Foo Fighters, The Killers & Klaxons Lead NME Awards

FOO FIGHTERS, THE KILLERS and KLAXONS emerged as the big winners at the first ever American NME Awards, scooping the highest accolades at the ceremony on Wednesday (23Apr08).

The Foo Fighters’ latest LP Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace won Album Of The Year at the event in Los Angeles – beating off competition from bands including Kings Of Leon and The White Stripes.

In a pre-recorded acceptance video, the band told the audience, “Number One Record – thanks very much for that. It’s good to see NME making its way over here into the States, because they’ve been good friends of ours over in the U.K. for a long time.”

The Killers and Klaxons scooped two main awards a piece, with the Mr Brightside hitmakers scoring Best Indie/Alternative Group and Best Indie/Alternative track for Tranquilize.

Klaxons landed Best New International Indie/Alternative Live Act and Best International Indie/Alternative Track for their hit single Golden Skans.

The London-based Klaxons took to the stage for a third time, collecting the Arctic Monkeys’ prize for Best International Album for Best Worst Nightmare, on the absent band’s behalf.

Meanwhile, The Clash legend Mick Jones was given the Inspiration Award and Jane’s Addiction were honored with the Godlike Genius award at the event, which was held at L.A.’s El Rey Theatre.

The main winners are as follows:

Best Live Band – My Chemical Romance
Best Solo Artist – Albert Hammond
Junior Best Classic Album – The Lemonheads, It’s a Shame About Ray

Best New Live Act – Vampire Weekend

Best Video – Justice, D.A.N.C.E.
Best Breakthrough Artist – Santogold
Best Breakthrough Track – MGMT, Time To Pretend

Best Indie/Alternative Group – The Killers
Best New Indie/Alternative Solo Artist – Mark Ronson
Best Indie/Alternative track – The Killers, Tranquilize
Album of The Year – Foo Fighters
Best International Album – Arctic Monkeys’ Best Worst Nightmare
Best International Indie/Alternative Band – Arcade Fire

Best International Indie/Alternative Live Band – Arcade Fire
Best International Indie/Alternative Solo Artist – Kate Nash

Best International Indie/Alternative Track, Klaxons, Golden Skans
Best New International Indie/Alternative Live Act – Klaxons
Best Film – Juno
Best TV programme – Heroes

Inspiration Award – Mick Jones Godlike Genius – Jane’s Addiction.

(CAM&LR/WNWCNM/MT)