Placebois a Britishalternative rockband, formed in London in 1994 by vocalist–guitaristBrian Molkoand bassist–guitaristStefan Olsdal,and in late 1994Robert Schultzbergjoined as drummer. Molko was born inBelgiumand Olsdal and Schultzberg inSweden;Molko and Olsdal grew up inLuxembourgbefore separately relocating to London and becoming British citizens. Schultzberg left the band in 1996 shortly after the release of the band'seponymous debut albumdue to conflicts with Molko, and was replaced the same year bySteve Hewitt.
Placebo | |
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Background information | |
Also known as | Ashtray Heart |
Origin | London, England |
Genres | |
Years active | 1994 | –present
Labels |
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Members | |
Past members | |
Website | placeboworld |
Following the release of a demo, a split single, andtheir eponymous debut album,Placebo gained exposure in 1997 after the single "Nancy Boy"became popular in the UK, a song notorious at the time for itsgender-bendingcontent. The band stood out amongst theBritpopscene they were associated with at the time for theirandrogynousappearance and musical content,[4]as well as Molko's distinctive voice and lyrics which openly discussed sexuality, mental health, and drug use.
Hewitt left Placebo in 2007, due to personal and musical differences. He was replaced the following year bySteve Forrest.[5]Placebo released two albums with Forrest, who left in 2015 to pursue his own musical career. Since 2015, Placebo are officially a duo, though augmented with additional musicians.
Placebo have collaborated with various artists over the years, includingDavid Bowie,Justin Warfield,Michael StipeandAlison Mosshart.Placebo have released eight studio albums, all of which have reached the Top 20 in the United Kingdom, and have sold around 14 million records worldwide.[6]
History
editFormation (1994–1995)
editPlacebo foundersBrian MolkoandStefan Olsdalhad both attended theAmerican International School of Luxembourg,although they did not interact at the time as they were part of different social circles.[7]The two met by chance in 1994, in London, England. At the time, Olsdal was taking guitar lessons and was on his way home when he met Molko at theSouth Kensington tube station.Molko, observing that Olsdal had a guitar strapped to his back, invited Olsdal to watch him perform at a local gig.[8]On the strength of Molko's performance, Olsdal decided that they should start a band. The two formed as Ashtray Heart,[9]named after theCaptain Beefheartsong of the same name.[4]Molko, however, denied in 2009 that Ashtray Heart was the first name of the band, dismissing this as a rumour and claiming that the band had more names initially.[10]
Originally, the two were unable to decide on a drummer. They played for a while withSteve Hewitt,a friend of Molko,[7]but Hewitt had prior commitments to local band Breed.[11]Robert Schultzbergassumed the position of drummer in late 1994.[12]
The band eventually chose the name Placebo, due to its meaning in Latin, "I shall please".[13]Molko has frequently stated in interviews that the name is a rejoinder to the 1990s cliché of naming one's band after a drug.[9]In an interview, Molko stated:
It's a complex question to answer, really. As musicians you try to find a name for your band that represents you and you never really do, because, basically, names for bands lose their meaning after a while. They become a series of sounds that you associate with people in music. The most important thing for a name is that you can imagine forty-thousand people screaming it in unison.[14]
Debut album, line-up change and glam connection (1996–1998)
editIn October 1995 the band released "Bruise Pristine",a split single with the band Soup, on Fierce Panda.[15]Molko would later speak in negative terms about this release.[16]
By 1996 Placebo were signed withCaroline Records.[17]Their debut album, the self-titledPlacebo,was released on 17 June 1996.[18]The album was produced by Brad Wood and was influenced, according to Molko, bySonic YouthandDepeche Mode.[19]The release peaked at No. 5 on theUK Albums Chartat the height of theBritpopera; their highest-charting album in the country until 2022[20]After the album's release, Placebo went on a headlining tour across Europe, performing in countries likeFrance,Italy,andSwitzerland.[21]When reviewing a concert,the New York Timescompared them to bands of the "first wave of post-punk rock, particularlyNew Order,the Cure,Siouxsie and the Banshees,earlyU2andTalking Heads".[22]
Tension with Schultzberg and the rest of the group had begun to rise in the previous year. The band initially fired him in September 1995, but he was rehired to record the first seven-inch single "Bruise Pristine". After an argument in August 1996, Molko decided that it would be best for the band if Schultzberg left. The band came to an agreement that Schultzberg would leave once they had finished the promotion ofPlacebo.[23]
Eventually, Schultzberg did indeed leave the band in September 1996, on a United States tour. Before going on stage for their first show in the state of New York, Olsdal informed Schultzberg that he wasn't going on the tour in Germany that was following the US one. At the manager's request, Schultzberg did two more shows with the band in Paris after the US tour, the last of which was a performance on the French TV showNulle part ailleurs.According to Schultzberg "Molko said that he was 'tired of being the focus of Robert's rages against the world', and quite frankly, I was tired of being his".[23]While Schultzberg was with the band, several early works were recorded, including their first 7 "single" Bruise Pristine ", the"Come Home"EP, the single version of" Nancy Boy "(with B-sides"Slackerbitch","Miss Moneypenny "and theSmithscover "Bigmouth Strikes Again" ) and their eponymous debut album. On the track "I Know", Schultzberg playeddidgeridooas well as drums.
