The Killers – Mr. Brightside

The Killers are an alternative rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2002 and made up of Brandon Flowers (vocals, keyboards), Dave Keuning (guitar, backing vocals), Mark Stoermer (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. (drums, percussion). Their first two albums to date have sold in excess of 12 million copies worldwide combined. They got their name from the fictional band “The Killers” in the video for New Order’s “Crystal.”

Initially, The Killers played at large clubs in Las Vegas. With the band’s line-up stable and their repertoire of songs expanding, the band began to attract attention from talent bookers, local agents, major label, scouts — and a UK representative for Warner Bros. Though the Warner Bros representative passed on the band, he took the demo back with him, showing it to a friend who worked at UK (London-based) indie label Lizard King Records (now Marrakesh Records). The Killers then signed in the summer of 2002 to a British label.

They released their debut album “Hot Fuss” on June 2004 in the United Kingdom and US (on Island Records). Their first single was “Somebody Told Me”. The band also had chart success with their singles “Mr. Brightside,” which reached the Top 10 in the UK when released, and “All These Things That I’ve Done”.

The band started recording their second album, “Sam’s Town” on February 15, 2006, at The Palms Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas. It was released on October 2006. Lead singer, Brandon Flowers said that Sam’s Town is “one of the best albums of the past 20 years”.