The Killers take a hit out on manager

By Eriq Gardner

The Killers are a band that have established a great reputation for, ahem, killer hooks that you just can't quite get out of your head.

Success equals fame, and fame translates to lawsuits, especially from those left behind. Last week, for instance, a former drummer sued the band My Chemical Romance for royalties due.

It's less than surprising to see The Killers now tied up in contentious litigation with their former manager, Braden Merrick, but the length of this case and damages alleged is quite startling.

Billboard reports that three years after Merrick sued the band members and their current manager for $16 million each, the band has retaliated with a lawsuit for "multi-million-dollar damages in missed concerts and lost touring revenues...via the bungling of merchandising and promotional opportunities.”

The litigation has taken some nasty turns. The Killers went before before the California Labor Commissioner seeking to void their contract with Merrick and recover all commissions paid to him, plus interest.

Also, according to Billboard, Merrick’s attorney, Howard King, called the Killers’ quest to void Merrick’s contract under the California law a “scheme” designed to provide the band a “$10,000,000 windfall.”