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The sharp-dressed rockers in The Hives are world-renowned for blowing the doors off of any music club they walk into. The band sounds like they stepped out of 1970's American garage rock history, which is why it's so astounding that the quartet actually hails from the city of Fagersta, Sweden. Huh?? Not that you'd ever guess from listening to them. Lanky lead singer Howlin' Pelle Almqvist sputters and snarls his way through The Hives' three minute power-stomps with never a trace of an accent. The Hives first came to attention stateside with their undeniable single "Hate To Say I Told You So," which packs just about anything you'd ever want from a spazz rock band into a single song. Fans of fast n' loose rock may have already been familiar with the Hives double-guitar attack via import albums, but it wasn't until 2002's Veni Vidi Vicious that the hard partying band made their way to mainstream USA. The Hives take rocking very seriously, and they make a point of designing new, matching black and white band outfits for every new album. For example, their follow-up to Veni Vidi Vicious, 2004's Tyrannosaurus Hives, saw the band decked out in cool 60's Texas suspenders and bandannas, while their latest disc, The Black and White Album, sees the boys touring the world in matching black and white schoolboy hats and neckties. The outfits may catch your attention, but you'll definitely stay for The Hives' legendary live show, which has been known to cause seizures and general fits of spontaneous salvation. And The Hives haven't just caught the attention of die-hard rock fans; the Swedes were hip hop mastermind Timbaland's first choice for rock accomplices on his solo disc Timbaland Presents Shock Value, and they are rumored to be working with The White Stripes' Jack White. Most of all, though, The Hives are a force of nature when seen live so get out and rock with them!

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