On July 6, three-day music extravaganza Zoo Thousand will close to the frantic sounds of The Hives.Neil Barston caught up with the Scandinavian scoundrels ahead of their appearance in Kent...

If the Kaiser Chiefs are busy predicting riots, then Sweden's The Hives are among the most likely candidates to soundtrack a skirmish.

Their blistering garage punk take on the raw blues rock of the Stones has garnered plenty of admirers and they're famed for their frenetic, pull-no-punches shows.

Touring the world over the last decade has helped hone their act, and while mainstream domination has yet to come their way, you could never knock them in terms of work rate.

They also happen to be one of the sharpest-dressing outfits around in their matching two-tone suits which have inspired a host of bands.

It's more than a case of mere style over substance with hit singles in their arsenal including Hate To Say I Told You So, Main Offender and Tick Tick Boom proving real crowd pleasers.

So a Kent debut headlining the Zoo Thousand Festival will be an event to savour.

"I am looking forward to playing the zoo festival - England is always good in the summer. But I'm a bit worried about playing with all the animals there," explained frontman Howlin' Pelle Almqvist in measured Scandinavian tones.

After I assured him the occupants of Port Lympne are a safe distance from the music arena he sounded more relaxed.

The last few years have clearly offered little chance for his band to retreat from a relentless schedule of gigging commitments.

But just for once they have been able to retreat to their homeland for a summer break before a fresh round of dates.

"I always really like touring and have just come back from America which was great - all the shows were packed out, so professionally I feel really happy."

It had been good to have a first break from touring for a long time, however, and to return to Stockholm.

"I'm feeling good about things and have just celebrated my birthday."

He had just been listening to a mix-tape, a gift from drummer Chris.

"It's good but I just heard a Bronski Beat track on there and that's not really my thing," explained the 30-year-old who has built a strong reputation for his charismatic stage presence.

He's not averse to a spot of stage diving, amplifier climbing or just plain wandering, randomly amid crowds during the Hives chaotic gigs.

Last year's The Black and White Album gained critical praise despite its relatively low-key promotion across Europe.

"It was the last album for our present contract and the company only put out one single from it when I thought there were more on there. It's not us who are the ones in crisis, it's the business!"

Though times may indeed be tough being involved in a music industry plagued by illegal downloads, they are just getting on with business.

70s punk

But as Pelle revealed, performing in a rock group was not something he'd initially anticipated could be a career with any longevity.

The small industrial town of Fagersta which they all grew up in had no discernable musical heritage to speak of, so starting a band was something very special.

"I've known the guys in the band since we were small and there is only one school in town and that's where we started the band. It's the only group any of us have been in and we were into a lot of 70s punk music.

"I had all sorts of plans for my life being a psychology student - but I figured I could do that any time and don't regret not going into that.

"Anyway, knowing psychology helps me manipulate large crowds!

"When we started out there were other bands who were technically better, but we had more energy and ideas."

This fact was not lost on a raft of record companies who clamoured to sign them up. They put out their first release, Barely Legal, back in 97 and have been grinding out their uncompromising guitar riffs ever since.

Like many aspiring groups, they simply scanned the dictionary to conjure up their name.

"We knew it was a disease but actually thought it was a lot more contagious than it is!"

Creation Record's boss Alan McGee (who discovered Oasis) was so impressed with their early work he briefly signed them to his sideline label Poptones.

Such was the level of industry interest after this that they were reportedly targeted by Universal music for an impressive £12 million dollars.

As with any band there are a fair few tales and quirks surrounding their origins including their mysterious songwriter.

He is credited as Randy Fitzsimmons, which many suspect is merely an acronym for the band members.

Then there's the saga of how they all came to develop their exotic stage names - Pelle's guitarist brother is "Nicholaus Arson" with fellow bandmates Vigilante Carlstroem, Dr Matt Destruction and Chris Dangerous.

"I don't know how that came about. I just remember it was always that way.

"My Howlin' comes from Howlin' Wolf but I'm not even sure about that because he's the biggest man in rock and I'm the slimmest!"

Having amassed an admirable retro music collection, Pelle said he rarely had time to switch off from thinking about it. Yet he's enjoying life in the Swedish capital, hanging out with friends, riding his bike and "pretty regular stuff".

The business may have taken a turn for the worse since they started out but it seems Pelle and the lads are not in a hurry to bring the party to a close any time soon. They are presently working on new material which may well be unveiled to Kent fans this weekend.

"We want to make music for everyone, but also something that we enjoy too.

"I am enjoying it just as much as when I started, and being in the band is still my favourite thing in the world."

The Hives Headline Zoo Thousand on Sunday, Friday 6.

For full ticket details see www.zoothousand.com