The five royal Princes of The Hives Nation have teamed up with the Queen of Queens from Queens, Cyndi Lauper, to record the best holiday song this side of White Christmas (ok… maybe Silver and Gold as well).

The Hives and Cyndi Lauper “In A Christmas Duel” will be released via The Orchard on December 1st, 2008 in the UK and one day later on December 2nd in the US. As an early present to fans who have found themselves being particularly awesome this past year, the single will be exclusively available for free download via the band’s website throughout Thanksgiving weekend, Friday, November 28th through Sunday, November 30, 2008.

While some would expect one of those warm-your-toes-by-the-fire-while-snuggling-up-to-your-loved-one-between-sips-of-hot-cocoa-and-smooches-under-the-mistletoe type of songs, The Hives and Cyndi Lauper offer more of a unique take for this holiday season. Let’s just say that the pair get a little scrappy. It also features a piano. Yay.

The Hives explained, “It may sound weird and come as a surprise to some, but we had to. It came to us. It landed in our lap and was way too good to shake or toss. We knew we had to record it. A sign if you will.” Cyndi Lauper offered “this goes to show even rat sideswipers can have a good Xmas too.”

So there you have it. The Hives and Cyndi Lauper bring you “A Christmas Duel”, wrapped in a box with a huge black and white bow atop.

Also, be sure to check out The Hives performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, November 20th.

The Hives Official Website
The Hives on amazon.com
amazon.co.uk

Cyndi Lauper Official Website
Cyndi Lauper on amazon.com
amazon.co.uk

The Hives have released their new video for “Won’t Be Long”.

The fan favourite directed by Travis Schneider is full of never before seen backstage & live footage!

Watch “Won’t Be Long” video:

The Hives September 2008 tour dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

09/16 – Austin, TX Stubb’s
09/17 – Dallas, TX House of Blues
09/19 – Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre
09/20 – SD, CA Street Scene
09/21 – Anaheim, CA The Grove
09/22 – Ventura, CA Ventura Theater
09/23 – SF, CA The Warfield
09/24 – LA The Mayan
09/25 – LA The Mayan

MySpace
The Hives Official Website

A collective win for mankind! Vocalist Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist, drummer Chris Dangerous, bassist Dr. Matt Destruction, and guitarists Nicholaus Arson and Vigilante Carlstroem have listened to your pleas. The Hives will be returning to various raised platforms on which theatrical performances are given to bestow their sheer brilliance, incomparable riffs and rugged good looks in honor of the greatest stack of songs ever recorded, ‘The Black and White Album’.

Long time partners in good times, California’s own Eagles of Death Metal, will maximize the bang for your hard earned buck as co-headliners (US dates only). Willowz will open the festivities.

Women will weep. Men will rejoice. Children will dance. The Hives will rule.

Well played, mankind. Well played.

The Hives & Eagles of Death Metal Co-Headline September 2008 tour dates:

Dates could change! Go to The Hives’ Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

Willowz to open

9/16 Austin, TX Stubb’s
9/17 Dallas, TX House of Blues
9/19 Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre
9/20 San Diego, CA Street Scene
9/21 Anaheim, CA The Grove
9/22 Ventura, CA Ventura Theatre
9/23 San Francisco, CA The Warfield
9/24 Los Angeles, CA The Mayan
9/25 Los Angeles, CA The Mayan

The Hives in South America:

9/05 Brasilia, BRAZIL Porao Do Rock Festival
9/06 San Paulo, BRAZIL Orloff Festival
9/07 Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL Circo Voadar
9/09 Santiago, CHILE Teatro Caupolican
9/13 Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA Lawn Tennis Club

The Hives Official Website

On Oatmeal TV, fresh off the heels of covering SXSW, Russ and Tom bring to your attention the ‘Horror Episode’…which is literally full to the brim with hauntingly accurate recreations of your favourite horror movies like Psycho, Blair Witch Project and Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Amid Tom being killed with a chainsaw and becoming a zombie, though, there’s the more serious stuff of the boys having some crazy times with your favourite artists, so they’ve been terrorising the Camden Crawl to bring you the finest music interviews from across the land – Jonathan Ross eat your heart out.

Amongst the action you can see Sam Sparro talking about getting hot and sweaty at his gig at the Electric Ballroom, Soulja Boy dissecting the meanings of his latest hit “Yaaah!”, Cage The Elephant talking about exploding pants on microphone stands and The Hives about working with some music tech bloke called Pharell.

There’s plenty of other stuff as well – Russ at home with The Metros, Noah and the Whale discussing getting mud in their furry shoes, and Enter Shikari indulging in some gentlemans lunges – basically more entertaining things than you can shake a stick at. You can even check out Bono practically begging Russ for a slice of the action over the phone. Nuff said…

Whilst the world’s being taken over by zombies, we can take comfort from the fact that Oatmeal TV is getting some fantastic press. The website’s been featured in the Sun and the Guardian in the last couple of weeks, as well as in Esquire magazine in March – hell, even the Daily Mail want a piece of the action!

