I saw The Hives earlier this year, at a festival. They came on and the singer said "We're the Hives, in an hour you're going to love us then we're going to leave"

My favourite line from Howlin' Pele at one of their gigs in Australia was... "There are 2 types of people in this world. Those who know The Hives are the best live band in the world and those who have never seen The Hives live before" I tell everyone who has any interest in live music this fact every chance I get.

The Hives are sorely underrated.

I would genuinely watch a 20-minute video of Justin talking about his favourite pasta sauces.

No band makes me smile like The Hives! Thanks Justin!

This year I got to see The Darkness, The Hives, and The Decemberists all for the first time. Which were the three bands at the top of my list of "favorite bands I've never seen live" All three were absolutely incredible and scratched a near-on twenty year itch.

I saw them a few days ago and it was one of the greatest live performances I've ever seen. After more than 10 years waiting for the moment, I'm so happy that I've been able to see them now that they are still in their best shape.

I can't put into words how cool it is to find out that Justin, one of my favorite rockers, digs so much of the same music I do.

The Hives are the most energetic band I've ever seen live. Hope to see them again in the future. Waiting for them to release a new album.

“Imagine the damage he’s doing to his vocal chords, so irresponsible… I LOVE IT” is the most Alan Partridge thing I’ve ever seen and I LOVE IT 🙌🏻😂

I saw them play in Norwich many moons ago. I can't remember which song but at one point the whole band stopped and froze on the spot, mid pose and remained that way for what seemed like an age (and I mean this was a heavily pregnant pause to the point of awkwardness) and then without so much as a stick click or hi-hat stomp they all came back in full pelt as one. Incredible. Such amazing energy.

Love the Hives. I've been a fan for over 20 years, and I've seen them several times. I've never seen a live band with more energy. Took my son to see them recently in Nashville and they were just insane.

A serious hit of nostalgia. Had this album on CD in my teens and played the hell out of it! What a band! What an album. Have had a terrible day and this has cheered me up :) thanks Justin

My first ever “gig” was playing this song at a high school talent show with my friends lol. Classic song!

The Hives are so underrated, they're perceived as a one hit wonder but they've never put out a bad album, they're so cool. I can't wait for the new one coming out in August. The new song that came out this week is awesome.

Just came home from my first The Hives show, and it was incredible. Just so much energy, and they really know how to get the crowd engaged.

I love their first album “Barely Legal” so much. They became better known from their second album onward but their first album was mostly just punk rock played at breakneck speed and it was awesome.

I was the singer in a band in the early-mid aughts - we mostly played the songs I wrote, but we had to play covers just to get gigs in order to play the originals and "Hate To Say I Told You So" was one of them - so I would sing that in full voice, basically imitating it exactly, night after night for a long time, as the audience loved our version of it - and we had to start saving it until near the end, as I just blew out my voice at one point. Thankfully, it wasn't permanent or anything, just a temporary dip into the land of tea and honey for a week or so, but yeah, I had to learn not to give myself fully to EVERYTHING during a 3-hour set. lol Being a "front man" (and even a more reserved one like I was) you can kind of fall into a "zone" during a set and just disappear into the moment, as there's nothing else like singing your heart out in front of people, especially when you're singing your own songs that mean something to you and wanting to *communicate* - but just for purely *physical* reasons, you have to learn to pace your voice, with ebbs and flows during the set. That just comes with experience as you learn your limitations (and vocal stamina). That said, the WORST pain I ever felt was having to play a 3-hour show when I had BAD guitar hand (carpal tunnel, probably) and my fingers just would NOT move to the positions. That was a tough night. I do miss playing out, though, as I just write and record for myself now, basically. Just never stopped writing songs. Some moments and feelings, you just need to capture in 3-minute cages.

The Hives are marvelous. So many fantastic songs and such a high standard of performance. Probably no arguing this is their signature song, but personally I enjoy "Antidote", "Walk Idiot Walk", and "Tick Tick Boom" more. Cheers!

In 6th grade I found a Hives cd at a library, and it totally blew my mind. What a great band.

