We’ve heard scant news, and no new music, from The Killers since last December, when the band released a cowboy-themed charity single. But the Las Vegas band is showing new signs of life — oddly enough, in connection with a movie about the undead. With Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows opening this weekends, Brandon Flowers & Co. unveiled their cover of The Raspberries‘ 1972 song “Go All The Way”, which appears in the film. “Our old pal Tim Burton asked us to record a cover song for his new film #DarkShadows,” the group tweeted . “It opens everywhere Friday. See you at the movies.”

Unfortunately, the tune won’t be on the official soundtrack, but you can hear a low-quality recording below.

The Killers – “Go All The Way” (Raspberries cover)

Covers and Christmas singles aside, we’re more than ready to sink our teeth into the band’s full-fledged return (their fourth studio album is expected later this year. Are you dying to hear it too? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter or in the comments.

[Via Consequence Of Sound]

Did You Hear?

:: Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez‘s friendship is just too cute for words, especially when the two pop stars get together to make cupcakes and play music. Can we please be invited to the next hang out sesh? [E! Online]

:: Sad news for fans of The Killers: the band’s saxophonist Tommy Marth committed suicide earlier this week in his home in Las Vegas. [EW Music Mix]

:: We’re so, so sorry to tell you this, but there may never be a 98 Degrees reunion. So sorry. [Pink Is The New Blog]

:: Chris Brown can add toy-maker to his resume now after teaming up with Ron English to create unique vinyl sculptures called Dum English. If you wish to get your hands on some of Chris’ toys, you’ll have to bring a lot of cash, as the collectible series comes with a hefty price. At least though all the proceeds will go towards Breezy’s Symphonic Love foundation. [Billboard]

:: In least surprising news ever, Wiz Khalifa was issued a citation for getting caught with marijuana. [Rolling Stone] 

Below, find out which music acts will be appearing on the tube today. 

Music on TV:

:: Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC) — The Wanted
:: Late Show with David Letterman (CBS) — Miike Snow
:: Last Call with Carson Daly (NBC) —  fun. (Repeat)
:: Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC) — Jason Mraz (Repeat)

Following Coachella and Bonnaroo, England’s V Festival is the latest weekend music event to have its lineup announced. The two-day festivities will again take place at Hylands Park in Chelmsford and Weston Park in South Staffordshire, this time with The Stone Roses and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds swapping stages with The Killers and Snow Patrol on Saturday, August 18 and Sunday, August 19. Other performers during the weekend will include “Starships” rapstress Nicki Minaj, “Turn Me On” DJ/producer David Guetta, Brit Awards winner Emeli Sande, Tinie Tempah, Keane and James Morrison. Catch the full lineup for the V fest below.

[Via official V Festival site]

After delivering yet another fun Christmas charity single at the tail end of 2011, The Killers are planning to take on 2012 by releasing their fourth studio album. The Las Vegas band is currently working with producers Steve Lillywhite (U2, 30 Seconds To Mars) and Brendan O’Brien (The Fray, Brandon Flowers’ solo album Flamingo), and can confirm that a song called “Battle Born” will appear on the LP, which will drop either in the summer or winter of this year. “We’re not looking to go and make some drastic change or throw a curveball,” Flowers said of the album. “I think the consensus in the band is: let’s take the things we have already done and really hone in on that.” Add this onto our list of 2012′s most anticipated releases! [Via Digital Spy]

2011 boasted a whole bunch of Christmas singles — both original and covers of classic tunes — from a variety of music acts: from yuletide regulars The Killers and Mariah Carey to the casts of Glee and American Idol. But whose holiday song has got you feeling the most cheer? In 2010, Idolator’s Annual Holiday Song Poll resulted with Manchester duo Hurts winning with 47% of the vote (for their single “All I Want For Christmas Is New Years”), beating out big pop acts like Mariah, Kylie Minogue and Rihanna. Will another underdog claim the Christmastime championship this year? (UPDATE: We’ve announced the winner!)

Before you cast your vote, click on the below links to get one last listen to each holiday tune. (And in case you’re wondering, we narrowed it down to just one song per artist, so Justin Bieber’s prolific collection of Christmastime melodies isn’t clogging the whole list. Sorry, Beliebers!)

