Meet The Killers: Interview with Ronnie Vannucci

Back in November, when somebody told us The Killers are coming to town on Januaray 26, one of our editors sang, "Somebody told me, you're coming to Beijing, I don't believe it...", and we agreed with him despite his lack of singing ability. During the past few months, lots of people have been telling us it’s true and we still don’t quite believe it - even after we had this Q&A with the band’s drummer Ronnie Vannucci. But if you are the kind of person who has, you know, eyes, you've probably seen the show on billboards at bus stops, the big screen at The Village, and newsstands at restaurants & bars - it's all over the place.

the Beijinger: I’m listening to your live recording at the Royal Albert Hall. What made this gig special enough to make you release a DVD and CD of it?
Ronnie Vannucci: It always wracks the nerves when anything is recorded. Hell, with today's technology and YouTube & Youku nothing is sacred.

tbj: Tell us a bit about your cover of “Hotel California”?
RV: The "Hotel California" cover was a collaboration between Buena Vista Social Club and The Killers to help fix planet earth.

tbj: Does the band name have anything to do with Ernest Hemingway's short story The Killers, or am I just being a smartass about it?
RV: You're being a smartass. I like that though. And the book isn't bad either. I hate long reads. We stole the name from New Order.

tbj: Is it part of The Killers’ job to write radio-friendly songs like "Somebody Told Me" for each album?
RV: We didn't expect it to be on the radio in that way. It's a crapshoot these days.

tbj: The Killers started off being more popular in The UK than in your own country, why do you think that is?
RV: We toured the UK first, so it made sense that momentum started there first. The UK still enjoys a good song. Which helps.

tbj: Is Springsteen a hero of the band?
RV: He's definitely an influence. Go see him live. He's sixty and will kick anyone's ass.

tbj: Tell us something else about Las Vegas besides casinos, shows, and divorces.
RV: Outside Vegas is beautiful. There's a lake, sand dunes, a forest, wild horses, snow... Nature! Quite the opposite of Vegas as people know it.

tbj: Name three things about Chinese MUSIC (phew…that eliminates the ‘food’ answer…or still doesn’t) that come to your mind.
RV: Thank god for Yo-Yo Ma, eh?

tbj: What can Beijing expect at the show?
RV: Hopefully, people feel satisfied from the show and walk away with good memories. We look forward to sharing the time.

tbj: What do you expect from Beijing?
RV: We try not to expect anything from an audience. We're the ones on stage. Any expectations should be on us, not the other way around. The audience pays, we need to deliver.

The Killers perform at Workers’ Gymnasium on January 26. RMB 380-780. 8pm. Tickets at 400 620 6006 or here. Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District (6501 6300) 朝阳区工体北路