Lonely Town a Killers Podcast

Episode Description What happens when a twelve-year-old Irish kid discovers The Killers on his brother's MP3 player—and eventually ends up becoming the frontman of an Irish Killers tribute band? On this episode of Lonely Town – A Killers Podcast, Derek and Jimmy sit down with Shane from Human Tribute, an Irish tribute to The Killers. Shane takes us back to the moment he first discovered The Killers, his first concert, and how songs like "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine" and "Everything Will Be Alright" opened the door to a lifelong obsession with the band. Now, after seeing The Killers 49 times, Shane has gone from fan in the crowd to performing the songs himself. But he explains why he doesn't try to be Brandon Flowers. Instead, Human Tribute's goal is simple: if you close your eyes, it should sound like The Killers—but when you open them, you should see Shane. The conversation gets into what makes a great tribute band, the difference between recreating a concert and simply dressing up as a rock star, how Brandon's mannerisms have naturally worked their way into Shane's performances, and why being a genuine fan is so important. Shane also talks about his favorite Killers songs to perform, the concerts that have stayed with him—including the legendary Sam's Town tour—and how The Killers ultimately inspired him to become a musician. We also discuss Pressure Machine, Thrasher, country music, performing "American Dream," and why Brandon's music has created a connection between Shane and his parents. And then there's the less glamorous side of being a tribute band: ticket prices, promoters, social media rivalries, and having your band's social media accounts wiped out after being reported for impersonating another Killers tribute band. It's a fascinating conversation with someone who understands The Killers from both sides of the stage.   🎧 Show Notes 🇮🇪 Meet Shane from Human Tribute How Shane discovered The Killers at age 12 Discovering Hot Fuss on a Creative Zen MP3 player Seeing The Killers for the first time How The Killers inspired him to learn guitar, piano and singing Growing up with Oasis, The Strokes and Kings of Leon How he eventually joined an Irish Killers tribute band 🎤 What Makes a Great Tribute Band? Shane explains why Human Tribute doesn't try to simply copy Brandon Flowers. "If you close your eyes, it should sound like The Killers" Why Shane doesn't dress exactly like Brandon The difference between tribute and cosplay Brandon's mannerisms that have naturally become part of Shane's performance Why authenticity matters How being a genuine Killers fan changes the performance Building setlists for hardcore fans as well as casual listeners 🎶 The Songs Shane talks about some of his favorite songs to perform: Dustland Fairytale Don't Shoot Me Santa Uncle Jonny Bling Everything Will Be Alright Jenny Was a Friend of Mine West Hills Quiet Town Tiger's Blood 👀 49 Killers Shows Shane has seen The Killers 49 times and shares some of the concerts that stand out. His first shows The 2007 Sam's Town tour Seeing the curtain drop and Brandon appear The reaction of the crowd Rebel Diamonds in Dublin Battle Born-era shows Phoenix Park Belfast Johnny Marr supporting The Killers The difference between seeing The Killers as a fan and performing their songs yourself 🏠 Pressure Machine & Thrasher The conversation turns toward Brandon's more personal songwriting. Why Pressure Machine is Shane's favorite Killers album Sharing the album with his parents His mother's reaction to "American Dream" Country music and Brandon's changing sound First reactions to Thrasher American Dream Angel Red Ground Tiger's Blood Plans What Shane expects from the upcoming tour 💰 The Business of Being a Tribute Band Not everything is confetti cannons and gold jackets. Playing venues ranging from 200 people to 6,000 The cost of putting on shows Why Human Tribute tries not to overcharge fans Promoters and ticket prices Why they prefer booking venues themselves Keeping the band as a passion project The challenges facing live music in Ireland 📱 The Social Media Battle Shane tells us about Human Tribute's bizarre social media situation. Building the band's following to around 7,000 Having their social accounts reported Being accused of impersonating another Killers tribute band Changing the band's name Starting over on social media The sometimes competitive world of tribute bands 🏡 Life Outside The Killers Shane also talks about: Being a PE teacher Playing in wedding and cover bands Writing his own music Why sounding like The Killers can make original music complicated His fiancé Megan's support His parents' love of music Neil Diamond The movie Song Sung Blue 🔗 Find Human Tribute Instagram: Human Tribute on Instagram Facebook: The Killers – An Irish Tribute to The Killers Shane's personal Instagram: Shane's Instagram (@shaneborn113) 📱 Follow Lonely Town Lonely Town Podcast Instagram @lonelytownpodcast Derek Everitt @droyeveritt Facebook Group Lonely Town Podcast Facebook Group 🛍️ Lonely Town Merch Lonely Town Podcast Store 📩 Contact Us Have a question, story, or want to contribute? Reach out—we'd love to hear from you. 🎧 Credits Produced & Edited by Derek Everitt