Justin Bieber, “Mistletoe”

Mariah Carey and John Legend, “When Christmas Comes”

Glee Cast, “Extraordinary Merry Christmas”

Haley Reinhart and Casey Abrams, “Baby It’s Cold Outside”

Jackie Evancho, “Believe”

The Killers, “The Cowboy’s Christmas Ball”

Kelly Clarkson, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”

Lady Gaga, “White Christmas”

So which holiday anthem made you feel the warmest and fuzziest this season? Vote below, and look out for the results posted right before Christmas!

If you were disappointed by the Summer popcorn flick Cowboys Vs. Aliens, perhaps your thirst for an entertaining western/sci-fi hybrid will be quenched by The Killers’ new video for their charity holiday single, “The Cowboys’ Christmas Ball”. It may remind you of Muse’s similar comedic genre-blasting “Knights Of Cydonia” video, though a bit more simplistic, as though it was actually filmed back in the 60s. Plus, you haven’t lived til you’ve seen an actual robot do The Robot at a knee-slappin’ jamboree in the Old West. Watch below!

The Killers – “The Cowboys’ Christmas Ball”

Along with “Cowboys’ Christmas Ball,” the Killers are releasing all six of their holiday singles as the (RED) Christmas EP on iTunes for $5.99. All proceeds from sales of the EP and the individual singles will be donated to the Global Fund in honor of World AIDS Day.

Despite being on hiatus for more than a year (a performance at Lollapalooza Chile in April notwithstanding), The Killers know that it just isn’t the holidays without releasing their annual charity single. The Vegas-based band have reunited for the toe-tapping “The Cowboys’ Christmas Ball”, which sounds like Bruce Springsteen recorded a country-western Christmas jingle. The song hits iTunes tomorrow, but you can listen to it below.

“The Cowboys’ Christmas Ball” is a jangly holiday-season stomper, bound to warm hearts in ways that last year’s sentimental “Boots” perhaps couldn’t. Is it enough to keep The Killers’ fans toasty through winter? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter or in the comments.

Did You Hear?

:: Can’t get through the holidays without a new charity single from The Killers? Well, you won’t have to! The band is reuniting for a new song, either called “Cowboy Christmas” or “The Cowboy’s Christmas Balls.” It’s rumored to be released this Thursday, complete with a music video. (Check out Brandon Flowers and the boys decked out in Western gear in a pic from the vid!) [Arjan Writes]

:: Lily Allen is now a proud mama. After suffering two miscarriages in the past, the 26-year-old pop singer gave birth to a healthy girl. Congrats! [Rolling Stone]

:: Cody Simpson has snagged himself a (sorta) Kardashian for his very own. [Socialite Life]

:: Lupe Fiasco released his totally free mixtape, Friend Of The People, people! Download the tunes here. [Rap-Up]

:: M.I.A. is definitely working with Madonna on the pop singer’s new album. [Pink Is the New Blog]

After the jump, find out which pop star will keep sk8ing onto the tube today.

Music On TV:

:: Late Show with David Letterman (CBS) — Foster The People (repeat)
:: Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC) — Switchfoot
:: Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC) — David Guetta Featuring Usher
:: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon (NBC) — Neko Case
:: Last Call With Carson Daly (NBC) — Trentmoller (repeat)
:: Conan (TBS) — Morrissey
:: The View (ABC) — Mary J. Blige
:: Live With Kelly — Cobra Starship Featuring Sabi
:: The Ellen Degeneres Show — Usher, David Guetta
:: The Wendy Williams Show — Cyndi Lauper

Did you hear?

:: An insect-covered Lady Gaga is featured on two different covers for V magazine’s upcoming Asian issue. Pretty nice hat trick for an Italian-American girl from Brooklyn, don’t you think? [MTV Buzzworthy]

:: Dying to know what Beyonce’s upcoming album 4 sounds like? JustJared.com was at the preview listening party, and has the inside scoop. (The site even caught the full “Run The World (Girls)” video!) [Just Jared]

:: Five months after it was first released, Adele’s hit single “Rolling In The Deep” has finally topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart. [Neon Limelight]

:: Rejoice, fans of The Killers: the band has set a date to start working on new material — and it’s next week. “Tuesday [May 17] I think we start doing some writing again,” says drummer Ronnie Vannucci. “We have piles of songs we want to show each other. We’re going to get back in that room and start working.” [Pink Is The New Blog]

:: Rihanna has gone koo koo for coconut. The crimson-haired “California King Bed” songstress is now signed up to be the new face of Vita Coco Coconut Water. [Rap-Up.com]

After the jump, find out which music acts are performing on the tube today.

