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SUNDAY , NOV . 19
22 illinoisentertainer . com november 2023
If we ' re done now , I ' d be okay with that .”
When the band started working on the new album , those fears disappeared , much like Randy Fitzsimmons years ago . They began working on the record during the pandemic and set out to make the album “ a complete banger ,” something that would be “ a kick in the ass ,” especially since it ’ s their comeback record . Most importantly , it had to sound and feel like a proper Hives record . “ We had an idea of where we wanted the record to go ,” says Almqvist . “ We obviously wanted it to sound like a Hives record , but we wanted to incorporate different sounds , like having a [ Rolling ] Stones-y guitar mixed with some Beastie Boys-esque drums and do some punk thing out of that ( laughs ). Once we started working on it , we had Pelle Gunderfelt record it - he recorded our first three albums - and when he got on board and started being an engineer and really mixing it , it came together as this super energetic record . It was pretty fast for a band that hasn ' t made a record in 11 years . Once we decided what to do with the music , it felt like we were finished working on the songs , and then we were good to go .”
“ I guess we could make a record that would be something else ,” Almqvist continues . “ Some other direction , I guess , but when you ' ve been away for 11 years from releasing records , it becomes a comeback record no matter what you want to call it . When you ' re coming back , you want that to be a kick in the ass . You want to come out of the gate running full speed . You want to feel like ' The Hives are fucking back .' So , that ' s what we did . This sounds very much like The Hives , and it sounds like good Hives .”
Once the album was done , the band turned their attention to touring , never once questioning whether or not anyone would care about a new Hives record . “ I didn ’ t feel any worry because I left the record back in March [ 2023 ]. If we make good stuff , that ' s the best we can do . I don ’ t think any of us are capable of making a record where we ’ re trying to please a fanbase . If you release music that you ' re passionate , then you ' re good . That ’ s the way I ' ve always looked at it . I never really cared about our records selling thousands or millions of copies . I enjoy both ( laughs ). Sometimes , it ' s fun to sell a million for obvious reasons , but I never thought about it too much . You try to make a record that ' s as good as possible and then take it from there . If you want to release something you can tour for three years , you have to think it ' s a good record . That ' s always the most important thing .”
Needless to say , The Hives made a successful comeback . The album ’ s success and the worldwide sold-out shows are a testament to how much they were missed . They ’ ve returned just in time to fill a gaping void in rock music . During a time when mainstream rock feels very tame , same , and generic , The Hives are here to be rock ’ s saviors to give it a swift kick in the ass and remind us how rock is supposed to be fun . “ To me , rock is in great shape because there ' s a ton of bands , but mainstream rock ‘ n roll constantly needs saving ,” says Almqvist . “ It ' s like when the British Invasion or grunge or punk or even the second wave of punk or even the garage wave in the 2000s came around ; it ' s constantly that type of energetic music comes and saves the day when rock