed with the Swedish label Burning Heart Records, and in 1997 the debut album Barely Legal was released.

Music and breakthrough

Their breakthrough came with Veni Vidi Vicious (2000) and the single Hate to Say I Told You So, which is regarded as their signature song. The members described the album as a velvet glove with brass knuckles. After the compilation Your New Favourite Band from 2001, which reached number seven in England, they became known worldwide during the garage rock revival. In 2004 came Tyrannosaurus Hives, with among others Walk Idiot Walk. Then came The Black and White Album (2007), Lex Hives (2012), The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons (2023) and The Hives Forever Forever The Hives (2025).

Influence

The Hives always wear matching black-and-white suits and are known for their energetic, idiosyncratic concerts. Critics have called them one of the best live acts in rock of the past twenty years. The line-up remained the same from 1993 to 2013. Their music shows that guitar rock with a simple idea and a lot of energy can still convince.

Listening

Discography

Studio albums

• 1997Barely Legal
• 2000Veni Vidi Vicious
• 2004Tyrannosaurus Hives
• 2007The Black and White Album
• 2012Lex Hives
• 2023The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons
• 2025The Hives Forever Forever the Hives
• ?A Little More for a Little You

Mentioned in other articles

• Garage rock revival GenreMore bands with 'The' in their name followed, such as The Hives from Sweden and The Vines from Australia, and then the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.