More about: The Killers
The Killers' frontman learns a valuable lesson
The Killers' frontman Brandon Flowers has revealed that he now always removes his wedding ring before gigs, following jewellery being stolen from him while playing a gig in Newcastle.
In a new interview with Q Magazine, the 'Somebody Told Me' Las Vegas rockers were playing a show in Newcastle, when frontman Flowers decided to get amongst his Geordie fans - before returning to the stage to discover that he had been a victim of theft.
It was then that Flowers learned a valuable lesson.
"I've lost a bracelet or two," admitted Flowers. "I won't say in which town. I don't want to get into trouble... OK, it was Newcastle. I don't wanna lose my wedding ring! I put them back on after the gig."
Watch the video for 'Just Another Girl' below
The band caused a stir earlier this month when they spoke out about they didn't want to release their new greatest hits collection, Direct Hits, and that that their record label forced them to. Speaking to The Daily Star newspaper, drummer Ronnie Vannucci said that the Las Vegas four-piece would rather have wanted longer before a greatest hits, and that doing it at this stage of their career made them feel like 'douches'.
"We'd wait another 10 years if it was up to us, but it's a contractual thing," said Vannuci. "We can fill a CD so it makes good business sense at this time of year. However, it's not like we're so pleased with ourselves we want to put it out. It feels like a douchie move."
Below: The Killers - Direct Hits: all 15 tracks ranked in order, worst to best
15. 'A Dustland Fairytale': Day & Age wasn't The Killers' finest record and as singles go, this one falls rather flat. Sure, it rises and falls in all the right places, but Brandon Flowers' heart just doesn't seem in it - except maybe from when he sings 'I took the money and I ran away'...
14. 'For Reasons Unknown': The fourth and final single from Sam's Town (why no 'Bones' on the album?), 'For Reasons Unknown' screams album track, although does showcase the band's rougher, raw edges before they truly embraced synth sounds.
13. 'Spaceman': Considering the intergalatic title, 'Spaceman' never really gets off the the ground, despite every effort from Flowers and the boys. The Killers by numbers - but it doesn't really add up.
12. 'Just Another Girl': A new track recorded for Direct Hits, 'Just Another Girl' is really rather brilliant, and proof that The Killers can crack out anthems with ease. The downside? We've heard them do this countless times before, and do it much better.
11. 'The Way It Was': The Killers were back to their best on fourth album Battle Born, and 'The Way It Was' saw the band take inspiration from epic eighties rock anthems. Springsteen would be proud. It's big - but the album packs much bigger punches.
10. 'Smile Like You Mean It': The fourth single from the band's incredible debut album, 'Smile Like You Mean It' lacked the indie-disco punch of 'Mr Brightside' or 'Somebody Told Me' and the anthemic nature of 'All These Things That I've Done'. The production was rough and edgy, but it lacks the epic chorus of it's album competition.
9. 'Miss Atomic Bomb': A synth-laced epic from Battle Born, 'Miss Atomic Bomb' is a classic slice of American pop rock which finds it's strength in its galloping production rather than the song itself. The track builds to a brilliantly layered finale, but it's far from their finest moment.
8. 'Somebody Told Me': As anthemic as The Killers have ever been - but in the nine years since we first went batshit crazy to this one, the band have refined and bettered their sound. There's no denying that rush of adrenaline in the opening bars however, and it's still one to send lads rushing to rock in indie discos the world over.
7. 'Human': Great tune - horrible lyrics. The Killers at their most pop and Brandon Flowers at his most melancholic. However, that horrible hook 'Are we human / or are we dancer' stops this one being one of their absolute best.
6. 'Mr Brightside': Radio GOLD. From the twinkling guitar opening to the first blast of that spectacular chorus, this is anthemic indie at it's most uplifting. Overplayed in the extreme over the past decade however, and the band have bettered this in the years since.
5.'Shot At The Night': Proof that not every Killers track needs to be a balls out anthem, 'Shot At The Night' is one of the band's most restrained singles to date, and pairing with French producer M83 is a match made in heaven, as his slick electronic production gives this new track an accomplished sheen that is to be expected of a band with a decade of hits behind them.
4. 'Read My Mind': Another understated moment in The Killers' career, and one of their most tender and intimate singles. Ambitions are switched for a more personal love story, which flirts with the epic before pulling back at the very last moment. Perfectly crafted, 'Read My Mind' flows and builds into a beautiful, and often overlooked, highlight of the band's career.
3. 'Runaways': Battle Born is the closest The Killers have come in their career to rivalling the glory of Hot Fuss, and 'Runaways' showcased a band at the top of their game, a band finding their feet rather than floundering, when they released their fourth album. A huge hit single demonstrating the perfect line The Killers have learned to tread between mainstream pop and stadium rock. Ten years into their career, The Killers still showed the ambition and scope of newcomers here.
2. 'When You Were Young': Recently voted fans' favourite ever Killers hit, 'When You Were Young' is up their with 'Mr Brightside' and 'Somebody Told Me' as one of the most instantly recognisable Killers tunes. Slightly more refined than those classics however, 'When You Were Young' saw the band step up their game from starry-eyed Las Vegas newcomers to true contenders on the world stage. An absolute classic and epic in the extreme.
1. 'All These Things That I've Done': From that lone piano key opening to its unforgettable climax, 'All These Things That I've Done' is without question The Killers' finest moment - and one of the greatest songs indistinguishable 2000s 'scene'. Initially proving that there was more to The Killers than mere dancefloor hits, 'All These Things That I've Done' indicated big things for the band, which they have easily lived up to during their decade long career. Five minutes of pure, flawless perfection.
More about: The Killers
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