The Killers (band)
Encyclopedia
The Killers are an American rock
band that was formed in 2001, by Brandon Flowers
(lead vocals
, keyboards
) and Dave Keuning
(guitar
, backing vocals
). Mark Stoermer
(bass
, backing vocals) and Ronnie Vannucci Jr.
(drums
, percussion
) would complete the current line-up of the band in 2002.
The Killers have released three studio albums, Hot Fuss
(2004), Sam's Town
(2006) and Day & Age (2008). They have also released one compilation album
, Sawdust
(2007) and one live album
and DVD titled Live From The Royal Albert Hall
(2009).
To date, the band has sold over 6 million albums in the United States
, over 5 million albums in the United Kingdom
and over 15 million worldwide.
The name The Killers comes from the bass drum of a fictional band in the music video
for the New Order
song "Crystal
".
trio known as Blush Response, after he declined to move with them to Los Angeles, California
.
After seeing Oasis play at the Hard Rock Hotel
, Flowers realized his calling was to be in a rock band and began searching for a guitar player. He eventually came across an ad posted in a Las Vegas newspaper by Dave Keuning
, who shared similar musical influences. The pair began writing songs together in Keuning's apartment. And by the end of 2001, they had recorded a demo tape
at Kill The Messenger Studio in Henderson, Nevada, the demo featured four tracks including early versions of "Mr. Brightside
" and "Under the Gun". Local drummer Matt Norcross played drums on the demo while Dell Neal who was Keuning's roommate at the time covered bass on two of the tracks.
Keuning and Flowers played their first live show together at an open mic night at the Cafe Espresso Roma in Las Vegas in January 2002. The pair joined by Neal and Norcross began playing numerous venues around Las Vegas where they would also hand out free copies of their demo. The Killers brought a unique style to the small Vegas music scene which was predominately filled with punk
, nu metal
and rap
bands, one local reviewer stated "The Killers, thankfully, dont come across like any other band in town." and described their sound as a mix between the "pop styles of British music and the lo-fi fuzz of modern indie rock.". However, The Killers early live sound was also described as being erratic and by the summer of 2002 the band had fired drummer Matt Norcross, he was briefly replaced with Brian Havens, who was also eventually fired. Bassist Dell Neal later left the band due to personal reasons.
By August 2002, drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr.
had joined the band; bass player Mark Stoermer
completed the band's line up soon after. Both Vannucci and Stoermer befriended Keuning and Flowers while playing with other bands on the live circuit in Las Vegas. The band initially practiced in Vannucci's garage as he was the only member who owned a house. The band would sneak into the band room of UNLV (where Vannucci was studying percussion) at night to practice. The band claimed that they wrote much of the debut album Hot Fuss during these sessions including the hit single "Somebody Told Me
".
He took the band to Berkeley
, California
to record demos with Jeff Saltzman and Mark Needham, they then sent the demo tapes to major record labels in the US; most of the record labels turned them down but they were invited to perform at a showcase for Warner Bros.
Though Warner did not like the band they did catch the eye of Alex Gilbert, a British representative for the label, Gilbert took the demo back with him, showing it to friend Ben Durling, who worked at UK indie label
Lizard King Records
. When label head Martin Heath was asked in an interview with HitQuarters
what appealed to him about the band he said, "Great and interesting original-sounding songs. When we met Brandon Flowers for the first time it was very clear to me that he was a major star. He had huge charisma. He completely believed in what he was doing. He just stood out and carried the music." The Killers signed with the British label in July 2003.
On the 19 August 2003, "Mr. Brightside
" premiered on DJ Zane Lowe
's BBC Radio 1
show in the UK. The Killers then travelled to London
and began to play shows in bars and clubs, the crowds grew every night through word of mouth and critical reviews were extremely positive, on 29 September 2003 they released Mr. Brightside on a limited number of CDs and vinyl records in the UK. As a result of the buzz from the UK, upon returning to the US they were invited to play at the ASCAP CMJ Music Marathon in New York City
many labels were keen to sign the band afterwards and they eventually agreed to sign with Island Def Jam in early 2004.
in June 2004 in the United Kingdom on Lizard King Records
and in the United States on Island Records
. Hot Fuss reached Number 1 in the UK and has been classified 6x Platinum by the BPI. It also reached the top spot in Australia, where it was certified 3x Platinum, and has also been certified 3x Platinum in the United States and Canada. On the UK version of Hot Fuss Glamorous Indie Rock and Roll
replaces Change Your Mind as track 8.
The band's first headline tour
started in the UK in May 2004, prior to that the band had played support slots for British Sea Power
in the UK, Morrissey
in the US and Stellastarr in both the UK and US, during the spring and summer of 2004 the group played much praised sets at festivals across Europe and North America which helped add to their growing fanbase.
The band then had success with their singles "Mr. Brightside
," which became the bands first Top 10 hit in both the UK and US, "All These Things That I've Done
," "Somebody Told Me
," and "Smile Like You Mean It
."
In 2005, The Killers were nominated for three Grammy Awards; Hot Fuss was nominated for Best Rock Album while Somebody Told Me was nominated for two awards including Best Rock Song, in the UK they won an NME Award for Best International Band.
In July 2005, The Killers performed on the London stage of the Live 8
concert, playing "All These Things That I've Done." Robbie Williams
incorporated the song's refrain "I've got soul but I'm not a soldier" into his own performance. Coldplay
and U2
followed suit and, at their separate concerts played in Las Vegas, with The Killers in the crowd, incorporated the line into their songs "God Put a Smile Upon Your Face
" and "Beautiful Day
," respectively.
As of 2011, Hot Fuss has sold over 7 million units worldwide, it was the 26th best-selling album of the decade in the United Kingdom. It spent 173 weeks on the UK Albums Chart, more than any other album. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Hot Fuss as the 43rd best album in their "100 Best Albums of the Decade" list
, was released in October 2006 under Island Def Jam Music Group. Brandon Flowers said that Sam's Town would be "one of the best albums of the past twenty years"; It received a mixed response with some praising the album and others mocking it. The album sold over 706,000 copies worldwide in the first week of release, with a number two debut on the Billboard
chart. The record has been certified 4x Platinum in the United Kingdom, Platinum in the United States, and 2x Platinum in both Australia and Canada. The album produced four singles: "When You Were Young
" (Platinum in the United States, Diamond in Brazil), "Bones", "Read My Mind" and "For Reasons Unknown
".
The Killers recorded a live session at Abbey Road Studios
for Live from Abbey Road
on November 29, 2006. They performed an almost totally unplugged set, which included a rendition of the Dire Straits
hit "Romeo and Juliet". In December 2006 the band released a Christmas charity song (the first of what would become an annual tradition), "A Great Big Sled
", which benefited Product Red
.
In February 2007, The Killers attended the BRIT Awards
in the United Kingdom, where they performed "When You Were Young
". The band won two awards — Best International Group & International Album. In the same month the bands Tim Burton
directed video for Bones won Best Video at the NME Awards
.
During the Sam's Town Tour
The Killers headlined the iconic Madison Square Garden
for the first time as well as Glastonbury Festival
.
In December 2009, Sam's Town was voted by readers of Rolling Stone magazine as the most underrated album of the decade. In the UK Chart Sam's Town was the 70th best selling album of the decade and Q
magazine ranked it as the 11th best album of the decade.
As of 2011 the album has sold over 4.5 million units worldwide.
, containing B-sides, rarities, and unreleased material, in November 2007. Sawdust has been classified Platinum by the BPI. The album's first single "Tranquilize
", a collaboration with Lou Reed
, was released in October 2007. The first pressing of Sawdust contained a rare demo version of "Move Away" which Brandon Flowers later stated was a mistake on the part of the band's record label; the proper version the group intended to put on the album was previously available on the Spider-Man 3
soundtrack is included on later pressings of Sawdust.
