When The Killers’ singer discovered that the Bunnymen frontman didn’t have a ticket for the EMA extravaganza, he insisted Mac and elder daughter Candy go as the band’s guests.

While Brandon was here he went on a musical pilgrimage, visiting Mendips and Forthlin Road.

“It blew me away, seeing the houses they lived in,” he explains. “Just being in Liverpool was a humbling experience for me.”

At the ceremony itself, he was bowled over to see Sir Paul McCartney accepting his award.

“But to see Paul McCartney in the town where it all started, wow, now that was something else. This is one of the great musical cities of all time. We wouldn’t be here without The Beatles.”

Last time, he was here with the Killers to sing Human.

This time around, the Las Vegas-born 31-year-old is here alone, to promote his fantastic solo album, Flamingo, two weeks ago, which hit the top of the album chart. It’s a softer, more mellow sound, and one that has introduced him to a new audience.

“It definitely doesn’t have the power of the last couple of Killers albums,” he ponders. “I think it’s got more beauty, though. I guess it’s inevitable that it’s different.

“I think some of it would’ve made the Killers record, but there would have been new songs born with us playing in a room together.”

How did the other band members react when you said you were making a solo record?
“Fine,” he says. “The other guys wanted to have a break, and I didn’t, so they’re happy for me to do what makes me happy, and I guess it solidifies their time off.

“We’ll definitely get back in the studio at some point next year.

“I’m looking forward to the next Killers record. I know after I do this, my loyalty is to The Killers, and I think our next record is a really important one and we’re going to be on top form. I’m staying on top of things with this, they’re all resting, and I’m really excited about what’s going to happen.”

The album took less than two months to make, it seems that most artists are going this way now with their recording…

“Yeah, definitely,” agrees Brandon. “We like the studio, but I don’t think we want to spend half a year making a record. We need to manage time better.”

There’s a song about Las Vegas on the album, but it’s far from a celebration of the city.
“I just thought it was time to confront the city,” says Brandon. “It’s not a perfect place, there’s a lot of things happening there, but it’s home and I was born there. I know it’s not perfect but it’s all in that song.

“We’re proud of where we’re from and it’s given us an identity, which is something that’s ideal for a band.”

It must be a little nerve wracking, heading out to tour alone?

“Yes, but it’s always nerve-wracking playing new songs that people aren’t familiar with,” he says. “It’s the same with The Killers, but then we have the luxury of playing a couple of new songs and then hitting them with When You’re Young or something, so that’s great. But this tour is good for me, it’ll keep me on my toes.”

Are you someone who can take time off and relax easily?

“No, not really, the thought of taking a year, year-and-a-half off… I don’t know what I would do. It’s a long time when you’ve been flat out for the past seven years.”

He begins a UK tour on October 12 in Glasgow, and plays the O2 Academy, Liverpool, on October 14.

For more information, go to www.brandonflowersmusic.com

Any fan of The Killers knows that lead singer Brandon Flowers is the heart and soul of the band.

His unique voice gives the band’s music a captivating sound and his mysterious persona coupled with his flamboyant, theatrical on-stage performances has won over the adoration of countless fans.

After three studio albums with The Killers, Flowers released his first solo album Flamingo on Sept. 14. This does not mean that The Killers have broken up; the band is just taking some time away from the rigorous schedule of performing and composing new work.

Brandon Flowers said in an interview with CNN, “A couple of guys in The Killers want a long break, and I don’t blame them. But I don’t know what I would do for a year and a half without performing or without singing.”

The singer has definitely created a quality album with Flamingo. The style of music can best be described as soulful, sincere indie rock ‘n’ roll. The album pays homage to Flowers’ hometown with the opener track “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas,” setting a serene mood for the rest of the album. The song reveals the underlying beauty of the Nevada city through wonderfully sung lyrics and strong yet calming instrumental backing.

The album definitely relies heavily on Flowers’ vocals, but that is by no means a downfall; it is its greatest feature.

“Playing with Fire” confirms the vocal versatility that Flowers is capable of; he employs a falsetto second to none. “On the Floor” showcases how Flowers’ voice can hold the spotlight without relying on much instrumental accompaniment.

Flamingo also contains a few songs that have solid beats and catchy refrains that make the listener want to tap his foot and sing along. “Only the Young” has a drumbeat that just begs your body to move and a chant-like refrain that can be picked up with little effort.