Steve Hewitt, who had played with the band in 1994, joined Placebo as a full-time member at Molko's request.[11]
The most successful song on the debut album was "Nancy Boy",which peaked at number 4 in the UK Singles Chart upon its release in 1997.[24]The song had been written in 1994, being partially inspired by an infamous quote ofSuede'sBrett Anderson:"I'm abisexualman who's never had a homosexual experience. "[25]Its lyrics were full of sexual allusions, and Molko admitted at the time: "It's not absurd. It's obscene. A song this rude should not be number four in the charts."[26]Molko would go on to describe his relationship with the song in a 2016 interview as "very ambivalent", adding that, although he appreciates the fact that the song had been instrumental in their development as a band, he considers it immature.[25]
The song attracted the attention ofDavid Bowie,[25]who invited the band to open several of his concerts in early 1996.[27]In the following January, Bowie invited them to play at his 50th birthday celebrations at New York'sMadison Square Garden.[28]The party also includedBilly Corganofthe Smashing Pumpkins,Robert Smithofthe CureandLou Reed.[29]
The band'sglam rockconnections continued. In 1998, Placebo recorded a cover ofT. Rex's "20th Century Boy"for theVelvet Goldminesoundtrack and the band appeared in minor roles in the film.[30]Bowie made a special appearance on-stage with Placebo during a tour stop in New York as part of the band's late February tour withStabbing Westward.[31]Placebo played "20th Century Boy" live with David Bowie at theBRIT Awardsshow in 1999.[31]
Placebo were heavily criticised by the media due to their unorthodox attitude and Brian Molko's androgynous appearance.[32]In a 2016 interview related to their early years, Molko commented:
We were reacting very strongly against the machismo, terrace chants and revisionism of Britpop, and thenationalismthat we interpreted asxenophobiaof the musical kind. We were trying to make a strong political statement about the fluidity ofsexualitywith the dresses and make-up that we wore. We set out to confuse, and I guessNancy Boywas the perfect soundtrack to that.[25]
Without You I'm NothingandBlack Market Music(1998–2002)
editIn 1998, Placebo switched to the major labelVirgin Records,and issued their follow-up albumWithout You I'm Nothingon 12 October.[33]The band had a dysfunctional relationship with producer Steve Osborne during the recording of the album, and ended up not speaking to him at all by the time the sessions were over.[19]
The album was another large seller in the UK; the US market embraced the album's lead single "Pure Morning",which appeared onMTVand reached number 20 on theBillboardHeatseekers chart,[34]but subsequent singles and videos failed to match the success of its predecessor.[28][35]"Pure Morning" enjoyed the same success as "Nancy Boy" in the UK, reaching number 4 in the British chart.[36]The video of the song was nominated for the Best British Video award during the 1999 edition ofBrit Awards,[37]but lost toRobbie Williams' "Millennium".[38]Molko would subsequently deem the lyrics of "Pure Morning" as unsatisfying, and would refuse to perform the song live for nine years.[19]
The band kept enjoying success in the UK, as the second single, "You Don't Care About Us"reached number 5 in the British chart.[36]The third single released was "Every You Every Me",a number eleven hit.[36]The song appeared on thesoundtrackfor the filmCruel Intentions,[39]which was inspired by the novelLes Liaisons dangereusesbyPierre Choderlos de Laclos.[40]
The last single on the album, "Without You I'm Nothing"was re-recorded and released as a duet with David Bowie, at Bowie's request. Molko would describe this moment in 2016 as an honour, adding that he realised its importance much later in his career.[19]
The band's third album,Black Market Music,released in October 2000,[33]and produced by Paul Corkett,[41]further experimented with genres outside of regular rock sound. Placebo collaborated withJustin Warfieldon "Spite & Malice"[42]and sampledPavement's "Texas Never Whispers" on "Slave to the Wage".[19]A re-sequenced version released in the US featured a slightly different track listing, adding the aforementioned Bowie version of "Without You I'm Nothing" and the band's cover ofDepeche Mode's "I Feel You".
