THE KILLERS: Vital Signs

Yet with four distinct and creative personalities at work, the band somehow manages to keep from coming unglued. “We’re a democracy,” Flowers says. “We recorded 19 songs and ten made it this time around. Sometimes there are songs that one of us wishes was on the album but it doesn’t make it because of that.”

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“Were bound to argue,” Flowers continues, “but what I find amazing is the idea that I could have this song in my head and hear it as this driving force, but Ronnie can hear it in half-time. And although it may not be how I envisioned it, I’ve got to give it a try. And through that, it can be difficult, but it can also be productive because it forces you to look at things from different perspectives.”

Turning to the band’s history and its unusual ascent, which found The Killers becoming a U.K. sensation in the summer of 2004 while they were still largely unknown in the U.S., Keuning is still sort of baffled by how they were so quickly received. “I can’t explain it,” he says. “People in England just sort of gravitated toward us right away. A lot of our influences came from stuff they like.”

“Our influences have got to have something to do with it,” Flowers insists. “They say we’re the best British band to ever come from America. They’ve always embraced us and it’s really wonderful to play over there. Our first album did really well here and there, but our second album dipped a little in America, which was sort of frustrating. And you can never really understand it.”

But with Day and Age, The Killers haven’t just rebounded from the stark, black and white imagery of Sam’s Town, they’ve moved forward creatively while delivering what should be the biggest, and most colorful modern rock album of 2008. And despite their seemingly meteoric rise, the band reminds us that they’ve had some pretty crappy A&R experiences leading up to it all.

“I just remember that we got turned down by almost every label at one point,” Keuning says.

“And you just can’t let it get to you if you get a showcase and nothing comes from it,” Flowers advises.

“I just remember meeting these A&R people who were really schmoozy,” Keuning continues. “And they’d all say things and do different things. I don’t want to be too hard on them, but you can’t take much that they say very seriously. We’ve had meetings with labels that said they were going to sign us-literally they were like ‘we’ll fax the contract’-and they never did. And it took us going to England to get a deal. And before we took this deal with a small label called Lizard King, I remember thinking, ‘Well. At least we get to go to London for a week.’ And then we did these four shows and somehow a lot of people were watching. So that was kind of a litmus test. We got a little bit of press and a meeting and so forth and then we came back home.”

“And then all the labels here wanted to take us out to dinner,” Keuning says with a snicker. “I ordered appetizers and gained eight pounds and I knew I wasn’t going to sign with any of them. And it felt good! But we still had to go back to our jobs. The U.K. deal wasn’t enough for us to quit our jobs. In October 2003 we got an American deal and we decided we could quit our jobs. I think we waited until they mailed us a check and then we quit.”

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  1. What a great article, The Killers deserve the success they have achieved and will be around for a very long time. I have only heard a few songs off their new album and they are brilliant and Human is a particular favourite which I think is going to be as popular as their other great hits. You can also hear every word that Brandon Flowers sings and he is the perfect frontman.

  2. Aww i love The Killers! I’m so relieved to hear them talk about Day And Age, because i haven’t heard them say a word about it and it was making me think that they weren’t too satisfied with it. Like, for Sam’s Town and the whole “best album in the past 20 years”. I haven’t heard any of them say anything like that and it’s released next month. And if TK wasn’t feeling it, it would take the joy out of it for me. Because i want them to feel amazed by their work and not half-hearted about anything. But they finally commented on it! I’m even more excited now!! Can’t wait to hear some more new lyrics! The Killers are amazing. It’s just a pity that LOTS of Americans don’t know them, or any of the amazing things that The Killlers are capable of bringing to your life. 😀

  3. Aww i love The Killers! Can’t wait for the new album! I’m so glad that they’re finally commenting on their new album. I haven’t really heard them say anything about how pleased they were with it. Like, when Sam’s Town came out, there was the whole “best album in the past 20 years” thing. But this time, i haven’t heard andything, except things from fand and critics. And that kind of upset me, because if The Killers aren’t feeling Day And Age, then it will take away a lot of excitement from me when i listen to it. Because i want them to feel amazed by their work, not just half-hearted about it. And now, they’ve finally spoke about it, and i’m super psyched, even more than i already was. Can’t wait to hear some more new lyrics! The Killers are AMAZING!

  4. the killers are the best!
    i love brandon and dave…they’re so down to earth, thats why people appreciates them…keep it up boys! you rock!

    and I dont know why people criticize Sams Town so much, it is my favorite album!
    i think its great, coz they re invented themselves from Hot Fuss, and cant wait For Day and Age, its gonna be ace!

  5. the killers are one of my favorite bands, in my top 5 atleast. they’re work is all very spacey, but very good. The music can stand alone by itself, but brandons voice, and lyrics set it apart from anything out now on the radio, i just wish people would stop listening to bullshit like nickleback and start listening to real music. I just think the fact that i listen to allot of acoustic music, this stuff really gives me the breath of fresh air i need and the belief that great music and lyrics can compliment themselves instead of outshine one another.

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