Testing out my iPhone camera at The Hives show in Williamsburg
I was in somewhat disbelief last night when I received a last-minute beacon to come out to Williamsburg to see The Hives. I didn’t know they were playing out there nor had I remembered they were playing in New York. I acquired a copy of their new album, Black & White, several weeks ago but hadn’t listened to it in a while. In fact, I can’t say I generally listen to the band except when it comes up on random. It’s neue punk/indie rock and while they have plenty of excellent tracks, it’s rare I would sit down to a whole helping of The Hives.
Now that I have seen them live it’s easy to look at this band in a whole new light. Their wit, energy and presence doesn’t translate on their records like it does when they’re on stage. The lead singer, Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist, might as well be the bastard child of Iggy Pop and Mick Jagger, backed up by AC/DC. It isn’t often to enjoy a combo platter of fancy microphone acrobatics (except for Ghostland Observatory), scissor kicks, stage diving and endless banter from your leading rock stars these days. By far the best commentary of the evening was something along the lines of, How about clapping Brooklyn? I know it’s been a long time since there was clapping in Brooklyn but I don’t even have to ask for it anymore. I know they say audiences in Brooklyn are boring but I don’t know what they’re talking about.
Oh and this is all spoken with an accent as if Elvis was Swedish but spoke English almost perfectly. It was pure rock and roll showmanship and entertainment — truly a lost art that this band has mastered and perfected.
Setlist
Try It Again
Guerre Nucleaire
A Little More For You
Walk Idiot Walk
No Pun Intended
Bigger Hole To Fill
Die All Right
Hate To Say I Told You So
Here We Go Again
Won’t Be Long
Diabolic Scheme
You Dress Up For Armageddon
Two Timing Touch
Tick Tick Boom
You Got It All Wrong
Main Offender
Return The Favour
I was just listening to The Hives - Walk Idiot Walk