Killers concert in Iowa a blast with quiet Pella guitarist

Davenport, Ia. - What a difference a year and selling 2 million copies of your debut album can make.

Las Vegas-based rock band the Killers, featuring Pella native Dave Keuning on guitar, performed only its second concert in Iowa on Monday night in front of a worshipful, female-heavy audience of 1,350 at the Col Ballroom in Davenport. The historic, 90-year-old venue now sees more activity in the form of bingo nights and Mexican weddings than sold-out rock shows.

The band's previous Iowa stop was at Gabe's Oasis in Iowa City in front of 50 or fewer fans, before the release a year or so ago of its "Hot Fuss" debut album - which has since gone double platinum, entered the top 10 of the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart, earned Grammy nominations and spawned music videos for regular rotation on MTV.

Lead singer Brandon Flowers on Monday night was clad in a crisp white suit and had more than enough charisma as well as eyeliner. His keyboard stand was decked out in rhinestones. Even on Keuning's home turf, Flowers was the band's sole spokesperson.

"Dave is the son of Iowa here," Flowers announced between songs. "He's from up the road a bit."

The soft-spoken Keuning let his guitar do the talking throughout the band's hourlong performance. The Killers in concert don't stretch or vary their songs radically compared to the recorded versions. They merely crank up their propulsive, tight arrangements. Flowers' squealing synth keyboard plays off Keuning's guitar hooks, driven by the lockstep rhythms of drummer Ronnie Vannucci and bassist Mark Stoermer (the guy who prefers sweater vests to suits).

The Killers' brief set kicked off with "Midnight Show," romped through most of "Hot Fuss" and included a couple of new songs: "All the Pretty Faces" and "Where Is She."

One of the night's highlights was "Indie Rock & Roll," a track included only on the version of "Hot Fuss" that was released in the United Kingdom.

"It's like glam rock all the way," as one fan put it - a little more more David Bowie than Depeche Mode or Duran Duran. Blame a timid record company for not allowing fans in the States to hear this dynamic side of the band.

The Killers' two biggest hits so far, "Somebody Told Me" and "Mr. Brightside," were delivered early in the set. "All These Things That I've Done" ended the night. That tune wasn't performed with a full gospel choir as on the album, but fans instead raised their voices to sing along for the chorus: "I've got soul, but I'm not a soldier."

And if the Col wasn't the most ideal venue, at least the giant mirror ball hanging from the ceiling played its part, reflecting light around the room for an extra dose of dazzle during the encore.

"I can listen to their CD over and over again and never get sick of it," gushed Lizz Kirgan of Davenport, who rubbed her abdomen while singing along. She was three months away from delivering a new Killers fan.

The Killers in concert can live up to all the fuss that has been made over their recording career. Now, in the rush to write more songs and flesh out their live sets, let's hope they can keep their instincts sharp.