1. The Killers is an Ame… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists using this name:
1. The Killers is an American rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2001.
They got the name from the fictional band The Killers in the video for New Order's song Crystal.
As of 2021, the band has released six studio albums, which have sold 28 million records worldwide.
The Early Years
Initially, The Killers played at large clubs in Las Vegas. With the band's line-up stable and their repertoire of songs expanding, the band began to attract attention from talent bookers, local agents, major label, scouts — and a UK representative for Warner Bros. Though the Warner Bros representative passed on the band, he took the demo back with him, showing it to a friend who worked at UK (London-based) indie label Lizard King Records (now Marrakesh Records). The Killers then signed in the summer of 2002 to a British label.
Hot Fuss
They released their debut album Hot Fuss on June 2004 in the United Kingdom and US (on Island Records). Their first single was Somebody Told Me. The band also had chart success with their singles Mr. Brightside, which reached the Top 10 in the UK when released, and All These Things That I've Done.
Sam's Town
The band started recording its second album, Sam's Town, on February 15, 2006, at The Palms Hotel/Casino in Las Vegas. It was released on October 2006.
The first single, When You Were Young debuted on radio stations in late July 2006. In late August 2006, it was offered as a downloadable track before the album's debut. The single then entered the chart on downloads alone at #5, and the following week on its official release went to #2 in the UK.
The video clip of the second single, Bones, was directed by Tim Burton.
The third single was Read My Mind. The video for it was filmed in Tokyo, Japan.
The last one was For Reasons Unknown, released in June, 2007.
The album sold over 700,000 copies worldwide in the first week of release, with a No. 2 debut on the United World chart.
Sawdust Compilation
The compilation album Sawdust, containing B-sides, rarities, and some new material, was released on November 12, 2007.
The album's first single Tranquilize, a collaboration with Lou Reed, was released on October 2007. The band also released their cover of Joy Division's song Shadowplay on the U.S. iTunes Store. The album contains songs Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town (a The First Edition cover), Romeo and Juliet (a Dire Straits cover), and a new version of Move Away (previously available on the Spider-Man 3 soundtrack). One of the tracks on Sawdust is Leave the Bourbon On The Shelf, the first but previously unreleased part of the so called Murder Trilogy, in which it is followed by Midnight Show then Jenny Was a Friend of Mine.
(Red) Christmas EP
In 2006 Songfacts reported that The Killers were recognized for their work with Bono's Product Red campaign, which is dedicated to fighting AIDS in Africa.
In the same year they have released their first Christmas themed song and music video, A Great Big Sled in aid of the charity, followed by Don't Shoot Me Santa on December 1, 2007.
Their festive tunes have subsequently became an annual event and (Red) Christmas EP intended to raise money for the Product Red campaign on November 29, 2011.
Day & Age
The third album Day & Age was released on 25th November 2008 (24th November for the UK).
The album's first single Human was debuted on 22nd September and on the 30th September, the single was made available on iTunes, with many radio DJ's suggesting it was the best single by The Killers yet.
Killers frontman Brandon Flowers said (in December 2008) that he thinks that his band "will be bigger than U2 eventually, and sooner than you might think". He told The Daily Telegraph that "U2 are unbelievable, but they're getting old. It feels like it's time".
The album was reviewed at Silent Soundwaves.
Battle Born
The band was on hiatus, but returned to the studio to record their fourth studio album in early 2011. Songfacts reported that Runaways, the first single from the new album, was released on July 10, 2012.
The Killers' fourth studio album, Battle Born, was released on 18 September 2012.
It took 15 months to record it. The band began working on it after they took a touring break for a little over a year. The album had five producers, with The Killers producing one song by themselves, The Rising Tide.
The debut single was Runaways, followed by Miss Atomic Bomb and Here with Me.
Wonderful Wonderful
In 2015, Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning began to discuss recording a fifth studio album. The band recorded the album between September 2016 and May 2017, with production by Jacknife Lee. Band members Dave Keuning and Mark Stoermer both announced that they would take a break from touring. The Killers' fifth studio album, Wonderful Wonderful, was released on September 22, 2017, debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200. Stoermer
Imploding the Mirage
On November 15, 2019, the Killers announced their sixth studio album titled Imploding the Mirage for a Spring 2020 release. On March 12, 2020, the album's lead single "Caution" was released, featuring a guitar solo by former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham. Buckingham said of the band, "There’s such a strong center to what they’re doing. Their material is so well crafted that it cuts across a lot of generational lines." Brandon Flowers also confirmed that guitarist Dave Keuning was still on hiatus and did not participate in recording the album. On April 25, 2020, "Caution" reached number one on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart, setting a record of 13 years and 6 months since the band's last number-one song on the chart.
The Killers' sixth studio album, " Imploding the Mirage" was released on August 21, 2020. It debuted at #8 on the Billboard 200.
Influences
Much of The Killers' music is based on British influences and on the music of the 1980s, particularly New Wave. Flowers has also said in interviews that the larger-than-life sound of many of the band's songs is due to the influence of living in Las Vegas, a city where everything is about flash and who can top whom. They appreciate post-punk bands that sprang up during the 80's such as Joy Division, and they are also avowed fans of New Order (with whom Flowers has performed live), Pet Shop Boys, Dire Straits, David Bowie, The Smiths, Morrissey, Depeche Mode, U2, Queen, Oasis and The Beatles. Their second album was said to be greatly influenced by Bruce Springsteen's music and lyrics.