The album created additional UK top 20 hits in "Taste in Men"and" Slave to the Wage ", which reached number 16 and 19 in the UK Singles Chart, respectively.[36]
In a 2001 interview, Molko declared:
I think it's the album we always wanted to make. I think without exaggerating even the tiniest bit, we love it and we've never been so happy with an album. Our debut was fast and rough, punk pop,Without You I'm Nothingshowed our melancholy, depressed side andBlack Marketshows a perfect combination of both sides.[41]
The singer would later become more reserved towardsBlack Market Music,describing it in 2016 as "real somber", and expressing the regret of not having been involved enough during the production phase.[19]
Placebo encountered resistance from the British music industry upon release of the single "Special K"due to its reference of aketaminehigh as a simile for love. Due to this metaphor, the song was censored in the UK.[43]In spite of the controversy,Black Market Musicreached number 1 in France[44]and number 6 in the UK.[20]
Sleeping with GhostsandOnce More with Feeling(2003–2005)
editPlacebo released their fourth album, produced by Jim Abbiss[45]and namedSleeping with Ghosts,on 24 March 2003.[33]The sound of the album was described in aBillboardreview as being infused with "edgy electronic flourishes".[45]
Molko explained the title of an album in an interview:
It is romantic without being sentimental. It's an album full of colour. It's also the first time when we recorded an album during the summer, after a long break. Before, we were in a sort of rock'n'roll bubble, we were alternating the studio sessions and the live concerts, we were pretty much cut off from the real world. It's dangerous to live too much in this kind of bubble. We had the chance to distance ourselves a bit from everything that happened since 1996 up until now. I also had the occasion to reflect to the montagne russe that is my personal life after these seven years. The ghosts I'm talking about are the people, the events you're wearing into your soul consciously or not.[46]
The album went to No. 11 in the UK[20]and sold 1.4 million copies worldwide.[47]Australian tour dates withElbowand UK shows withHar Mar Superstarfollowed in 2004.
First single "The Bitter End"peaked at number 12 in the British single chart.[36]Protège-Moi,the French version of the song "Protect Me From What I Want", was released as a single in France where it reached number 18.[48]
At the end of 2003, the band releasedSleeping with Ghosts Special Edition,which was a double-disc release, containing theSleeping with Ghostsalbum and a bonus disc with ten covers. The bonus disc was re-released in 2010 as a stand-alone under the nameCovers.[49]
On 15 March 2004, the band released their first live DVD,Soulmates Never Die (Live in Paris 2003),from footage recorded in October 2003 and also including a 25-minute documentary.[33]
On 25 October 2004, Placebo released a singles collection,Once More with Feeling: Singles 1996–2004,on both CD and as a DVD featuring the band's videos.[33]The nineteen-song compilation included two new tracks, "I Do" and the single "Twenty Years",which reached number 18 in UK.[36]The compilation was meant to allow the listener to observe Placebo's change of lyrics, music and attitude; Molko was highly critical of his early years, comparing in a 2005 interview the first singles with "bad teenage poetry you made at college".[32]
On 5 November 2004, Placebo played a one-night-only gig atWembley Arena,in which Robert Smith of The Cure made a guest appearance on two tracks, "Without You I'm Nothing" and a cover of The Cure's "Boys Don't Cry".[50]This performance was to be their last UK gig until 2006.[51]After the Wembley gig, Placebo went on a shortOnce More with Feelingtour in South America. On 2 July 2005 the group performed "Twenty Years" and "The Bitter End" at theLive 8concert, at thePalais de Versailles[52]in France.[53]
Medsand Hewitt's departure (2006–2009)
editIn September 2005 Placebo finished the recording phase of their fifth studio album,Meds,which was produced byDimitri Tikovoiand released on 13 March 2006.[33]The album was also released in a limited edition, containing a documentary, the lyrics, live videos, three demo versions and the song "Long Division".[33]The version released in the US had two bonus tracks, "Running Up That Hill" and "UNEEDMEMORETHANINEEDU", but did not include "In the Cold Light of Morning" at Molko's demand, who refused to have the song censored.[54]The lead single in the UK market was "Because I Want You",whereas in the rest of the world the first single was"Song to Say Goodbye".[55]Two tracks are duets with US singers: "Meds" withAlison MosshartofThe Killsand "Broken Promise" withR.E.M.'sMichael Stipe.[56][57]
Medswas leaked to the internet on 17 January 2006,[58]two months before the official release date. The leak was projected to cause a serious loss of profit by the band's record labelVirgin Records.Nevertheless, in most countries the album charted well, at No. 1 in France,[59]No. 4 in Australia and No. 7 in the UK.[60][61]
In 2006 Placebo switched labels in the US toAstralwerksand re-released several revisions of their earlier works. In October their debut albumPlacebowas digitally remastered and re-released on 25 September 2006 with the subtitle10th Anniversary Collectors Edition;[33]the box set also included a DVD containing music videos, concerts and TV performances.
