The Killers
Biography
The Killers are an American rock band that formed in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2001. The original lineup consisted of Brandon Flowers (lead vocals, keyboards), Dave Keuning (guitar, backing vocals), Mark Stoermer (bass, backing vocals), and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. (drums, percussion). The band's name is derived from a fictional band in the music video for the New Order song "Crystal".
Formation and Early Years (2001-2003)
The group was founded by Brandon Flowers, who had been dismissed from his previous band, Blush Response. After attending an Oasis concert, he was inspired to form a rock band. He came across an ad from guitarist Dave Keuning and they began writing songs together. After several lineup changes with bassists and drummers, the band solidified in 2002 with the addition of Mark Stoermer on bass and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. on drums.
Breakthrough with Hot Fuss (2004-2005)
The Killers released their debut album, Hot Fuss, in June 2004. Influenced by new wave and post-punk, the album was a commercial and critical success, reaching number one on the UK Albums Chart and number seven on the Billboard 200. It produced several hit singles, including "Mr. Brightside", "Somebody Told Me", "All These Things That I've Done", and "Smile Like You Mean It". "Mr. Brightside" in particular became an iconic song for the band. Hot Fuss has sold over seven million copies worldwide.
Sam's Town and Day & Age (2006-2008)
Sam's Town (2006)
The band's second album, Sam's Town, was released in 2006 and was described by Flowers as a love letter to their hometown of Las Vegas. The album showcased a more Americana and heartland rock-influenced sound, with U2 and Bruce Springsteen cited as influences. It featured singles like "When You Were Young" and "Read My Mind". Sam's Town topped the UK charts and has sold nearly five million copies globally.
Day & Age (2008)
In 2008, The Killers released their third studio album, Day & Age, which Flowers described as their "most playful record". The album saw the band experimenting with a more dance-oriented and pop-friendly sound. It included the popular singles "Human" and "Spaceman". Day & Age became the band's third consecutive album to reach number one in the UK and has sold over three million copies worldwide.
Hiatus and Subsequent Albums (2010-Present)
Following the Day & Age World Tour, the band went on a brief hiatus, during which members pursued solo projects. Brandon Flowers released his solo albums Flamingo (2010) and The Desired Effect (2015). Mark Stoermer and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. also released solo material.
Battle Born (2012)
The Killers returned in 2012 with their fourth album, Battle Born. The title is a reference to the Nevada state flag and the name of their recording studio. The album featured the lead single "Runaways".
Wonderful Wonderful (2017)
Their fifth studio album, Wonderful Wonderful, was released in 2017 and became their first album to top the Billboard 200 chart in the United States. It was also their fifth consecutive studio album to reach number one in the UK.
Imploding the Mirage and Pressure Machine (2020-2021)
Imploding the Mirage, their sixth album, was released in 2020 and marked the first album without guitarist Dave Keuning. Despite this, it became their sixth consecutive number one album in the UK. The following year, they released Pressure Machine, a concept album based on Brandon Flowers' childhood in Nephi, Utah, which featured the return of Dave Keuning to the studio.