Niklas Almqvist
| Nicholaus Arson | |
|---|---|
|
Nicholaus with The Hives at the Eurockéennes of 2007 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Niklas Almqvist |
| Also known as | Nicholaus Arson |
| Born | 26 January 1977 (age 40) Säter, Dalarna, Sweden |
| Genres | Alternative rock, garage punk, garage rock revival, post-punk revival |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar, backing vocals |
| Years active | 1989 - present |
| Labels | A&M/Octone, Interscope, Epitaph Records |
| Associated acts | The Hives |
| Website | The Hives Broadcastingservice |
| Notable instruments | |
| Fender Telecaster | |
Nicholaus Arson (born Niklas Almqvist Säter, Sweden 26 January 1977) is a guitarist and backup vocalist of the Swedish garage rock band The Hives.
Career
Arson and his brother Per (Howlin' Pelle, lead singer) formed the band in 1993, and, according to a biography about the band, attracted the attention of promoter/manager/songwriter Randy Fitzsimmons (possibly a fictional character), who propelled the band to fame.
It was revealed in NME that Randy Fitzsimmons is a registered pseudonym belonging to Arson. This has led many to believe that Randy Fitzsimmons is in fact a myth, and that it is Arson who writes the songs. Arson and the rest of the band deny this and insist on the existence of Randy Fitzsimmons as the band's songwriter.
Arson, as with the rest of The Hives, is known for his onstage antics. In particular, his beady eye stares, constant spitting, blowing on his finger tips, and wild animation in playing the guitar, such as the way he is perceived to dance and other such antics as spinning the guitar with the strap over his shoulder, greatly contributing to the presentation of the band. While performing this move, his guitar strap has broken several times, Sending the guitar flying and almost hitting drummer Chris Dangerous in one case on October 27, 2007 in Fort Worth, Texas. He also rarely plays the keyboard.
Musical equipment
Nicholaus uses almost exclusively Fender Telecaster, Esquire or Telecaster Deluxe style guitars (though he is seen playing a Danelectro in the Hate to Say I Told You So video). He also plays "The Arsonette" a custom built guitar by Sundberg Guitars, with tone chambers and a Firebird style mid-section to give it a short, dead tone with little to no sustain. His guitars often reflect the outfits of the band with different combos of black and white finishes and pickguards. Along with Vigilante Carlstroem and Dr. Matt Destruction, Arson uses white Hiwatt amplifiers.
Discography
- Barely Legal (1997)
- Veni Vidi Vicious (2000)
- Tyrannosaurus Hives (2004)
- The Black and White Album (2007)
- Lex Hives (2012)