By Quinn McGovern ’12 &
Kevin Cabano ’12
THE ROUNDUP
The Killers mix unique style with underground nostalgic rock
Underground rock has always had its place on the music radar, but there are few bands following the scene that have stood out as much as the Killers.
The Killers have acted as pioneers in this new age of music making.
They originated in Las Vegas in 2002, and since then they have been taking their revival of the post-punk genre to new unique realms that are always surprising.
The rock group consists of four members: Brandon Flowers on vocals and keyboards, Dave Keuning and Mark Stoermer on guitar and bass and Ronnie Vannucci on the drums.
As an early band, they had started to create a sound true to their alternative desires.
Releasing catchy and almost frivolous singles such as “Somebody Told Me,” some people could tell what to except from them.
Their first album “Hot Fuss” granted them plenty of radio air-time and put them on the main stream music map.
After, “Sam’s Town” was released, which was full of hits that still tend to comprise much of the band’s direction artistically as they implemented more electronic sound and alternative cornerstones.
After their semi-popular compilation album “Sawdust,” the foundation for their most recent and very popular album “Day and Age” was laid.
“Day and Age” packed in a lot of the very underground alternative sound the Killers had been known for, including two singles “Human” and “Spaceman.”
Look for their albums if you like a great alternative rock sound, and also be aware of a possible upcoming tour.
Key Songs: “Mr. Brightside,” “Somebody Told Me,” “Spaceman,” “Human”
-Quinn McGovern
Hendrix created defining rock sound, style for many generations to come
Jimi Hendrix was born Nov. 27, 1942 in Seattle, Wash.
As a child he listened to blues records that his father owned and eventually took up the guitar, which would soon make for a short but wildly successful career.
After serving in the U.S. Army for two years, Hendrix began to focus more on music and played guitar for artists of the day such as Little Richard. He also was a member of the Isley Brothers’ backup band but left after several months due to personal dissatisfaction.
However, in 1966, Hendrix’s talent was discovered and he was flown to London to form a band. This band, featuring drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Noel Redding, became The Jimi Hendrix Experience.
They released famous songs such as “Purple Haze,” “Voodoo Child (Slight Return),” and a cover of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” before breaking up in 1969.
They fused several genres such as blues, rock, funk and psychedelic to create a unique sound. Hendrix played with other incarnations of his band, including one for a performance at the Woodstock Festival in 1969.
He died in 1970. There is still speculation as to how exactly he died but it is most often believed to be from an overdose on sleeping pills.
Hendrix is renowned as one of the greatest guitarists to ever live, even topping the 100 Greatest Guitarists list by Rolling Stone magazine as well as others.
He is known for his innovation with effects and technique to create new sounds out of his instrument.
Several albums of previously recorded material have been released posthumously, including the recent “Valleys of Neptune.”
Key Album: “Are You Experienced,” The Jimi Hendrix Experience, 1967
Key Songs: “Foxy Lady,” “All Along the Watchtower,” “Fire,” “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)”
–Kevin Cabano
