The Killers drummer Ronnie Vannucci is taking on the leading role with his new solo project Big Talk. Epitaph/Little Oil Records have set a July 19th release date for the project's self-titled debut album.
"I've always tinkered around with other instruments and I found myself wanting to just play," says Vannucci, who is a talented multi-instrumentalist. "I've always written songs. I really like collaboration. That's one of the ways The Killers write – we each do demos and show each other stuff, and if it piques anyone's interest, we go for it."
To assist him with Big Talk in the studio and on the road, Vannucci recruited an old friend, Taylor Milne, to help him flesh out some of the songs. "I felt an immediate bond with Taylor," remembers Vannucci, who also brought in Joe Chicarelli (The Strokes, My Morning Jacket) to produce the album and Alan Moulder (U2, Foo Fighters) to mix it.
How is Vannucci – used to a backseat view of one of contemporary rock's greatest frontmen – approaching his own front-and-center status? "For me, it's nerve-wracking as hell, and fun. But you never know until you give it a shot," says Vannucci. "Aren't most drummers trapped frontmen anyway?"
