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Killers: 'We want to knock Led Zeppelin and Nirvana off their pedestals'

Brandon Flowers reveals band's US ambitions

April 30, 2009 | 42 Comments
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The Killers have thrown down the gauntlet to American music fans, declaring they will knock Led Zeppelin and Nirvana "off their pedestals".

The Las Vegas band are currently in the middle of a north American tour, and frontman Brandon Flowers has told NME.COM he will use the dates to help repeat the success the band have already enjoyed in Britain. But first, they'll have to overcome the US public's listening prejudices.

"We’ve been embraced in Britain in a way that I’ll never understand, and it’s such a wonderful thing," he declared. "But over here [in America], people are still so obsessed with Led Zeppelin and Nirvana, those sorts of bands, that nobody else is allowed [to grow]."

He added: "It’s not just us; there are a lot of great bands that have been held down or confined by the influence of these people that we’ve put up on pedestals. I’m tired of it, you know? I just want to knock them all off! And people don’t like that attitude. It’s almost like they don’t believe that it’s possible that anybody else can be the real deal.

"It doesn’t matter how many great songs we write or how many great shows we play. But we’re slowly chipping away at it. With this last album ['Day And Age'], there’s been a noticeable shift but we’re still nowhere near where we are in Europe."

To read the full, exclusive interview with Flowers, including his plans for this summer's festivals and The Killers future release plans, get this week's issue of NME which is on UK newsstands now.

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Comments (42)

Add a comment

mfcx5jw2

Apr 30, 2009

First U2, now Led Zep and Nirvana?? What next - The beatles? ...Jesus??!!!The bare facts are that people who love the killers only love the first half of 'Hot Fuss'. Every work since then has been unimaginative and safe. If they really want to get people excited about them in the states, they just have to put down the sewing machine for one second and concentrate a little more on making cool music again. And those first 6Tracks were very, very cool.

Robmark2

Apr 30, 2009

The day a Mormon becomes more famous than Zeppelin is the day Rock N Roll dies. Glad to see the success isnâ€™t going to your over inflated Ego Flowers!

jamesyp

Apr 30, 2009

How long before some loser posts that no one will ever be as good as Led Zep or Nirvana, simply reaffirming his point!

Gavin1994

Apr 30, 2009

arrogant bollocks

(hed)jums

Apr 30, 2009

This man simply should not exist.

possitive mental attitude

Apr 30, 2009

hahahahahahahahahahhahaha oh ahhhhh stop im bein sick your making me laugh so hard........ you will never be spoken in the same breath as led zeppelin or nirvana.. the difference is you have one and a half good albums the rest is shite.. they are both legendary .

goffie10

Apr 30, 2009

This guy really is a 1st class c**t

jud1984

Apr 30, 2009

fucking idiots how dare he mention himself in the same league as led zep!!

chrispaz

Apr 30, 2009

jamesyp, that's bollocks. The point is that The Killers will never be as good as Led Zep or Nirvana, which pisses all over his point.

wowzer555

Apr 30, 2009

hot fuss was great but everything since has been pretty poor. sams town was an absolute let down. i think you'll find brandon that Nirvan IMPROVED following the release of Bleach and not the other way round. Until you can do the same shut yer mouth and bow down.

jlanty

Apr 30, 2009

Wether you like his music or not, Brandon does have a point. No matter how good a new band is (be it the killers or anyone else) they will never be put in the same league as bands from the past and its wrong. People seem to dislike anyone with any sort of ambition.

KidDynamite

Apr 30, 2009

is this bloke serious? just cos you got feathers on, doesn't mean you can soar with the eagles my mate. more like roaming with the turkeys.

criticismrocks

Apr 30, 2009

To be fair, they SHOULD be as good a nirvan or led zep... and maybe they even could be, but the business isn't set up that way (I.e. good debut, then one average album every 3 years). At the end of the day it's our generation who suffers. We're gonna have to make up stories to our grandkids about how we lived thru grunge/new rave etc.We're gonna have to lie a lot basically.

Spaceboyzero

Apr 30, 2009

His comments might have made some sense if the killers weren't so bland.There will surely be a band as great as the zep or nirvana some day but it wont be brandon flowers and his awful eighties revival pap

verymetal13

Apr 30, 2009

LMAO, he's a funny little fucker isnt he!

horrorbat

Apr 30, 2009

well you think about it...they are on the same level as led zeppelin and nirvana. they are overrated and boring:)

JonnyDale

Apr 30, 2009

Never ceases to amaze me how some people turn a blind-eye to the amazing tracks on Sam's Town and Day & Age.I'm sure people who are slagging it off gave it one or two listens before deciding it's "uninspired", rather than really giving the albums a chance.The Killers could easily be up there with Led Zeppelin in 3-4 albums time.

matt31290

May 1, 2009

i think there are bands which are as good as nirvana and led zeppelin, and dont get the reputation they deserve, especially in america, but the killers are not one of them. bands like kings of leon and the strokes (and in my personal opinion interpol, but thats a bit too unrealistic) deserve to be up there, the killers are just average and middle of the road nowadays.

matt31290

May 1, 2009

i think there are bands which are as good as nirvana and led zeppelin, and dont get the reputation they deserve, especially in america, but the killers are not one of them. bands like kings of leon and the strokes (and in my personal opinion interpol, but thats a bit too unrealistic) deserve to be up there, the killers are just average and middle of the road nowadays.

pyt_flowers

May 1, 2009

jeeze people will you actually read the article ! hes not saying hes better than anyone hes just saying that people arnt appreciating bands in the same way they used to, which is true as people are still hung up on the past their not making way for the new bands that are creating brilliant music.