Classic. I love the Hives. Saw them on stage but that was so so long ago. I believe in the late 90's. They were sharing the stage with Refused.

The Hives at Brixton in 2001 (I think) was one of the best gigs I've ever been blessed to have seen. Many thanks, as per always, good Sir :)

Dear Justin Hawkins: I have recently come across your channel and would like to applaud you for the great work you do. I love how you weave together music analysis, historical context, and notes on showmanship together with irreverent humor. I especially enjoyed this redux of one of my favorite songs. Take care! - dancewithliz from San Francisco

Thank you for doing this! This was my request ( I don't know if anyone else did). "Primal" is exactly how I would describe that scream and the overall vibe of the song. It hits me right in the gullet every time I hear it. Cheers!

One of THE best live bands ever. One of my favorite bands. SO happy you did a vid on them!

Hello Justin…hope all is well…I’ve come to look forward to all your videos now….they lift my spirits🙂…you are just so soft spoken and just a lovely person….very respectful and knowledgeable

Just saw them last night in madrid! what a coincidence. Second time i see a hives show and for sure one of the best live bands ever.

Just love your channel! Your assessments are spot on and genuine. New subscriber here. I'm embarrassed to say, I only started listening to the Darkness recently because I started watching your channel! Well....better late than never. Great music! I have lots of catching up to do! Keep those videos coming!

I saw The Hives live on the tour for Veni Vidi Vicious. They had SO much energy. The lead guitarist was absolutely drenched in sweat. He did those stage moves throughout the set.

Damn that song was essential during my youth! It still sounds as fresh as ever and kicks you to another dimension! ❤️

The Hives are one of the best live acts ever! Seen them live in 2019, the gig was 110% full on from start to sweat dripping finish.

Never got into the Hives but nobody can deny the greatness of this particular song. It’s just so catchy.

Justin, I try to explain to non -music aficionados that there are a LOT of really great singers, and that there are a LOT of really great performers, however, there are not very many people/bands that are both. The performance is just as much of an art as the music being performed. You definitely understand this because you, and The Darkness are a band that accomplishes this in a beautiful way. Having said this, The Hives are one of my favorite live acts. Their songs are mostly 'three chords and the truth', but they get the job done. You really cannot describe a Hives show to people who have never experienced one. Howlin Pelle, often states to the audience, "We are The Hives, and tonight we are going prove to you that we are your NEW favorite BAND!" Then they commence to proving that self aggrandizing boast. It is not a boast though, unless you cannot back up the statement with an extraordinary performance, and they simply do that every time. I have really enjoyed your insight, and musical IQ. Keep up the great work!

Love The Hives. They are so incredible live. So much energy and tight AF.

Brilliant job as always Justin, thanks for your in sight.

Loved The Hives since I bought a compilation called "Your New Favourite Band" at uni. "Main Offender" is a huge favourite and the video is amazing. Cheers for the video.

So glad you talked about this one. Still one of my favourite songs after 20 yrs ❤️

Amazing, a few days ago I was watching one of your videos on the live performance of someone I forget now, but it made me ask myself, "I wonder if Justin has ever seen The Hives?" and now here we are. Amazing!

That point of his voice being on the edge, that's rock and roll to me. I've often thought he must be using part of his anatomy in the way that metal vocalists really have to warm up and practice for that hard/loud growl/scream. It's not something you can just spit out on command without being in the real danger zone for your instrument. Brilliant as always Mr Hawkins, thank you.

I love The Hives!!!!

Love your videos, Justin. Just got back from an hour and a half drive home with my parents, played The Darkness the whole way! Keep on rocking, mate.

Seen them 3 times live at various festivals, always deliver a cracking set. If you didn’t come out sweaty and sore you didn’t fully enjoy the moment

Saw them live once, it's still once of the most fun I had in a concert, the energy was absolutely incredible!

