At 389 weeks, the Killers’ Mr Brightside holds the record for the most weeks in the UK singles chart – but the song’s popularity hasn’t eclipsed the band who made it, who are gearing up to their second best-of compilation. To mark it, frontman Brandon Flowers and drummer Ronnie Vannucci will be answering your questions.
Formed in Las Vegas in 2001 after frontman Brandon Flowers was fired from synth-pop trio Blush Response and understood his desire to be in a rock band after watching an Oasis concert at the Hard Rock Hotel, the Killers would sneak into the music practice halls of University of Nevada, Las Vegas – which is where they wrote and practised the majority of the tracks that appear on their 2004 debut album Hot Fuss.
Playing pop-rock informed by the insistent pulse of New Order, the widescreen Americana of Bruce Springsteen and other similarly epic touchstones, the band have become one of the UK’s most cherished, and have released seven consecutive chart-topping albums here, with other hit singles including Somebody Told Me and Human. They have headlined Madison Square Garden, Wembley Stadium, Coachella, and Glastonbury festival (twice, in 2007 and 2019) and toured to more than 50 countries. Now, after two decades in the game, the band are releasing a new best-of album Rebel Diamonds (out 8 December), featuring 20 songs including a brand new one Spirit.
Post your questions in the comments section below about anything to do with the band’s career and music, before Friday 1 December. Their answers will be published in the 15 December edition of the Guardian’s Film & Music section, and online.
