Editing The Hives (section)

==Style and onstage performance==
[[File:Lead singer getting touched by fans.JPG|thumb|Almqvist interacting with fans during a concert in New York City in 2008]]
All songwriting except covers on the band's albums are credited to "Randy Fitzsimmons". The band claims Fitzsimmons was an honorary "sixth Hive", who along with writing their music, discovered and managed the band. The band has included hidden references to a sixth member of the band, including a hidden sixth pair of legs on the back cover of the ''Tyrannosaurus Hives'' album art. ''Randy Fitzsimmons'' is a registered pseudonym for guitarist Niklas Almqvist.<ref name="randy">{{cite web|title=You Randy Devil!|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-hives-52-1375634|website=NME|access-date=10 February 2018|date=13 February 2002|quote=Randy Fitzsimmons, ... is none other than&nbsp;– Nicholaus himself}}</ref>

The Hives are renowned for their energetic and highly rated live shows, with ''[[Spin magazine|Spin]]'' ranking them number eight on their list of best live bands in 2006 and frontman Howlin' Pelle receiving particular praise for his showmanship.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2006/08/25-greatest-live-bands-now/|title=The 25 Best Current Live Bands According to Spin|date=16 August 2006|publisher=Eldridge Industries|access-date=23 October 2019}}</ref><ref name="Booton"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hives Strut, Boast And Live Up To Self-Hype At NYC Show |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/zpmrg3/hives-strut-boast-and-live-up-to-self-hype-at-nyc-show |access-date=13 October 2023 |publisher=MTV |language=en}}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> When asked about their efforts to connect with the audience, drummer Dangerous replied that "there are so many bands out there that don't say a word to the crowd. I don't get it. They don't even look at the audience and that's ridiculous".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.phillyburbs.com/entertainment/local_entertainment/music/the-hives-continue-to-grind-out-free-wheelin-rock/article_43810f6b-6f87-5e45-9df0-cf3837906a9c.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131163415/http://www.phillyburbs.com/entertainment/local_entertainment/music/the-hives-continue-to-grind-out-free-wheelin-rock/article_43810f6b-6f87-5e45-9df0-cf3837906a9c.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 January 2013 |title=The Hives continue to grind out free-wheelin' rock |publisher=phillyburbs.com |date=20 June 2012 |access-date=20 June 2012 }}</ref> In 2023, Howlin' Pelle commented on the effects of their live shows saying "we give so much energy and then it kind of bounces right back. So on one hand your body gets tired but your soul feels better and better. So it’s not just tiring, like it also gives you a lot of energy".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Booton |first=James |date=7 August 2023 |title="We Want That Rock And Roll Feeling!" The Hives Speak Out |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/features/we-want-that-rock-and-roll-feeling-the-hives-speak-out/ |access-date=13 October 2023 |website=Clash |language=en-GB}}</ref> The Hives always dress in matching black-and-white [[tuxedo]]s because "it makes [them] look like [they] belong together".<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Tyrangiel |first=Josh |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1002674,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018075115/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1002674,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 October 2007 |title=Music: Meet The Hives |magazine=Time |date=17 June 2002 |access-date=9 April 2012}}</ref>