In 2008 the band picked up two awards in the first NME Awards USA, including "Best Band" and "Best Track" for "Tranquilize", "Sawdust" was also nominated for best album.
who did the Thin White Duke remix of "Mr Brightside" and produced "Leave the Bourbon on the Shelf" and "Sweet Talk". The first single from the album was which was released on September 22 and has been certified Platinum by the RIAA. Day & Age became the band's third studio album to reach number one in both the UK and Ireland, it reached number six on the Billboard 200
album chart. It has also been certified 4x Platinum by the BPI.
In February 2009 the band won Best International band at the NME Awards for the third time following wins in 2005, 2008 & 2009.
During the summer of 2009, The Killers headlined a number of festivals across Europe including the Friday night show of 2009's Hard Rock Calling
in Hyde Park
, London
, they also headlined American festivals Lollapalooza
and Coachella
for the first time. On July 5–6 at the Royal Albert Hall, London The Killers recorded their first live DVD, "Live from the Royal Albert Hall
". It was released in November and played at various cinemas across the globe. Live from Royal Albert Hall was certified 4x Platinum by the BPI (UK) and Platinum by the RIAA (US).
Their song "A White Demon Love Song" was added to the New Moon soundtrack.
In late February 2010, Flowers' mother died after a two year fight with brain cancer. This meant a premature closing of their Day and Age tour cancelling the Asian dates. Two Australian dates in Sydney and Perth were cancelled; however, both the Gold Coast and Melbourne concerts went ahead, with the Day & Age tour finally coming to a close in Melbourne on February 21 as the headline act at the Good Vibrations Festival at Flemington Racecourse
.
The band, invited by US President Barack Obama
, played on the White House
South Lawn on July 4
, 2010 for the second annual "Salute To The Military" United Service Organizations
concert as part of Independence Day
celebrations, which Flowers described as a "monumental honour". Despite their hiatus, the band got together to play "Human", "Somebody Told Me", "Mr. Brightside", "A Dustland Fairytale", "God Bless America/Read My Mind" and "When You Were Young". The band also played at a progressive campaign rally on July 8, 2010 in Nevada for Obama and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
who was up for re-election
. The Killers played an acoustic version of "Read My Mind" and did a folksy rendition of the state song, "Home Means Nevada
".
The Killers released their fifth Christmas single, titled "Boots
" on November 30, 2010 in North America, despite the band taking a break.
The band performed a tune called "Spaceship Adventure" for the February 7 2011 episode of Nickelodeon's "Yo Gabba Gabba."
They were the inaugural headliner of the new International Lollapalooza
Festival in Santiago, Chile on April 2, 2011. They also performed at the season closing Top of the Mountain concert in Ischgl, Austria on April 30, 2011. They headlined for the second time Hard Rock Calling
in Hyde Park, London
on June 24, 2011. The Killers were the inaugural headliner of the new Orlando Calling Festival in Orlando, FL on November 12, 2011.
In October 2011, The Killers contributed a cover of Ultraviolet (Light My Way)
to a cover album of U2
's acclaimed 1991 album Achtung Baby
. The cover album, entitled "AHK-toong BAY-bi Covered", was released in the October 25th issue of Q Magazine, and featured covers by artists such as Jack White
, Nine Inch Nails
, Depeche Mode
, and Patti Smith
.
that the band would begin recording the album in Nashville, Tennessee
in October, and that the producer had been chosen. Both Vannucci and Flowers have stated that the album will feature a heavier use of guitars than their previous album Day & Age.
campaign, headed by Bono
and Bobby Shriver. To date they have released six Christmas themed songs and music videos, A Great Big Sled
(2006), Don't Shoot Me Santa
(2007), Joseph, Better You Than Me
(2008), ¡Happy Birthday Guadalupe!
(2009), Boots
(2010) and The Cowboy's Christmas Ball (2011). On November 30th 2011 they released the (RED) Christmas EP
on iTunes which features all six songs. All proceeds from the songs have been donated to Product Red
campaign and the fight against AIDS in Africa. They have also enlisted the help of other acts including Elton John
, Neil Tennant
(Pet Shop Boys), Toni Halliday
(Curve), Wild Light
and Mariachi El Bronx
.
Additionally, their song "Goodnight, Travel Well" was used in an effort to promote awareness for sex trafficking headed by UNICEF, MTV EXIT
(End Exploitation And Trafficking) and the US Agency for International Development. The song "Hotel California" was covered by the Killers and Rhythms del Mundo
for climate crisis and natural disaster relief.
where members recorded Day & Age, Flamingo, Big Talk
and Another Life
. Other artists who have recorded there include members of Motley Crue
, Elton John
, Third Eye Blind
, Aerosmith
, Kansas
, Jerry Lee Lewis
, BB King, Howling Bells
and Wayne Newton
.
: "Best International Band" in 2005, 2008 and 2009 and Best Video for "Bones" in 2006. They have also picked up two awards in the first NME Awards USA in 2008 for "Best Band" and "Best Track" for "Tranquilize". The Killers have also been nominated for seven Grammy Award
s, but have yet to win. In 2006 the band won the BRIT Award for "Best International Band" and the album Sam's Town won "Best International Album".
In November 2009, "Mr. Brightside
" was voted the best song of the decade by the listeners of the British alternative rock station XFM
. Over 14,000 individual votes were cast by XFM listeners via the station's official website. "Somebody Told Me
" was ranked #9 and "All These Things That I've Done
" was ranked #22. Other songs not in the Top 25 include "When You Were Young
" at #31, "Read My Mind" at #86, and "Human" at #94.
Absolute Radio listeners also voted "Mr. Brightside
" as the best song of the decade.
The readers of the American music magazine Rolling Stone
, in December 2009, voted Sam's Town the "most underrated album of the decade". The magazine also ranked Hot Fuss as the 43rd best album in their "100 Best Albums of the Decade" list. and Mr. Brightside was ranked the 48th Best Song Of The Decade. In 2008, Rolling Stone
readers voted Day & Age the "Album of the Year".
The Killers were at #2 on the Last.fm
"Best of 2009" list with 12,471,571 album scrobbles. in April 2010 Last.fm
revealed that Mr. Brightside was the most listened to track since the launch of the online music service, with over 7.66 million plays scrobbled.
Amazon.com UK released their lists of the best-selling artists and albums of the decade, with The Killers coming in at #3 in Top 10 best-selling artists of the decade
Spin
voted The Killers among the 30 Biggest Concerts of 2009 for their January 19 show at Magness Arena in Denver, Colorado. Spin's Tim Dwenger wrote about the show saying, "The production quality of the show was top notch, and it was immediately clear why The Killers are on the arena circuit."
NME
listed "Mr. Brightside" as the #5 best track on their "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years" list. "All These Things That I've Done" came in at #56 and "Human" came in at #144.
In December 2009, "Mr. Brightside" was voted the second-best song of the decade (and the best song by a non-British act) on the UK Channel 4
TV show Greatest Songs of the Noughties.
Hot Fuss was the 26th best-selling album of the decade in the United Kingdom. It spent 173 weeks on the UK Albums Chart
, more than any other album. Sam's Town was the 70th best-selling album of the decade in the UK.
In October 2010, "Mr. Brightside" was voted #9 in the Greatest Guitar Riffs of the 21st Century so far by Total Guitar
magazine
Compilation albums
Live albums
Digital EP's
Demo EP's
Solo albums
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band that was formed in 2001, by Brandon Flowers
Brandon Flowers
Brandon Richard Flowers is an American musician, best known as the frontman of the Las Vegas-based rock band The Killers. He has also released a solo album titled Flamingo.-Early life:...
(lead vocals
Lead vocalist
The lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
, keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
) and Dave Keuning
Dave Keuning
David Brent Keuning better known as Dave Keuning is a founding member of the American alternative rock band The Killers. He is the band's lead guitarist and backup vocalist.-Personal life:Keuning was born and brought up in Pella, Iowa...
(guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, backing vocals
Backing vocalist
A backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
). Mark Stoermer
Mark Stoermer
Mark Stoermer is an American musician, best known for being the bassist for alternative rock band The Killers, in 2011 he released his debut solo album Another Life.-Personal life:...
(bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals) and Ronnie Vannucci Jr.
Ronnie Vannucci Jr.
Ronald Dante "Ronnie" Vannucci, Jr. is the drummer of the American rock band The Killers. He is also involved in a side project called Big Talk.-Personal life:...
(drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussion
Percussion instrument
A percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
) would complete the current line-up of the band in 2002.
The Killers have released three studio albums, Hot Fuss
Hot Fuss
Hot Fuss is the debut studio album by Las Vegas based American rock band The Killers, released on June 7, 2004 in the United Kingdom and on June 15, 2004 in the United States.-Background:...
(2004), Sam's Town
Sam's Town
-Band:*Brandon Flowers – lead vocals, keyboards, bass *Dave Keuning – guitar, background vocals*Mark Stoermer – bass, background vocals, guitar *Ronnie Vannucci – drums, percussion-Additional musicians:...
(2006) and Day & Age (2008). They have also released one compilation album
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
, Sawdust
Sawdust (album)
Sawdust is an album of B-sides, rarities, covers and remixes by the Las Vegas rock band The Killers. The album was released in various markets between November 9 and November 13, 2007, when it was released in the United States...
(2007) and one live album
Live album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
and DVD titled Live From The Royal Albert Hall
Live from the Royal Albert Hall
Live from the Royal Albert Hall is a live album and DVD by American rock band The Killers. It was released on November 10, 2009 in the UK, Canada and the US. The album is pulled from two nights the band performed at the Royal Albert Hall in July 2009, and also includes footage from festival dates...
(2009).
To date, the band has sold over 6 million albums in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, over 5 million albums in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and over 15 million worldwide.
The name The Killers comes from the bass drum of a fictional band in the music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for the New Order
New Order
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
song "Crystal
Crystal (song)
"Crystal" is a song by the English rock band New Order, released as the first single from their seventh album Get Ready. The song entered the UK charts at number 8.Backing vocals for the track are provided by Dawn Zee, who regularly tours with the band....
".
Formation (2001–2002)
In 2001, Brandon Flowers was abandoned by his first band, a synthpopSynthpop
Synthpop is a genre of popular music that first became prominent in the 1980s, in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in progressive rock, electronic art rock, disco and particularly the "Kraut rock" of...
trio known as Blush Response, after he declined to move with them to Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
.
After seeing Oasis play at the Hard Rock Hotel
The Tour of Brotherly Love
The Tour of Brotherly Love was a 2001 tour of North America featuring Oasis, The Black Crowes, and Spacehog, three rock bands featuring pairs of brothers: Noel and Liam Gallagher, Chris and Rich Robinson, Royston and Antony Langdon, respectively...
, Flowers realized his calling was to be in a rock band and began searching for a guitar player. He eventually came across an ad posted in a Las Vegas newspaper by Dave Keuning
Dave Keuning
David Brent Keuning better known as Dave Keuning is a founding member of the American alternative rock band The Killers. He is the band's lead guitarist and backup vocalist.-Personal life:Keuning was born and brought up in Pella, Iowa...
, who shared similar musical influences. The pair began writing songs together in Keuning's apartment. And by the end of 2001, they had recorded a demo tape
The Killers Demo
The Killers Demo was the debut demo by American rock band The Killers. Recorded in Late 2001 and produced by the band, it was given away for free by the band themselves at shows in 2002, the demo was recorded prior to Ronnie Vannucci Jr...
at Kill The Messenger Studio in Henderson, Nevada, the demo featured four tracks including early versions of "Mr. Brightside
Mr. Brightside
"Mr. Brightside" is a song performed by Las Vegas-based rock band The Killers. The song is featured on the group's debut album Hot Fuss and was written by Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning....
" and "Under the Gun". Local drummer Matt Norcross played drums on the demo while Dell Neal who was Keuning's roommate at the time covered bass on two of the tracks.
Keuning and Flowers played their first live show together at an open mic night at the Cafe Espresso Roma in Las Vegas in January 2002. The pair joined by Neal and Norcross began playing numerous venues around Las Vegas where they would also hand out free copies of their demo. The Killers brought a unique style to the small Vegas music scene which was predominately filled with punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
, nu metal
Nu metal
Nu metal is a subgenre of heavy metal. It is a fusion genre which combines elements of heavy metal with other genres, including grunge and hip hop...
and rap
Rap
Rap may refer to:*Rapping, performance in which rhyming lyrics are used, with or without musical accompaniment ; while an MC performs spoken verses in time to a beat/ melody**Hip hop subculture**Hip hop music...
bands, one local reviewer stated "The Killers, thankfully, dont come across like any other band in town." and described their sound as a mix between the "pop styles of British music and the lo-fi fuzz of modern indie rock.". However, The Killers early live sound was also described as being erratic and by the summer of 2002 the band had fired drummer Matt Norcross, he was briefly replaced with Brian Havens, who was also eventually fired. Bassist Dell Neal later left the band due to personal reasons.
By August 2002, drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr.
Ronnie Vannucci Jr.
Ronald Dante "Ronnie" Vannucci, Jr. is the drummer of the American rock band The Killers. He is also involved in a side project called Big Talk.-Personal life:...
had joined the band; bass player Mark Stoermer
Mark Stoermer
Mark Stoermer is an American musician, best known for being the bassist for alternative rock band The Killers, in 2011 he released his debut solo album Another Life.-Personal life:...
completed the band's line up soon after. Both Vannucci and Stoermer befriended Keuning and Flowers while playing with other bands on the live circuit in Las Vegas. The band initially practiced in Vannucci's garage as he was the only member who owned a house. The band would sneak into the band room of UNLV (where Vannucci was studying percussion) at night to practice. The band claimed that they wrote much of the debut album Hot Fuss during these sessions including the hit single "Somebody Told Me
Somebody Told Me
"Somebody Told Me" is the debut single by American rock band The Killers. The song is featured on the group's debut album Hot Fuss and was written by Dave Keuning, Ronnie Vannucci Jr., Mark Stoermer and Brandon Flowers....
".
Getting signed (2003-2004)
Initially, The Killers played at small clubs in Las Vegas, where the band built up a small but loyal following. Talent scout Braden Merrick spotted the band after hearing one of their demos on a local Vegas music website, after seeing them perform live he offered to become the band's manager.He took the band to Berkeley
Berkeley
-United Kingdom:* Berkeley, Gloucestershire** Berkeley Castle**Berkeley * Berkeley Square, London* Berkeley Square, Bristol-United States of America:*Berkeley, California, a city in the San Francisco Bay Area...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to record demos with Jeff Saltzman and Mark Needham, they then sent the demo tapes to major record labels in the US; most of the record labels turned them down but they were invited to perform at a showcase for Warner Bros.
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
Though Warner did not like the band they did catch the eye of Alex Gilbert, a British representative for the label, Gilbert took the demo back with him, showing it to friend Ben Durling, who worked at UK indie label
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
Lizard King Records
Lizard King Records
Lizard King Records is a New York and London-based independent label. Lizard King's distribution goes through ADA in America and Pinnacle in the UK.-Artists:Current*Surefire*Greater Good*Me*OxzanaFormer*Clear Static*Drive-by Argument*Santogold...
. When label head Martin Heath was asked in an interview with HitQuarters
HitQuarters
HitQuarters is an international music industry publication and contact database founded in 1999. It is noted for in-depth interviews with industry figures, with past subjects including Simon Cowell, Martin Kierszenbaum, Jason Flom, Diane Warren, Peter Edge, Ron Fair and RedOne, as well as its A&R...
what appealed to him about the band he said, "Great and interesting original-sounding songs. When we met Brandon Flowers for the first time it was very clear to me that he was a major star. He had huge charisma. He completely believed in what he was doing. He just stood out and carried the music." The Killers signed with the British label in July 2003.
