On this episode of Lipps Service, Scott sits down with the legendary frontman of one of the most influential garage rock bands of all time – Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist of The Hives! In his second time on Lipps Service, the Swedish singer-songwriter talks about the band’s decorated career, from receiving worldwide praise to inspiring other iconic bands. Pelle also uplifts some of his own music inspirations, including David Johansen, Clem Burke, Josh Homme, and AC/DC. As The Hives are gearing up to release a new album, The Hives Forever Forever The Hives, in August, Pelle explores some of the album’s themes, stories behind the songs, and what it was like working with the record’s producer Mike D of The Beastie Boys. To close, Pelle lists his top 5 siblings in rock and debut albums of all time. Tune in for another amazing and funny chat with everyone’s favorite frontman – Pelle Almqvist!

CREDITS (Instagram handles)

Host @scottlipps

Edited by @toastycakes

Music by @robby_hoff

Produced by @whitakermarisa

Recorded at Melrose Podcasts NYC

Sonos makes it so easy to fill your home with incredible sound! Check out the new Sonos Ace headphones, which are Bluetooth-enabled and have three buttons. The content key allows you to play, pause, accept calls, and control the volume. Plus, they feature noise cancellation and voice assist!

These headphones are exceptionally well done and sound incredible, whether listening to your favorite playlist, chatting on a call, watching a movie, or even recording a podcast like this one. They sound particularly fantastic when listening to Lipps Service!

Sonos has great gifts for everyone on your list. Visit sonos.com/Lipps to save 20% on select products.

00:00 - Start

01:14 - Praise for The Hives

02:12 - Ticket prices

04:50 - Franchising The Hives?

06:36 - New album

07:55 - David Johansen and Clem Burke

08;55 - AC/DC

09:52 - Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age

11:00 - Pop structure

11:55 - Mike D of The Beastie Boys

15:07 - The Dead Boys AI

18:12 - Swedish music scene

21:36 - ABBA

25:09 - Playing new music for friends

26:44 - PC culture

28:00 - Enough is enough

30:00 - Online comments

31:00 - Playing new songs

33:33 - New album’s process

35:00 - Influencing other bands

36:56 - What music Pelle listens to

37:42 - Perfect record

41:10 - Top 5 siblings in rock

51:07 - AC/DC

54:13 - Top 5 debut albums

On this very special bonus episode of Lipps Service, Scott sits down with three of the six acts who will perform on June 4 at the historic New York City venue The Bitter End for our first-ever live event – LIPPS SERVICE LIVE!

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! JUNE 4 AT THE BITTER END https://tickets.venuepilot.com/e/lipps-service-live-festival-2025-06-04-the-bitter-end-new-york-e3febc?presaleName=lipps-service-live

The live concert will be a reflection of Lipps Service podcast, as the night will bring together past and present NYC-bred music, including three legendary acts – Ed Kowalczyk of LIVE, Hamilton Leithauser of The Walkmen, Eugene Hütz of Gogol Bordello and Casa Gogol – and three of the best up-and-coming bands of the city’s contemporary music scene – Jackson Hamm of Telescreens, Thesaurus Rex, and Torture and The Desert Spiders!

To get fans excited about the live show, Scott talked with Ed, Eugene, who was accompanied by an artist under his label, Grace Bergere, and Torture in this special bonus episode.

Starting with Ed, he discusses his early music days in NYC, shares a crazy story about the band’s hit song “Lightning Crashes,” and lists his top 5 most meaningful lyrics and underrated singers. Next up, Eugene and Grace reflect on Gogol Bordello's rise in 1989 in NYC, and list the best punk bands from the city. To close, Torture tells the story of how David Bowie inspired her band name and her favorite artists in the current NYC music scene.

Tune into this exciting and insightful episode of Lipps Service, learn about the artists, hear their thoughts on the upcoming live show, and get ready for LIPPS SERVICE LIVE!

We hope to see you all there – you don’t want to miss it!

CREDITS (Instagram handles)

Host @scottlipps

Edited by @toastycakes

Music by @robby_hoff

Produced by @whitakermarisa

Recorded at Melrose Podcasts LA

Sonos makes it so easy to fill your home with incredible sound! Check out the new Sonos Ace headphones, which are Bluetooth-enabled and have three buttons. The content key allows you to play, pause, accept calls, and control the volume. Plus, they feature noise cancellation and voice assist!

