The Killers

The Killers rocketed from obscurity to global fame with the release of their 2004 debut LP Hot Fuss, which spawned the breakout hits "Mr. Brightside" and "Somebody Told Me."

The Killers formed in Las Vegas in 2001, eventually solidifying around singer/keyboardist Brandon Flowers, guitarist Dave Keuning, bassist Mark Stoermer and drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr. (drums, percussion). The Killers - a name inspired by a fictional band featured in the music video for the New Order single "Crystal" - recorded a five-song demo tape with ex-Green Day manager Jeff Saltzman that led to a contract offer from U.K. indie Lizard King Records, and in September 2003, the quartet issued its debut single, "Mr. Brightside." The enthusiasm of the British music weeklies led to an invitation to play New York City's ASCAP CMJ Music Marathon, and the Killers signed to major label Island Def Jam soon after.
Hot Fuss, released in mid-2004, showcased the Killers' amalgam of New Wave, post-punk and alternative rock influences, selling more than seven million copies worldwide: while the album's lead single, "Somebody Told Me," stalled at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100, "Mr. Brightside" peaked at number 10 in both the U.S. and the U.K. "Mr. Brightside" returned to the British Top 100 in 2016, and remained there more than seven years later - the longest chart run in U.K. chart history. The Killers embraced a more rock-oriented sound for the Bruce Springsteen-inspired Sam's Town, released in 2006. A series of additional LPs followed, including 2008's Day & Age, 2012's Battle Born and 2021's Pressure Machine.