On the 19 August 2003, "Mr. Brightside
Mr. Brightside
"Mr. Brightside" is a song performed by Las Vegas-based rock band The Killers. The song is featured on the group's debut album Hot Fuss and was written by Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning....
" premiered on DJ Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe
Zane Lowe also known as 'Zipper', is a radio DJ and television presenter. He was born in New Zealand and grew up in Auckland, where he was a presenter on the local music station Max TV, before moving to England...
's BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
show in the UK. The Killers then travelled to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and began to play shows in bars and clubs, the crowds grew every night through word of mouth and critical reviews were extremely positive, on 29 September 2003 they released Mr. Brightside on a limited number of CDs and vinyl records in the UK. As a result of the buzz from the UK, upon returning to the US they were invited to play at the ASCAP CMJ Music Marathon in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
many labels were keen to sign the band afterwards and they eventually agreed to sign with Island Def Jam in early 2004.
Hot Fuss (2004–2006)
The Killers released their debut album Hot FussHot Fuss
Hot Fuss is the debut studio album by Las Vegas based American rock band The Killers, released on June 7, 2004 in the United Kingdom and on June 15, 2004 in the United States.-Background:...
in June 2004 in the United Kingdom on Lizard King Records
Lizard King Records
Lizard King Records is a New York and London-based independent label. Lizard King's distribution goes through ADA in America and Pinnacle in the UK.-Artists:Current*Surefire*Greater Good*Me*OxzanaFormer*Clear Static*Drive-by Argument*Santogold...
and in the United States on Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
. Hot Fuss reached Number 1 in the UK and has been classified 6x Platinum by the BPI. It also reached the top spot in Australia, where it was certified 3x Platinum, and has also been certified 3x Platinum in the United States and Canada. On the UK version of Hot Fuss Glamorous Indie Rock and Roll
Glamorous Indie Rock and Roll
"Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll" is a song from The Killers' album Hot Fuss US limited edition version and in the UK and Australia, where it replaces "Change Your Mind". The single was released only as a promotional single in the UK...
replaces Change Your Mind as track 8.
The band's first headline tour
Hot Fuss Tour
The Hot Fuss Tour was a concert tour by Las Vegas, Nevada rock band The Killers that took place between 2003 and 2005 to support the band's first studio album, Hot Fuss, which was released in June 2004.-Itinerary:...
started in the UK in May 2004, prior to that the band had played support slots for British Sea Power
British Sea Power
British Sea Power are an indie rock band based in Brighton, England, although three of the band members originally come from Kendal in Cumbria. Critics have likened their sound to a variety of groups, from The Cure and Joy Division to the Pixies and Arcade Fire. The band are famed for their live...
in the UK, Morrissey
Morrissey
Steven Patrick Morrissey , known as Morrissey, is an English singer and lyricist. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as the lyricist and vocalist of the alternative rock band The Smiths. The band was highly successful in the United Kingdom but broke up in 1987, and Morrissey began a solo career,...
in the US and Stellastarr in both the UK and US, during the spring and summer of 2004 the group played much praised sets at festivals across Europe and North America which helped add to their growing fanbase.
The band then had success with their singles "Mr. Brightside
Mr. Brightside
"Mr. Brightside" is a song performed by Las Vegas-based rock band The Killers. The song is featured on the group's debut album Hot Fuss and was written by Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning....
," which became the bands first Top 10 hit in both the UK and US, "All These Things That I've Done
All These Things That I've Done
"All These Things That I've Done" is a song performed by The Killers, and written by lead vocalist Brandon Flowers. The song appears on their debut album Hot Fuss. It was released as the third single in 2004 in the United Kingdom and as the fourth single in the United States...
," "Somebody Told Me
Somebody Told Me
"Somebody Told Me" is the debut single by American rock band The Killers. The song is featured on the group's debut album Hot Fuss and was written by Dave Keuning, Ronnie Vannucci Jr., Mark Stoermer and Brandon Flowers....
," and "Smile Like You Mean It
Smile Like You Mean It
"Smile Like You Mean It" is a song by American rock band The Killers. The song is featured on their debut album Hot Fuss, and is the fourth single from it in the United Kingdom and the third single in United States. It was written by lead vocalist Brandon Flowers and bassist Mark Stoermer.It...
."
In 2005, The Killers were nominated for three Grammy Awards; Hot Fuss was nominated for Best Rock Album while Somebody Told Me was nominated for two awards including Best Rock Song, in the UK they won an NME Award for Best International Band.
In July 2005, The Killers performed on the London stage of the Live 8
Live 8
Live 8 was a string of benefit concerts that took place on 2 July 2005, in the G8 states and in South Africa. They were timed to precede the G8 Conference and summit held at the Gleneagles Hotel in Auchterarder, Scotland from 6–8 July 2005; they also coincided with the 20th anniversary of Live Aid...
concert, playing "All These Things That I've Done." Robbie Williams
Robbie Williams
Robert Peter "Robbie" Williams is an English singer-songwriter, vocal coach and occasional actor. He is a member of the pop group Take That. Williams rose to fame in the band's first run in the early- to mid-1990s. After many disagreements with the management and certain group members, Williams...
incorporated the song's refrain "I've got soul but I'm not a soldier" into his own performance. Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
and U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
followed suit and, at their separate concerts played in Las Vegas, with The Killers in the crowd, incorporated the line into their songs "God Put a Smile Upon Your Face
God Put a Smile upon Your Face
"God Put a Smile upon Your Face" is a song by English alternative rock band Coldplay. It was written by all members of the band for their second album, A Rush of Blood to the Head. The song is built around an acoustic and electric guitar sound, that accompanies it with uptempo drumming...
" and "Beautiful Day
Beautiful Day
"Beautiful Day" is a song by the rock band U2. It is the first track from their 2000 album, All That You Can't Leave Behind, and it was released as the album's lead single. It was a commercial success, helping launch the album to multi-platinum status, and is one of U2's biggest hits to date...
," respectively.
As of 2011, Hot Fuss has sold over 7 million units worldwide, it was the 26th best-selling album of the decade in the United Kingdom. It spent 173 weeks on the UK Albums Chart, more than any other album. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Hot Fuss as the 43rd best album in their "100 Best Albums of the Decade" list
Sam's Town (2006–2007)
The Killers' second album, Sam's TownSam's Town
-Band:*Brandon Flowers – lead vocals, keyboards, bass *Dave Keuning – guitar, background vocals*Mark Stoermer – bass, background vocals, guitar *Ronnie Vannucci – drums, percussion-Additional musicians:...
, was released in October 2006 under Island Def Jam Music Group. Brandon Flowers said that Sam's Town would be "one of the best albums of the past twenty years"; It received a mixed response with some praising the album and others mocking it. The album sold over 706,000 copies worldwide in the first week of release, with a number two debut on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
chart. The record has been certified 4x Platinum in the United Kingdom, Platinum in the United States, and 2x Platinum in both Australia and Canada. The album produced four singles: "When You Were Young
When You Were Young
"When You Were Young" is a song written and performed by The Killers, and is the third track on their second album Sam's Town, released in October 2006. The song was released as the lead single from that album in September 2006. It has proven to be one of their most successful singles, peaking at...
" (Platinum in the United States, Diamond in Brazil), "Bones", "Read My Mind" and "For Reasons Unknown
For Reasons Unknown
"For Reasons Unknown" is a song by Las Vegas-based rock band The Killers and was written by lead vocalist Brandon Flowers. It is the fifth track on their second album Sam's Town, released in October 2006...
".
