The Hives

The Hives are a Swedish garage punk band formed in Fagersta and central figures of the early-2000s post-punk and garage rock revival, alongside acts like The Strokes and The White Stripes. Their breakthrough came with the 2000 album Veni Vidi Vicious, which spread internationally on the strength of tracks like «Hate to Say I Told You So», bringing their raw, high-energy sound and theatrical stage presence to a global audience.

The band's lineup has centered on frontman Howlin' Pelle Almqvist, guitarists Nicholaus Arson and Vigilante Carlstroem, bassist The Johan and Only, and drummer Chris Dangerous, all performing under stage personas and matching suits that became part of the group's visual identity. Their sound draws on 1960s garage rock and punk energy delivered with tight arrangements and sharp hooks.

Over the following two decades The Hives continued releasing albums that combined their trademark aggressive, riff-driven punk with pop sensibility, remaining one of the most recognizable and enduring bands to emerge from the garage rock revival scene.