Gogol Head

May 1, 2009

Well theres nothing wrong with being ambitious, would it be better if he said 'I don't want be as good as those bands' Thats worse

MaMort

May 1, 2009

The Killers are Okay.. But there's a reason why ppl put bands like Zep and Nirvana before new bands, because new bands suck, he should stop complaining and try to fix this problem.

gazhat

May 1, 2009

.....i hate this arsehole more with every breath i take, The Killers are the most overated band since ColdFray and this prick can only DREAM of making music as good as Zeppelin or Nirvana....rehashed '80s synth bollocks ???....no thanks, now fuck off back to moron country Brandon and listen to the Pet Shop Boys...

MartynDavenport

May 1, 2009

Why are they comparing themselves to Rock Bands, I thought they made synth pop? Also, being popular doesn't make you good, as their live performances demonstrate lol

lisa 1966

May 1, 2009

I hope Jimmy Page kicks the shit out of this arrogant prick.Well lets see the reason Led Zeppelin has not only endured some 40 years later unlike you they had TALENT!!You idiot.If you are dumb enough to display your lack of musical knowledge and lack of intelligence for the world to see your dummber than u look.Who the hell is still going to be discovering The Killers music with awe and inspiration,still selling music,young kids still buys t-shirts and millions of people clawing for the few tickets that were sold for The 2007 ' show in England.You are a sad little man from a puny little band no one will recall in 5 years let alone 40.Go back to Las Vegas and pray Jimmy Page doesn't want to kick your ass.Makes me wonder if this jerk has ever listened to Led Zeppelin. Oh and Kurt Cobain could write circles around you and your band.Someone please put a sock in this guys mouth tell him he and his band are not that good and to shut the hell up.I am embarressed to be an American because of this guys arrogance and big mouth about something he will in 10years from now regret saying.

HeadQuarters2

May 2, 2009

The only reason The Prickers are big in England is because everyone there wants a pop-ier more electro version of the Strokes. Partly because they can't come up with anything themselves (look how many Zepplin songs ripped old blues classics, Pistols ripped of Ramones, etc.) and part cuz they wanna blow anything American. I wish this band would fall of a ship in the middle of the Atlantic. Even their 1st album was lame if ya ask me. They're friggen MORMONS... COME ON!!!!!!

killersindie

May 2, 2009

HAHA WHATEVER!!! OF COURSE BRANDON CAN DO IT HES A FUKING LEGEND AND SO IS THE BAND ALL YOU MORBERT FUKERS LIKING NIRVANA?? yes they were fuking brilliant but its time for the next generation of rock people and thats the killers man deffo honestly are you def or blind? there hot man,, aw and LISA WHO THE FUCK IS JIMMY PAGE??? haha any1 touches brandon ill hunt them down and kill them and i mean that honesltly! GROW UP THE LOT OF YAS can a KING not give his opinion owey man fuk ups hes brilliant makes any song amazing hes not a jerk and of course hell listen to led zeplin and nirvana SHIT gosh hes not judging no1 for fuk sake man hes just sayin you set of cunts that he wants to be the best at what he does who doesnt wanna be best at there jobs fuking grow up man leave a ledgend to tell his wise words fuk ups!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bluehippie

May 2, 2009

Please. That whiny bastard spends more time complaining about not being famous enough than he does making music that WILL make him famous. There are plenty of fantastic bands(Kings of Leon, My Morning Jacket, Drive By Truckers, The Hold Steady, The White Stripes) that get the attention they deserve. Jealosy is unbecoming, even for pansy-ass wannabe rockstars.

strokes_addiction

May 2, 2009

hahahahahahahahahaha wtf?he just want some attention....

c13r4n

May 2, 2009

ok, maybe it is big-headed of him to say this but c'mon nirvana are quite overrated (mainly because of nevermind) and led zeppelin are quite possibly overated as well, the days of both bands are gonepeople have to be prepared to accept new musicand as for people saying the only good killers album is hot fuss, tht is a load of bullshityou probably listen to the singles off sams town and day and age and decide you dont like itlisten to the albums a few times and see afterwards, i was hesitant about both at first but now i luv 'em

andrewmacmillan

May 2, 2009

In my opinion Brandon has the wrong attitude in regards to music. People are still obsessed with Led Zeppelin and Nirvana because they are great bands. Those bands had respect for the past and praised important musician's that came before them. You never heard Nirvana saying things like, why do people still like The Beatles? We're going to knock them off their pedestals! Led Zeppelin and Nirvana deserve their place in history and should be respected. Brandon should just let it go and focus on "his" music. These comments don't seem to be doing him any good.

