Las Vegas Weekly

October 2, 2009 · 5:04 PM

The Killers, former manager agree to dismiss lawsuits

By John Katsilometes

Frontman Brandon Flowers of The Killers at Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Photo: Glenn Pinkerton/Las Vegas News Bureau

Onstage, The Killers wear any sort of suit well, but this is one they’ll be glad to keep in the closet.

Dismissed today was a legal action filed against the band by its former manager, Braden Merrick. In a statement released by Merrick’s attorney, an official for the band was quoted: “The Killers are pleased that the matter has been resolved and thank Braden Merrick for his contributions.” The release also says, “Braden Merrick expressed his best wishes for the band’s continuing success.”

Fired by The Killers during their ascent to worldwide fame, Merrick filed a $16 million breach-of-contract suit in federal court in Los Angeles against the Las Vegas-based band in February 2006. His chief complaint was that after the band began making millions with its original release, “Hot Fuss,” and touring worldwide, they simply stopped paying him his reported 25-percent service fee (from the band’s annual gross income) for a contract that Merrick claimed ran through 2007. The Killers swiftly filed their own breach-of-contract counter suit, alleging Merrick’s poor management had cost the band millions. The Killers are currently on tour, playing Tampa, Fla., tonight and Miami tomorrow. Merrick is a partner at a new music label, Bright Antenna.

Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at twitter.com/JohnnyKats.

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