Ray Suen's on a Roll with The Killers by George Varga on Creators.com

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Ray Suen's on a Roll with The Killers

San Diego multi-instrumental wiz Ray Suen hasn't done it all since he became a touring member of The Killers 13 months ago. But the 24-year-old University of California, San Diego grad has already enjoyed many dizzying musical experiences playing with one of the biggest American rock bands of this decade.

Among the highlights:

Headlining with The Killers at this year's Coachella and Lollapalooza festivals, Australia's V festival, and, last year, at the Reading and Leeds festivals in England.

Making a TV special last month at Abbey Road Studios, where most of The Beatles' albums were recorded.

Doing sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden, London's O2 Arena and other major venues around the world, including three times at London's Royal Albert Hall.

Being joined on stage in February by Bono and Coldplay's Chris Martin on The Killers' Paul McCartney-flavored song "All These Things That I've Done" at a London benefit concert.

Getting greeted by McCartney after a Killers' show in London. (The ex-Beatle was wearing a rubber Alice Cooper mask, which confused the band until they learned "Killer" was the name of a 1971 Alice Cooper album.)

"I also got to watch Brandon (Flowers, The Killers' lead singer) join Bruce Springsteen at Holland's Pinkpop festival to sing 'Thunder Road,' which was pretty mind-blowing. I feel blessed travel is such an essential part of my job," said Suen.

Suen graduated from UCSD in 2007 with a major in psychology and a minor in music.

He was hired soon thereafter to tour with the San Diego band Louis XIV. Their first show with him was in Denver, opening for The Killers, who invited Suen to audition late last spring. His skills on guitar, keyboard and violin cinched it.

"I'm a humble servant in The Killers and there's plenty for me to learn from these guys," Suen said.

"I think Brandon and the other guys enjoy pointing out my ignorance about certain songs, especially from the early '80s, that have never been on my radar. The band has come a long way, even in the time I've known them since last year. Their show has become more refined and bigger, but also better."

Despite sharing the stage nightly with The Killers, Suen admits to still being tongue-tied offstage. When the band guest starred on TV's "Saturday Night Live" last fall, he was too shy to introduce himself to Tina Fey. He also couldn't work up the nerve to speak to Jack White, one of his guitar idols, when the two were backstage at a festival in England.

"As long as I'm lucky enough to play with The Killers, I hope these opportunities for me will continue to present themselves," Suen said. "It's comforting to know I'm so useless in front of (famous) people."

To find out more about George Varga and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.