Music On TV:
:: Late Show With David Letterman (CBS) — Manchester Orchestra
:: Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC) — The Kills
:: Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (NBC) — Lauryn Hill
:: Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC) — Raphael Saadiq
:: Lopez Tonight (TBS) — Def Leppard
:: The Ellen DeGeneres Show (ABC) — Shania Twain
:: The Talk (CBS) — Dionne Warwick

Even in the desert heat, The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers was dressed in his signature dapper attire. Dripping with sweat, he gave fans a most generous performance including older hits like “Losing Touch”, “Read My Mind” and “Mr. Brightside” along with Flamingo tracks “Magdalena” and “Only The Young”. Check out the “Crossfire” crooner straight from Coachella Valley.

Idolator is braving the heat this weekend in the name of good music and heading out to Indio, California, for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Didn’t score a ticket before they sold out in a record six days? We’ve got you covered! Below, we take you on a virtual tour of Day 1, filled with Robyn’s insane energy, Cee Lo’s tardiness, and one Killer surprise from Brandon Flowers.

MOST DISAPPOINTING: Cee Lo Green’s brief set. The singer was supposed to rock the main stage at 4:50… by the time 5:20 rolled around, people had given up or were clearly annoyed waiting around in the desert sun for the singer to show up. When the Lady Killer had finally arrived (his plane had just landed, he explained), the fest crew only let him sing four songs before cutting him off. More disappointing than the length of his set, though, was that the four songs weren’t even performed that well – Cee Lo, chewing gum the whole time, seemed distracted and off his game (not to mention annoyed himself). Watch it go down here.

SECOND MOST DISAPPOINTING: Cee Lo, again, for wearing a white graphic T instead of one of his crazy stage get-ups. Though we can’t fault the man too much for this – would YOU want to perform in 100 degree heat while dressed as a peacock?

BRAVEST COVER: Our Pray For Pop amigo Miguel (saddled with a noon-time performance slot, poor guy) sang his own version of Prince’s “Little Red Corvette”:

We never get tired of watching him work that glow-in-the-dark microphone. See our cool Miguel photos and check it yourself.

ACT THAT SHOULDN’T BE PERFORMING IN A TENT: Robyn, who was placed in the Mojave tent, when she really should have been performing on one of the larger outdoor stages. The Idolator fave, wearing a flesh-colored body suit, had the tent overflowing with festival-goers who showed her love throughout her high-energy, all-fun set. Put this woman on a bigger stage! She’s clearly got enough fans to warrant the extra space.

THE BEST PLACE TO BE IN ALL OF COACHELLA: The clean, air-conditioned restrooms located at the back end of the rows of port-a-potties. Nothing was more challenging than leaving this little piece of heaven to return to the dust-filled sauna that is the Coachella grounds.

CUTEST OUTFIT: Marina Diamandis of Marina And The Diamonds, rockin’ her most chic Coachella look (as well as a bluntly cropped shorter ‘do — see our full gallery of Marina And The Diamonds photos):

MOST GENEROUS: Brandon Flowers was there to promote his solo material, but you have to love the man for indulging all the Killers’ fans in the crowd by performing “Losing Touch”, “Read My Mind” and “Mr. Brightside”, which caused everyone within listening distance to immediately run for the Outdoor Theater stage shouting cries of joy. We have to think that it might have burned him just a bit that his solo material couldn’t muster as much enthusiasm. (Not that could tell from his exterior — he was, typically, dressed to the nines. Enjoy our fresh Brandon Flowers photos).

BEST/WEIRDEST SMACKDOWN: While waiting near the artist trailer entrance, I came upon two beefy security guards sitting on top of a festival-goer (presumably in an altered state of mind) screaming for his freedom. No, seriously — he was screaming “I NEED MY FREEDOM!” over and over while fruitlessly squirming to escape their grasp. I sadly missed the beginning of this altercation — perhaps he was making a beeline for Robyn’s trailer to score an autograph?