In 2007 Placebo joinedLinkin Park,My Chemical Romance,Taking Back Sundayand various other acts for the annualProjekt: Revolutiontour.[62]Following the tour, Virgin released theExtended Play '07EP as a simple introduction for new fans to the band's past decade of music.[63]The compilation featured eight songs: "Nancy Boy","Every You Every Me","Taste in Men","The Bitter End","Meds","Pure Morning","Infra-Red"and" Running Up that Hill ".[64]
The relationship between Steve Hewitt and the rest of the band had become tense during the recording ofMeds[19]and eventually, in October 2007, the band announced that Hewitt was no longer in Placebo. Molko commented that "Being in a band is very much like being in a marriage, and in couples—in this case a triple—people can grow apart over the years. To say that you don't love your partner anymore is inaccurate, considering all that you've been through and achieved together. There simply comes a point when you realise that you want different things from your relationship and that you can no longer live under the same roof, so to speak".[65]Olsdal commented "We couldn't go on with Steve Hewitt. We didn't have the same goals, nor the same vision anymore. We had to separate. It all went wrong during theMedstour. [...] There was no communication between us. Brian and I are one, but at some point we even didn't talk to each other anymore. We realised Placebo was dying. To be able to go on, things had to change. "[66]According to Hewitt, "Alex Weston, our manager, [...] called me in to the office and said I was not in the band anymore. And that's it. I was thrown out". Hewitt claims that it was "very hurtful" and "disappointing" to have been ejected in this way after being in the band for over a decade.[67]Early in 2008 Hewitt founded the bandLove Amongst Ruin,switching to guitar and singing lead vocals. In August 2012 he became the drummer of the reformedSix by Seven.[68][non-primary source needed]
In August 2008, the band announced their new drummer,Steve Forrestof the band Evaline.[69]
Placebo gave one live performance in 2008, as part of anMTV EXITevent, a campaign against human trafficking held inAngkor Watin December.[70]Placebo left EMI in 2008, but the label released a ten-disc box set of the complete Placebo recordings on 8 June 2009, including all the studio albums and DVDs as well as a collection ofB-sides.[71]
Battle for the Sun(2009–2011)
editIn January 2009, Placebo announced that they signed withPIAS Entertainment,[72]with Brian Molko commenting: "We were very lucky to have so many great labels interested in signing us, it means a lot, especially after 12 years of releasing records!"[73]
Placebo also confirmed that they had finished working on the follow-up to 2006'sMedsand planned to release it on 8 June 2009.[74]The full track list was announced on the band's website in March 2009.[75]The album,Battle for the Sun,was the first to feature new drummer Steve Forrest, and was recorded with producer David Bottrill,[76]also known for his work withTool,Muse,Peter GabrielandSilverchair.[77]
The album's title track "Battle for the Sun"debuted onZane Lowe'sBBC Radio 1show on 17 March 2009.[78]Subsequently, it became available for free download on the band's official website. On the same day as the track's debut, they played a secret concert in London, performing some of the material from the album, including the tracks "Ashtray Heart", "Julien", "Kitty Litter", "Speak in Tongues" and "Devil in the Details". In their review for the gig,Rock Soundwrote that "the new album is a heavier-sounding record compared to its predecessor" and recalls the atmosphere ofWithout You I'm Nothing.[79]Molko would describe the album in 2013 as "the sound of a band trying to find a new identity, to find out who they were again".[80]
The first single, "For What It's Worth",made its radio debut on 20 April 2009, with the official release date being 1 June. It became available for download on iTunes andeMusicon 21 April, and the video for the single premiered onMySpaceat the same time.[81]
In May 2009, Placebo performed three concerts in the UK, at venues inSheffield,Bournemouthand London, before attending the festival season in Europe and Asia. When unveiling the new album with a full track-by-track rundown, Molko told the Scottish edition ofNews of the World:"It feels like a new beginning... we're reinvigorated, refreshed and ready to take on the world".[82]