Their line-up is:
Brandon Flowers (vocals, keyboards),
Dave Keuning (guitar, backing vocals),
Mark Stoermer (bass guitar, backing vocals),
Ronnie Vannucci Jr. (drums, percussion).
2. The Killers was an Uruguayan rock band from the early 1970s which released an album Good Bye in 1972.
3. The Killers was an American hardcore band from Chicago, IL, from the 1990s founded by former members of Charles Bronson.
They released records on Hater of God and Gloom, and had split records with A.P.B. & 9 Shocks Terror.
Reminds of Behead The Prophet No Lord Shall Live meets The Oath.
4. The Killers (aka Insanity and The Killers) was an American band from Cleveland, Ohio. They released one 7″ on Huh? Oh? in 1981.
5. The Killers was a British punk rock band from England formed in 1977 (though released their first 7", I Don't Care, as Joe Cool & The Killers).
In 1978 they released their one and only album called Killer; by then they had dropped the Joe Cool and released the record under this name.
6. The Killers was a Brazilian garage rock band that released one album in 1964 titled The Killers. The band members were João Bosco (drums), Luiz Carlos (bass guitar), João Carlos (lead guitar), and Gustavo (rhythm guitar)
Terrible Thing
The Killers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At the Jones' Rubber plant where all the guys end up
Beer-drinking boy scouts living life like they ain't stuck
On these quicksand streets with their girls in a sling
I'm in my bedroom on the verge of a terrible thing
'Round here, we all take up our cross and hang on His holy name
But the cards that I was dealt will get you thrown out of the game
Of this cobweb town where culture is king?
I'm in my bedroom on the verge of a terrible thing
I close my eyes and think of the water
Out at the Salt Creek when I was young
Down at Old Mill Park, half the town's in tow
To crown the Bathing Beauty of the rodeo
While her mother fights back proud tears, a young cowboy gives the nod
The chute opens, bull draws blood, and the gift is accepted by God
The chute opens, the bull draws blood, and the gift is accepted by God
In this barbed wire town of barbed wire dreams
I'm in my bedroom on the verge of a terrible thing
I close my eyes and think of the water
Out at the Salt Creek when I was young
I close my eyes and think of the water
Out at the Salt Creek when I was young
The song "Terrible Thing" by The Killers depicts a sense of longing and entrapment within a small, stagnant town. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a community where the parking lot is filled with rugged pickup trucks and the men often gather at the local rubber plant owned by the Jones family. The singer describes this town as being surrounded by quicksand streets, metaphorically representing a feeling of being trapped and unable to escape their circumstances. They find themselves in their bedroom, on the verge of a "terrible thing," indicating a feeling of desperation and despair.
The song further explores the religious undertones in the community. The lyrics mention how everyone in the town hangs on to the name of God, taking up their crosses as a symbol of their faith. However, the singer feels that the cards they were dealt with in life would get them thrown out of the game. It suggests a conflict in their own personal experiences and struggles that don't align with the ideals and expectations of their religious community.
Amidst these struggles, the singer reminisces about their youth and the memories associated with Salt Creek. The mention of Old Mill Park and the crowning of the Bathing Beauty of the rodeo showcases a moment of celebration in the town, but it is juxtaposed with the sacrifice and violence of the rodeo. The acceptance of the gift by God symbolizes the town's cultural norms and the sacrifice of dreams and aspirations in pursuit of societal approval.
Overall, "Terrible Thing" explores the isolation, yearning, and dissatisfaction experienced by an individual living in a stifling small town where conformity and tradition overshadow personal desires and ambitions.
Line by Line Meaning
The parking lot is rammed with shotgun pickup trucks
The parking lot is filled with aggressive and intimidating vehicles
At the Jones' Rubber plant where all the guys end up
At the place where everyone gathers after work, a blue-collar environment
Beer-drinking boy scouts living life like they ain't stuck
Young men who act carefree and adventurous, refusing to be confined
On these quicksand streets with their girls in a sling
Navigating through the challenging and unstable streets with their partners
I'm in my bedroom on the verge of a terrible thing
Feeling on the edge of making a major mistake while alone in my room
'Round here, we all take up our cross and hang on His holy name
In this community, we all bear our burdens and hold onto our faith
But the cards that I was dealt will get you thrown out of the game
The circumstances I've been given would lead to my exclusion from success
Hey momma, can't you see your boy is wrapped up in the strangle silk
Mother, don't you notice the suffocating grip this town has on your son?
Of this cobweb town where culture is king?
In this stagnant and outdated town, tradition and narrow-mindedness reign supreme
I close my eyes and think of the water
I try to escape my current reality and reminisce about the soothing water
Out at the Salt Creek when I was young
When I was a child, I found solace and joy at Salt Creek
Down at Old Mill Park, half the town's in tow
In Old Mill Park, a popular gathering spot, a large portion of the town is present
To crown the Bathing Beauty of the rodeo
To celebrate and honor the most attractive participant in the rodeo
While her mother fights back proud tears, a young cowboy gives the nod
As the young woman's mother holds back tears of pride, a cowboy admirer approves silently
The chute opens, bull draws blood, and the gift is accepted by God
In a symbolic act, the bull's ferocity is unleashed, and God acknowledges the offering
In this barbed wire town of barbed wire dreams
In a town filled with restrictions and unattainable aspirations
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brandon Flowers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Patty Theiss
on Mr. Brightside
Ed sharron