The Killers recorded a live session at Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios is a recording studio located at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, its present owner...
for Live from Abbey Road
Live from Abbey Road
Live from Abbey Road is a 12-part, one-hour performance series/documentary that began filming its first season during 2006 at Abbey Road Studios in London. Season 2 was filmed between 2007 and 2008, season 3 was filmed in 2009 and Season 4 was filmed in 2011...
on November 29, 2006. They performed an almost totally unplugged set, which included a rendition of the Dire Straits
Dire Straits
Dire Straits were a British rock band active from 1977 to 1995, composed of Mark Knopfler , his younger brother David Knopfler , John Illsley , and Pick Withers .Dire Straits' sound drew from a variety of musical influences, including jazz, folk, blues, and came closest...
hit "Romeo and Juliet". In December 2006 the band released a Christmas charity song (the first of what would become an annual tradition), "A Great Big Sled
A Great Big Sled
"A Great Big Sled" is a song by Las Vegas-based rock band The Killers. It was recorded in mid-November 2006 with record producer Alan Moulder as a one-off track and the band's Christmas 2006 single. Moulder's wife Toni Halliday, the former lead vocalist of Curve, features on backing vocals.The song...
", which benefited Product Red
Product Red
Product Red, styled as RED, is a brand licensed to partner companies such as Nike, American Express , Apple Inc., Starbucks, Converse, Bugaboo, Penguin Classics , Gap, Emporio Armani, Hallmark and Dell...
.
In February 2007, The Killers attended the BRIT Awards
Brit Awards
The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym for British Record Industry Trust...
in the United Kingdom, where they performed "When You Were Young
When You Were Young
"When You Were Young" is a song written and performed by The Killers, and is the third track on their second album Sam's Town, released in October 2006. The song was released as the lead single from that album in September 2006. It has proven to be one of their most successful singles, peaking at...
". The band won two awards — Best International Group & International Album. In the same month the bands Tim Burton
Tim Burton
Timothy William "Tim" Burton is an American film director, film producer, writer and artist. He is famous for dark, quirky-themed movies such as Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow, Corpse Bride and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet...
directed video for Bones won Best Video at the NME Awards
NME Awards
The NME Awards is an annual music awards show in the United Kingdom, founded by the music magazine, NME .The first awards show was held in 1953 as the NME Poll Winners Concerts, shortly after the founding of the magazine....
.
During the Sam's Town Tour
Sam's Town Tour
The Sam's Town Tour was a concert tour by Las Vegas, Nevada rock band The Killers that took place in 2006 and 2007 to support the band's second studio album, Sam's Town, which was released in October 2006, and the bands first compilation album, Sawdust, which was released in November...
The Killers headlined the iconic Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
for the first time as well as Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
.
In December 2009, Sam's Town was voted by readers of Rolling Stone magazine as the most underrated album of the decade. In the UK Chart Sam's Town was the 70th best selling album of the decade and Q
Q (magazine)
Q is a popular music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom.Founders Mark Ellen and David Hepworth were dismayed by the music press of the time, which they felt was ignoring a generation of older music buyers who were buying CDs — then still a new technology...
magazine ranked it as the 11th best album of the decade.
As of 2011 the album has sold over 4.5 million units worldwide.
Sawdust (2007–2008)
The band released a compilation album called SawdustSawdust (album)
Sawdust is an album of B-sides, rarities, covers and remixes by the Las Vegas rock band The Killers. The album was released in various markets between November 9 and November 13, 2007, when it was released in the United States...
, containing B-sides, rarities, and unreleased material, in November 2007. Sawdust has been classified Platinum by the BPI. The album's first single "Tranquilize
Tranquilize
"Tranquilize" is a song by Las Vegas-based rock band, The Killers featuring Lou Reed. The song was written by Brandon Flowers and it is featured on the compilation album Sawdust.The song was made available for download on iTunes from October 12, 2007...
", a collaboration with Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
, was released in October 2007. The first pressing of Sawdust contained a rare demo version of "Move Away" which Brandon Flowers later stated was a mistake on the part of the band's record label; the proper version the group intended to put on the album was previously available on the Spider-Man 3
Spider-Man 3
Spider-Man 3 is a 2007 American superhero film written and directed by Sam Raimi, with a screenplay by Ivan Raimi and Alvin Sargent. It is the third film in the Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy based on the fictional Marvel Comics character Spider-Man...
soundtrack is included on later pressings of Sawdust.
In 2008 the band picked up two awards in the first NME Awards USA, including "Best Band" and "Best Track" for "Tranquilize", "Sawdust" was also nominated for best album.
Day & Age (2008–2010)
The Killers' third album, Day & Age, was released on November 24, 2008 in the UK and November 25, 2008 in North America. They worked with Stuart PriceStuart Price
Stuart Price is a three time Grammy-winning British electronic musician, songwriter, and record producer whose remixing and production skills are in demand by artists including New Order, Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Take That, Missy Elliott, Scissor Sisters, The Killers, Pet Shop Boys, Brandon...
who did the Thin White Duke remix of "Mr Brightside" and produced "Leave the Bourbon on the Shelf" and "Sweet Talk". The first single from the album was which was released on September 22 and has been certified Platinum by the RIAA. Day & Age became the band's third studio album to reach number one in both the UK and Ireland, it reached number six on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
album chart. It has also been certified 4x Platinum by the BPI.
In February 2009 the band won Best International band at the NME Awards for the third time following wins in 2005, 2008 & 2009.
During the summer of 2009, The Killers headlined a number of festivals across Europe including the Friday night show of 2009's Hard Rock Calling
Hard Rock Calling
Hard Rock Calling is an annual music festival held in Hyde Park, London, which first took place on Saturday July 1 and Sunday July 2, 2006. The music played is primarily rock music, and various performers, including Bon Jovi, The Who, Aerosmith, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen have played at the...
in Hyde Park
Hyde Park, London
Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London, United Kingdom, and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner.The park is divided in two by the Serpentine...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, they also headlined American festivals Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza is an annual music festival featuring popular alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock and hip hop bands, dance and comedy performances, and craft booths. It has also provided a platform for non-profit and political groups. The music festival hosts more than 160,000 people over a...
and Coachella
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is a three-day annual music and arts festival, organized by Goldenvoice and held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, in the Inland Empire's Coachella Valley...
for the first time. On July 5–6 at the Royal Albert Hall, London The Killers recorded their first live DVD, "Live from the Royal Albert Hall
Live from the Royal Albert Hall
Live from the Royal Albert Hall is a live album and DVD by American rock band The Killers. It was released on November 10, 2009 in the UK, Canada and the US. The album is pulled from two nights the band performed at the Royal Albert Hall in July 2009, and also includes footage from festival dates...
". It was released in November and played at various cinemas across the globe. Live from Royal Albert Hall was certified 4x Platinum by the BPI (UK) and Platinum by the RIAA (US).
Their song "A White Demon Love Song" was added to the New Moon soundtrack.
In late February 2010, Flowers' mother died after a two year fight with brain cancer. This meant a premature closing of their Day and Age tour cancelling the Asian dates. Two Australian dates in Sydney and Perth were cancelled; however, both the Gold Coast and Melbourne concerts went ahead, with the Day & Age tour finally coming to a close in Melbourne on February 21 as the headline act at the Good Vibrations Festival at Flemington Racecourse
Flemington Racecourse
Flemington Racecourse is a major horse racing venue located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is most notable for hosting the Melbourne Cup, which is Australia's richest horse race. The racecourse is situated on low alluvial flats, next to the Maribyrnong River...
.
Hiatus (2010–2011)
In January 2010, the band announced that they will take a short break after being on the road for the better part of six years.The band, invited by US President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
, played on the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
South Lawn on July 4
4th of July (disambiguation)
The terms 4th of July or Fourth of July may refer to:* Independence Day, a federal holiday in the United States*July 4, the actual dateJuly Fourth is a holiday celebrating the independence of the United States....
