The Killers were the big winners at the first ever NME Awards USA this week.
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The star-studded ceremony, held at Los Angeles’ El Ray Theatre on Wednesday night (23.04.08), saw the Las Vegas band take home trophies for Best Indie/Alternative Band – voted for by readers of NME.com – and Best Indie/Alternative Track for their Lou Reed collaboration Tranquilize.
During his acceptance speech, The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers said: “We haven’t told Lou yet that Tranquilize won. We’re going to ring him and tell him the news in a minute. It’s brilliant.”
However, the band lost out to My Chemical Romance in the Best Indie/Alternative Live Act category.
Canadian band Arcade Fire also picked up two prizes on the night, for Best International Indie/Alternative Band and Best International Indie/Alternative Live Act.
Foo Fighters walked off with the Best Indie/Alternative Album award for Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace. British group Klaxons also had a successful evening, collecting awards for Best New International Indie/Alternative Live Act and Best New International Indie/Alternative Track for hit single Golden Skans.
Arctic Monkeys, who were not present at the ceremony, won Best International Indie/Alternative Album for their second LP Favourite Worst Nightmare, and recorded a message of thanks to their fans.
However, the video footage was interrupted by Klaxons stars Jamie Reynolds, James Righton, Simon Taylor-Davis and Steffan Halperin invading the stage and stealing the trophy from presenter, model Agyness Deyn.
Super-producer Mark Ronson – who won Best New Indie/Alternative Solo Artist – also attempted to invade the stage, but fell over after misjudging his step.
The event saw The Clash legend Mick Jones given the Inspiration Award, with Jane’s Addiction being honoured with the Godlike Genius Award For Services To Music.
Presenting Jones with his award, Hollywood actress Sienna Miller was forced to put up with jibes about her boyfriend Rhys Ifans from event host Jim Jeffries.
He said: “Sienna, I think you should be given the inspiration awards. The man you’re having sex with is so ugly it’s an inspiration to all ugly men.”
NME Awards USA winners in full:
Best Indie/Alternative Group – The Killers
Best Indie/Alternative Track – The Killers, Tranquilize
Best Indie/Alternative Live Act – My Chemical Romance
Best Indie/Alternative Album – Foo Fighters, Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace
Best New Indie/Alternative Group – Vampire Weekend
Best New Live Act – Vampire Weekend
Best New Solo Artist – Mark Ronson
Best International Solo Artist – Kate Nash
Best International Indie/Alternative Band – Arcade Fire
Best International Live Band – Arcade Fire
Best International Album – Arctic Monkeys
Best New International Indie/Alternative Live Act – Klaxons
Best New International Indie/Alternative Track – Klaxons, Golden Skans
Inspiration Award – Mick Jones
Godlike Genius Award For Services To Music – Jane’s Addiction
