It’s always challenging for indie bands to say relevant, and few existing acts have had as much long-term success as The Killers. The Las Vegas-based quartet fronted by the devilishly handsome Brandon Flowers is pretty much an anomaly: After cementing their place in the music scene in 2004 with the release of their critically-acclaimed debut album Hot Fuss (and a very memorable performance on The O.C.), they returned two years later with Sam’s Town, which yielded “When You Were Young”—largely viewed as one of their most successful singles to date.
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Subsequently, 2008’s Day & Age and 2012’s Battle Born sold a collective four million copies and earned a slew of awards, including Best International Band by NME. But despite the group’s massive worldwide success, their fearless leader Brandon Flowers has chosen to fly solo in recent years, coming out with his second of two albums this May, called The Desired Effect. But die-hard fans need not worry: According to Flowers, The Killers aren’t going anywhere. We caught up with the singer after his show at Webster Hall in N.Y.C. Here’s an excerpt from our conversation:
What was it like growing up in Vegas? Are you a big fan of The Strip?
I love it. Some people can’t wrap their heads around it. I actually grew up on the outskirts in a town called Henderson, but we’d visit when family members would come in from out of town. We’d go see The Mirage, or The Luxor would be finished and be the biggest hotel in the world. There was always something exciting happening.
I read you worked as a bell boy out there.