Brandon Flowers: 'I'm not crazy'
BRANDON Flowers has revealed it KILLS him when people mock him for being a Mormon.
The Killers' frontman, who was raised in the Church by his parents, is often SHUNNED for his religious beliefs despite being a global superstar.
He told Rated: "I feel more and more alone as a person of faith.
"It's not just rock stars who aren't cool if they're religious-it's like it's a taboo for any young person to be religious now.
"If you love someone, and you know that love is real-that's how I feel about God. I've had feelings I can't describe that are unexplainable to me, unless there is a God.
"But if I say that, people look at me like I'm crazy."
Chatting to us at London's swanky Brown's hotel, Brandon admits he does believe in aliens.
The song Spaceman, on the band's sensational new album Day & Age, tells of an alien trying to communicate with Earth.
Brandon, who lives near Area 51- the famous US military base in Nevada where spaceships have reportedly crash-landed and aliens been experimented on-explains: "I don't believe in the bug-eyed aliens.
"I think they'd be more similar to us humans but, yeah, I believe in alien life. Our drummer Ronnie is obsessed by aliens. He thinks they're here already-that they're in another dimension, drifting in and out of ours.
"Living near Area 51, maybe it's only a matter of time before one of us has an encounter. Probably Ronnie!"
But Brandon says he remains grounded-by his resposibilities as a dad and husband.
He and wife Tana, a fashion-store manager, named their 16-month-old son Ammon, after a Mormon prophet.
Brandon was the youngest of six kids and hopes to have a big family himself.He told us: "Yeah, I want a lot of kids.
"There's a great quote by Abraham Lincoln- 'Whatever you are, be a good one.' I have that hanging in our kitchen and I desperately try to live by that quote, whether as a singer, parent or husband. It's what I want Tana and Ammon to do too."
Brandon believes his success is largely down to his mum and dad, who raised him in Las Vegas to be a hard worker. Another song on the new album, A Dustland Fairytale, describes how his parents met at a trailer park when they were 15, in 1956.
Brandon says his first meeting with Tana was less evocative-it was seven years ago at the secondhand clothes store in Las Vegas where Tana worked.
The Killers-who include guitarist Dave Keuning, bassist Mark Stoermer and drummer Ronnie Vanucci-were unsigned at the time. Brandon said: "It wasn't the coolest meeting and I've never thought about writing a song about it. We were in the store looking for clothes for our first show, trying to find the killer Killers look. And there was Tana . . . "
Famously shy off-stage, Brandon admits he transforms himself for The Killers' mega concerts, such as headlining Glastonbury Festival last year.
"There's a sense of inadequacy, of not having a lot to say," he sighs. "If you're like that, which I am, when you present your songs to the world you've got to make people realise you're worth taking notice of.
"If I don't transform the person who I am off-stage, people wouldn't pay attention." JOHN EARLS
Day & Age is out on November 24. The single, Human, is out now.
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This article has 29 comments
My brother is Mormon. Funny story. My brother has curly hair. He also has certain "knowledge bumps", or in other words, nodules that inadvertently grow under his skin on top of his skull under the scalp, a rare medical condition. Every few years he gets them cut out by a surgeon. When he was young he was in a car with a girl who had been taught the superstition, commonly spread by the media way back when, (and also preachers of a certain type) that Mormons have horns. As a joke she rubbed his curly head to find evidence of his horns being cut off. When she felt the bumps on his head... she thought she had accidentally proved the myth true. Because she was superstitious she freaked out like she was in a horror show. In a car. Too bad no one videotaped the reaction. This is the world we live in. Brandon Flowers lives in this same world. If you were Brandon Flowers for just a few moments, you would realize how he feels... what it means to be a stranger in a strange land no matter where Brandon goes on planet Earth, with some exceptions. Hopefully you are one of those exceptions. How can you talk to people when all that they want to talk about is how they want to commit adultery? Is it any wonder he is so happy when someone takes him back home to his Mormon family, every ounce in awhile?
By fred wilson.. Posted January 11 2010 at 3:48 AM.
