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The Killers arrive on Jan 28
ShockWaves NME Tour: The Killers interview
Ruth Allan27/ 1/2005
THE Killers should be from Manchester. A New Order video gave them their name, their lyrical tales of heartbreak are inspired by The Smiths and, like most of us, they' ve got shocking teeth. It takes us about month to catch up with smoky-eyed singer, Brandon Flowers, as, between every show, he's having his teeth filled in the band's hometown of Las Vegas.
"It's an on going battle," he laments, "Both of my parents have terrible teeth so I'm doomed. Ever since he was 20 my dad has had dentures, and my mum has every tooth capped." Never let it be said that bad teeth have impeded pop stardom, and right now, The Killers are major pop stars.
Their album, Hot Fuss, is at Number 1 in the UK chart, and they've released a battalion of singles so scorchingly good that if you had all the bands of the moment in your oven, The Killers would be some kind of cheesy, heat-retaining, skin-melting dish, searing the rest of them out of the picture.
Their skill is writing really good, memorable tunes. 'Mr Brightside' is possibly their best known track and takes the form of a gut-wrenching, power-ode to Flowers' cheating girlfriend.
Having broken the male taboo of talking about jealous feelings in public, has he helped his fans to open up to their more sensitive sides as well we wonder?
'Well, a lot of guys certainly don't seem shy about discussing these kinds of feelings now,' he laughs, 'they often tell me their stories after shows.'
Most of his inspiration he says, comes from his life and other people's around him. Unsurprisingly, one of his core influences is Morrissey, introduced to him aged 12 by a cooler, older brother.
All four Killers are such devotees that on a brief visit to Manchester a year or so ago, they devised their own Smiths tour. 'We went to The Holy Name Church which was brilliant - it's mentioned in 'Vicar in a Tutu' - and The Salford Lads Club, of course.'
TO read the rest of this interview buy this week's City Life (issue 570). Out now priced '1.50.
The Killers top the bill of the ShockWaves NME Tour which is on at Academy 1 on Friday and Saturday, January 28/29. Tickets are sold out. The group will also be at an in-store signing earlier in the day at Market Street's HMV at 5pm. Entrance will be via wristbands only - obtained from the store when it opens for business on January 28.
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