... Let's take it from the top, shall we? Yes, let's!
When, in 2001, they played 250+ shows, wowed audiences from Tokyo to Trondheim, from Glasgow to Georgia, reintroduced rock in the mainstream (No, I mean actual ROCK MUSIC) and truly became everybody and their mama's new favourite band, their plan had already been in action for seven years. Formed in the small industrial town of Fagersta, Sweden in 1993, the Hives, then in their early teens, were saved from boredom and despair by Mr. Randy Fitzsimmons. He came to them with the idea to start a musical group based on everything he and the band found exciting.
After teaching themselves to play instruments and then practising, perfecting and polishing their craft, they released their first album Barely Legal in 1997 to much acclaim. A perfect statement of teenage willpower over pretty much everything else, it was hailed by people fed up with the staleness of contemporary rock. Here was a band with roots but a mind of their own. Style and grace yet swerve and brute force. Not to mention the sheer energy to power the watch on your wrist and the sun in the sky. Touring commenced and took them several laps around Sweden and Europe gathering a cult following that grew steadily upon each visit. Dressed in black and white and looking out of sight the gloves were off and they were ready for anything.
In the year 1999, the Hives have a new bag of tricks and a handful of Fitzsimmons originals. They know exactly what to do - record a record so good the world can't ignore it. They release Veni Vidi Vicious and nothing is ever the same. Rave reviews, more touring and that steadily growing cult following that can no longer fit into the clubs they play. A full year and a half of sold out shows later...
Cue big time UK industry guy and all round music fan Alan McGee (Oasis, Primal Scream, Creation Records) sees the Hives on German TV and decides that this is important. He has the band put together a form of greatest hits for his Poptones label. Your New Favourite Band, as the result is dubbed, catches a sleeping England by surprise. Rock music that is exciting and dangerous not really being the toast of the town lately.
Cue 'Rock is back!' headlines in newspapers and on TV. "We always knew the world would catch on, we just had to wait them in", as the band themselves say. Cue hits "Hate To Say I Told You So" and "Main Offender" and things are drastically different. People in the UK once again connect rock bands with showmanship, excitement and an actual good time. Your new favourite band? Indeed.
I’m a singer/songwriter just trying to get my music heard - I appreciate I'm not the first musician on My Space to whore themselves on a more successful artists page to try and attract new listeners, but if you do have a spare moment please take a listen – You might be glad you did…
Please also feel free to add me or leave any comments or feedback – I always respond.
Hello à tous,
On espère que ça roule pour vous.
Ce petit message pour faire savoir que Eté 67 sera souvent à Paris de Septembre à Décembre et ce pour enregistrer son nouvel album. Pour ne pas perdre ses soirées, le groupe propose de venir jouer chez vous gratuitement en formule acoustique. Vous habitez Paris, vous êtes capables de ramener 25 personnes minimum dans votre piaule, de nourrir les 6 muzicos et l’expérience vous tente, contactez-nous à info@ete67.be et l’on s’arrangera ensemble pour que le groupe vienne donner un concert de poche chez vous.
Deuxième info : dès aujourd’hui, tous les 15 jours, Eté 67 mettra en ligne sur son myspace, un morceau du nouvel album. Celui-ci sera retiré du player après un mois. Ca commence avec « Une vie saine ».
Portez-vous bien. Serrez-vous les coudes. A bientôt.