These headphones are exceptionally well done and sound incredible, whether listening to your favorite playlist, chatting on a call, watching a movie, or even recording a podcast like this one. They sound particularly fantastic when listening to Lipps Service!

Sonos has great gifts for everyone on your list. Visit sonos.com/Lipps to save 20% on select products.

Ed Kowalczyk of LIVE

0:04:30 - Getting signed out of NYC

0:05:15 - CBGB

0:07:30 - “Lightning Crashes” story

0:10:00 - College radio

0:11:30 - Early lyrics

0:15:00 - Mixing in a defunct Playboy resort

0:17:00 - Drawing inspiration

0:20:00 - Meeting Kurt Cobain

0:22:35 - Collaborating with Peter Buck

0:24:00 - Top 5 most meaningful lyrics

0:35:45 - Top 5 criminally underrated lead singers

0:38:50 - What does this record mean to you? (The Velvet Underground & Nico)

Eugene Hütz of Gogol Bordello and Grace Bergere of Casa Gogol

0:43:13 - The Gogol collective and touring

0:43:28 - Working with Rick Rubin

0:50:24 - 1989 in NYC

0:55:00 - Early punk rock

1:02:05 - Top NYC punk bands

Torture and The Desert Spiders

1:04:52 - Band name story

1:09:00 - Beginnings in music

1:16:22 - Top 5 local rock bands

On this episode of Lipps Service, Scott sits down with singer-songwriter, musician, and blistering frontman of Italian rock band Måneskin – Damiano David! Gearing up for the release of his debut solo album, FUNNY little FEARS, on May 16, Damiano gets into the meaning behind the title, stories behind some of the album’s tracks, and his fears. He discusses his early music days, including recruiting Måneskin band members on Facebook, busking and restaurant gigs in Italy, and the band’s success on X Factor. Damiano also shares his takes on the music industry, from chasing success and milestone moments to label transparency and working with songwriters. He gives us insight into his personal life, like his fashion sensibility, relationship with singer and actress Dove Cameron, and falling in love. To close, Damiano lists his top 5 underrated artists and lead singers, and shares his perfect album. Tune into an insightful and amazing chat with one of modern rock’s greatest frontmen – Damiano David!

CREDITS (Instagram handles)

Host @scottlipps

Edited by @toastycakes

Music by @robby_hoff

Produced by @whitakermarisa

Recorded at Melrose Podcasts LA

Sonos makes it so easy to fill your home with incredible sound! Check out the new Sonos Ace headphones, which are Bluetooth-enabled and have three buttons. The content key allows you to play, pause, accept calls, and control the volume. Plus, they feature noise cancellation and voice assist!

These headphones are exceptionally well done and sound incredible, whether listening to your favorite playlist, chatting on a call, watching a movie, or even recording a podcast like this one. They sound particularly fantastic when listening to Lipps Service!

Sonos has great gifts for everyone on your list. Visit sonos.com/Lipps to save 20% on select products.

02:09 - Fears

02:42 - FUNNY little FEARS title

03:30 - Being in a rock band from Italy

04:24 - X Factor

04:26 - Traveling the world

06:15 - Guns N’ Roses being pop

06:48 - Music career journey

08:03 - First record he bought

08:35 - Idols

09:58 - Meeting Måneskin members on Facebook

12:15 - Looking for a drummer on Facebook

13:45 - How Italy shaped him as an artist

15:33 - X Factor

17:30 - Performing at restaurants

19:40 - Chasing success

21:30 - Grammy nomination

22:25 - Milestone moments

24:00 - Being anonymous in Italy

25:29 - Måneskin

28:00 - Label transparency

29:57 - Fashion sensibility

31:50 - Status of Måneskin

33:00 - Songwriters

37:43 - Another solo record?

39:00 - The Greatest Showman inspiration

41:39 - Getting personal on the solo record

43:21 - Being in love and Dove Cameron

45:13 - “Voices”

47:30 - “Love and Angels” about Dove Cameron

49:00 - Playing music for friends

50:59 - Lana Del Rey

51:51 - The return of rock?

54:25 - Underrated artists

55:00 - Top 5 underrated artists

57:02 - Perfect album

58:05 - Top 5 lead singers