Columnist Spencer Patterson: Killers drummer shocked at snaring Grammy noms

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Dec. 10, 2004 | 9:09 a.m.

Icaught up with Killers drummer Ronnie Vannucci around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, about eight hours after he learned that the Las Vegas-based band had been nominated for three Grammy Awards.

Vannucci still sounded shocked.

"It's blowing my mind, man," the 28-year-old Western High School graduate said by telephone from a Portland, Ore., hotel room. "You grow up hearing about the Grammys, and you call your friends to watch the Grammys and they come over. That's the one night you don't do homework. I remember that.

"And now, being a part of it ... it's cool, man."

Vannucci and bandmates Brandon Flowers, David Keuning and Mark Stoermer were in Las Vegas when they received word that they were up for three Grammys: for best rock song (for hit single "Somebody Told Me"), best rock performance by a duo or group with vocal ("Somebody Told Me") and best rock album (for June debut "Hot Fuss").

Vannucci said he got the news from his wife, who heard from the band's tour manager, Braden Merrick.

"I'd just woken up when she got the call. I was getting out of the shower," Vannucci said. "Initially I just heard that we were nominated for one, which is a kick in the pants in the first place. And then three? I was like, 'Oh my God! What have we ever done?' "

Vannucci seemed most amazed that the Killers were up against U2 and Elvis Costello -- two acts he grew up listening to -- among others for the awards.

"Those are some heavy hitters," he said. "It's unbelievable. To be put alongside bands and artists like that is a blessing in itself."

Vannucci said the band plans to attend the Feb. 13 Grammy Awards ceremony at Los Angeles' Staples Center. None of the four Killers has experienced the Grammys in person before.

"I wanted to go last year, but I had to work," Vannucci, a former wedding photographer at the Little Chapel of the Flowers, said while laughing.

The Killers flew to Portland soon after Tuesday's Grammy announcement for a show there that night, then returned to Vegas for Wednesday's "Billboard Music Awards." Keuning, Stoermer and Vannucci were in the crowd for the event.

The band finishes its latest U.S. leg tonight in San Francisco, then heads overseas for shows in Australia before closing out 2004 with a Dec. 30 gig at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay and a New Year's Eve performance in Los Angeles.

Vannucci said the band may debut new material at the Vegas show, with next spring tentatively pegged for the first recording sessions for the Killers' sophomore release.

"We're going to start doing some recording, some demo-ing, in March," Vannucci said. "And that's going to go on for probably a month or so. And we're definitely doing the album in Vegas."

Vannucci confirmed that the band has been in touch with several potential producers, including Alan Moulder (My Bloody Valentine, Depeche Mode), Flood (Nine Inch Nails, U2), Steve Lillywhite (Morrissey, Dave Matthews Band), Brian Eno (David Bowie, Talking Heads) and Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T. Rex).

"All of them are interested, so our dream team is slowly assembling," Vannucci said. "Now it's just a matter of all of us getting in a room together and getting some ideas out and seeing if we can work together.

"I'm excited. I think the second record is gonna blow the pants off 'Hot Fuss.' "

On sale

Josh Groban returns to the Mandalay Bay Events Center on March 19. Tickets are $42 to $120.75 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Mandalay Bay box office, at Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 474-4000 and at www.ticketmaster.com.

The recently reunited Motley Crue, featuring all four original members, play The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel on March 20. Tickets are $88 and $153 and go on sale at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Hard Rock box office and through Ticketmaster.

Duran Duran is back at The Joint on March 13. Tickets are $88 and $128 and go on sale at noon Saturday through the Hard Rock box office and Ticketmaster.

Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society stops at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay on March 12. Tickets are $22 to $30 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the House of Blues box office and through Ticketmaster.

Blackmore's Night, piloted by former Deep Purple and Rainbow guitarist Richie Blackmore, lands at the House of Blues on Jan. 27. Tickets are $17 to $30 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday through the House of Blues box office and Ticketmaster.

Atreyu plays the House of Blues on Feb. 10 with opening acts Unearth, Norma Jean and Scars of Tomorrow. Tickets are $15 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday through the House of Blues box office and Ticketmaster.

Bowling for Soup and American Hi-Fi share a Jan. 15 bill at Jillian's. Tickets are $12 and are on sale now through Ticketmaster.