Breaking out in Hives

A couple of months ago, Brent told me, with a combination of excitement and disappointment in his eyes, "The Hives and the Eagles of Death Metal are playing together! But it's at the end of September so I don't know if you'll be up for going." I told him we'd wait until closer to the date to see how I feel, and if tix were still available, we'd get them. Not ready to end my pre-baby concert season, I decided to get tix last week. The show? In a word? AWESOME. I should have known it was going to be a great show when we ran into one of The Hives' guitarists, Nicholaus Arson, during dinner. I was a big goof and went over to him and the roadie he was eating with to sheepishly say, "We're really excited about your show." He smiled and said, "Thanks," although at the time I wasn't sure if he could understand me because a few of the Swedish band members don't speak English. (We later learned that he does, in fact, speak English.) Brent and I first learned about the Eagles of Death Metal during a benefit show a few years ago for Hurricane Katrina. The band is an over-the-top garage band. They're rockers who put on a fabulous show. During their set, as Brent was practically on the edge of his seat and I was leaned back, I could tell from the back of Brent's head that he was beaming from ear to ear, enjoying it so much. Eagles of Death Metal rock so hard that they had TWO, count 'em, TWO drummers during their set, including one of the band's founders, Josh Homme (probably best known as the guitarist/drummer from Queens of the Stone Age). I didn't bring my good camera with me, but was able to capture a grainy pic with my Blackberry. We lucked out with an awesome view from the front row of the venue's balcony. Then The Hives hit the stage and again, we were blown away. I can't put into words how awesome they are. There's never a dull moment, and the audience has a blast responding to the lead singer's demand for more cheering. The Hives were the first band we saw after I found out I was pregnant, and I can't imagine a better way to have ended my concert-going excursions. "Well, from greatness to greatness is where I span. You have me for a moment. Grab on while you can." - Diabolic Scheme, The Hives