Had the pleasure of talking to a true rock and roll legend today! From one of my favorite bands of all time! Mr. Pelle Almqvist of THE HIVES!

NN: Last time we talked you guys were playing with Refused and The Bronxx at the Warfield, this was before the new record came out. You are now in full swing on the second wave of The Lex Hives attack! What have been some memorable moments?

PV: Well that Reading Festival gig was pretty spectacular. We played The Made in America festival in Philly

NN: What’s it like to be from another country and OUT Rock every band in the country, where Rock and Roll was invented?

PV: Well it feels pretty good! Its basically something that happens in a lot of countries and cultures. You do something well and then someone comes along and starts doing it better. Its happened to Sweden a bunch of times. We are just doing it so you (American rock and roll) will pick up its pace.

NN: Raising the bar of rock and roll! When you play these massive festivals what are your thoughts on the electronic artists, the resurgence of EDM, Dubstep, performers like Skrillex and Deadmau5?

PV: It’s always kind of been there for me. I always knew those Swedish House Mafia guys and what they were doing. There is an element to it that I can feel… That is sort of Rock and Roll. That it is so dumb. (laughs) I mean a lot of the music is sort of caveman. But I mean that as a compliment! It’s just so bonehead. Like BOOM BOOM BOOM! I can relate to that. And then all these dudes are kind of rich, in an Elvis way, you know buying an expensive watches and dumb sh*t like that. I think that’s funny. So its not without its pluses. On the other hand I think its kind of boring as a live event. The thing that makes it fun are the lasers and lights, but I kinda can’t get over the fact that there is just some guy up there pressing play on a CD player.

NN: I actually wake up to a picture of The HIVES everyday. Its the screen shot on my computer. A picture of you guys on the side of the stage watching the Misfits playing. I find it very inspirational. Can you tell me about that day?

PV: (laughs) I remember that day very well. We have been such Misfits fans for such a long time. Since we were like 11 years old. Still when I hear the songs its like they are my favorite band. That was the first time we ever played with them. Even though the only original member is Jerry (Only)… anytime anyone plays those songs I get goose bumps! Even though reunion shows in general can be a little frightening at times. The Misfits were great! My strategy for seeing a reunited band is to get kind of very drunk! Because then you hear the intro to the song, you get goose bumps, and you don’t sweat the small stuff, like “hey that’s not the real singer?” its better if you numb the critical part of your brain, that’s the trick to enjoying the reunion shows! But that was such a great day hanging out with Jerry Only asking him about Misfits stuff!

NN: What was the one big take away from hanging out with such a punk rock legend?

PV; The one big take away was MERCH! I mean Misfits merchandise, since James Hetfield wore a Misfits shirt in the 80′s it’s like one of these iconic logo, like a Jack Daniels T-shirt or Ramones T-shirt! It was interesting hearing him talk about it. How when the split up happened one guy got the music and the other guy got the logo.

NN; Being a Misfits fan and Rock Star have you ever got to hang out with Glenn Danzig?

PV: No I have not. But I heard a wonderful story. this band the Deadly Snakes are friends of mine and big Misfits fans as well. Every time they were in LA they would constantly drive by Danzig’s house in hopes to see him. And he was never there, but it kind of became a tradition. Then one day they saw him hand washing his car, in his driveway, leather pants, no shirt, singing along to Danzig! And that’s exactly what I want Danzig to be doing all day! Washing his black Camaro, in leather pants, singing to himself, that’s beautiful to me. I wish I had that as my screen saver! (laughs)

NN: You guys all so have some big time TV appearances coming up, Conan on September 12 and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on October 5th. Do you enjoy doing the televised performances?

PV: Well anybody that will give us 3 minutes to play to millions of viewers is ok by me. It’s also really fun to do because you get to meet famous people! We were on one of these shoes with Will Ferell and we are really big fans of his and he has a Swedish wife so he has a summer house in Sweden so its fun to connect like that. i See him Stockholm, he is a big guy when he walks around he kind of stands out. So its always a good time to meet people like that on the talk shows.

NN: Speaking of famous people. What is the most outrageous thing you or a member of the band has splurged on as a result of your fame and success?

PV; Well there have been a few Ferrari and stuff. Which I kind of find embarrassing, on the other hand I really like it because its such a cliche rock star thing to do. You know I like looking to buy something and then ask can you get it in gold. I like that sort of ridiculousness, its funny. You know you can’t take that kind of stuff to seriously.See I don’t like expensive cars. I like old cars. And even an old nice car is cheaper than an expensive new car. I kinda just like old stuff period. So if you buy a bunch of old stuff it never really gets that expensive!

NN: It just seems like you have a bunch of expensive stuff, because it was expensive at one time and no one else has it!

PV: Exactly, It’s rare! It’s not expensive!

NN: Anyone reading this who has never seen The Hives, I encourage you to do so! They will be your new favorite LIVE band. In fact if you go and don’t have a blast, I’ll refund the cost of your ticket!

PV: I’ll do that to. A chance to double your money! (laughs)

Get your Tickets at the link below!!!

THE HIVES September 10 Oakland, CA Fox Theater