Killers: 'We lived off ramen noodles'

The Killers have claimed that the economic downturn after 9/11 helped them start their band.

Guitarist Dave Keuning said that he could not find work after the 2001 attacks, which forced him to spend a lot of time focusing on music with frontman Brandon Flowers.

"When I met Brandon, for about a year it was just me and him in the band," Keuning told NME.

"Our first phone call was just before 9/11, and we started practising right around 9/11. I got fired just before then, because the store I was working at wasn't doing any business anyway.

"But then after that event it was so hard to get a job, 'cos business went down the drain. I remember my last paycheque, I just kept it in its entirety in the bank and somehow managed to scrape by - living off ramen noodles."

He added: "It wasn't easy at all, but it was a blessing in disguise, because it allowed me and Brandon to spend lots of time together - writing songs, working on ideas, coming up with a name and a feel for the band. Having that time turned out to be a huge blessing."

The Killers released debut album Hot Fuss in 2004.