WEIRDEST COINCIDENCE: Both Cee Lo Green and Sleigh Bells kicked off their sets by playing Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man”. If Kanye West plays his “Iron Man”-sampling “Hell Of A Life” during his show on Sunday night, then Coachella will officially surpass Ozzfest as the best place to hear Sabbath songs performed live.

BIGGEST MEH: Headliners Kings Of Leon got through their entire set without being interrupted by bird poop. That’s all you really need to know.

Come back tomorrow for a recap of Day 2, featuring sets by Scissor Sisters, Erykah Badu and Arcade Fire, whoever they are.

Santiago was the place to be as the two-day Lollapalooza Chile fest took place at Parque O’Higgins on Saturday and Sunday. The event boasted both a bombastic performance by “E.T.” rapper Kanye West—who was decked out in a red jacket, red pants  and gold chains—and one of the first live shows by the Killers since they went on hiatus over a year ago. Head below to see a collection of shaky-but-fun fan videos of ‘Ye and the Killers’ performances at Lollapalooza Chile.

Kanye West, “Gold Digger”

The Killers, “Human”

Kanye West, “Runaway”

The Killers, “Bones”

Kanye West, “All Falls Down”

The Killers, “When You Were Young”

Rock festival season just got some South American flavor added to the mix. Lollapalooza is traveling to Santiago, Chile, where the event will be held on April 2 – 3, and headlined by Kanye West (who will also headline Coachella two weeks later), The Killers (Brandon Flowers, ditto on Coachella) and, of course, Lolla founder Perry Farrell’s band Jane’s Addiction. “We did not want to come to Chile with a lineup that was anything other than world-class,” Farrell said in a statement. “Our ambition is to plant a very strong seed in Chile. One that will grow over the years, and provide Santiago with an event for the ages.” Others on the lineup include 30 Seconds To Mars, Fatboy Slim, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the Flaming Lips. Catch the full roster here. [Via Spinner]

The video for “Boots”, the fifth annual Project RED holiday single by The Killers, appropriately premiered today, which is World AIDS Day. (Note that for every view of the clip today, Starbucks will donate 5 cents toward the RED campaign). And while it’s light on actual Killers—only Flamingo frontman Brandon Flowers appears in the vid—it’s heavy on tugs on the old heartstrings. Watch below.

The “Boots” video, which references the Jimmy Stewart classic It’s A Wonderful Life and was lensed by Napoleon Dynamite director Jared Hess, briefly features Flowers atop a Las Vegas building during sunset.

Meanwhile, down below, a homeless man finds inspiration after snagging a karaoke machine out of the garbage. He goes on to belt out songs on the Vegas strip, but it’s the surprise ending—which we’re keeping mum about so you watch the whole thing—that has us all misty-eyed.

“Boots” was added to iTunes this week.

Not that we don’t love Brandon Flowers’ solo material, but it’s always a treat to hear The Killers’ frontman sing his band’s songs. When we saw him perform his 50-minute solo set at L.A.’s Troubadour, he killed the Day & Age track “Losing Touch”, and last night at New York’s Highline Ballroom, Flowers treated the crowd with a lovely, stripped down acoustic version of “When You Were Young.” And everyone packed in the venue was more than happy to sing along. Live vid below.

Brandon Flowers – “When You Were Young” (Live)

[Vulture]

Though we’re loving everything we’ve heard from Brandon Flowers as of late, the singer told SPIN.com that the ambitious track “Swallow It” is the song he’s most proud of on his solo album Flamingo. “There’s a fair amount of experimentation on that song, but it’s still very much a pop song,” he said. “That’s what I admired so much about bands like the Beatles. When they did experiment or go out on a limb a little bit, it was still accessible.” We have to agree that this delicate tune is somewhat of a departure for The Killers frontman—see if you concur by listening below.

Brandon Flowers - Swallow It

“You could not swallow it / No baby you’re not ready, slow down / And take the time to evolve,” sings Flowers on this dreamy, piano-assisted track. A bit New Wave-y, a bit 60s—we almost hear elements of MGMT’s Congratulations during the bridge—yet again we’re digging the man’s solo tunes. How about you?