Episode Description Thrasher is finally here. Five years after Pressure Machine changed the direction of the Lonely Town Podcast, Brandon Flowers has released his new solo album, and Derek and Jimmy are finally sitting down to give their first reactions. Recorded on Thrasher Day, the guys talk about their first listen to the album, what surprised them, which songs immediately connected, and how the record's mix of traditional country, outlaw country, rock, and even mariachi influences compares with what they expected. Derek also talks about how his recent experience giving friends a tour of Nephi changed the way he was hearing the album. From the West Hills to Mount Nebo, childhood memories and small-town life, there are elements of Thrasher that feel incredibly personal—but also universal. The guys aren't diving into individual songs too deeply yet. Instead, this is the first reaction episode before Lonely Town begins its much deeper journey through the album. They also talk about the upcoming Brandon Flowers warm-up shows at The State Room in Salt Lake City, the mad scramble for 300 tickets, the possibility of fans livestreaming the shows, and why Derek still believes a Brandon Flowers show in Nephi would be the ultimate homecoming. And, of course, there's the ongoing question: Will Brandon ever actually play Nephi? After five years of Lonely Town, Derek and Jimmy aren't giving up. Show Notes 🎵 Thrasher Has Arrived Brandon Flowers' new album Thrasher is finally released First impressions after listening to the album How Thrasher compares with expectations after Pressure Machine The mix of traditional country, outlaw country, rock and mariachi influences Why some songs immediately connected while others may require more time Derek's initial 6.5/10 rating for how traditionally country the album sounds Jimmy's first reaction as someone who isn't a major country fan Why the album deserves repeated listens The songs the guys already know will require much deeper episodes 🏠 Thrasher & Nephi How Nephi changes the way Derek listens to Brandon's music Recent tours of Nephi with Emma and Vicky Driving through the West Hills Mount Nebo and the landscapes surrounding Nephi Childhood and adolescence The connection between Brandon's personal stories and experiences that listeners can relate to Why Thrasher feels more personal and intimate The importance of understanding the place behind the music 🎤 The State Room Shows Brandon Flowers' upcoming warm-up shows in Salt Lake City The incredible difficulty of getting tickets The State Room's approximately 300-person capacity Derek and Jimmy's failed attempts during presale and general sale How podcast connections ultimately helped them get tickets Why The State Room could be an incredibly intimate Brandon Flowers experience Jimmy's previous experiences seeing shows at the venue Billy Joe Shaver and Robert Earl Keen What it might be like having Brandon on a stage with virtually no barricade 🤔 Why Not Nephi? The guys discuss why they still believe Nephi would have been the perfect location for a Thrasher warm-up show. Juab County Fairgrounds The multipurpose building The possibility of a small hometown performance Brandon's connection to Nephi The difference between performing in Salt Lake City and coming home to Nephi Why Derek believes a Nephi concert would be the ultimate homecoming The possibility that conversations about making a Nephi show happen may already be taking place The long-shot dream of seeing The Killers or Brandon Flowers perform in Nephi 📱 Lonely Town & the Fans Five years of Lonely Town The overwhelming response from listeners surrounding Thrasher Fans reaching out to Derek and Jimmy for their thoughts How the podcast has built connections within The Killers fan community Why Lonely Town exists despite being a passion project The importance of Nephi to the show's identity Why Derek and Jimmy believe they bring a perspective nobody else can 🔎 What's Coming Next The release of Thrasher is just the beginning. Upcoming Lonely Town episodes will dive much deeper into individual songs, including: Tiger's Blood Miss America Angel American Dream And more The guys discuss lyric sheets, songwriting details, hidden meanings, Nephi references, and the musical influences that will make Thrasher a project Lonely Town could be talking about for years. 🎧 Mentioned Thrasher Pressure Machine Brandon Flowers The Killers Bruce Springsteen Johnny Cash Robert Earl Keen Muse Jimmy Eat World 🛍️ Store Official Lonely Town Podcast merchandise: Lonely Town Podcast Store ⭐ Rate & Review the Show Enjoying Lonely Town? Please rate and review the show wherever you listen. It helps other Killers and Brandon Flowers fans find us. 📱 Follow Us Facebook Group Lonely Town Podcast Facebook Group Instagram Lonely Town Podcast Instagram 📩 Contact Us Have a question, story, correction, or want to contribute to the show? Reach out—we'd love to hear from you. 🎧 Show Credits Produced & Edited by Derek Everitt @droyeveritt

Episode Description When Brandon Flowers confirmed there wouldn't be an official Sam's Town anniversary residency, fans were disappointed. Jeremy Alysandratos decided to do something about it. On this episode of Lonely Town: A Killers Podcast, we travel to Australia to hear how one fan turned an idea into Read My Mind – A Killers Tribute, a full-scale celebration marking the 20th anniversary of Sam's Town. Jeremy shares how discovering The Killers during the pandemic changed his life, how the global Victims community inspired this project, and what it has taken to organize a tribute show built completely by fans, for fans. The concert will feature the entire Sam's Town album performed live from beginning to end, followed by a second set packed with Killers favorites. Whether you're lucky enough to attend in Sydney or simply love hearing stories from The Killers community around the world, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Show Notes In This Episode 🎙️ Jeremy Alysandratos shares how he discovered The Killers and quickly became part of the worldwide Victims community. 