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The Killers

The Killers formed in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2002. Lead singer Brandon Flowers dropped out of college and left his last band, Blush Response, to start a new musical project. Wanting to combine the keyboard-driven synth-pop music of Blush Response with the sound of classic post-punk bands like Joy Division and The Smiths, Flowers - then working as a bellman at a Las Vegas hotel - put out a "band members wanted" ad in the classifieds section of the newspaper.

Guitarist Dave Keuning was the first to join after meeting Flowers and finding they had similar musical interests. Though Keuning's roommate and another friend filled in the empty bass and guitar slots for a time, they were eventually replaced by current drummer Ronnie Vannucci and bassist Mark Stoermer. Naming themselves "The Killers" after the text on a bass drum during New Order’s music video Crystal, the band began covertly practicing in recital rooms at The University of Nevada Las Vegas, where Vannucci was studying professional percussion.

The band, now with a clear direction and a stable lineup, began playing extensively in Las Vegas clubs. A representative for Warner Brothers UK took an interest in the band, but seeing no place for them in the current WB UK lineup, sent their demo to a friend at English independent record label Lizard King. They signed to Lizard King in early 2004, before releasing their first full-length album Hot Fuss. The Killers’ astute blend of moody post-punk (much like contemporaries The Strokes and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club) and towering arena-rock sensibilities (U2 and Oasis were two of their greatest influences) went on to sell over 5 million copies worldwide, launching the independent band to international superstardom with hits like Somebody Told Me and Mr. Brightside.