“The presenters are hotter than a roast chicken. And that is f**king hot” – TV PLUS SUPPLEMENT – DAILY MAIL Tues 19th Feb 2008.

“Oatmeal TV is a spicy televisual feast. Full of hot sharp rock and dark musical pepper. Sheer healthy golden magic.” – ESQUIRE MAGAZINE March 2008

“The shows are slick and well-edited, and if nothing else, you’ve got to admire their cheek – after all, they do manage to slap Josh Homme on camera” – THE SUN Friday 2nd May 2008

Oatmeal TV won’t rest on its laurels, though. Like the bang-up-to-date type of concept it is, Oatmeal’s now got some new ‘Extra Bits’, where you can check out the best bits of previous episodes, such as Lightspeed Champion giving an impromptu acoustic performance.

For more information and to watch episodes, go to:

Oatmeal TV Official Website

The Hives release the infectious, funky anthem that is “We Rule The World (T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S)” as a single on 25th February 2008 (Polydor). Recorded with hip-hop producer Pharrell Williams in Miami for ‘The Black and White Album’ it is an electrifying collaboration, a meeting of great minds and big ideas, taking The Hives into new sonic terrain.

The single will be released digitally and as a Limited 10″ Vinyl backed with exclusive remixes: Matt Helder from Arctic Monkeys shakes up “We Rule The World (T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S)”, as does Russell Leetch from Editors while Nick Zinner from Yeah Yeah Yeahs gets his magic fingers on previous single “Tick Tick Boom” with his Post Colonization Mix.

SINGLE ARTWORK COMPETITION WINNER:

The Hives recently invited fans to submit artwork in a competition for the sleeve of the new single which yielded a hearty response. The band got their heads stuck in to the virtual postbag, whittling down the few hundred entries to a strong shortlist, and then a final favourite featuring first class portraits of the band by one Rowenna Harrison from London. Rowena’s design will adorn the 10″ single sleeve and accompany the digital release.

The Hives UK tour in April 2008:

Dates could be added or changed! Go to The Hives Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

14 April – Norwich, UEA (01603 508 050)
15 April – Newcastle, Academy (0870 771 2000)
16 April – Nottingham, Rockcity (08713 100 000)
17 April – Bristol, Academy (0870 771 2000)
18 April – London, Brixton Academy (0870 771 2000)

Tickets 17.50 GBP REGIONAL / 18.50 GBP LONDON Buy from 0844 576 5483 or Live Nation (all tickets subject to booking fee)

The Hives on Myspace
The Hives Official Website

The Hives are set to release their latest UK single “We Rule The World (T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S)” on 25th February 2008. The track was recorded with Pharrell Williams in Miami for ‘The Black and White Album’. They’ve been inviting submissions for the sleeve artwork competition, for the new single.

Read more about “We Rule The World (T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S)” and the competition

The Nick Zinner (from Yeah Yeah Yeahs) “Tick Tick Boom” mix is available to download completely free until 21st January, 2008: “Tick Tick Boom” Download.

The Hives have announced details of a UK tour in April 2008. Tickets go on sale at 9am, Friday 11 January, 2008.

The April tour dates are:

Dates could change! Go to The Hives’ Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

14 April – Norwich, UEA (01603 508 050)
15 April – Newcastle, Academy (0870 771 2000)
16 April – Nottingham, Rockcity (08713 100 000)
17 April – Bristol, Academy (0870 771 2000)
18 April – London, Brixton Academy (0870 771 2000)

Tickets 17.50 GBP REGIONAL / 18.50 GBP LONDON
Buy from 0844 576 5483 or Live Nation (all tickets subject to booking fee)

The Hives on Myspace
The Hives Official Website

Swedish rockers The Hives will release the infectious, funky anthem that is “We Rule The World (T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S)” as a single on 25th February, 2008 (Polydor).

Recorded with hop-hop producer Pharrell Williams in Miami for ‘The Black and White Album’ it is an electrifying collaboration, a meeting of great minds and big ideas, taking The Hives into new sonic terrain.

The single will be released digitally and as a Limited 10″ Vinyl backed with exclusive remixes: Matt Helder from Arctic Monkeys shakes up “We Rule The World (T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S)” while Nick Zinner from Yeah Yeah Yeahs gets his magic fingers on previous single “Tick Tick Boom” with his Post Colonization Mix.

Competition:

The Hives are inviting submissions for the sleeve artwork for the new single from their fanbase. Anyone can enter the competition and the winning design will adorn the 10″ single sleeve and accompany the digital release when it hits stores in February 2008.

Competition details:
Entries must be submitted by 21st January 2008
Keep it (mostly) Black and White!
Submissions should work to a square format, be delivered at 300DPI, to: thehivescoverart@googlemail.com

For more information about the competition and for inspiration go to:

The Hives on Myspace
The Hives Official Website