The Killers are an exception to the rule, according to Debra Eriksen, an A&R consultant to Island Def Jam who is assisting in the label's remix projects.
"The band was really scared of someone else touching their music," Eriksen said Monday. "So, it took some convincing, and they were very involved in suggesting the remixers and making sure they were satisfied with the results. They love the mixes, though."
Island Def Jam is promoting remixes of "Somebody Told Me" by King Unique and Josh Harris to club and mixshow DJs. Because of the band's core fan base, an approach to rock outlets is also being considered, Eriksen said.
"The project is unlike any I've worked on before," Eriksen said.
Eriksen said that the club crossover is a natural for the band, given their new-wave and '80s synth-pop influences.
"They consider themselves a 'dance-rock' band," Eriksen said. "People forget that a lot of the bands they are influenced by-Depeche Mode, et cetera-had huge dance hits. They're also out there listening to some of these guys that end up doing the mixes."
The Killers' breakthrough hit, "Somebody Told Me," is one of the year's biggest successes by a new rock act. The track reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart. It remains at No. 10 after 29 weeks, and it also reached the top ten of the U.K. singles chart.
The single's parent album "Hot Fuss" has reached No. 26 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. It has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for U.S. sales of 500,000 copies. The album falls to No. 82 this week.
The Killers received three Grammy nominations Tuesday. "Somebody Told Me" is nominated for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, as well as Best Rock Song. The latter is a songwriter's award. ("Somebody Told Me" was written by band members Brandon Flowers, Dave Keuning, Mark Stoermer and Ronnie Vannucci.) "Hot Fuss" is also nominated for Best Rock Album.
The 2005 Grammy Awards are scheduled to be held Feb. 13 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Eriksen said that remixes of follow-up single "Mr. Brightside" are in the works. Jacques Lu Cont has completed a remix, as have a number of up-and coming remixers, she said.
"We're finalizing the package and will start promoting them in a few weeks," Eriksen said.