The Killers are an American post-punk/alternative rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada. Formed in 2002 and made up of Brandon Flowers (vocals, keyboards), Dave Keuning (guitar, vocals), Mark Stoermer (bass guitar, vocals) and Ronnie Vannucci Jr., (drums, percussion), they released their debut album, Hot Fuss, in 2004. Their second album, Sam's Town, was released in 2006. The compilation album Sawdust, containing B-sides, rarities, and some new material, was released in 2007. Their first two albums to date have sold in excess of 10 million copies worldwide combined.

They released their album Hot Fuss on June 7, 2004 in the United Kingdom on London-based indie record label Lizard King Records (now Marrakesh Records), and June 15 in the United States on Island Records. Hot Fuss has been classified 5x Platinum by the BPI and 3x Platinum by RIAA. The first 100 albums manufactured by The Control Group, featured a 'Red Foil' Killers logo, and were hand numbered out of 100 in silver pen on the reverse of the record. These were only available via mail order and are incredibly rare and sought after items for collectors. Their first single, "Somebody Told Me," was released on that same year. The band also had chart success with their singles "Mr. Brightside," which reached the Top 10 in the UK when released, and "All These Things That I've Done." However, their main mainstream success came when they scored a number three chart position with their re-release of Somebody Told Me.

The Killers' second album, Sam's Town, was released on October 2, 2006, in the UK, and October 3 in the USA, under Island Universal. Brandon Flowers said that Sam's Town will be "one of the best albums of the past twenty years," though the album has received a mixed response from critics and fans, it has still remained popular and sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide as of Christmas '07. The first single from Sam's Town, "When You Were Young," debuted on radio stations in late July 2006. In late August 2006, it was offered as a downloadable track before the album's debut. The single then entered the chart on downloads alone at #5, and the following week on its official release went to #2 in the UK. It was unable to knock Scissor Sisters off the top spot. Their single, "Bones," was the second video from the band, and was directed by Tim Burton.

Brandon Flowers announced on August 22, 2007, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, at the T Vital Festival, that it would be the last time that the album "Sam's Town" would be played in Europe. The Killers played their last Sam's Town concert in Melbourne, Australia on November 14, 2007.

The compilation album called Sawdust, containing B-sides, rarities, and some new material, was released on November 12, 2007. Since then, Sawdust has been classified Gold by the BPI.