The Killers' Dave Keuning Releases New Ballad THE QUEEN'S FINEST

The Killers' founding member and guitarist Dave Keuning is kicking off the new year with the release of his new ballad "The Queen's Finest." This latest offering is off of Keuning's 14-track debut album, Prismism, which will be released on January 25, 2019. The new album, written and recorded by Dave in his San Diego home studio, was taken from hundreds of voice memos that he stockpiled while on tour with The Killers over the last decade that evolved into songs (pre-order here). To hear Keuning's new track "The Queen's Finest" and accompanying music video, head to Guitar World or Keuning's YouTube Channel.

Keuning will be hitting the road this year with a run of tour dates in the Western U.S. and Canada kicking off in February. Dates and ticket info can be found at www.keuningmusic.com. Additional dates to be announced.

Dave is continuing his partnership with PledgeMusic to offer fans unique merchandise and experiences when they pre-order his upcoming album, Prismism. Some of Dave's guitars and jackets worn on tours with The Killers, a Skype hang and his 1979 Trans AM are just some of the one-of-a-kind items available. For more information, please visit www.pledgemusic.com/projects/dave-keuning-prismism.

More than 17 years have passed since Iowa transplant Dave Keuning placed an ad in the local Las Vegas Weekly looking to form a band, mentioning Oasis as one of his faves. An eager 20-year-old named Brandon Flowers, who shared Keuning's love of groups like New Order and the Cure, answered it, only to have Dave promptly hand him a TASCAM-recorded four-track demo of "Mr. Brightside." The result was the formation of The Killers, who have released five consecutive chart-topping albums and toured the world thanks to a songwriting partnership which molded such hits as "Somebody Told Me," "When You Were Young," "Read My Mind," "A Dustland Fairy Tale," "The World We Live In" and "Spaceman," among others.

Burnt out from touring and wanting to spend more time with his 13-year-old son, Dave began taking musical ideas that he gathered over the years and worked on them in his home studio to turn each idea into a complete song. Prismism is the result, a collection of 14 tracks - with all the instruments, save some drum parts, played by Keuning himself - which, like the title says, sees things from all sides, focusing on details without missing the big picture, a Picasso's-eye view of life's Faustian bargains, Sophie's choices and existential conundrums. Prismism examines our basic relationships and interactions, with family, friends and co-workers, how one can feel trapped by their surroundings, as well as those that rely on them, emotionally and/or professionally. The album is inspired by the very thing that brought him here in the first place - the music.

Combining both acoustic and electric guitars, as well as a longtime fascination with keyboards and electronic music - which he wasn't able to explore as much as he would've liked in The Killers - Keuning has created a psychic diary that allows us to connect the dots and learn what brought him to a career crossroads. When he first began writing and recording, Keuning had no plans to sing, but finally decided to take the plunge.

"I never wanted to be the singer in The Killers," he insists. "And I don't care if people don't believe me. I've definitely had those thoughts, but I can honestly tell you ever since I picked one up at 14, all I ever wanted to do was play the guitar."

Dave is still actively sending in song ideas for the next Killers album, but also wonders if perhaps some of his new music will catch their ear. "But there's no stopping me now. I'm going to pump out new music for the rest of my life, for audiences big or small, Killers or no Killers. Now that I've got a taste of how enjoyable this is."

Prismism: it's all how you look at it and listen to it, but one thing's certain: Keuning's here to stay.

Dave Keuning Tour Dates

DATE VENUE CITY/STATE

January 28 Rough Trade Brooklyn, NY

February 5 The Roxy Los Angeles, CA

February 6 The Independent San Francisco, CA

February 8 Dante's Portland, OR

February 9 Biltmore Cabaret Vancouver, BC

February 10 Columbia City Theater Seattle, WA

February 12 Neurolux Boise, ID

February 13 The Saint Music Hall Reno, NV

February 15 The Bunkhouse Saloon Las Vegas, NV

Tickets + Info: www.keuningmusic.com