The Kills emerged in the early 2000s as a potent and minimalist rock duo, carving out a distinctive space with their raw, blues-infused garage rock and intense stage dynamic. Formed in 2001, the group consists of American vocalist Alison "VV" Mosshart and English guitarist Jamie "Hotel" Hince. Their stark, drum machine-driven sound and fiercely collaborative partnership, often described as a creative marriage, set them apart from their contemporaries and cultivated a dedicated international following.

The origins of The Kills trace back to a chance meeting between Mosshart and Hince in London, after corresponding for years. Both were in other bands at the time—Mosshart with the Florida punk group Discount and Hince with the British band Scarfo—but found a unique creative kinship. They began writing and recording lo-fi demos on a four-track recorder, deliberately stripping their sound down to its essential elements: Hince's gritty, hypnotic guitar riffs and Mosshart's charismatic, ranging vocals that could shift from a cool drawl to a primal scream. They signed to the influential Domino Records and released their debut album, Keep On Your Mean Side, in 2003, which introduced their gritty aesthetic to the UK indie scene.

It was their second album, 2005's No Wow, that became their critical and commercial breakthrough. The record refined their minimalist approach into a taut, powerful statement, earning widespread acclaim for its atmospheric tension and raw energy. This success cemented their reputation and allowed them to build a formidable live presence, known for their visceral and connected performances. They continued to evolve with 2008's Midnight Boom, which incorporated more dance-punk and art-rock influences, and 2011's Blood Pressures, a sonically richer and more expansive work. All four of these initial albums charted in the UK, demonstrating their consistent appeal.

Beyond The Kills, both members engaged in significant high-profile projects that further elevated their stature. Mosshart became the frontwoman for the rock supergroup The Dead Weather, formed by Jack White, which brought her powerful stage presence to a wider audience. Hince, meanwhile, gained attention in the fashion world and for his relationship with model Kate Moss, though his primary focus remained music. The duo reconvened for their fifth studio album, Ash & Ice, in 2016, which debuted in the UK Top 20 and was supported by an extensive world tour. They have maintained their status as a compelling and influential rock act, their partnership enduring as the core of a sound that is both timeless and distinctly their own.