The Killers 'offended' by Green Day
Brandon Flowers doesn’t want to be an 'American Idiot'
Brandon Flowers has criticised Green Day for what he sees as their calculated anti-Americanism.
In particular, Flowers singled out the track ‘American Idiot’ and the fact they filmed their DVD ‘Bullet In A Bible’, which features the song, in the UK.
"You have Green Day and 'American Idiot'. Where do they film their DVD? In England," The Killers’ frontman told The Word. "A bunch of kids screaming 'I don't want to be an American idiot' I saw it as a very negative thing towards Americans. It really lit a fire in me."
Explaining he was offended by the set-up, Flowers added: "You have the right to say what you want to say and what you want to write about, and I'm sure they meant it in the same way that Bruce Springsteen meant 'Born In The USA' and it was taken wrongly, but I was really offended when I saw them do that."
The singer added he felt the DVD was a bit of a a stunt.
“I just thought it was really cheap," he explained. "To go to a place like England or Germany and sing that song – those kids aren’t taking it the same way that he meant it. And he [Billie Joe Armstrong] knew it.”
The Killers’ frontman said he believed that his band’s new album ‘Sam’s Town’ is a much better representation of America.
“People need to see that, really, there are the nicest people in the world here!" he declared. "I don’t know if our album makes you realise that. But I hope it’s from a more positive place.”
In particular, Flowers singled out the track ‘American Idiot’ and the fact they filmed their DVD ‘Bullet In A Bible’, which features the song, in the UK.
"You have Green Day and 'American Idiot'. Where do they film their DVD? In England," The Killers’ frontman told The Word. "A bunch of kids screaming 'I don't want to be an American idiot' I saw it as a very negative thing towards Americans. It really lit a fire in me."
Explaining he was offended by the set-up, Flowers added: "You have the right to say what you want to say and what you want to write about, and I'm sure they meant it in the same way that Bruce Springsteen meant 'Born In The USA' and it was taken wrongly, but I was really offended when I saw them do that."
The singer added he felt the DVD was a bit of a a stunt.
“I just thought it was really cheap," he explained. "To go to a place like England or Germany and sing that song – those kids aren’t taking it the same way that he meant it. And he [Billie Joe Armstrong] knew it.”
The Killers’ frontman said he believed that his band’s new album ‘Sam’s Town’ is a much better representation of America.
“People need to see that, really, there are the nicest people in the world here!" he declared. "I don’t know if our album makes you realise that. But I hope it’s from a more positive place.”
The Killers tickets:
- Aug 2, 2008 at Marlay Park, Dublin - Check availability
- Aug 23, 2008 at Richfield Avenue, Festival, Reading - Check availability
- Aug 24, 2008 at Bramham Park, Leeds - Check availability
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