, 2010 for the second annual "Salute To The Military" United Service Organizations
United Service Organizations
The United Service Organizations Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization that provides morale and recreational services to members of the U.S. military, with programs in 160 centers worldwide. Since 1941, it has worked in partnership with the Department of Defense , and has provided support and...
concert as part of Independence Day
Independence Day (United States)
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...
celebrations, which Flowers described as a "monumental honour". Despite their hiatus, the band got together to play "Human", "Somebody Told Me", "Mr. Brightside", "A Dustland Fairytale", "God Bless America/Read My Mind" and "When You Were Young". The band also played at a progressive campaign rally on July 8, 2010 in Nevada for Obama and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
Harry Reid
Harry Mason Reid is the senior United States Senator from Nevada, serving since 1987. A member of the Democratic Party, he has been the Senate Majority Leader since January 2007, having previously served as Minority Leader and Minority and Majority Whip.Previously, Reid was a member of the U.S...
who was up for re-election
United States Senate election in Nevada, 2010
-Tarkanian:-Angle:-Polling:Includes current candidates who have polled at least 2% in at least one poll.-Results:-Candidates:*Harry Reid , incumbent U.S...
. The Killers played an acoustic version of "Read My Mind" and did a folksy rendition of the state song, "Home Means Nevada
Home Means Nevada
"Home Means Nevada" is the official state song of the state of Nevada. It was written by Bertha Rafetto in 1932 and officially adopted by the Nevada Legislature in 1933. Listen to .Way out in the land of the setting sun,...
".
The Killers released their fifth Christmas single, titled "Boots
Boots (The Killers song)
"Boots" is a Christmas song by Las Vegas rock band The Killers, which was released as a digital download on November 30, 2010, despite the band being on hiatus...
" on November 30, 2010 in North America, despite the band taking a break.
The band performed a tune called "Spaceship Adventure" for the February 7 2011 episode of Nickelodeon's "Yo Gabba Gabba."
They were the inaugural headliner of the new International Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza is an annual music festival featuring popular alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock and hip hop bands, dance and comedy performances, and craft booths. It has also provided a platform for non-profit and political groups. The music festival hosts more than 160,000 people over a...
Festival in Santiago, Chile on April 2, 2011. They also performed at the season closing Top of the Mountain concert in Ischgl, Austria on April 30, 2011. They headlined for the second time Hard Rock Calling
Hard Rock Calling
Hard Rock Calling is an annual music festival held in Hyde Park, London, which first took place on Saturday July 1 and Sunday July 2, 2006. The music played is primarily rock music, and various performers, including Bon Jovi, The Who, Aerosmith, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen have played at the...
in Hyde Park, London
Hyde Park, London
Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London, United Kingdom, and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner.The park is divided in two by the Serpentine...
on June 24, 2011. The Killers were the inaugural headliner of the new Orlando Calling Festival in Orlando, FL on November 12, 2011.
In October 2011, The Killers contributed a cover of Ultraviolet (Light My Way)
Ultraviolet (Light My Way)
"Ultraviolet " is a song by the rock band U2 and the tenth track from their 1991 album Achtung Baby. Ostensibly about love and dependency, the song also lends itself to religious interpretations, with listeners finding allusions to the Book of Job and writers finding spiritual meaning in its...
to a cover album of U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
's acclaimed 1991 album Achtung Baby
Achtung Baby
Achtung Baby is the seventh studio album by Irish rock band U2. It was produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, and was released on 19 November 1991 on Island Records. Stung by the criticism of their 1988 release Rattle and Hum, U2 shifted their musical direction to incorporate alternative...
. The cover album, entitled "AHK-toong BAY-bi Covered", was released in the October 25th issue of Q Magazine, and featured covers by artists such as Jack White
Jack White
Jack White may refer to:* Jack White , with the rock bands The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, and The Dead Weather* Jack White , UK soldier* Jack White , German producer of disco music...
, Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
, Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
, and Patti Smith
Patti Smith
Patricia Lee "Patti" Smith is an American singer-songwriter, poet and visual artist, who became a highly influential component of the New York City punk rock movement with her 1975 debut album Horses....
.
Fourth Studio Album (2011-present)
The band began work on their fourth studio album, tentatively titled "Battle Born", in May 2011 at their Las Vegas studio. In a Q Magazine interview taken in June, Flowers stated that album would have "great stories told through real rock music", potential songs include a seven-minute epic titled "The Slot Tech", "Runaways" and "The Rising Tide." In September, drummer Ronnie Vannucci told NMENME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
that the band would begin recording the album in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
in October, and that the producer had been chosen. Both Vannucci and Flowers have stated that the album will feature a heavier use of guitars than their previous album Day & Age.
Christmas singles and other Charity work
The Killers have become recognized for their work with the Product RedProduct Red
Product Red, styled as RED, is a brand licensed to partner companies such as Nike, American Express , Apple Inc., Starbucks, Converse, Bugaboo, Penguin Classics , Gap, Emporio Armani, Hallmark and Dell...
campaign, headed by Bono
Bono
Paul David Hewson , most commonly known by his stage name Bono , is an Irish singer, musician, and humanitarian best known for being the main vocalist of the Dublin-based rock band U2. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his...
and Bobby Shriver. To date they have released six Christmas themed songs and music videos, A Great Big Sled
A Great Big Sled
"A Great Big Sled" is a song by Las Vegas-based rock band The Killers. It was recorded in mid-November 2006 with record producer Alan Moulder as a one-off track and the band's Christmas 2006 single. Moulder's wife Toni Halliday, the former lead vocalist of Curve, features on backing vocals.The song...
(2006), Don't Shoot Me Santa
Don't Shoot Me Santa
"Don't Shoot Me Santa" is a song by Las Vegas-based rock band The Killers. The song was released , as a digital download. A portion of the proceeds from this song went to AIDS charities as part of the RED campaign, headed by Bono and Bobby Shriver...
(2007), Joseph, Better You Than Me
Joseph, Better You Than Me
"Joseph, Better You than Me" is a song by Las Vegas-based rock band The Killers featuring Elton John and Neil Tennant. The song was released on as a download-only single. All proceeds from the song benefit the Product Red campaign, headed by Bono and Bobby Shriver...
(2008), ¡Happy Birthday Guadalupe!
¡Happy Birthday Guadalupe!
"¡Happy Birthday Guadalupe!" is a Christmas song by Las Vegas rock band The Killers featuring Wild Light and Mariachi El Bronx, released as a digital download on December 1, 2009....
(2009), Boots
Boots (The Killers song)
"Boots" is a Christmas song by Las Vegas rock band The Killers, which was released as a digital download on November 30, 2010, despite the band being on hiatus...
(2010) and The Cowboy's Christmas Ball (2011). On November 30th 2011 they released the (RED) Christmas EP
(RED) Christmas EP
Christmas is an extended play from American rock band The Killers.- Background :The Killers have become recognized for their work with the Product Red campaign, headed by Bono and Bobby Shriver. Every year since 2006, the band released a Christmas song in supported to that campaign. Every single...
on iTunes which features all six songs. All proceeds from the songs have been donated to Product Red
Product Red
Product Red, styled as RED, is a brand licensed to partner companies such as Nike, American Express , Apple Inc., Starbucks, Converse, Bugaboo, Penguin Classics , Gap, Emporio Armani, Hallmark and Dell...
campaign and the fight against AIDS in Africa. They have also enlisted the help of other acts including Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, Neil Tennant
Neil Tennant
Neil Francis Tennant is an English musician, singer and songwriter, who, with bandmate Chris Lowe, makes up the successful electronic dance music duo Pet Shop Boys.-Childhood:...
(Pet Shop Boys), Toni Halliday
Toni Halliday
Antoinette "Toni" Halliday is an English musician best known as the lead vocalist, lyricist, and occasional guitarist of the band Curve.-Early life and career:...
