The Killers have announced that guitarist Dave Keuning is to take a break from touring with the band. The guitarist has stated that he wants to spend more time with his family but will still continue to record with the band. His decision echoes that of bassist Mark Stoermer, who ceased touring to go back to college. So will it be all Fillers and no Killers?
Not so, according to the band.
"Despite conjecture, The Killers are the same four weirdos we've always been. And worry not, we will not be performing as a two-piece," the band posted on Twitter.
"As our fans have seen, the live line-up has grown over the years. Both Ted and Jake have been in the mix for a very long time (since Sam’s Town and Battle Born). Hell, we even have 3 background singers now!” they said.
Touring members Ted Sablay and Jake Blanton will take over from Stoermer and Keuning respectively.
They continued: “[Dave] will be taking a break from touring to spend time with his family. We respect his decision, just as we respected Mark’s decision to go back to college.
“More importantly, Wonderful Wonderful will be released on September 22, and we can’t wait for you to hear it – on record and at the shows. We will not disappoint.”
— The Killers (@thekillers) 28 August 2017
The line-up re-shuffle means that singer Brandon Flowers and drummer Ronnie Vanucci are the only two members of the original line-up who will be performing live on stage.
Bassist Mark Stoermer backed out of touring with the band to concentrate on working for his bachelor’s degree in art history. Speaking to Billboard, he explained his decision saying: “I get joy out of making music with The Killers, but being on the road and in the studio was too much."