I love the attitude the hives had on stage. They played in Dublin Castle in 2002 (I think) there was a literal riot happening in the street outside and the Hives just rocked. "We are the Hives, You Love Us" Proper performers

I was playing the Hives to my teenage son the other night and we decided that guy's got kevlar vocal cords. Any of us mere mortals would be whispering for a month after trying to pull one of their songs off.

Forgotten how much I fucking love this song. Great choice to cover on the video

What's absolutely genius about this particular song is that the riff never stops and never changes... It just goes throughout the whole song, gets your head and body moving, impossible to get tired of.

Seeing the Hives in Wolverhampton in March and I got recommended this video again. Seeing your pals Bad Nerves in wolves again after they supported the darkness gig I was at. Always happy to come back to these videos!!

They are not a band I was ever paid much attention to. However saw them live earlier this year and they were amazing. Such great energy on stage.

Holy F-bomb. It’s been a while since I heard this. Awesome. Real Rock and Roll musis. Very exciting indeed. Shame on me for missing them (twice) this summer. Oh well…

Dude! I forgot about the Hives, such an awesome band! Thanks Justin, great pick.

Aren't we all glad that Justin is our best friend we didn't know we had. Delightful

I remember seeing the hives on the Joel’s Holland show and half way through the song they just freeze mid playing And the audience didn’t know what to do and start clapping then out of nowhere they come straight back in where they left off. Brilliant ❤

I love this band. One of the most entertaining live sets I’ve seen. They’re so funny too.

Took me 20 min to realize who Justin is. I love the darkness but from afar and so never knew much about the group itself. And so what a surprise when he sang at end and it’s like. Wtf! That’s the darkness. Great channel found !! #boomer.

This video was so great! I loved that era of music and the matching suits: The Hives, Refused, International Noise Conspiracy and The Make Up...all fantastic bands and all had the matching outfit thing going on, but twisted their sound to different levels garage to hardcore punk....I love that black shirt too, Justin! And of course the 'ere why's he wearing that black shirt' is such a great way to start the day...belly laughs all round! Thanks Justin, you are just the best!

Love this Justin please keep it up

Tyrannosaurus Hives was a seriously underrated album, between that and Venividivicious for my favourite Hives album.

Amazing video. I hope you revisit The Hives in the future. You are great Justin and so is The Darkness.

Fantastic song and album! Your videos are continually getting better! Never stop justin.

Ahhh, late to this one but how lovely to hear a wee tribute to the much missed Tim Smith. The Cardiacs were so bonkers brilliant. And brutalist architecture. Oh Justin, you're really spoiling us.

I heard this song in '01, when I was 10, just poring through music channels. It holds up as a genuine rock song, and it's still kickass.

Saw them about a year ago and they instantly shot into my top 3 live bands of all time--and I've seen a LOT of bands. They may even have a claim to the #1 spot. They're tight as a stopwatch and wildly entertaining. Absolute professionals. If they're anywhere near you, go, go, GO.

Woke up feeling a bit groggy... saw this video was up... knew it would be good day! Thanks for the vibes, Hawkington!

Great song, awesome video. Thank you JH

I knew it. Knew you would do The Hives one of these days. Great review and reminder that the late nineties and naughties were so eclectic rockwise. Saw them 2001 or 2002 in Roskilde along with PJ Harvey. And then you came along and started your own chapter of epic greatness in the weighty tome of rock.

Justin, thank you so much for these videos, they are so informative and helps people learn about bands, recommendations, and just to have a pretty good time listening to you banter for 10 to 15 minutes. Would love to see a review of Plastic Bertrand's "Ca plane pour moi", I think that would work for me. Hope I don't have any grammar issues in my comment. Cheers, mate!

Saw The Hives supporting The Offspring last year, really enjoyed them. Their snazzy suits were on point 👌

I've seen The Hives 4 times and they are never less than fantastic, live!