He's so smart and talented. It doesn't matter if he's a Mormon or a Buddhist, he is just a human ;)
By ahlam.. Posted November 11 2009 at 10:02 PM.
What!!! Brandon is a Mormon......WOW I knew there was something brilliant about him. I am going to look for the nearest Mormon church to me and join them this Sunday. I am going to find living that religion hard but if its good enough for The Killers its good enough for me. I got soul but i'm not a soldier but I am willing to sing from the same hymn sheet.....maybe Brandon will go to the church near me. Fingers crossed.
By Greg Jones.. Posted August 25 2009 at 10:04 PM.
I absolutely love Brandon and the Killers. They are a great band and their music has inspired me. I was lucky enough to see them at Hyde Park, and I will be forever a fan because Brandon is the greatest role model for kids due to his modesty, and his religious beliefs.
I do hope The Killers read this message, and I will await more news, music, and cencerts in the years to come.
I love you all,
Georgina
By Georgina Craigs.. Posted July 23 2009 at 12:18 PM.
With someone as wonderful and talented as Brandon Flowers on this planet there has to be a God. He's a gift to the world. The lyrics to some of his songs have give me such inspiration. "The sky is full of dreams, but I don't know how to fly" pure genius. May he forever continue. I Love him.
By Ann Wilson.. Posted July 18 2009 at 4:44 PM.
I am not religious myself, but i love brandon flowers and the music that he creates and his faith is his choice and he shouldn't be mocked for it. At least he has achieved something amazing with his life, unlike most of the people putting him down.
By Gemma.. Posted July 10 2009 at 5:48 PM.
I discoverd the killers playing "when you where young" on guitar hero, ever since then i have worshiped the killers and all their songs. Also the best ever night of my life was when i watched the killers for myself in concertttt... I must sayy, Brandon is the most awesome dudee ever and he well done for keeping the religion! i dont know why people judge him for this because even i , who the closest i have beeen to him is a few meters ( Got to the front of the standing area! :D:D:D:D) i can always tell he is a great man and a great dad! and you will also succeeed in amazing us! :D i love brandon flowers! =) <3 peace out! :D xx
By Emma.. Posted June 17 2009 at 6:36 PM.
hopefully u read every message we send u cuz we mean it and i love ur music u looked really cute in ur video of mr brightside and i love the song replaceabl i listen to ur songs everyday and yes i did get a little jealous when i found out u like this woman named tana though she is a really good match hopefuly i couold go to one of ur concerts to i could see u and u can see me oh yea BE A GOOD FATHER AND HUSBAND:) LOVE LESLEY
By lesley.. Posted June 17 2009 at 6:16 PM.
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG IN BEING A MORMON I AM NOT BUT DOSE NOT MEEN WE SHOULD TREET THEN DIFFRENTLY JUST BECAUSE THEY BELIEV SOMTHING DIFFRENT BRANDON FLOW HAS A AMAZING VOISE AND HE IS A GREAT ROLE MODLE OF ALL OF US!
By abbie.. Posted May 1 2009 at 6:36 PM.
brandon is amazin i luv how he sticks 2 wat he believes and not wat other people think theres nothin rong with being mormon at all he helps me out every day his music his voice his looks his dancin lol :) 4 me hes the best thing eva also most important not just the style of his music its the lyrics i think they have a good meanin 2 everyone there has not been 1 song i havnt liked of theres i dont think i cud live without them x x :) <3 :) x x
By claire .. Posted March 15 2009 at 11:23 PM.
How can anyone mock someone who believes that you should take care of your family and loved ones. Brandon is a REAL role model, not like some of the stupid, talenless, braindead idiots we have in GB.
By Deena.. Posted March 12 2009 at 9:38 PM.
Brandon is a complete roll model. He is a good honest guy and his music is amazing. Good for him that he can speak out about what he believes in. You rock Brandon, LOVE YA xxx
By Claire.. Posted March 8 2009 at 12:01 PM.
Brandon Flowers has got me through a very difficult time, I just love him and his muxic. His lyrics to Human are insperational, and have give me great strength.
