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One of the most anticipated returns is that of The Hives, who returned with a new album. And we talked long and hard with the vocalist of the Swedish band.
As much as they say that rock is dead, there are bands today that show us that this is not true. However, we also have others with a great trajectory that refuse to let the guitars and their essence disappear. And without a doubt, on that list we have The Hives, who remain true to their style despite changes in the music industry.
In 2012, the Swedish band released their fifth record material, Lex Hives. Since then, they kept giving presentations all over the world and releasing one or another single over time, which gave us hope that they would release a new album. But the years went by and they just didn’t announce anything official.
The Hives are back with their first album in 11 years
However, that changed this 2023. After 11 long years of waiting, The Hives announced with great fanfare that they would be back in style to release a new studio album.which is titled The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons and of which they gave us several previews, with songs like “Bogus Operandi”, “Countdown to Shutdown”, “Rigor Mortis Radio”, “Trapdoor Solution” and “The Bomb”.
Finally, On August 11, 2023 and after a long time enduring, the band released their sixth record materialwhere in addition to maintaining its distorted and rebellious essence, they also take the time to evolve their sound and even dare to explore with other types of genres and rhythms that we are not used to.
That is why, taking advantage of the launch of The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons and direct from the UK, we had the chance to chat for a while with the vocalist of The Hives, Pelle Almqvist himselfwho told us the details of this album, about the future of the group and much more.
The road to a record that did not arrive
As we mentioned before, it took more than a decade for The Hives to return with a new record material. However, despite the fact that they gave us the occasional sign of life and did not disappear as such, the way to this record –in the words of the frontman– It was complicated because the person behind the band’s success disappeared: Randy Fitzsimmons.
“We wanted to make an album for a long time, but we didn’t have the songs. We couldn’t do anything because we were missing Randy Fitzsimmons and his spectacular songs. He disappeared after the ‘Lex Hives’ tour and then it took a long time for there to be any sign of life from him. And the sign of life was unfortunately a sign of death, an obituary.
“But that obituary led us on a search where we later found the songs for the album. That’s why the record exists, that’s also why the album is called ‘The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons’. So we don’t know if there is a sequel, but for now, there is an album. So let’s rock out.”
And to all this, one day we will know the identity of Randy Fitzsimmons?
Definitely, one of the biggest mysteries of The Hives is precisely the identity of Randy Fitzsimmons. Since its inception, that name appears in the credits of almost all their albums and in other interviews they have said that this character is responsible for putting together the band and its success. Now, With this new album, the Swedes are killing it and apparently they will never reveal who it is..
“No, we’re not revealing his identity or anything. We only say that we believe that she no longer lives. But it sounds like he could still be alive… I don’t know, I can’t believe it. I think he’s still out there somewhere, plotting his next move.”
The public’s reaction to the new songs by The Hives
Of course, when it comes to seeing The Hives live and in full color, we always want to hear the classics and hits that the band has garnered over the years. However, The public’s response to the new songs has been incredibleand we do not doubt that it is a matter of time before the songs of The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons become hymns
“The live reaction is what I see the most, and that has been great all the time. But also the reaction from the fans, the reaction to the video has been incredible. And it was number one on some radio list and in the United States and stuff. So I would say the reaction has been great. I guess I don’t know if it’s because we’ve waited so long or because people like the song, but there’s definitely been a need for The Hives that we haven’t met for a long time.
Pelle Almqvist tells us what is necessary for the new generations to continue rocking
We have heard endlessly that rock is practically dead. And without a doubt, we must accept that it is not the most popular genre today. However, from that to when he is flat out buried, it is something that is far from happening. AND The Hives’ own vocalist tells us what he thinks new artists need to keep rocking and find out if that’s his way.
“Well, I don’t think you should think about it too much, like trying a rock career or something. I think you should play rock if you like it and if you feel you have to. I don’t think you should choose it as a smart career, you better be a lawyer or something. But when it comes to tips, I think you just have to play everywhere you can, as much as you can. And that’s how you learn and that’s how you get good at it.”
“So take advantage of all the gigs you have and find some of your own. Just rock’n’roll. Yeah, it plays all the damn time. And also, you know, rehearse as much as you can. Play music all the time and you will find out. You will discover what you like and what you don’t. And that is the most important thing, knowing what you like…”.
The love relationship between The Hives and Mexico
It is no secret to anyone that there is a unique connection between The Hives and the thousands of fans they have in Mexico. Every time they appear in our country, the Swedes and their audience reaffirm that enormous mutual affection. And at least for Pelle Almqvist, playing on this side of the pond is something that fills them up and recharges their batteries to continue with the band.
“I find it incredible and I love the relationship we have with our Mexican fans for a few years. It’s been amazing, it’s one of my favorite places to play. And I love it too because, you know, we’ve been touring Europe all our lives, so we already know what it’s like over there. But Mexico is still new to us, we love Mexican food and we always liked the country even before we visited it”.
“It’s great to have that connection with the Mexican fans…it feels great. I mean, I don’t know how old that is, but it’s kind of a recent love story for us. We have always put on fantastic shows in front of huge crowds, they have amazing food, great weather and interesting things to see and do.”
The craziest moment of the band in our country
The Hives is a band that has visited Mexico on a lot of occasions, and they have practically seen everything every time they have performed in our country. However, from the point of view of the band’s frontman, The craziest thing they have experienced on this side of the planet is the concert they shared with Arctic Monkeys and Miles Kane in 2019.
“I think maybe the first thing that came to mind…was when we played at the Foro Sol stadium, I think it was the craziest thing that has happened to us in Mexico, with the Arctic Monkeys. Because… it’s very, very big and vast, and there’s nothing like it in Europe, we never thought we’d put on such a big show. I think there’s a clip of that on the internet. It’s one of the best crowd reactions I think we’ve ever had. So yes, the crowd and their reaction is the answer.”
You always have to look for what you love
As time went by, and especially since they didn’t announce anything, we thought there wouldn’t be a new Hives album. Fortunately they came back, and even though they don’t really know what will happen to the band in the next few years, the vocalist is aware that they have to enjoy rocking and doing what they like best.
“I think we can’t trust ourselves and we have to take care of The Hives because you never know if it will exist tomorrow. I mean, we go so long without songs, you know, we’re not sure what happens next. So we have to enjoy it while we can.”
