Brandon Flowers’ new songs were a “natural” fit for a solo album, rather than another Killers record.
The 45-year-old singer began work on his latest LP Thrasher shortly after his group finished making 2021’s Pressure Machine, but the tracks “didn’t feel” like they belonged with the band because they are so personal to him.
He told The Sun newspaper: “I really enjoyed making this. It was a very important record to me. I didn’t want to leave it alone, so I just continued. It was such a revelation.
“I had all these memories, all these characters and sadness — all of this stuff that I could now find a place for and turn them into something.
“These songs don’t feel like Killers songs — they’re quite personal, so it felt natural that it should be a solo record. It’s been nearly ten years since the last one — I can’t believe it.”
Thrasher has a strong country tinge, thanks to the influence of Brandon’s father Terry, and he admitted he is still trying to prove himself to his dad.
He said: “Much has been said about how my love of music came from my brother [Shane]. Yeah, it did, but at the same time, I was hearing country music from my dad. His favourites were the heavy hitters — Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard — along with some of those who were not as famous. There’s a guy named John Conlee who he listened to, who I really love.
“As a teenager, I felt I had to choose — the kid who listens to New Order doesn’t also listen to Waylon Jennings.
“As I get older, I just seem to gravitate back to my father’s music.
“I’m trying to show my dad that I can do what he does. He’s a good man. He’s doing pretty good.
“He had open heart surgery at 81, which is a difficult thing. He’s five months past it now and is pretty good.”
Brandon is preparing to head out on the road in support of the album and he teased the shows will be very different to The Killers’ glitzy stadium spectacles.
He explained: “I’ve got a band together. This tour is going to be a different experience than you are accustomed to.
“I’m going to tell more stories and take advantage of these smaller rooms — the Albert Hall is the biggest room I’m playing.
“I want to explain the story behind the songs, which you can’t do in a stadium — so I thought this would be the time to give it a shot.
“I worry people will get sick of Mr. Brightside so I feel lucky that I have different outlets for my music.”