The Killers
@ Leeds Cockpit
28.05.04
www.vanguard-online.co.uk

The Cockpit was sold out tonight. Don't know where The Killers got such a following - they've not had the coverage of some, though they do sound good on the radio.

There are some bands you go to see in the flesh because you enjoyed their album, there are others that you go to experience. The former rarely satisfy except as a souvenir and I'd put The Killers in that category. That's not to say they're no good - they make arresting records. Just, however magnetic a front man they have, they don't catch fire. There is a forward propulsion, a fine voice and some mannerisms - its sort of The Divine Comedy write a Blur song. Up front is a geezer in a jacket with a flower in the lapel and a white shirt, setting off the quite sixties sounding keys but clashing with the lanky Grandaddy-looking guy on the rubber Fender Precision bass. Add a mop head on guitar and; that's it, folks - the post-modern band look of today.

The music treads a square pattern, harking back to Britpop and, in turn, The Kinks. What sets The Killers up, though, is that voice. Its as striking as Hugh Cornwell in early Stranglers whilst having the indie flatness of TV Smith or Robert Smith. They have the strange effect of taking the excited crowd from animation to immobility as they progress. Right the way through until the single Only A Kiss circles higher and higher in its all-conquering tune.
Moment of the gig for me was The Killers delivering 'It's Indie Rock and Roll For Me' as the lighter-waving stadium anthem it is.

Ross McGibbon