Pitchfork: The Hives Prepare New LP, Hit Summer Festivals

The Hives Prepare New LP, Hit Summer Festivals
Band discovers new wave, begins to enjoy telling us they told us so

Oh, garage rock. It seems like just yesterday we were putting you on the front of every magazine cover, lavishing you with every attention, and listening raptly to your many hydra-like heads. The White Stripes, The Strokes, and of course, The Hives. Oh, we had to ignore the fact that most of you had been making music for several years before we decided to pay attention and call it a movement, but it was love all the same. But now you're back again, knocking on the door, looking for the attention we've now seen fit to lavish elsewhere. I'm sorry, what did you say? I'm listening to The Unicorns.

Okay, so it's anything but over, but the scene has cooled just a bit, which makes it a perfect time for Sweden's The Hives to make a screaming comeback. It's actually been four years since the release of their last album, Veni Vedi Vicious, though it only broke on these shores back in the 2002, following the band's "discovery" by Epitaph and Warner who both subsequently reissued it. Well, according to a report by MTV, The Hives are polishing up their third and as-yet-untitled album for Interscope, in time for a July 20th release date. The report also claims a Devo-like, new-wave influence on the new record, which oddly enough, will put them well in tune with the times.

The first single off the new record will be "Idiot Walk", and should see release shortly before the album drops. MTV also reports that the band just shot a video for the song in their native Sweden, which will, of course, probably be aired once or twice on MTV between 2 - 6 in the morning. The Hives will reportedly launch a U.S. tour in mid-July, and until then (and following it, actually) they'll be playing the requisite summer festival circuit throughout Europe. Like so:

06-03 London, England - Electric Ballroom
06-05 Donnington, England - Download
06-19 Seinajoki, Finland - Provinski Festival
06-26 Schessel, Germany - Hurricane
06-27 Neuhausen, Germany - Southside
07-02 Roskilde, Denmark - Roskilde Festival
07-06 Malmo, Sweden - The Big One
07-10 Kristiansand, Norway - Quart Festival
08-07 Osaka, Japan - WTC Open Air Stadium
08-08 Tokyo, Japan - Marine Stadium
08-20 Bidinghuizen, Netherlands - Lowlands Festival
08-27 Reading, England - Reading Festival
08-28 Leeds, England - Leeds Festival