Killing the mood

October 19th, 2006 posted by robb

Zonked from an all-day workshop at work, I caught a bit of the Killers in Much Music Intimate&Interactive tonight. They were gracing us with their superstar presence at the Much space on Queen Street.  Sweet, a pick me up after the day; something more entertaining to watch than "Born to Be: Beyoncé" or "So You Think You Can Dance: 2" on syndication. (Benji Wins.)

Too bad there's really nothing superstar about these boys – more like flat, bland and boring. Fiesty Much VJ Leah Miller was clearly a fan of the boys, rhyming off memorized lyrics, smiling profusely and pulling carefully researched band quirks/facts about them to spark conversation. Sadly, it was more like talking to stoned lamp posts.  There was zero personality, excitement or even attention to her… she'd mostly get dead end one line answers (if she was lucky). After the first few questions that had a reaction similar to poking road kill, she tried to spice things up by herding them outside for audience questions.

Envious fan: "How many empty bars did you have to play until you got noticed?"

(Band members not paying attention, Brandon Flowers' back is to the outside audience, busy signing autographs while the others are busy staring at the digital cameras)

Much VJ (grasping for their attention): "Guys? How many empty bars did you guys play? Before you got noticed?"

(painful dead air)

Ronnie Vannucci (drummer): "Bars? Oh.(pause) May be 2 or 3. It didn't take long before people got into our stuff."

(Fan leaves with empty sense of what's it's really like to make it).

Honestly boys. Can't you at least be a bit more realistic? OR at least pay attention to the fans outside freezing their butts off to see you guys? It's not like the popularity is new to you. It's been a couple years of this now.

Unfortunately the music wasn't any better. I am a fan of the Killers, but I’m glad i didn't get tix to the upcoming show. It sounded more like Karaoke. I have to say the band sounded quite crisp, however Brandon's whailing voice was a bit flat and lifeless. But more importantly, where's the enthusiasm from the band?  I've heard rumors about the Killer's comatose stage presence, but being such "seasoned stars" by now you'd think they'd be more engaging.  But it appears they're musicians and not performers.

Ah well. Didn't make it past the first 15 mins., so perhaps they woke up near the end of the show (their weed wear off?), but i wasn't prepared to wait - passing out on the couch seemed much more appealing!

-RE

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