(Curve), Wild Light
Wild Light
Wild Light is a four-piece band from New Hampshire composed of multi-instrumentalists/vocalists Tim Kyle and Seth Pitman, guitarist/vocalist Jordan Alexander, and drummer Seth Kasper...
and Mariachi El Bronx
Mariachi El Bronx
Mariachi El Bronx is the fourth studio album by the Los Angeles rock band The Bronx, released on September 1, 2009 through Swami Records in the United States and Wichita Recordings in the United Kingdom. It marks a divergence from the band's usual hardcore punk and hard rock sound in favor of a...
.
Additionally, their song "Goodnight, Travel Well" was used in an effort to promote awareness for sex trafficking headed by UNICEF, MTV EXIT
MTV EXIT
The ' campaign is a multimedia initiative produced by MTV EXIT Foundation to raise awareness and increase prevention of human trafficking...
(End Exploitation And Trafficking) and the US Agency for International Development. The song "Hotel California" was covered by the Killers and Rhythms del Mundo
Rhythms del Mundo
Rhythms del Mundo is a nonprofit collaborative album, which fuses an all-star cast of Cuban musicians including Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo of the Buena Vista Social Club with tracks from US, UK and Irish artists such as Dido, Arctic Monkeys, U2, Coldplay, Sting, Jack Johnson, Maroon 5,...
for climate crisis and natural disaster relief.
Solo Work and Collaborations
The Killers own and operate Battle Born StudiosBattle Born Studios
Battle Born Studios, located in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, is a recording studio owned by The Killers. The studio has hosted groups like Motley Crue, Elton John, The Killers, Envy Corps and the Imagine Dragons.- History :...
where members recorded Day & Age, Flamingo, Big Talk
Big Talk
-Critical Reception:SPINs William Goodman wrote "While Brandon Flowers has been largely credited with the Killers' infectious rock melodies and hooks, it now appears that the band's secret weapon was sitting behind the drum kit." He continues that single "Getaways" is "an anthemic electro-rock jam...
and Another Life
Another Life (album)
Another Life is the debut studio album by American singer/songwriter and The Killers bassist Mark Stoermer, which was released on November 1, 2011 as a free download via markstoermer.com, a physical release is set to follow but a release date has yet to be announced. The album will be self released...
. Other artists who have recorded there include members of Motley Crue
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
, Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, Third Eye Blind
Third Eye Blind
Third Eye Blind is an American alternative rock band formed in the early 1990s in San Francisco. The songwriting duo of Kevin Cadogan and Stephan Jenkins signed the band's first major label recording contract with Elektra records in 1996 resulting in two multi platinum albums. The band's lineup...
, Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
, Kansas
Kansas (band)
Kansas is an American rock band that became popular in the 1970s initially on Album-Oriented Rock charts, and later with hit singles such as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind"...
, Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis is an American rock and roll and country music singer-songwriter and pianist. An early pioneer of rock and roll music, Lewis's career faltered after he married his young cousin, and he afterwards made a career extension to country and western music. He is known by the nickname 'The...
, BB King, Howling Bells
Howling Bells
Howling Bells are an indie rock band that formed in Sydney in 2004. The band obtained moderate popularity in the United Kingdom following the release of its 2006 self-titled debut album...
and Wayne Newton
Wayne Newton
Wayne Newton is an American singer and entertainer based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He performed over 30,000 solo shows in Las Vegas over a period of over 40 years, earning him the nicknames The Midnight Idol, Mr. Las Vegas and Mr. Entertainment...
.
- On September 3, 2010, Brandon FlowersBrandon FlowersBrandon Richard Flowers is an American musician, best known as the frontman of the Las Vegas-based rock band The Killers. He has also released a solo album titled Flamingo.-Early life:...
released a solo album, entitled Flamingo. It reached Number 1 in the UK where it has been certified Gold. - Drummer Ronnie Vannucci released an album in a side project called Big TalkBig Talk-Critical Reception:SPINs William Goodman wrote "While Brandon Flowers has been largely credited with the Killers' infectious rock melodies and hooks, it now appears that the band's secret weapon was sitting behind the drum kit." He continues that single "Getaways" is "an anthemic electro-rock jam...
via his own record label, Little Oil, in a team effort with Epitaph RecordsEpitaph RecordsEpitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
. The album was released on July 19, 2011. - Vannucci also featured as a guest artist on Mt. DesolationMt. DesolationMt. Desolation are an alt-country duo from England.It is the side project of Tim Rice-Oxley and Jesse Quin, members of the rock band Keane.Their self-titled debut album was released on October 18, 2010....
's self-titled debut album. - Bassist Mark Stoermer released his debut solo album titled Another LifeAnother Life (album)Another Life is the debut studio album by American singer/songwriter and The Killers bassist Mark Stoermer, which was released on November 1, 2011 as a free download via markstoermer.com, a physical release is set to follow but a release date has yet to be announced. The album will be self released...
on November 1, 2011 as a free download via markstoermer.com for a limited time, with a physical release to follow. The album will be self-released. - Stoermer has also produced Howling BellsHowling BellsHowling Bells are an indie rock band that formed in Sydney in 2004. The band obtained moderate popularity in the United Kingdom following the release of its 2006 self-titled debut album...
third studio album, The Loudest EngineThe Loudest EngineThe Loudest Engine is the third studio album of London-based Australian indie rock band Howling Bells. The album was released through Cooking Vinyl on 9 September 2011 to mixed reviews...
, which was released on September 12, 2011.
Official line-up
- Brandon FlowersBrandon FlowersBrandon Richard Flowers is an American musician, best known as the frontman of the Las Vegas-based rock band The Killers. He has also released a solo album titled Flamingo.-Early life:...
(2001–present) - lead vocals, keyboards, bass guitar - Dave KeuningDave KeuningDavid Brent Keuning better known as Dave Keuning is a founding member of the American alternative rock band The Killers. He is the band's lead guitarist and backup vocalist.-Personal life:Keuning was born and brought up in Pella, Iowa...
(2001–present) - lead guitar, backing vocals - Mark StoermerMark StoermerMark Stoermer is an American musician, best known for being the bassist for alternative rock band The Killers, in 2011 he released his debut solo album Another Life.-Personal life:...
(2002–present) - bass guitar, backing vocals, guitar - Ronnie Vannucci Jr.Ronnie Vannucci Jr.Ronald Dante "Ronnie" Vannucci, Jr. is the drummer of the American rock band The Killers. He is also involved in a side project called Big Talk.-Personal life:...
(2002–present) - drums, percussion
Former members
- Matthew Norcross (2001–2002) - drums
- Dell Neal (2002) - bass guitar
- Brian Havens (2002) - drums
Additional musicians on tour
- Ted SablayTed SablayTed Sablay is an American guitar player and keyboardist. He was a touring member of The Killers on their 2006-2007 Sam's Town tour and played piano on "Romeo and Juliet" on the band's compilation album Sawdust. He also engineered sessions for the Killers' 2008 album, Day & Age.-External links:*...
(2006–2007, 2011-) - keyboards, guitar - Ray SuenRay SuenRay Suen is an American multi-instrumentalist. He is currently the violinist for Los Angeles punk rockers, Mariachi El Bronx. In 2010, Suen began working with Morgan Kibby of M83 on a new project called White Sea.-History:...
(2008–2010) - keyboards, guitar, violin, backing vocals - Tommy Marth (2008–2010) - saxophone, backing vocals
- Rob Whited (2008-2010) - percussion, backing vocals
- Jake Blanton (2011-) - keyboards, guitar, backing vocals
Awards and nominations
The Killers have won four NME AwardsNME Awards
The NME Awards is an annual music awards show in the United Kingdom, founded by the music magazine, NME .The first awards show was held in 1953 as the NME Poll Winners Concerts, shortly after the founding of the magazine....