🎰 Why Sam's Town remains his favorite Killers album twenty years later. 🎸 The story behind creating Read My Mind – A Killers Tribute after learning there would be no official anniversary residency. 🎤 Finding musicians—and a vocalist capable of tackling Brandon Flowers' incredible range. 🇦🇺 Why Australia has such a passionate Killers fanbase. 🎵 What fans can expect from the September 27th celebration, including: A complete live performance of Sam's Town A second set featuring twelve Killers favorites A night created entirely for Victims, by Victims 🎧 Plus, Jeremy shares stories from attending Killers concerts, his favorite live moments, and why he believes music has the power to bring complete strangers together. Event Information Read My Mind – A Killers Tribute Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Sam's Town 📅 Sunday, September 27, 2026 📍 The Bridge Hotel Hotel Rozelle Sydney, Australia 🎟️ Tickets https://m.moshtix.com.au/v2/event/read-my-mind-a-killers-tribute-sams-town-20-anniversary-show/198717?utm_id=97757_v0_s00_e0_tv0 📱 Follow Jeremy Alysandratos Instagram: @jeremy_alysandratos 📱 Follow Read My Mind – A Killers Tribute Instagram: @readmymindakillerstribute  Facebook: Sam's Town 20 Live in Sydney Connect with Lonely Town 🎙️ Lonely Town: A Killers Podcast Follow the show wherever you listen to podcasts, including: • Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Amazon Music • iHeartRadio • Podbean 📱 Follow us on social media: Facebook: Lonely Town: A Killers Podcast Instagram: @lonelytownpodcast 🌐 Visit our merchandise store: https://lonely-town-podcast.printify.me ⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share the podcast with another Killers fan. Your support helps us continue telling the stories behind the music and connecting with Victims from around the world. Thanks for listening… That's another episode down from Lonely Town.

The wait is finally over. Brandon Flowers has released "Plans," the first single from his long-awaited solo album Thrasher, and it immediately gave us more to think about than we expected. Before we even begin breaking down the lyrics, Derek shares an experience from London that completely changed the way he listens to music. After hearing songwriter Stephen Wilson Jr. explain why artists shouldn't always reveal the "true" meaning behind their songs, we ask an important question: Are we supposed to interpret Brandon's songs… or simply experience them? From snow-covered classrooms and quiet drives through Nephi to Nashville session legends and Brandon's evolving songwriting, we explore the themes of destiny, expectations, and the plans we all make that life eventually rewrites. As always, we discuss the Nephi connections, the local history, and how our own experiences shape the way we hear Brandon's music—while recognizing that every listener may find something completely different. Whether you're a lifelong Killers fan or discovering Brandon's solo work for the first time, this episode is the perfect place to begin the journey through Thrasher.Show Notes Brandon Flowers has officially kicked off the Thrasher era with the release of "Plans," and we're diving deep into the album's opening track. Before we break down the lyrics, Derek shares a memorable experience from London that completely changed the way he approaches songwriting and lyric interpretation after hearing Stephen Wilson Jr. discuss the magic of letting listeners find their own meaning in a song. From there, we explore the themes of destiny, changing plans, Nephi, Utah, and how Brandon continues to evolve as one of today's most compelling songwriters. Whether you hear the song through the lens of Nephi, your own hometown, or your own life experiences, "Plans" reminds us that our journeys rarely unfold the way we imagined. In This Episode Brandon Flowers releases the first single from Thrasher Derek's trip to London and meeting Stephen Wilson Jr. Why songs don't always need one definitive meaning Our new approach to discussing Brandon's lyrics Breaking down the story and imagery in "Plans" Nephi references and small-town influences Charlie McCoy and the legendary Nashville session musicians Brandon's continued growth as a songwriter Country influences throughout the song Comparing "Plans" to earlier Brandon Flowers storytelling What we're looking forward to as Thrasher unfolds Mentioned in this Episode Brandon Flowers The Killers Thrasher "Plans" Stephen Wilson Jr. Charlie McCoy Kris Kristofferson George Jones Bob Dylan Nephi, Utah     Connect With Lonely Town 🎙️ Follow Lonely Town – A Killers Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lonelytownpodcast 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lonelytownpodcast ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LonelyTownPodcast 🎵 Follow The Killers, Brandon Flowers, and the music that inspires us as we continue our journey through Thrasher and beyond.     Support the Podcast If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Leave a 5-star rating and review. 📤 Share this episode with another Killers fan. ❤️ Follow the podcast so you never miss a new episode. Every review, share, and recommendation helps more people discover the show. We truly appreciate your support! Thanks for listening to Lonely Town – A Killers Podcast. We'll see you next time.

