It’s only been a few weeks since The Killers’ Brandon Flowers declared that Kurt Cobain ruined rock’n'roll, but he’s back at it again, and this time Nirvana isn’t the only band in his sights. He’d also like to take this opportunity to talk trash about Led Zeppelin. Because hey, if you can be a famous singer you can at least be a famous douche bag.
Flowers told NME.com that they’re planning on using their upcoming North American tour to amp up their American audience to be on par with their fans across the pond. But in order to do that, he said, the band will have to overcome some “prejudices” of the American listening public first.
“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.”
There are plenty of amusing things about this, but we’ll stick with these: 1. Led Zeppelin are British, and 2. Since when did someone liking Nirvana or Led Zep keep them from liking new music? Well, if it’s good new music, that is.
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May 1st, 2009 at 4:54 pm
He’s a little wrong.
He’s a little correct.
May 1st, 2009 at 6:54 pm
I can see what he’s saying. The majority of Americans are stuck in the 90s (or the 70s, depending on age). It could have been articulated differently, however, to avoid doucheness.
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:40 pm
He is absolutely right. The British have amazing musical taste, Americans are stuck in the past. Classic Rock or country for them.
Oh, by the way… Brandon Flowers is a genius. You are the idiot.
May 3rd, 2009 at 11:00 pm
I went to The Killers concert last night and I must say, I totally agree with Brandon Flowers. With the exception of my family and I, who absolutely ADORE The Killers, everyone there was just a stick in the mud. If you pay money to see a band, no matter who it is, you should at least sing along. I believe most people in America are afraid to like something new and different. Their music and concert was FANTSASTIC. Also, what’s wrong with wanting to be the best? He didn’t say Kurt Kobain was the most stupid person in the history of music. He has an opinion. Its a lot better to speak your mind than to hate someone for speaking theirs. I love Zepplin and I also think Nirvana was a fantastic band. But lets face it, before they were ‘classic’ they were just like The Killers. Im sure they weren’t immediately accepted. The Killers are an amazing band. Even BETTER in concert. Just let go of the gossip and sing along to Human. OR better yet, be a dancer.
May 5th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
After reading a few articles about the interview I’ve conlcuded that Mr.Flowers is either extremly arrogant and frustrated (which I can understand) or trying anything to get some attention back home in the U.S.(or maybe his dad likes classic rock[daddy issues]). I think the reason that many people have a problem with what Flowers is saying is because there is an obvious separation between what Zeppelin and Nirvana did and what the Killers have done musically. The former two bands influenced the rock music of their time and all rock there after in a big way; their music is transcendent. The Killers haven’t ever shifted any paradigms in music (probably never will). The Killers aren’t even in the same league as many of the better modern bands, so to say they want to knock off legends is absurd. The Killers have had very little impact on music when compared to Nirvana and Led Zeppeline. Its okay to maintain the opinion that “you” like the music the Killers play better than Nirvana or Zep; its all about doing what you like. But if you take a serious look at what the three bands have done for music as a whole, the Killers dont have the library and certainly haven’t shown the talent to say they’ve contributed as much as the other two.
May 8th, 2009 at 12:33 am
Before I start sayin anything else, I want to let you know that I am a fan of them. And this band has had an impact on my life. It has and still is very comforting in hard times. Weather it would be about family, the world, being emotionaly overwhelmed within yourself, or faith. It’s not about the genre, the looks, or the fans. It’s about sharing in what you believe in… and yes it might offend people but then again only a certian amount of people understand. When you listin to them you have to be open minded, and dig deep into the words. I have to also say that I like Nirvana and Zeppeline, they rock. But what Killers come out with now, relates to this day and age. I can relate more to it. I love british 80’s and todays music from New Order to Keane so why not The Killers since they are infulence by New Order and another band I love Depeche Mode. It is cool to know what other people have in mind about them.
August 5th, 2009 at 12:19 am
Wow. First of all, Brandon Flowers is a musical genious, not an idiot. And how dare you call him a douche bag. Who do you think that you are? What have you done with your life other than run your mouth about people you don’t even know. Why should Brandon be knocked for expressing his opinion? He has a valid point; people in America (me being American) are afraid to like something too different. Bands like Led Zeppelin are famous half because of hype. Look at hit artists today. Lady Gaga? Hannah Montana? Do you really believe those people have half the talent some people in the world do? Absolutely not. But they are famous because ‘everyone’ listens to them, well Lday Gaga at least. It is true that The Killers are more famous overseas than here in America. And at least The Killers aren’t a one-hit-wonder, like bands such as Metro Station, or We The Kings. It could be a lot worse, and there are much more issues to bitch about than Brandon Flowers’s mouth. So why don’t you lay off.
August 5th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
All he was aying is that he wants people to be a little more open minded about the music they listen to. He wasn’t “trash talking” Nirvana or Led Zeppelin. Sometimes he just says things and people like you misinterpet them. What he’s saying is “Why can’t people who like Nirvana and Led Zeppelin also like The Killers?” And it’s very true. People need to get over this ‘everything-besides-led zeppelin-is-crap’ attitude. I like Nirvana, but at the same time I also like Panic at the Disco. It is possible to like more than on thing you know.
August 13th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
He’s not being arrogant. He’s a little frustrated, but that’s understandable.
He telling a truth that everyone else is afraid to say. People need to get over Zeppelin. We kinda did in the 80’s, but the the 90’s came and BOOM!; here comes some more heavy rock (just in the form of grunge). People in this great country (the U.S.of A.) need to stop listening to “CLassic” Rock stations and get their head out of the hole. Their other music out there.
(Btw, I’ve been dazed and confused for so long it’s not true. And let’s come and drink pennyroyal tea.)
September 28th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
I think he’s confused about his identity?
November 7th, 2009 at 1:24 am
If you listened to The Killers, which you clearly don’t, you would know this article is in poor taste.