Never forget when I first heard Tick Tick Boom in motor storm arctic edge on psp. Driving off a huge ramp and getting insane air when the song gets to the YEA!!! part, extremely memorable...

oh man i watched a little documentary on the cardiacs years ago. i couldnt remember the name of the band and its been gnawing at me for months. thank you so much

In school I was into Motorhead and Sabbath and Lizzy, and any other music was pants (oh, to be 15 again) But there was something about The Hives that drew me in. I too love a Ric bass and hearing a song on the radio with a nasty (in the best way possible) bass break played on one was IT. I saw them at Download 2004 and I think there was only my mate and I not throwing bottles. ....though Pele *did* encourage them... "all you people who don't like The Hives, why aren't you throwing bottles?!" The sky was full of bottles. Not all of them empty. 😒👍 Good times. So glad you have done a video on them AND mentioned Rick James again ❤️ (Though he never actually played a Ric OR bass on his albums, that was Oscar Alston on a Stingray. He is a vastly overlooked funk machine who sadly never gets the credit he deserves.) Thanks for the Video! P.s......The Darkness to cover Rick James' Love Gun? 😉

The beauty. Thanks, man.

I saw them at (I think) the Big Day Out around this time. My hazy memory is that they came out on stage, said "Hi, we're the Hives and we're your new favourite band!" and bang - right into this song.

Was needing some Hives reactions…. Found this guy. Most interesting/entertaining reaction I’ve seen in forever. Subscribed immediately.

I also love Justin's genuine love and respect for other artists' music.

Love the Hives!! You can help but move when you hear their music!

Saw these guys live once by chance. Much respect

nice one, love the Hives! There is definitely flanger on that guitar in chorus

Love the Hives, love you and your channel Justin.

One of my all time favourite tracks and all time favourite video too, yet it’s not until this very video that I’ve realised the drum kit is clear!!! I can tell you how the drums are laid out and everything apart from they’re clear!!!!! 😂😂😂😂

This is my first Justin Hawkins video and I had to instantly like and sub. You are a music person talking about music to musical people if that makes sense haha. Also the hives are amazing.

When I was younger my friends / band mates opinion of a band would sometimes lead to me not liking that band as much. When I found out my friends were not fans of the Hives, it just made me want to play their music louder (especially when they were in my car). Love the energy, the look, and most of all love their music.

they did always put on a great show

Thanks a lot for this musical tip. They are great!

Woah, thanks for the shoutout at 5:25 Justin! That was seriously kind.

just popped up on my feed you are coming to Sydney with the band. Looking forward to it.

I saw the Hives at the Robin hood in the Midlands just near merry hill. They had only done 1 or 2 gigs in the UK and no one had a clue to what was going on. No one moved, no one stepped forward. The singer was forever prompting the small crowd to take one step closer to the stage.... If I could go back there now, knowing the band I know now, I'd be in heaven.

Good stuff thxs again Justin from AZ

Saw The Hives at the Brixton academy and they were brilliant. I really liked them anyway but sometimes bands don’t always match up when playing live but these guys did.

Cool to see you talk about the Hives a bit; they're a great, energetic band with a lot of good songs. A definite favorite.

Love the Hives! Thanks Justin.

seen 'em 7 times... great guys, always put on a kickass show

What a song! The Hives were so frenetic and energising.

I saw The Hives open for Pink in Toronto and they were amazing!

Iam going to see The Hives on november with my son! We are soooo happy. I love these guys!

Played on the same bill as these guys at a crappy pub in Camden, years before they blew up. With hindsight, that was the night i realised i WOULDN'T make it. It was like watching Usain Bolt at a high school sports day. "Tight as arseholes", as my grandmother used to say.

Saw The Hives in 2002 at Leeds Festival, Pele is an awesome front man. Love the band.

I'm really just echoing what so many people are saying in the comments of each video, but I bloody love you Justin. Been a fan of The Darkness since the beginning and watching these vids and hearing your thoughts and humour is a great way to cheer up anyone's day. Marvellous! Also I think you should sell a t-shirt that says "Ere, why is you wearing that awful t-shirt?" and make it as hideous as possible. Would be good banter.

Saw the Hives live in 2002 and saw Darkness live in 2006! So great to watch this video. Two of the most fun live bands you can see!