If you weren’t lucky enough to experience one of Brandon Flowers’ first-ever live solo sets this week, Spin is currently previewing six tracks from his debut solo album, Flamingo. And on first listen, the epic-sounding record appears to center around similar subject matter The Killers have tackled on each of their LPs—the dual nature of Las Vegas.

After the jump, the singer-songwriter explains how growing up in Sin City inspired his music, and performs “Crossfire” and “Hard Enough” acoustically for KROQ.

“It’s about the experiences I’ve had with Las Vegas,” the singer tells Spin about his debut solo album. “A lot of my life took place on Flamingo [Road]. It’s part of Vegas mythology, and now it’s part of my own mythology. My first job was at a golf course on Flamingo. Sam’s Town [a casino that inspired the title of The Killers' 2006 album]… is on Flamingo. I met my wife at a clothing store on Flamingo. That’s my ‘hood.”

The album’s opener is the song, “Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas,” inspired by the sign tourists catch on their way headed into the city. (“Welcome to Las Vegas / Give us your dreamers, your harlots and your sin / Las Vegas / Didn’t nobody tell you the house will always win?” Flowers sings on the track.) “People would dodge cars to take a picture by it, so the city finally made a parking lot by it,” he tells Spin. “It’s that combination of being so happy while dumping all their money. It’s definitely not a perfect town, so that was the perfect place to jump from.”

One song not being previewed is “Jilted Lovers & Broken Hearts”, our favorite new track from Flowers that we heard played live during his set at the Troubadour in L.A. Taste the magic by watching him slam out this awesome number below:

“Jilted Lovers & Broken Hearts”

And watch Flowers rockin’ acoustically for KROQ with “Crossfire” and “Hard Enough”, which will feature Jenny Lewis’ vocals on the studio version.

“Hard Enough”

“Crossfire”

[Spin]

Brandon Flowers certainly doesn’t have to worry about his career as a solo artist—The Killers’ frontman hasn’t even released his debut solo album Flamingo yet, and he still managed to pack L.A.’s Troubadour to max capacity. After opening with new songs “On The Floor” and “Crossfire”, Flowers (who first came off as shy, yet wildly excited) accepted a bouquet of flowers from a fan in the front row before launching into a sweeping rendition of Kim Carnes’ “Bette Davis Eyes” and indulging the crowd with one Killers song, “Losing Touch.”

The singer described his solo album as being “a little bit more mellow” than The Killers, but the anthemic “Jilted Lovers & Broken Hearts” sounded like it came straight off of Hot Fuss. Check out our gallery of Brandon thrilling 450 of his most die-hard fans, and go ahead and pre-order the deluxe version of Flamingo (out September 14) over here.

Brandon Flowers fans, throw your gamblin’ chips in the air! The Killers frontman revealed the official album cover for his upcoming solo release, Flamingo, this morning. There’s nary a hint of the torture or Charlize Theron co-mingling that highlights his “Crossfire” music vid here. Instead, we’re given a graceful image of B-Flo posing in a gold-hued hotel room with the nighttime Las Vegas skyline glistening in the distance through the window. You can take the guy out of Sin City, etc. Click the “more” tab to see the full image of Flamingo, which is due out September 14.

[Pic via ArjanWrites.com]

Brandon Flowers being bound and tortured by ninja warriors in secluded locations in his music video for debut solo single “Crossfire”? That sucks. But being rescued over and over again by the Charlize Theron, who’s in full-on Uma Thurman/Kill Bill mode here? That makes it all kind of worth it. Watch B-Flo get saved by the hot, buff actress after the jump!

See that? You perform at the White House and Obama calls in stealth Oscar-winning operatives to save your butt when you’re caught in a snag. God bless the USA!

Flowers’ video was directed by Australian filmmaker Nash Edgerton, who both plays on the song’s introspective, sensitive quality while infusing a little humor (love Charlize’s nonchalant elbowing and ninja star-tossing, not to mention her look of slight annoyance when, yes, she has to rescue Brandon for a third time).

“Crossfire” is the first offering from the Killers frontman’s upcoming solo debut Flamingo, which features production by Stuart Price (Kylie Minogue, Madonna, Scissor Sisters), Daniel Lanois (U2, Aimee Mann) and Brendan O’Brien (Pearl Jam).

The album is due out Septemeber 14. And just imagine how many times Charlize is going to have to track down Brandon by then.