The Killers biography
The Killers are undoubtedly one of the biggest bands in the world, having sold millions of records, won countless awards and topping Absolute Radio's Song of the Decade chart in 2010 with breakthrough single 'Mr. Brightside.' The quartet hail from Las Vegas and have been together since 2002.
How It All Started
The Killers were born in 2002 after Brandon Flowers left his previous band 'Blush Response' after refusing to move to LA with them and noticed David Keuning's ad in a local paper to join a group. They soon came up with what was to be the classic song 'Mr Brightside' and once the band was in place, began to play a variety of gigs, mostly drag shows. Well, they were in Vegas!
Hot Fuss
The Killers quickly began to garner attention in the UK after releasing 'Mr Brightside,' it earned the band a top ten hit and was voted Absolute Radio's Song of the Decade in 2010. Their debut album Hot Fuss hit the shelves in 2004 and went platinum six times over. But they really hit the big time after re-releasing single 'Somebody Told Me,' which went to number three. The following year, after a cameo appearance in American teenage TV drama The OC, The Killers joined major artists on stage at London's Live 8 gig before embarking on a huge world tour.
Sam's Town, Sawdust, Day & Age
Their second album Sam's Town proved to be a huge success, shifting over 700,000 copies worldwide during its first week of release, topping the UK charts and reaching number two in their home country. The band released four singles from the record, including the mighty 'When You Were Young' which they performed at the BRIT Awards in early 2007. They picked up two prizes at the event, including the Best International Album award, before headlining Glastonbury a few months later.
After releasing Sawdust, a compilation album, the band unleashed their third studio album, Day & Age. The first single was 'Human,' which went to number three in the UK charts.
The following year, in 2009, they headlined Hard Rock Calling in London's Hyde Park and announced they would take a break after touring for years, but were quick to reassure fans they would not be splitting up following rumours Brandon Flowers was going to go solo. He's no stranger to controversy and since he began his quest for world domination in 2002, has sparked a few rivalries. As well as upsetting Fall Out Boy, also on Island Records, he picked a row with Green Day after claiming the bands were basically benefiting from their success, but later apologised.
In mid-February 2010, it was reported Brandon's mother died from cancer at the age of 64 after suffering with the disease for two years. The band had previously cancelled a number of Asian and Australian performances because of a 'family illness.' But a few months later, on 4 July, The Killers played a number of tracks at the White House after being invited by U.S President Barack Obama, as part of the country's Independence Day celebrations, which Brandon said was a 'monumental honour.'
After working on solo projects, (Brandon released number one album 'Flamingo,' in September 2010, while Ronnie Vannucci's released a record in July 2011), the band reunited to work on their fourth studio album.
The Killers, who've won several major music awards, including two BRITs, four NME Awards, and received seven Grammys, returned to the UK in 2011, to headline at London's Hard Rock Calling on 24 June.
