The Hives rule cocky garage rock

The Hives rule cocky garage rock

by Jessica Price - SGN A&E Writer THE HIVES W/ THE DONNAS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23 THE SHOWBOX SODO Perhaps you were aware that the greatest rock and roll band alive was onstage right here in Seattle last Saturday night. If you weren't, it's certainly not because Howlin' Pelle Almqvist didn't tell you so. The Hives' frontman possesses unparalleled confidence in his abilities and that of his band, and he's not a bit shy about telling anyone within earshot. If you aren't amused by the swaggering, almost comical bravado of five neatly-dressed rock stars from Sweden, you'd better beware. Make no mistake - The Hives have got the chops to back up at least most of their claims. They proved it yet again to a sold-out crowd at the Showbox SoDo. All female four-piece The Donnas took the stage first. Their AC/DC, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts-esque brand of fist-pumping metal light wasn't as high-octane as I was expecting. But no matter - the second The Hives strutted out, things jolted right into gear. "Try It Again" served as the perfect starter, and of course singer Almqvist, guitarists Nicholaus Arson and Vigilante Carlstroem, bassist Matt Destruction, and drummer Chris Dangerous all looked sharp in their signature black and white schoolboy-crested suits. These boys are definitely cocky, but they're also irresistible. The cursive neon Hives sign flashing behind them was reminiscent of a red lipstick scrawl - very '80s and very cute. "Square One Here I Come" was punctuated with declarations of "We are The Hives! The Hives! The Hives!" among other reminders. Next came "Die All Right" from Veni Vidi Vicious, and the garage rock revival felt like it was already approaching fever pitch. It's amazing to watch a handful of musicians exert so much energy into two- to three-minute songs in such rapid succession. You have to wonder if they'll have enough drive to keep it up for an entire set. Yet ripping through "Walk Idiot Walk," "You Dress Up for Armageddon," and into "Hate To Say I Told You So," the sweat starts coming and jackets are shed, but the Swedish quintet keeps right on giving. Pelle Almqvist struck me as a particularly polished lead singer - he's wild and instinctive, though it's obvious he's had a lot of practice through touring intensely; there's just the slightest touch of seen-it-all weariness behind the banter. The Hives have toured so much over the span of their four-album career that it's no wonder they have rabblerousing performances down to a science. In fact, The Hives played Seattle not long ago, and that night was a sellout as well. "It's good to see we have so many repeat customers", Almqvist observed. Then he noted once again that we were lucky indeed to be in the presence of The Hives. "Only one in seven Hives shows falls on a Saturday", he said, prompting the audience to make some noise and make it convincing. "Won't Be Long," "Diabolic Scheme," and "Main Offender" were crowd-pleasers. The band was on fire for "You Got It All&Wrong," after which Almqvist launched into a diatribe about the band only being allowed 120 minutes due to fire inspectors and "the US government limiting The Hives to only 120 minutes of rock and roll" or some such explanation. "Tick Tick Boom" from The Black and White Album was another favorite, with Almqvist climbing up the lighting rigs while striking plenty of poses. Every so often, a perfectly timed jump sent both legs flying in the tradition of great garage rock stars everywhere. The vocalist mentioned the 120-minute limit again, and suddenly bid Seattle farewell. (I'm not sure what exactly happened, perhaps the room had reached capacity.) At any rate, when the group returned for a three-song encore featuring "Bigger Hole to Fill" and "Return The Favor," there wasn't an unsatisfied fan in the house. The Hives walk it like they talk it, and behind all the bragging and posing there's obvious skill. Listeners are lucky - just like Almqvist repeatedly reminds us. They are masters of the two-and-a-half-minute garage attack and they've earned some real respect with The Black and White Album. It's their best work yet, hands down. I'll take a brash young band any day over run of the mill indie rock so unpretentious it puts you to sleep. Pure showmanship spiced with the ability to whip a crowd into a frenzy is something not many entertainers today can accomplish. The Hives have the stamina and talent to bring a good time to their fans night after night. Don't miss them the next time they come around.