the killers in XL issue 15, november 2006. photos by robert yeger (page 1) and brian hineline (page 2).
translation from italian by me.
The killers – mormons [sic] against the temptation of rock
Drugs. Politics. Promisquity. The beard that doesn't grow. The fear of flying, the audience in gay clubs. How tiring it is to be a star when you are Brandon Flowers.
Killer. Mormon. This is the resumé of the next music superstar. How funny the history of rock is. All the chapters have been written, but it's all the little variations that surprise and enrich this modern romance. One time it's the bohemian junkie that hooks up with a supermodel. Another time it's the nerd that suddenly gets himself admitted to rehab. Next it's a handsome guy that settles down with a family before hitting 30. And then, after Peter Doherty, Keane, and Chris Martin, the improbable hero of this new chapter in the history of rock is a killer, and mormon.
Brandon Flowers is the leader of the killers, 25 years old, extra polite (he greets you bowing), shy. He dreamed about becoming a rockstar. He did it two years ago with the album Hot Fuss. The new one, Sam's Town, less anglophile is number one. Everything achieved despite his faith, not exactly the most rockstar lifestyle wise. But who can say what is right in the crazy world of rock? Things to do if you want to become a star: 1) being photographed by Anton Corbijn and produced by Flood and Alan Moulder, people who reply on the phone only if U2 or Depeche Mode ring; 2) marry your lifelong girlfriend, and ONLY her, even if everyone thinks that as a mormon you could marry many more; 3) write the epic chorus “I got soul but I'm not a soldier” (in All These Things That I've Done), so that Robbie Williams can steal it and make all of Hyde Park singing it during the Live8; 4) have a video being directed by Tim Burton (the new single Bones).
“green day made british kids sing “i don't want to be an american idiot” only to get an applause”
Things NOT to do if you want to become a star: 1) don't grow a mustache if life got you basically beardless; 2) don't wear vests like a croupier if you come from Las Vegas; 3) don't boast about your fear of flying (in Why Do I Keep Counting?), because everyone will ask you how therapy is going (“Fine, I have a session once a week”); 4) don't title a song Uncle Jonny if it talks about cocaine (“yes, it's a true story, but now my uncle Jonny is fine”). Maybe none of this does really matter. What counts are the choruses: “the record executives don't put pressure on us, because we are the first to love catchy pop. They know they will have the radio single hits anyway”.
They told about you that you were the best British band coming from the US. Now you look like cowboys, the new romantic look forgotten: the imagery is way more american.
“I'm not ashamed of the British influences, but I'm proud of my country and I wanted to show it in the music. So many people have negative feelings against the US, and I wanted this record to show that we are... like everyone else, we are people”.
Did you notice much hate towards the US while on tour?
“As soon as they hear the American accent they treat me differently. Green day published American Idiot, matching american to idiot, and I think it's a really negative thing, but they think it's actually cool”.
The record was against Bush, not the United States.
“Yes, but... where did they go to record the live dvd? In England. A group of british kids that sings “I don't want to be an american idiot” doesn't make any sense to me. They are British, not American. It's a shortcut to get applause. Like saying “Fuck George Bush”...”.
Don't you share their belief?
“Democracy is a beautiful thing, but it's not granted that who gets elected really represents what people think. Bush is a perfect example”.
Everyone is interested in your faith. How was it like to grow in a Mormon family?
“Normal. Mostly. My parents weren't that strict. They always gave us a lot of freedom. Today religion is seen mostly as rules, orders, restrictions, while I believe that we are able to choose between good and evil”.
So is it possible to be both a Mormon and a rock star? And what about all the temptations of the rock world?
“I know them very well. But I'm married nowadays, I'm trying to find my own balance”.
And with your colleagues? They will offer you drugs constantly...
“Yes, but we aren't socializing much, so that's easier”.
Were you the only one in Las Vegas to listen to brit pop?
“No, there was a small scene. A group of friends”.
What were your posters on the walls?
“I just took them off recently because I changed homes. I used to have David Bowie, Morrissey, Duran Duran, Cure. And Lennon”-
Artists discovered thanks to your older brother?
He was a rock fan, and now you are the rock star. He must be envious...
“No, I believe he's proud of me. That's a good thing, right?”.
During your debut you played in gay clubs too.
“Sometimes. We played everywhere. There aren't so many places to play live in Las Vegas, and that was a solution”.
And how was the audience reaction?
“We used to bring with us lots of friends and fans, and the rest of the people reacted well”.
Didn't they ask you to play Madonna songs?
“No, but now I would love to. Maybe the Elvis version of It's Now Or Never”.
It's an Italian song, O sole mio. Do you know other ones?
“No. The only Italian music I know is Dean Martin”.
