The Killers

It had to happen eventually. When you survey previous exports from the city of Las Vegas: the assortment of suspect hair metal bands, collection of one-hit wonders, overabundance of lounge singers...   >>> more

It had to happen eventually. When you survey previous exports from the city of Las Vegas: the assortment of suspect hair metal bands, collection of one-hit wonders, overabundance of lounge singers... It's plain to see that it was only a matter of time before a group would emerge from Sin City to ceremoniously wipe the slate clean, giving the inhabitants of the City of Lights some fresh hope and a fleeting escape from their faulty music history. Enter the Killers. It's all evolution. In the unique habitat in which our subjects developed, their native characteristics were shaped by external factors in the forms of Morrissey, Bowie, Ocasek, Gallagher, Presley, Sumner, Corgan, Cocker, Byrne, and Lennon respectively. Heavily under these influences, vocalist/keyboardist Brandon Flowers, guitarist David Keuning, Bassist Mark Stoermer, and Drummer Ronnie Vannucci worked towards creating a band so clearly the product of their environment, and yet so perfectly adapted to becoming a truly dominant species in the world of pop. A Tale of Killers Past... It was late 2002. Brandon Flowers (yes, it is his real name) was on the rebound from an LA bound synth-pop outfit. Inspired by an Oasis concert, he decided that more guitars were needed in his life. When he clocked Dave Keuning's small ad in a local paper naming that band as an influence, he took it as fate that they should work together. The early core of the band was cemented, but they needed a name. In watching New Order's music video for the song "Crystal," the guys became inspired. The video features New Order playing in a fictitious band called "The Killers." "It gave me the ambition that our actual band should be as perfect as their fictional band," says Flowers. Writing in 120 degree temperatures in the garage that became their rehearsal room provided a suitably intense hot-housing effect. And when they couldn't get into the garage they'd use Ronnie's spymaster knowledge to gain midnight access to the facilities available at his University's music school. "There was about 2000 sq ft of luxurious practice space complete with drum sets, marimbas, cymbals, pianos etc... So, for about a month or two we lugged a Marshall to sing out of, a Deville to play the axe through, a Bassman for the keyboard, a bass cabinet for Mark and I used the UNLV pep drum band set," reminisces Ronnie. "Though I'd like to make clear that no instruments were mistreated during this time as we are, and continue to be, respectful, professional and, last but not least, resourceful musicians." It was during these pressurized sessions that The Killers wrote the bulk of the songs that were to comprise their debut album, the fittingly titled Hot Fuss. Prolific writers, The Killers unearth songs of jealousy and paranoia; tales about murderers, stalkers and Studio 54 AIDS victims; androgynous girlfriends and cuckolded boyfriends; and songs of ambition and the desire to rise above the everyday. Word soon spread about The Killers. The band came to the attention of London-based independent label Lizard King, and they made their way over to the UK for their first ever gigs outside of Las Vegas, as well as a limited edition release of "Mr Brightside" in September 2003. Those lucky enough to catch these first London shows came away pretty much unanimously enamored, while the group's subsequent appearance at New York industry fiesta CMJ in October 2003 saw a swarm-sized buzz surround the band and a worldwide deal inked with Island Records. From here, the boys set to work once more: touring the UK with British Sea Power and Stellastar; selling out their own headline shows, and confidently self-producing their record, with final mixing expertise provided by the legendary Alan Moulder (U2, Smashing Pumpkins) and Mark Needham (Fleetwood Mac). It wasn't all smooth sailing, of course – there were mishaps aplenty over the three months that the recording took. The band were rocked by an earthquake that propelled Ronnie from his drum stool during the recording of "Believe Me, Natalie"; they had to battle through fires in the Simi Valley to get to the studio to record "Change Your Mind" (which appears on the U.S version of the LP); and they thought they were actually going to die when their plane hit an air pocket and started free-falling while on their way back to the UK for some gigs. But they made it through, and here we are, with The Killers and their highly acclaimed first album. And as for A Tale of Killers Future...? Well, whatever it may hold, you can bet your bottom dollar that it's going to be a blast.
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