Global InformationThe Killers information
The Killers | |
|---|---|
 The Killers in 2017. From left to right: Dave Keuning, Ronnie Vannucci Jr., and Brandon Flowers | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
| Genres |
|
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Labels |
|
| Members |
|
| Past members |
|
| Website | thekillersmusic |
The Killers are an American rock band formed in Las Vegas in 2001 by Brandon Flowers (lead vocals, keyboards, bass) and Dave Keuning (lead guitar, backing vocals). After going through a number of short-term bass players and drummers in their early days, both Mark Stoermer (bass, rhythm guitar, backing vocals) and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. (drums, percussion) joined the band in 2002.[1] The band's name is derived from a logo on the bass drum of a fictitious band portrayed in the music video for the New Order song "Crystal".[2]
The Killers have released seven studio albums, each of which reached the top spot on the UK Albums Chart: Hot Fuss (2004), Sam's Town (2006), Day & Age (2008), Battle Born (2012), Wonderful Wonderful (2017), Imploding the Mirage (2020), and Pressure Machine (2021). They have also released a B-sides and rarities compilation, Sawdust (2007); a live album, Live from the Royal Albert Hall (2009); two greatest-hits albums, Direct Hits (2013) and Rebel Diamonds (2023); and a Christmas compilation, Don't Waste Your Wishes (2016).
Since 2016 and 2017 respectively, both Stoermer and Keuning have had extended periods of hiatus from the band, though both remain official members. Stoermer mostly retired from touring, citing both exhaustion from the road and lingering effects from a pyrotechnics accident, while Keuning has released a solo album. Despite his hiatus from touring, Stoermer has participated in recording sessions for Wonderful Wonderful and Imploding the Mirage, and it was announced that Keuning was participating in recording Pressure Machine, which was released on August 13, 2021. Ted Sablay, who had served as a touring keyboardist and rhythm guitarist for the band since 2006, assumed lead guitar duties for live shows in Keuning's absence, while touring rhythm guitarist and keyboardist Jake Blanton took up the job of bassist and has taken Stoermer's place in live shows. With Sablay moving to lead guitar, the band hired Taylor Milne and Robbie Connolly to play rhythm guitar and keyboards live.
The Killers are considered one of the biggest rock bands of the 21st century,[3] selling more than 28 million records worldwide, including 10.8 million in the US alone.[4][5] They have performed in over 50 countries and on six continents, headlining venues such as Madison Square Garden, Wembley Stadium, Glastonbury Festival (2007 and 2019), and Electric Picnic[6] in Ireland in 2023.
- ^ "The Killers". Billboard: The International Newsweekly of Music, Video and Home Entertainment.
- ^ Bourne, Dianne (February 20, 2013). "Video: Bernard Sumner joins The Killers in celebration of their 'musical home'". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on December 4, 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
- ^ Barlow, Eve (March 22, 2015). "Brandon Flowers on The Desired Effect: 'Every song on this album is a single'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
- ^ "Colours of Ostrava - The Killers". Colours.cz. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
- ^ "The Killers' Catalog Acquired in Eldridge's First Music Publishing Deal". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
- ^ "The Killers to headline Electric Picnic 2023". December 9, 2022. Archived from the original on September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.