Killers: 'Recession was blessing for us'

The Killers have credited the 2001 economic downturn as the reason for their success.

Guitarist Dave Keuning told NME that he struggled to find a job due to the fiscal difficulties the country found itself in after 9/11, so instead used his free time to shape the group with bandmate Brandon Flowers.

"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 in wasn't doing any business. But then after the event it became hard to get a job because business went down the drain. I managed to scrape by living off ramen noodles," he said.

"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."