: "Best International Band" in 2005, 2008 and 2009 and Best Video for "Bones" in 2006. They have also picked up two awards in the first NME Awards USA in 2008 for "Best Band" and "Best Track" for "Tranquilize". The Killers have also been nominated for seven Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
s, but have yet to win. In 2006 the band won the BRIT Award for "Best International Band" and the album Sam's Town won "Best International Album".
Acclaim
11 songs by The Killers feature in the book XFM's 1000 Greatest Songs Of All Time, frontman Brandon Flowers also wrote a foreword for the book.In November 2009, "Mr. Brightside
Mr. Brightside
"Mr. Brightside" is a song performed by Las Vegas-based rock band The Killers. The song is featured on the group's debut album Hot Fuss and was written by Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning....
" was voted the best song of the decade by the listeners of the British alternative rock station XFM
Xfm
Xfm is a brand of two commercial radio stations focused on alternative music, primarily indie pop, and owned by Global Radio.-History:Xfm was created in London in 1992 by Sammy Jacob, who later co-founded NME Radio in 2008. Xfm subsequently expanded to a network of four stations; there are...
. Over 14,000 individual votes were cast by XFM listeners via the station's official website. "Somebody Told Me
Somebody Told Me
"Somebody Told Me" is the debut single by American rock band The Killers. The song is featured on the group's debut album Hot Fuss and was written by Dave Keuning, Ronnie Vannucci Jr., Mark Stoermer and Brandon Flowers....
" was ranked #9 and "All These Things That I've Done
All These Things That I've Done
"All These Things That I've Done" is a song performed by The Killers, and written by lead vocalist Brandon Flowers. The song appears on their debut album Hot Fuss. It was released as the third single in 2004 in the United Kingdom and as the fourth single in the United States...
" was ranked #22. Other songs not in the Top 25 include "When You Were Young
When You Were Young
"When You Were Young" is a song written and performed by The Killers, and is the third track on their second album Sam's Town, released in October 2006. The song was released as the lead single from that album in September 2006. It has proven to be one of their most successful singles, peaking at...
" at #31, "Read My Mind" at #86, and "Human" at #94.
Absolute Radio listeners also voted "Mr. Brightside
Mr. Brightside
"Mr. Brightside" is a song performed by Las Vegas-based rock band The Killers. The song is featured on the group's debut album Hot Fuss and was written by Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning....
" as the best song of the decade.
The readers of the American music magazine Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
, in December 2009, voted Sam's Town the "most underrated album of the decade". The magazine also ranked Hot Fuss as the 43rd best album in their "100 Best Albums of the Decade" list. and Mr. Brightside was ranked the 48th Best Song Of The Decade. In 2008, Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
readers voted Day & Age the "Album of the Year".
The Killers were at #2 on the Last.fm
Last.fm
Last.fm is a music website, founded in the United Kingdom in 2002. It has claimed 30 million active users in March 2009. On 30 May 2007, CBS Interactive acquired Last.fm for UK£140m ....
"Best of 2009" list with 12,471,571 album scrobbles. in April 2010 Last.fm
Last.fm
Last.fm is a music website, founded in the United Kingdom in 2002. It has claimed 30 million active users in March 2009. On 30 May 2007, CBS Interactive acquired Last.fm for UK£140m ....
revealed that Mr. Brightside was the most listened to track since the launch of the online music service, with over 7.66 million plays scrobbled.
Amazon.com UK released their lists of the best-selling artists and albums of the decade, with The Killers coming in at #3 in Top 10 best-selling artists of the decade
Spin
Spin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
voted The Killers among the 30 Biggest Concerts of 2009 for their January 19 show at Magness Arena in Denver, Colorado. Spin's Tim Dwenger wrote about the show saying, "The production quality of the show was top notch, and it was immediately clear why The Killers are on the arena circuit."
NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
listed "Mr. Brightside" as the #5 best track on their "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years" list. "All These Things That I've Done" came in at #56 and "Human" came in at #144.
In December 2009, "Mr. Brightside" was voted the second-best song of the decade (and the best song by a non-British act) on the UK Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
TV show Greatest Songs of the Noughties.
Hot Fuss was the 26th best-selling album of the decade in the United Kingdom. It spent 173 weeks on the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
, more than any other album. Sam's Town was the 70th best-selling album of the decade in the UK.
In October 2010, "Mr. Brightside" was voted #9 in the Greatest Guitar Riffs of the 21st Century so far by Total Guitar
Total Guitar
Total Guitar is a monthly magazine based in the United Kingdom. The magazine is the best selling guitar magazine in Europe.The magazine is owned by Future Publishing, who publish many other magazines ranging from drums and video games to mountain bikes and knitting magazines.Total Guitar regularly...
magazine
Discography
Studio albums- Hot FussHot FussHot Fuss is the debut studio album by Las Vegas based American rock band The Killers, released on June 7, 2004 in the United Kingdom and on June 15, 2004 in the United States.-Background:...
(2004) - Sam's TownSam's Town-Band:*Brandon Flowers – lead vocals, keyboards, bass *Dave Keuning – guitar, background vocals*Mark Stoermer – bass, background vocals, guitar *Ronnie Vannucci – drums, percussion-Additional musicians:...
(2006) - Day & Age (2008)
Compilation albums
- SawdustSawdust (album)Sawdust is an album of B-sides, rarities, covers and remixes by the Las Vegas rock band The Killers. The album was released in various markets between November 9 and November 13, 2007, when it was released in the United States...
(2007)
Live albums
- Live from the Royal Albert HallLive from the Royal Albert HallLive from the Royal Albert Hall is a live album and DVD by American rock band The Killers. It was released on November 10, 2009 in the UK, Canada and the US. The album is pulled from two nights the band performed at the Royal Albert Hall in July 2009, and also includes footage from festival dates...
(2009)
Digital EP's
- (RED) Christmas(RED) Christmas EPChristmas is an extended play from American rock band The Killers.- Background :The Killers have become recognized for their work with the Product Red campaign, headed by Bono and Bobby Shriver. Every year since 2006, the band released a Christmas song in supported to that campaign. Every single...
(2011)
Demo EP's
- The KillersThe Killers DemoThe Killers Demo was the debut demo by American rock band The Killers. Recorded in Late 2001 and produced by the band, it was given away for free by the band themselves at shows in 2002, the demo was recorded prior to Ronnie Vannucci Jr...
(2002)
Solo albums
- Flamingo (2010) Brandon Flowers
- Big TalkBig Talk-Critical Reception:SPINs William Goodman wrote "While Brandon Flowers has been largely credited with the Killers' infectious rock melodies and hooks, it now appears that the band's secret weapon was sitting behind the drum kit." He continues that single "Getaways" is "an anthemic electro-rock jam...
(2011) Ronnie Vannucci - Another LifeAnother Life (album)Another Life is the debut studio album by American singer/songwriter and The Killers bassist Mark Stoermer, which was released on November 1, 2011 as a free download via markstoermer.com, a physical release is set to follow but a release date has yet to be announced. The album will be self released...
(2011) Mark Stoermer
Tours
- Hot Fuss TourHot Fuss TourThe Hot Fuss Tour was a concert tour by Las Vegas, Nevada rock band The Killers that took place between 2003 and 2005 to support the band's first studio album, Hot Fuss, which was released in June 2004.-Itinerary:...
(2003–2005) - Sam's Town TourSam's Town TourThe Sam's Town Tour was a concert tour by Las Vegas, Nevada rock band The Killers that took place in 2006 and 2007 to support the band's second studio album, Sam's Town, which was released in October 2006, and the bands first compilation album, Sawdust, which was released in November...
(2006–2007) - Day & Age TourDay & Age World TourThe Day & Age Tour is the third concert tour by the Las Vegas, Nevada band The Killers. The tour supported their third studio album Day & Age. The tour has been their biggest tour to date. It marked the first time the band played in Africa and in the United Arab Emirates...
(2008–2010)