Placebo are one of the biggest indie bands in the world. On their 20th anniversary, frontman Brian Molko reconciles himself with the past and sets off into their third decade with drums and trumpets.
Brian Molko has been through a lot in recent years. His relationship with the mother of his eight-year-old son Cody broke up. At the same time, he has managed to end his long-standing drug career. "I have no regrets," says the frontman of British rock band Placebo. "All these experiences have made me who I am today. I've since learned that you have to face reality and your feelings. Self-pity makes you unattractive."
But his self-pity also had its advantages. It provided the material for all the songs about destructive relationships, suicide, self-harming behavior and the power of drugs. Placebo named themselves after the medicine that doesn't work. But they put their fans into a real frenzy. The band has sold around twelve million records since it was founded in 1996. On their 20th anniversary, Placebo are considered one of the biggest indie bands ever. Strengthened, the Brits are now embarking on the third decade of their band history. With a new album and a tour around the globe - including a detour to the Hallenstadion Zurich on November 16, 2016.
"The main thing is no regular, boring work!"
Brian Molko and his Swedish bandmate Stefan Olsdal actually had no intention of becoming famous. "We just wanted something to eat, somewhere to sleep and to make music - the main thing was no regular, boring work." But it wasn't just a dislike of a boring office job that drove Brian Molko into show business. For the then drama student, music meant rebellion. His devout parents rejected art. His father saw him as a banker, his mother as a pastor. David Bowie, on the other hand, appreciated the young musician with the black hair and mascara, who flirted with the fact that he liked going to bed with men just as much as with women. The music legend decided to take the trio on tour. People were thrilled by Bowie's new discovery. The first album hit like a bomb. In the UK, Placebo reached number five in the charts and went platinum. The alternative rock band subsequently released a successful album every two to three years. And ten years ago, "Meds" was the first Placebo record to reach number one in the charts in Switzerland.
"We decided, somewhat arrogantly, to become the biggest band in the world."
"When you're young, living on welfare and feeling this success for the first time, it goes to your head pretty damn quickly. It makes your ego explode," recalls Brian Molko at the time of the breakthrough. After the successful tour with David Bowie, Placebo were booked to support U2, the song "Every Me Every You" from the second album "Without You I'm Nothing" served as the soundtrack for the Hollywood film "Cruel Intentions" and the rock band toured the globe. From 1996 onwards, Placebo were on stage almost every day for eight years. "We decided, somewhat arrogantly, to become the biggest band in the world." And yet: "The more I created, the more self-doubt crept in."
With the last album "Love Like Loud" three years ago, fans sensed that Brian Molko had reconciled himself with his past. The songs still sounded typically Placebo - albeit a little more polished - and the lyrics were no longer as dark as they used to be. For example, the band settled accounts with Facebook and co. instead of wildly swearing about it as before.
The Placebo frontman is now 43 years old. "I feel like I'm just starting to grow up," he reveals. "I've spent the last ten to 15 years behaving very childishly." The rock star is grateful that he is still allowed to make music after 20 years. That people are still interested in him and still come to his concerts.
A successful start to the third decade
"It's time for us to play what many Placebo fans really want to hear"
To mark their 20th anniversary, Placebo are thanking their fans with the retrospective album "A Place For Us To Dream - 20 Years Of Placebo". And the tour setlist also promises gems from 20 years of band history. "We'll be playing songs that I swore I'd never play again. It's time for us to play specifically what many Placebo fans really want to hear," says Brian Molko. With "Jesus' Son", the anniversary album contains a single that combines the old and new strengths of Placebo in a compact rock song. The Londoners have not become lazy. That's why the EP with the meaningful title "Life's What You Make It" now follows. "We've achieved more than enough. If there's more, that's great. We just don't want to get smaller." Keep going is the motto. The start of the third decade has been a success.
PLACEBO
16.11.16, Hallenstadion Zurich
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