The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons: A Haunting Prelude to The Hives’ Triumphant Return
In a blaze of punk-fueled glory, The Hives are back! Fresh off their scorching stadium performances alongside Arctic Monkeys, the Swedish rockers have sent shockwaves through the music scene with the announcement of their upcoming UK and Ireland tour in spring 2024. But that’s not all—the band is set to unleash their long-awaited album, The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons, on August 11th, in what promises to be a bone-chilling journey into their finest work.
With Leeds Academy igniting the flame on March 27th, The Hives will rampage through 12 cities, leaving a trail of exhilarated fans in their wake. The fiery expedition will culminate in a much-anticipated showdown at London’s iconic Eventim Apollo on April 13th. Prepare to mark your calendars, as artist pre-sale begins on June 28th and general ticket sales launch on June 30th.
The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons—its ominous title conjures up a tale of horror, marking the end of The Hives’ studio exile. Rather than a leisurely break, the band confesses that they have been trapped in a macabre nightmare. The enigmatic Randy Fitzsimmons, their elusive founder, mentor, and songwriter, vanished from their lives following the release of 2012’s Lex Hives. But the recent discovery of an obituary and a cryptic poem tucked away in a local Northern Vastmanland newspaper led The Hives down a haunting path. It led them to Fitzsimmons’ grave.
In an eerie twist, the band exhumed not a body, but a treasure trove—tapes, suits, and a piece of paper bearing the title “The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons.” Was it a hoax or Fitzsimmons’ first move in an elaborate game? Only time will tell. Among the unearthed tapes lay the demos that have metamorphosed into the twelve electrifying tracks on The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons.
In their illustrious twenty-five-year reign, The Hives have conquered the globe, selling out stadiums and sharing stages with legendary acts from AC/DC to The Rolling Stones. SPIN has hailed them as “the best live band on the planet,” with Howlin’ Pelle positioned as “the greatest frontman in rock.” The BBC has dubbed them “a force of nature,” and Rolling Stone recognized Veni Vidi Vicious as one of the Top 100 Albums of the decade. Pitchfork even anointed “Hate To Say I Told You So” as one of the Top 500 Songs of the 2000s. With millions of albums sold worldwide and multiple RIAA Gold-certifications, The Hives stand as a powerhouse in the industry.
Since the release of Lex Hives, The Hives have unleashed the double A-side “I’m Alive”/”Good Samaritan” in 2019, along with a captivating live album via Third Man Records. They have traversed the globe, leaving trails of frenzied fans in their wake. Now, The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons emerges as their true renaissance—a resurrection that will shake the foundations of rock and roll.
The Hives’ lineup comprises Chris Dangerous, Vigilante Carlstroem, Nicholaus Arson, Howlin’ Pelle, and The Johan And Only. Brace yourselves for an extraordinary experience as they bring their explosive energy and unrivaled showmanship to a city near you.
Photo Credit: Ebru Yildiz
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