Submitted By Pat Blythe
Photo Credits: PAT BLYTHE
A Girl With A Camera "The Picture Taker"
Hives vocalist Per Pelle Almquvist
Bold, brazen, at times frenzied....electric...simply on fire. My introduction to The Hives, a Swedish garage rock band initially formed in 1993 by Per "Pelle" Almquvist and his brother Nicholaus, was to say the least, mind blowing.
Poncing, prancing and strutting around on stage, lead vocalist Pelle is Mick Jagger personified except....he has slightly more grace and flair with equal amounts of cockiness.....and his high leaps and kicks are effin' amazing. The microphone swing is well.....in FULL swing. Well practiced and choreographed it's part of the natural flow of things. Modesty is not Pelle's middle name. The crowd loved him. He has no shame in calling The Hives the crowd's favourite rock bank....day or night. Leaping off the stage a number of times and wading into the crowd, Pelle shines in the limelight. A true performer and entertainer....and yes, he can sing. A pretty good voice as a matter-of-fact....way, better than Jagger. Even Jagger's mother was apparently quoted as saying he couldn't sing for his supper. Pelle's favourite spot on stage....standing on top of the monitors. Second fave, standing on the kick drum (I'm beginnning to wonder how tall he actually is). He never, ever, stands still and he has no hesitation of sticking his face right in your camera. Talk about up close and personal.