Five bands that got their start in Las Vegas

It’s called SinCity for a reason, but this time, we are not exploring the eccentric side of Las Vegas. Today we are exploring its music. More specifically, a few bands had their start in Las Vegas. We are not going back to Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, but instead, we will focus on a few modern bands. It’s a very diverse and exciting scene, as you would expect from such a big, dynamic city.

When you think about it, Las Vegas offers plenty of opportunities for up-and-coming bands. All those casinos, hotels, and extravagant shows need some live music, don’t they? Although in casinos, you won’t come across a next Adele-like star running through your right ear while the left one is trying to catch the winning sound of video slots, as they rarely have live music. What you’ll most certainly hear is some of today’s most influential bands running as background music, while some of them now perform in the biggest venues that this city has to offer.

The Killers

Arguably, one of the most well known bands to come out of Las Vegas, The Killers came together in 2002, and have sold well over 25 million records worldwide. This four man band, featuring lead singer and keyboardist Brandon Flowers, guitarist Dave Keuning, bassist Mark Stoermer and Ronnie Vanucci behind drums, received multiple Grammy nominations, MTV VMA’s, AMA nominations and NME Awards. Their album Wonderful Wonderful from 2017 climbed to the top of the US Billboard Top 200, but also in the U.K., Australia and Mexico.

Imagine Dragons

Like Killers’ lead Brandon Flowers, Dan Reynolds, the lead singer of Imagine Dragons, is a Vegas-bred member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Maybe not what you would expect from the frontman of one of the most successful rock bands of the 2010s. But they are still producing new material every year, with an album expected in 2022 and their singles dominating the charts and winning awards. Their sound is unique, combining alternative rock with regular pop and electropop. And it all started with their hit single “Radioactive” in 2012.

Panic! at the Disco

As time goes on, many bands change their line-up. Members come and go, and some bands fail to stay in the same formation as they were at the start of their musical journey. In 2004, Panic! At the Disco got founded in Las Vegas’ outer city ring by Spencer Smith and Ryan Ross. It started as a Blink-182 cover band which tells you, right from the start, a lot about their music and early influences. But neither of the two founders remained to stay in the band. Still, Brendon Urie, a member from the early days and now the lead singer, remains proof of the project’s continuity. The group has since its start-up issued six albums that have sold about 4,000,000 copies.

Ne-yo

Shaffer Chimere Smith might be Arkansas-born, but his music career only bloomed when he came to Las Vegas. What a surprise, ha? While attending the Academy of Arts in Las Vegas, it is here where his R&B music found a crowd. Starting in 2006, he has so far released seven albums. But he isn’t just a musician, and he is also a dancer and an actor. It seems that that is something that often goes hand in hand with a music career. But something of a “fun fact” about Ne-yo; he once started off his diet as a vegan and claimed that his tendinitis was cured after switching to veganism. However, it seems like he changed his mind and has stopped being vegan.

Shamir

Shamir Bailey is an interesting music character. Growing up in a Las Vegas suburb, he claims to have had a cookie-cutter life there. As a result, his music is comprehensive, covering everything from R&B, dance, pop, disco. There is even some punk and rock thrown in there. Considering that his aunt was involved in the music industry, his career choice took nobody by surprise. Over the years, his aunt also introduced him to his musical influences, including groups like Outkast, Groove Theory and famous singers like Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, and Janis Joplin.

lead photo The Killers Lead singer Brandon Flowers gestures towards the crowd during the Killers’ 2018 Bonaroo performance. Behind him is touring bassist Jake Blanton and touring keyboardist Robbie Connolly.

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