Gogol Head

May 2, 2009

erm 'lisa 1966' calm down, their not gods y'know...seriouslyand also 'gazhat', moron country? :/MaMort - New bands suck?, theres loads of great bands @the moment

MisterHate

May 2, 2009

Why don't you set more realistic goals like sticking your elbow in your ear or perhaps extinguishing the sun? There are many bands who have been given room to grow. They had a big thing going for them: Talent. Blah and phooey.

royalrumpus

May 3, 2009

Next thing you'll know he'll be saying that the Killers are going to be bigger than God. What an arrogant waste of space this guy is. My prediction is that the ratio of perceived talent vs actual talent for the Killers is far larger than that of say Led Zeppelin or Nirvana. Just because you can hold a paintbrush doesn't make you Leonardo Da Vinci. I like the Killers but unfortunately they will never be a Led Zeppelin or a Nirvana as what they do is one dimensional in comparison. can't imagine that 20,30 or 40 years down the line we'll be discussing how the Killers influenced anyone to the same degree as Zep or Nirvana. That's the difference! Grow up Brandon you'll never be in the same league.

FuntikFudge

May 4, 2009

he wouldn't have said things like that if he hadn't been a Mormon.really if you look through the pages of that schizoid book you'll understand.it turns everyone into a zombie of "you're the fucking chosen one" and blahblah shit like be better than the best.i just feel sorry for him.

jadezam

May 4, 2009

i love brandon hes such a great role model

IamTomSellecksMoustache

May 4, 2009

It's really just my personal opinion, but I think The Killers are way more relevant today than Led Zep and Nirvana. Nirvana are probally the most overrated band ever. They might have been relevant in the 90's but definitely not now. All the Killers albums have been amazing and as far as I'm concerned, their music is better than Led Zep and Nirvana combined. Although I have to admit that I lost a lot of respect when I found out Brandon was a Mormon.

Raceyouthere

May 4, 2009

The Killers are gonna make it! Whether you think they can do it or not, you have to give it to them for wanting to deliver.

attila

May 6, 2009

well there's nothing like getting people to comment & talk .Good on you brandon keep the good work up,make every album sound different .oh,listen is that another led zep album i hear ,it must be they all sound the same

crackerz91

May 6, 2009

anyone who has an ounce of musical taste knows why the Killers suck balls.

teckn0logik

May 11, 2009

Whoa everyone - you're harsh. I really enjoy what the Killers are doing. Their lyrics are deep but written in an abstract way. Not just spelled out like some "hit" American bands. I really enjoy all types of music, but I believe (my own opinion) that the Killers are never going to be Led Zepplin and Nirvana in their sound but are definitely just as good. Nirvana was such a hit because they started a new trend of music, but I think the Killers are awesome because they have some heavy music lyrically with a fun sound and good musicians. I also LOVE the new album Day and Age so i think that you should listen more closely to the music and lyrics and give it another shot. They are NOT sell-outs or unimaginative. Just different than what you make be accustom to. I think brandon said what he said because America's music is sometimes put in such a box of what the radios play and the crap "pop" that we all listen to without thinking if it's really good or not. I'm not saying that i don't listen to some of the same mindless music that you all do, because i listen to most everything except country and rap, but i really enjoy bands like Coldplay, U2, the Killers, Keane, Muse..etc...just all are good musicians and bring something different but wonderful to our musical arena. I grew up with Led Zep. and later Nirvana and do like music, but just think outside the box and listen to these other bands. I'm really one for lyrics so even though the title of a song may be "neon tiger" or "human" it can have some deeper meanings in it.

ACSizzle

Jun 2, 2009

The thing that Brandon has said which I do not really see anything wrong with is that people are still obsessed and therefore when they see new bands the first thing they say is not as good as someone from before.These bands yes they are legendary but there have been new bands that work hard and do not get recognition due to narrow minded people. Also Nivarna got more famous after Cobain's death and in my opinion were not as good as Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden.As for the giving nods to people before them they have done that from performing with U2, Bruce Springsteen, Pet Shop Boys they have acknowledged their influences.As for the Mormon comment it is pretty stupid to have a go at someone just because they believe in a religion that I bet most on here do not know enough to comment on and even if they did religion is a personal thing and different people practice it in different ways.As for their music they have changed their sound in each album and people still say that they are unimaginative, fewer bands have done that.Sam's Town was a great album and its really funny how people say they are shit and unimaginative when all they want is a rehash of the first six songs from Hot Fuss.Led Zepellin were cool but i'm pretty sure many on these types of sites are only got into them after they stopped releasing as many albums to seem cool.