Like many bands flush with the success of a debut album, the Killers have spent the better part of the year in the road in support of “Hot Fuss” (Island). And while the group has several new songs percolating for its second set, touring will dominate the landscape for at least the next few months.
The Killers are in the midst of a short Australian trek that wraps Monday (Dec. 20) in Brisbane. A rare show in the quartet’s Las Vegas hometown is on tap for Dec. 30, to be followed by a New Year’s Eve show in Los Angeles and a three-week U.K. tour in January. A four-show swing through Japan is also booked for early March.
As for the new songs, guitarist Dave Keuning tells Billboard.com the band is “painfully close” to unveiling them at upcoming shows. “Almost,” he says. “Maybe by the end of the year we’ll play them.” According to vocalist Brandon Flowers, the crop includes “I Won’t Let You Down,” “Daddy’s Eyes” and “It’s Only Natural.”
“We’re trying to strip it down a little bit,” Flowers says of the material. “Not have it be so busy. Just let it breathe and let it be a great song. We wrote some great songs on the first one, but these have more of a classic feel.”
After the Japan dates, the band will begin demoing new material with several producers, including Flood (U2, Smashing Pumpkins) and Alan Moulder (My Bloody Valentine, Swervedriver). “We actually worked with Alan on our record, so we’re familiar with him,” says Flowers. Adds drummer Ronnie Vannucci, “That time will be used to get some ideas on tape and tie up the loose ends of the songs that have been written on the road.”
Capping the Killers’ breakthrough year was last week’s announcement that the band had been nominated for three Grammys: best rock album for “Hot Fuss” plus best rock song and best rock performance by a duo or group with vocal for “Somebody Told Me.”
“Three of them! One would have been nice but three is just… we’re excited,” Flowers says.
Here are the Killers’ tour dates:
Dec. 16: Adelaide, Australia (Thebarton Theatre)
Dec. 17: Melbourne (the Palace)
Dec. 18: Sydney (Enmore Theatre)
Dec. 20: Brisbane, Australia (Arena)
Dec. 30: Las Vegas (House of Blues)
Dec. 31: Los Angeles (Giant Village)
Jan. 19: Northumbria, England (University)
Jan. 20-21: Glasgow (Academy)
Jan. 23: Nottingham, England (Rock City)
Jan. 24: Birmingham, England (Academy)
Jan. 25: Liverpool, England (University)
Jan. 27: Leeds, England (University)
Jan. 28-29: Manchester, England (Academy)
Jan. 31: Norwich, England (UEA)
Feb. 1: Bristol, England (Academy)
Feb. 2: Brighton, England (Dome)
Feb. 4: Cambridge, England (Corn Exchange)
Feb. 5: Southampton, England (Guildhall)
Feb. 6: Cardiff, England (University)
Feb. 7, 9: London (Brixton Academy)
March 6: Nagoya, Japan (Club Quattro)
March 8: Hiroshima, Japan (Club Quattro)
March 9: Osaka, Japan (Club Quattro)
March 10: Tokyo (Liquid Room)
Source billboard.com.