Complete List Of The Hives Albums And Discography

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The Hives, hailing from Fagersta, Sweden, burst onto the music scene in the late 1990s, bringing with them a revival of garage rock that echoed the raw energy and style of the 1960s. Formed in 1993, this Swedish rock band quickly distinguished themselves with their distinctive black and white stage outfits and their frenetic live performances, earning them a significant place in the music business.

Their significance in the music industry is marked not only by their energetic revival of garage rock but also by their ability to infuse it with elements of punk rock, making their sound both nostalgic and refreshingly modern. The Hives have been recognized with various awards and nominations throughout their career, celebrating their contributions to rock music and their dynamic performances.

The band released their first single, “Oh Lord! When? How?” in 1996, followed by their debut album Barely Legal in 1997. Over the years, The Hives have released a total of six full-length studio albums, alongside a number of EPs, live albums, and compilations, further cementing their legacy in rock music.

The Hives drew inspiration from classic garage rock bands like The Sonics and The Kinks, as well as punk rock acts such as The Ramones and The Stooges. Their energetic style and presentation have, in turn, inspired a new generation of rock bands, contributing to the resurgence of garage and punk rock elements in modern music.

Barely Legal

Released 1997

Barely Legal marked the explosive debut of The Hives, a garage rock band from Fagersta, Sweden. This album set the stage for their high-energy performances and sharply dressed aesthetic, quickly establishing them as a band to watch in the international garage rock revival scene. Known for its raw sound and frenetic energy, Barely Legal showcased the band’s ability to blend punk rock’s speed and attitude with catchy melodies and irreverent lyrics.

The album featured Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist on lead vocals, Nicholaus Arson on guitar and backing vocals, Vigilante Carlstroem on guitar, Dr. Matt Destruction on bass, and Chris Dangerous on drums. Barely Legal was produced by Pelle Gunnerfeldt and recorded at Rub-a-Dub Studio in Stockholm, Sweden, during the early months of 1997.

CD Track Listings:

1. “Well, Well, Well” – 1:01
2. “a.k.a. I-D-I-O-T” – 2:11
3. “Here We Go Again” – 2:12
4. “I’m a Wicked One” – 1:45
5. “Automatic Schmuck” – 2:17
6. “King of Asskissing” – 1:45
7. “Hail Hail Spit n’ Drool” – 1:26
8. “Black Jack” – 2:45
9. “Whats That Spell?… Go to Hell!” – 1:41
10. “Theme From…” – 2:50
11. “Uptempo Venomous Poison” – 1:12
12. “Oh Lord! When? How?” – 1:41
13. “The Stomp” – 1:55
14. “Closed for the Season” – 2:33

Veni Vidi Vicious

Released 2000

Veni Vidi Vicious, The Hives’ second album, was a breakthrough that catapulted them to international fame, particularly with the infectious single “Hate to Say I Told You So.” The album is characterized by its sharp, minimalist approach to garage rock, with catchy hooks and an aggressive, confident swagger. This release solidified The Hives’ reputation for crafting high-energy rock anthems with a punk edge.

The lineup remained the same, with the addition of Randy Fitzsimmons credited as songwriter, a mysterious figure often rumored to be an alter-ego of one of the band members. The album was produced by Pelle Gunnerfeldt and in Sweden, at Studio Gröndahl, during late 1999 and early 2000.

CD Track Listings:

1. “The Hives – Declare Guerre Nucleaire” – 1:35
2. “Die, All Right!” – 2:45
3. “a.k.a. I-D-I-O-T” – 2:13
4. “Outsmarted” – 2:20
5. “Hate to Say I Told You So” – 3:21
6. “The Hives-Introduce the Metric System in Time” – 2:05
7. “Find Another Girl” – 3:11
8. “Statecontrol” – 1:52
9. “Inspection Wise 1999” – 1:36
10. “Knock Knock” – 2:09
11. “Supply and Demand” – 2:25

Tyrannosaurus Hives

Released 2004

Tyrannosaurus Hives is the third studio album by The Hives, further refining their signature high-octane garage rock sound. The album is known for its relentless energy, precision, and catchy melodies, showcasing the band’s evolution while maintaining the raw edge that defined their earlier work. It includes hits like “Walk Idiot Walk,” which received widespread airplay. The band’s lineup remained consistent, with the production handled by Pelle Gunnerfeldt and The Hives.

CD Track Listings:

1. “Abra Cadaver” – 1:33
2. “Two-Timing Touch and Broken Bones” – 1:59
3. “Walk Idiot Walk” – 3:31
4. “No Pun Intended” – 2:17
5. “A Little More for Little You” – 2:57
6. “B is for Brutus” – 2:37
7. “See Through Head” – 2:19
8. “Diabolic Scheme” – 2:59
9. “Missing Link” – 1:53
10. “Love in Plaster” – 3:10
11. “Dead Quote Olympics” – 1:59
12. “Antidote” – 2:34

The Black and White Album

Released 2007

The Black and White Album marked a departure from The Hives’ strictly garage rock roots, incorporating a wider range of styles and influences, including pop, rock, and electronic elements. This experimentation resulted in a more diverse sound palette, with tracks like “Tick Tick Boom” becoming anthems in their own right. The album was recorded in various locations around the world, including Mississippi, London, and their native Sweden, adding to its eclectic nature. The band worked with a variety of producers on this album, including Dennis Herring, The Neptunes, and Jacknife Lee, among others.

CD Track Listings:

1. “Tick Tick Boom” – 3:33
2. “Try It Again” – 3:30
3. “You Got It All… Wrong” – 2:42
4. “Well All Right!” – 3:29
5. “Hey Little World” – 3:23
6. “A Stroll Through Hive Manor Corridors” – 2:38
7. “It Won’t Be Long” – 3:47
8. “T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S.” – 3:39
9. “Return the Favour” – 3:09
10. “Giddy Up!” – 2:51
11. “Square One Here I Come” – 3:10
12. “You Dress Up for Armageddon” – 3:10
13. “Puppet on a String” – 2:55
14. “Bigger Hole to Fill” – 3:38