Episode Description Welcome back to the Lonely Town Podcast, where Derek and Jimmy explore the music, stories, and world of Brandon Flowers and The Killers. With Brandon's upcoming solo album Thrasher just around the corner, Derek and Jimmy break down the newly released trailer, discuss its striking imagery, and explain why this project already feels different from anything Brandon has released before. From classic cars and dusty highways to small-town diners, county fairs, and the familiar backdrop of Mount Nebo, the trailer paints a picture of the Utah Brandon Flowers remembers growing up. Derek and Jimmy connect the visual callbacks to Pressure Machine, discuss Brandon's relationship with Nephi, and explore why Thrasher feels like an even more personal continuation of that story. The conversation then takes an unexpected but fascinating turn into the world of classic country music. Rather than simply reviewing the trailer, the guys share the artists, albums, and songs they believe helped shape Brandon's musical upbringing—including legends like Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Glen Campbell, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and The Highwaymen. If you've never listened to traditional country music, this episode serves as a roadmap for understanding the storytelling, emotion, and authenticity that appear to be at the heart of Thrasher. Along the way, Derek shares stories from growing up in Nephi, working at a local truck stop, discovering country music, traveling throughout the Southwest with his father, and why experiencing different cultures makes both music—and life—more meaningful. Whether you've already embraced Brandon's new direction or you're still unsure what to expect, this episode is designed to prepare you for the journey before Thrasher arrives. Show Notes Featured Topic Brandon Flowers' Thrasher Trailer First reactions to Brandon's official trailer The symbolism behind the classic convertible Returning to Nephi after Pressure Machine Mount Nebo, backroads, diners, and county fairs Why the trailer feels deeply personal Visual callbacks to Pressure Machine The importance of place in Brandon's songwriting Inside Brandon's Musical Influences The guys discuss why understanding classic country music may help fans appreciate Thrasher. Artists discussed include: Johnny Cash Merle Haggard George Jones Waylon Jennings Willie Nelson Glen Campbell Dwight Yoakam Dolly Parton The Highwaymen Topics include: Storytelling through country music Why Brandon isn't "going country" Traditional country vs. modern country Songs that inspired generations How to prepare yourself for Thrasher A Road Trip Through Utah Memories of growing up in Nephi Local landmarks featured in the trailer El Bambi Café White Brothers Trailers Small-town carnivals Truck stops and discovering new music Why Beaver, Utah stands in for a different era of Nephi Behind the Album Session musicians in Nashville Why session players matter Brandon's songwriting process Why Thrasher feels like the next chapter after Pressure Machine The influence of Brandon's father Country music as memory and storytelling Discussion Highlights Music as a soundtrack to life Travel, empathy, and discovering new perspectives Why stories matter more than genres The beauty of small-town America Looking forward to Brandon's upcoming tour Why fans should approach Thrasher with an open mind 🤝 Support the Show 🛍️ Store Official Lonely Town merchandise: Lonely Town Podcast Store ⭐ Rate & Review the Show If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a rating and review. It helps more Killers fans discover the show. 📱 Follow Us Facebook Group Lonely Town Podcast Facebook Group Instagram Lonely Town Podcast Instagram 📩 Contact Us Have a question, story, or want to contribute to the show? Reach out—we'd love to hear from you. 🎧 Show Credits Produced & Edited by Derek Everitt