The London rock press hype-wagon tours the civilised world heralding bands as the new saviours of music, only to bludgeon them to death 6 months on. First we were lulled into narcolepsy by cosy singer-songwriters (Elbow/Turin Brakes) and then we were led to genuflect before the false prophesy of re-cycled '80s rock (The Strokes) and electric white-boy Blues (White Stripes). And now The Hives. The rock press promises that it's not crying wolf this time…and for once they're right!
Clearly there are many other believers, and they're here tonight for the sonic ass-whupping of their lives. As the natives grow increasingly restless, suddenly The Hives are there. Howlin' Pelle Almquist is everything you want in a frontman - stone cold fox, sporting super fly threads and piss-take arrogance. The rest of the band keep pace by bustin' out their own moves - freezing mid-note, leaping onto the drum riser, or the classic lower-lip biting, head bobbing, mad strum. They're kitted out in the uniform of '60s Vegas high rollers - black trousers, shirts and white silk ties.
The Hives are cliché pie with slices of Mudhoney's riffs, Rat Pack suits, Rocket from the Crypt's party-down vibe, punk nom de plumes and Iggy Pop's freak-out rocker posing. But somehow, someway, they make you feel that rush of your first rock show thrill-ride all over again.
They run through a scorching set featuring much off their exquisitely 4/4 timed collection 'Your New Favourite Band'. Around three songs in, Pelle promises us a "10 out of 10 show and we are currently at 7". Is he kidding? At the supposed '7' the crowd is ready to either spontaneously combust or kill one another for the privilege of having one of the band member's babies.
Closing the set with their musical money shot 'Hate To Say I Told You So' just about finishes off the soaking-wet, hysterically happy mass. An encore of 'AKA Idiot' leaves us sated and high on love. While young soldiers such as The Strokes and the White Stripes fought a valiant first round, the real daddies are in the house now to finish the battle. All enemies of the new rock-n-roll hype - prepare to die.