By ANN WILSON.. Posted February 24 2009 at 11:11 PM.
I hear the the hope in Brandon's lyrics. There is so much trial in todays world, it feels good to be able to escape and have a dose of spirituality to keep one grounded. Thank you Killers for being able to take us to a higher level. No matter what faith you are.
By Patty.. Posted February 16 2009 at 1:54 PM.
mormons rock!!!
By Megan.. Posted January 23 2009 at 10:07 PM.
Well done on keeping to our faith Brandon, your an inspiration and can bring the young into the church
By Brent Armer.. Posted January 15 2009 at 6:34 PM.
I think it is awesome that someone in the music industry is open about believing in God, you don't see that very often, and i think it is very admirable.
By Addison.. Posted January 14 2009 at 3:30 AM.
He's Amazing!!! i luv him...
Seeing pics of him makes me happy & hearing his music does 2!!!
I really really want 2 c the killers live but i didnt get any tickets :(
By emz.. Posted January 9 2009 at 5:43 PM.
Didn't know he was a Mormon til now. He doesn't really project it in his music. Sorta breaks the stereotype of rockstar, good for him. Judging people for what they believe is wrong, but very easy.
By Daniel.. Posted December 30 2008 at 11:28 AM.
I think the reason people are shocked when they hear that he's a mormon is that they associate mormonism with a sort of restrained lifestyle.. It seems mormons are always portrayed as fundamentalists- you get the idea that they see all non-mormons as sinners.
To me, before I knew, The Killers' music seemed extremely honest, and now that I know, I find myself looking for hidden meanings in songs that I used to find straightforward..
It's really hard to explain, but I feel sort of judged when I listen to their music now. Ridiculous and I shouldn't, but it feels as if Brandon is judging me, preaching to me.
Don't know if any of you see where I'm going with this...
By Pernille.. Posted December 21 2008 at 10:39 AM.
i dont care what people think about his belief...
i love brandon he changed my life .. he makes me fell fine,, nice,,, happy,,,,,,
i love him...
the best day of my life was when he came to argentina.. the show was amazing... i`ll never forget that day....
higher and higher we gonna make it.....
By JAVIER.. Posted November 22 2008 at 12:32 AM.
hey imma mormon i don't know why people think it's so weird it is a christian religon... i've always loved brandon he is so hot and makes me wanna be a better mormon :)
By Lissa.. Posted November 19 2008 at 1:17 AM.
he's cute:D
By jill.. Posted November 18 2008 at 11:29 AM.
I love Brandon so much and would never mock him or any of the other band members of their religion.
By Ashley Simons.. Posted November 18 2008 at 12:37 AM.
Brandon Flowers is amazing frontman and i truly respect the fact he keeps true to his faith despite what other people say, and that he's always himself and doesn't change for fame. I love The Killers music, and i'm sure the new album will be fantastic <3
By Tasha.. Posted November 17 2008 at 10:01 PM.
Brandon Flowers is not only a great singer, great frontman and superb writer of music, he is also a clean living family man who believes in God. This is refreshing in this 'day and age'. The first time I saw The Killers I knew they were going to be superstars. Brandon is electric on stage and it is impossible to take your eyes off him. The new single 'Human' is soaring up the charts and is a truly beautiful song, and the album is going to be a massive success.
By Ann.. Posted November 17 2008 at 12:22 PM.
He's someone who beautifully sings, "you gotta help me out . . . i've got soul but i'm not a soldier". . . seems like he's a good guy.
and really 'God fearing' -- probably good for anyone and everyone. Also, I know the Mormons (AKA "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints") are also Christians.
Keep the faith Brandon -- nothing crazy about believing in a spiritual God/creator.
By waytagojoe.. Posted November 16 2008 at 11:06 PM.
I can't blame Brandon for his beliefs. Most of the world is just as delusional as him.
By will.. Posted November 16 2008 at 8:11 PM.
Good for him. Keep the faith Brandon!
By Alex.. Posted November 16 2008 at 3:17 AM.