On energy, music and the world's last real rock band

en·er·gy 

n. pl. en·er·gies

1. The capacity for work or vigorous activity; vigor; power. See Synonyms at strength.

2.

a. Exertion of vigor or power: a project requiring a great deal of time and energy.

b. Vitality and intensity of expression: a speech delivered with energy and emotion.

3.

a. Usable heat or power: Each year Americans consume a high percentage of the world's energy.

b. A source of usable power, such as petroleum or coal.

4. The Hives.

Have you ever been to a concert that leaves you feeling like the universe just assembled inside your guts? As if baby Jesus was born in your soul and now angels are singing hallelujah in your ears? If you have never experienced this you have probably never seen a The Hives concert. 

The Hives is a Swedish Rock'n'Roll band formed many years ago in the dark forests of Fagersta. It's one of those small towns that make Sweden what it is, a small town with beautiful sights and NOTHING to do. Seriously the world - Sweden is a black hole. So 20 years ago these five kids started playing loud and noisy music together in a tiny little town and they just happened to become what I would like to call the world's last real rock'n'roll band. 

The myth says that it was a man called Randy Fitzsimmons who put together the band in 1993 and taught the kids to play. This myth comes from The Hives themselves, so believe it or not. They also claim that Fitzsimmons writes all their songs and that he is their manager. Even though no one has ever seen him. 

In May 2010 I went to the Siesta Festival in Hässleholm, Sweden (a festival that had to cancel this year, like many other in Sweden, really sad) and I saw The Hives. I had listened to them before but the album band The Hives has NOTHING to do with the concert band The Hives. 

siesta 2010 

The Hives are made up by these five members: Chris Dangerous on drums, Vigilante Carlstroem on guitar, Dr. Matt Destruction on bass, Nicholaus Arson on guitar and last but far from least; Howlin' Pelle Almqvist, lead singer. 

On stage Vigilante and Matt stand there like two black and white statues while ninjas run around and make everything flow nicely (the roadies are dressed as ninjas you see) Chris is bashing at the drums like a mad man and Arson has this chicken thing he does with his head while running around staring at people with wide eyes. 

And then there's Pelle; the reason why they won me over.
Howlin' Pelle acts like a 3 year old child running around like crazy, jumping, climbing, kicking, screaming, dancing, ordering the audience to clap - to scream - ladies - gentlemen - ladies and gentlemen! He loves the audience and the audience loves him. He somehow manages to sing while climbing on top of the audience, while jumping from the drum podium, while climbing the rigging, while being carried by the audience. Don't ask me how he does it but he does. And that is what gives The Hives their charm. Along with the amazing nonsense said between the songs. 

Crappy photo taken with my phone from yesterday's concert - but yes - that is Howlin' Pelle jumping

When I saw The Hives three years ago I was living in a really tiny village in Sweden and I went to a school where I wasn't overly appreciated by my fellow classmates. I guess it got better over time but I had a hard time justifying my good self esteem in a place where most people assume you should hate yourself. I didn't. I don't. I think I'm awesome. And so does The Hives. The Hives think The Hives are awesome. And they should shouldn't they?

Look, a lot of people think we are very, very good. Why would we not agree? We get to decide exactly what kind of music to play therefore we have decided to play music we think is good. Why would we then, when someone asks us if we are good, say no?

After the 2010 concert I felt like I wasn't alone anymore. I realized that I was allowed to love myself and that if you are proud of what you are doing then don't be afraid of telling people that. We live in a time where, girls especially, are not allowed to love themselves. We are all supposed to want to change something about ourselves, to strive to be perfect - well you know what - I don't need to be perfect - I'm already awesome.

Howlin' Pelle isn't discreet, he says openly that he likes himself - he loves himself. He presents himself as a Rock Star. Why? People write better songs. People sing better. But there isn't really anyone who does Rock'n'Roll better than Howlin' Pelle Almqvist. 

Yes that's Pelle crowdsurfing on a sitting crowd

The day before yesterday I took up one of those free newspapers you find on the metro floor. And in it I found an ad for Yahoo! On the Road. They gave away tickets to a Hives concert and I decided to try my luck. I went over there to be in the sweepstakes. But I came too late. They told me the venue though, and to maybe go over there to see if I could get in any way. So I did. 

 I was standing in line all alone seeing all these people with invites going in. VIP's in high heels smoking outside Showcase (which is a really cool club underneath a bridge!) and Hives fans waiting to be on the first line in front of the stage. I didn't have an invite. So I stood there for a while. Checked out the crowd. Wondered what to do for a while... and then I decided to talk to people. I asked a couple of girls if they had an invite for me. They didn't. BUT- the guy next to them did! His name was Olivier and he is my savior! He had won tickets through a Flickr contest and he had an extra place. Oh dear what a luck! 

So I got in. There was one person between me and the barriers keeping us all from storming the stage. I am starting to believe that those barriers are there for the band, and not for the crowd. Because Pelle was climbing over them, standing on them, leaning over us. Leaning over me. Dropping his microphone on me. 

Let me repeat that: He dropped his microphone on me. While trying to do a stunt that he usually succeeds. But not this one. Cue me having a swollen lip and a toothache. And Pelle trying to make sure I'm fine while continuing the song. Later on he gave me a kiss on the head and I had the chance (again!) to be able to catch him after the show. Shaking his hand, telling him I'll send him my dentist bill and that I'll see them on Saturday again. He was adorable.
I never got a photo with him but I did take one with Chris Dangerous. With a little Pelle photobomb.

I walked home smiling like a gogol walking the streets of Paris with a happy little fluffy monster in my heart. I took the night bus home to find out that the microphone Pelle dropped on my face left some nice marks on my tooth ( that's what you get for having plastic teeth).


What I wanted to say with this is that music especially rock'n'roll is pure energy and sharing it makes the world a happier place. People who say rock'n'roll is a dark and horrible music clearly has never seen The Hives in action.

And I guess trying your luck pays off. And be nice to people. Don't treat the security like shit. Be nice to bartenders, roadies, and treat stars like people. It will help. I swear. A smile can take you far. Even with a swollen lip. 

Now I am going to get ready for this weekends festival! 

Are you going to a festival this summer? Have you ever seen The Hives live? Or any other band that give you this feeling?

Tell me all about it mes petits rockers! Gros bisous xxx

Go to a Hives concert!  | Look at some photos from last night! | Listen to The Hives on Spotify!