Columnist Spencer Patterson: Staying put works for LV band

Spencer Patterson

Friday, April 30, 2004 | 8:31 a.m.

Should they stay or should they go?

Promising local music acts have been singing that Clash tune for years in their attempts to get noticed by the industry's powers that be.

The temptation to relocate away from Southern Nevada must be great. Few bands based here have caught the attention of major labels, while several artists have made good after moving elsewhere.

Notables who have capitalized on the out-of-town approach include electronica duo the Crystal Method (Los Angeles) and singer-songwriter Franky Perez (Miami by way of New Orleans and Los Angeles).

Now, however, up-and-coming local outfits might finally have reason to believe Vegas bands can play with the big boys.

The Killers -- the subject of an Accent cover story in Wednesday's edition of the Sun -- signed with Universal Music Group subsidiary Island Records in November, and have generated a considerable industry buzz.

Brandon Flowers, the Killers' 22-year-old vocalist and keyboardist, said the band never considered leaving Southern Nevada.

"I always thought it didn't really matter where you were from, as long as you had the songs," Flowers said. "It worked out for us in Las Vegas."

Bassist Mark Stoermer agreed with his bandmate's assessment that quality tunes keyed the Killers' surge to prominence.

"We all had the idea that if you have the songs and can create a little bit of noise, a little bit of a following in your hometown, people are going to take notice," Stoermer said. "I don't really think it matters where you are."

Worse than not making it in Las Vegas, Flowers said, would have been moving away and not making it somewhere else.

"I've heard a lot of horror stories -- you know, bands go to New York or L.A. and nothing happens," Flowers said. "That would just be terrible."

Stoermer encouraged local musicians to stay put, provided they can stand out among the rest of the Vegas scene.

"In some ways, being in a town like Vegas where the music scene is smaller, might help, instead of being in L.A. where you might be just one in 10 bands like yours," Stoermer said.

Whether they like it or not, the Killers now represent the hopes and dreams of the rest of Las Vegas' hopefuls.

If debut album, "Hot Fuss," sells well upon its release in June and the band continues to make hay as a live act, it stands to reason label executives will begin paying more attention to Southern Nevada.

And that could mean that before long, the Las Vegas music scene might be known for more than producing Slaughter and a few acts that had to leave town to get signed.

"We're all proud we live there so to help put it on the map would be cool," Flowers said. "But I don't think we feel too much pressure about it. We're just playing, and hopefully it will all work out."

Music notes

Jazzed up: The District at Green Valley Ranch will host its second weekend of Jazz at The District from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. tonight and Saturday.

Performances will take place on a stage near the shopping area's center sculpture. Admission is free.

Also, beginning May 12, the Aladdin's Curve lounge will present live smooth jazz sets from 7 p.m to 9 p.m. Wednesday nights. Alto saxophonist Jimmy Sommers plays on opening night. Admission is free.

Long time gone: Venerable folk-rock trio Crosby, Stills & Nash) bring their 35th anniversary summer tour to The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel for an unusually intimate show on Sept. 10. Ticket information had not been announced at press time.

On sale

Sting and Annie Lennox team for a Sept. 24 concert at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Tickets are $52, $87 and $152 and go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. at the MGM Grand box office, at TicketMaster outlets, by phone at 474-4000 and at www.ticketmaster.com.

Blink 182 plays the Thomas & Mack Center on June 25 with opening acts the Used and Motion City Soundtrack. Tickets are $29.50 and $38 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Thomas & Mack box office, at UNLVtickets outlets, by phone at 739-3267 and at www.unlvtickets.com.

Tickets are on sale now for three recent additions to the concert calendar at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay: Cypress Hill on June 3 ($28-$38), Jason Mraz on June 18 ($26.50-$35) and Chris Isaak on Aug. 28 ($60-$85).