The Hives' Reveal Why They Wear Tuxedos, Top Hats to Rock Out (VIDEO)

Aside from being back with a killer new album, Lex Hives, the Hives marked the end of their years-long hibernation with snazzy new formalwear. As you can see in the photos above and below, their new onstage uniforms consist of top hats and long-tail tuxedos -- not your usual rock 'n' roll outfits.

Drummer Chris Dangerous has a simple explanation for the quintet's new uniforms: "It's like the Rolls Royce of suits, isn't it?"

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While that's a fine reasons for donning such fancy threads, frontman Howlin' Pelle Almqvist reveals that it goes deeper.

"We actually go on stage every day planning not to rock out," he says. "That's why we dress so nice. We dress in our finest stage wear in order to present something very beautiful for the people. But then when we actually hear the music, we can't help ourselves."

Find out more about the Swedish garage punks' new stage duds in our exclusive video interview below, and click through our gallery to see pictures of the Hives performing a secret show in New York.

Production and Videography by Elizabeth Bruneau

The Hives Perform in New York City

• The Hives, Live in New York
• The Hives, Live in New York
• The Hives, Live in New York
• The Hives, Live in New York
• The Hives, Live in New York
• The Hives, Live in New York
• The Hives, Live in New York
• The Hives, Live in New York
• The Hives, Live in New York
• The Hives, Live in New York
• The Hives, Live in New York
• The Hives, Live in New York
• In House With The Hives
• In House With The Hives
• In House With The Hives
• In House With The Hives
• In House With The Hives
• In House With The Hives
• In House With The Hives
• In House With The Hives
• In House With The Hives
• In House With The Hives
• In House With The Hives
• In House With The Hives
• In House With The Hives
• In House With The Hives
• In House With The Hives

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