With a faster pace, “Jilted Lovers & Broken Hearts” is more of a dance song that has a very catchy melody; the lively chords accompanying the vocals are reminiscent of some of The Killers’ hit songs.

“Crossfire,” the hit single from the album, encompasses all that Flowers can offer. The spellbinding melody, vocal variety, enchanting lyrics and hook-loaded chorus combine to create a true gem.

If you are looking for the powerful instrumental melodies of The Killers, this album may slightly disappoint. The collection of tracks provides a toned-down version of The Killers’ signature energy, but what the music lacks in power, it makes up for in melodic finesse.

Listening to the album is a tranquilizing experience that can lift anyone’s spirits – every ounce of each song is filled with passion. It appears that Flowers can do no wrong.

The Australian pop star is a huge fan of The Killers frontman and thinks the combination of his synthesiser-inspired tunes and her vocals would be a winning combination.

When quizzed on who she would like to work with next, she said: “Oh Brandon Flowers. It’s not on the cards but I just think he’s amazing. It could work well. I don’t think he knows I’ve even said that. But I’d really love to.”

During her career Kylie has collaborated with a wide ranging variety of musicians and singers, including Robbie Williams, the Manic Street Preachers and Nick Cave.

Before she heads into the studio again, Kylie is busy planning her upcoming ‘Les Folies Tour’ – which starts in Denmark in February in support of her latest album ‘Aphrodite’ – and she can’t wait to hit the road.

The 42-year-old singer told The Sun newspaper: “We’re just at the early stages – deciding ideas, budgets and songs. We get deep into rehearsals in the New Year. There will be eights songs from the new album. It’s very ‘Aphrodite’ driven but we’ll also throw the hits in there. It’s super-exciting. We’re already getting restless. For my sins, I really do love performing.”

Below Kylie Minogue PicGallery

And Brandon Flowers

Playing With Fire

Only The Young

When You Were Young (Brandon Flowers Version)

Magdalena

Swallow It

Brandon Flowers is a skilled gambler, who has won thousands of dollars at casinos in his hometown of Las Vegas.
Brandon Flowers has won thousands of dollars at Las Vegas casinos.
The Killers frontman – who is from the city, the gambling capital of the US – admits he is drawn to the “adrenalin” of betting, but remains wary of the destructive consequences it can have on some people.
Brandon – who once worked as a bellhop at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino – said: “The most I’ve won is a couple of thousand. I’m not a huge gambler personally but the adrenalin of it can draw anybody in so you’ve got to be careful. I’m still drawn to those neon lights.
“There are a lot of very ‘Las Vegas’ stories I have. Especially from working with people who had problems with gambling.
“They’d earn a lot of money in tips then just move from the front of the restaurant to the casino floor, lose every cent and do it again the next day.”
The ‘Crossfire’ singer – who has just released his debut solo album ‘Flamingo’ – also revealed many of his fans think he lives in a hotel in his famous hometown.
He added to Shortlist magazine: “I’ve been asked what hotel I live in a few times! A lot of people don’t realise that there are homes in Nevada away from the strip.”

Elsewhere, there’s the impressive ‘Hard Enough’, a duet with Rilo Kiley‘s Jenny Lewis. The interlaced vocals provide interest and intrigue, but this is no Mark Lanegan and Isobel Campbell, there’s no intriguing incongruence, if anything the voices are similar sounding but nonetheless create a sweet sounding combination that represents the best piece of work on the album. ‘Hard Enough’ is the kind of material that should be making up the majority of a Brandon Flowers solo album, and there’d be little to pick at if that were the case, but ‘Flamingo’ is dogged by too many glam plodders that would comfortably sit on any record by THE KILLERS, rendering much of the album a rather ‘so what’ affair. That said, the record as a whole is far from pointless, and first single ‘Crossfire’ throws plenty behind the 29-year-old’s case as a solo artist.

The album’s influences are easily traceable, and Flowers would presumably bask in a Bruce Springsteen comparison, but therein lays part of the problem. The debut long-player from one of the most recognisable frontmen around sounds like The Boss at 60-years-old, it’s straight from ‘Working On A Dream’ and ‘Magic’, rather than ‘Greetings From Asbury Park’ or ‘The River’. So, a predictable album, unfortunately, inspires a rather predictable summary – and so, despite its faults, there’s enough about ‘Flamingo’ to safely suggest Flowers will at some point return with a follow up, and there’s plenty to build on.

By Michael West