From 29 to 31 May 2009 fans who signed up for Placebo's official mailing list received a unique code for logging into five listenings of the album in its entirety.[83]
At the beginning of August 2009, Placebo canceled a concert inOsaka,Japan, after singer Brian Molko fainted on stage. The band later explained in an official statement that the singer had picked up a virus, which, combined withjet lagand exhaustion, resulted in him collapsing.[84]Following this incident, Placebo also canceled their North American tour.[85]
On 5 November 2009, Placebo won theMTV Europe Music Awardsfor Best Alternative.[86]
In December 2009, Placebo releasediTunes Live: London Festival '09,a live album recorded at theiTunes FestivalatThe Roundhouse,Camdenon 14 July 2009.[87]
In February–April 2010, the band toured Southeast Asia, Australia and South America.[88]The final leg of the tour saw Placebo play Israel and Lebanon, before returning to Europe for a series of festivals and featured concerts. A performance in Thessaloniki, Greece in September 2010 was poorly received by the crowd, sparking boos from a crowd of thousands after performing a 50-minute set.[89]
On 27 September 2010, Placebo releasedBattle for the Sun Redux Edition,[90]which included the single version of "Bright Lights" and a bonus disc featuring several re-recorded old tracks and the new songs "Monster Truck" and "Trigger Happy Hands". The last shows of theBattle for the Suntour took place in London'sBrixton Academyon 27–28 September 2010.[91][92]
The band was going to tour Spain, Portugal, Japan and South Korea, but the shows were canceled due to Molko's poor health.[93][94]In August 2011, Placebo went on a mini-tour of two shows in Berlin andStuttgart.[95]
On 31 October 2011, the band released their second live video album,We Come in Pieces,documenting the live performance at the Brixton Academy on 28 September 2010.[96]The DVD also featured a short movie, "Trigger Happy Hands", and a documentary, "Coming Up for Air", directed by Charlie Targett-Adams.[97]
On 12 December 2011, Placebo released aniTunesexclusive live album,Live at Angkor Wat,which featured the semi-acoustic concert performed at Angkor Wat in 2008.[98]
B3,Loud Like Loveand Forrest's departure (2012–2015)
editOn 29 November 2011 Placebo announced they would be headlining theSundance Film and Music Festivalin April 2012.[99]In January 2012 the band confirmed their participation at the Rock im Pott festival scheduled for 25 August 2012 atArena AufSchalke,Germany, along with theRed Hot Chili Peppers.[100][101]Bass player Stefan Olsdal also confirmed forBillboardthat the band would return to the studio in 2012 to record the follow-up toBattle for the Sun.[97]
From April to September 2012, Placebo toured Europe.[102]In June and July 2012, Placebo also played exclusive concerts inMadrid,Paris,Rome,Zurich andHamburgfor the launch of the newMercedes-Benz A-Class.[103]The band canceled a concert during an Austrian festival due to Molko's health problems, leaving the stage after only one song.[104]
In August 2012, Molko revealed on Italy'sRai Radio 2that a new single titled "B3" would be released in September.[105]A five-track EP titledB3was released in October 2012.[106]It was reissued on 10 "vinyl forRecord Store Day2013.[107]
During theBattle for the Suntour, Molko and Olsdal both stated on various occasions that they were working on material for the next studio album.[108]
On 21 May 2013, Placebo announced the release of their seventh studio album,Loud Like Love,and confirmed a tour of the United Kingdom in December.[109]On 12 July, the band released a lyric video for the song "Too Many Friends",the first single on the new album,[110]with the official music video being subsequently released in August and featuring authorBret Easton Ellis.[111]
Produced by Adam Noble, the album was released on 16 September 2013[109]in five different formats.[112]The same day, Placebo streamed live a 90-minute show,Loud Like Love TV,on their official YouTube channel. The show featured interviews with the band and their collaborators, live performances and behind the scenes content.[112]
Brian Molko described the recording of the album as a positive experience, commenting:
...I see this record as a collection of 10 small fictions, based on my own experience and my own feelings around relationships over the past 20 years, I feel that I've been able to use the device [of] storytelling, which I think I've become a little bit more adept at, create songs with characters. Paradoxically, because of that, I've been able to be more honest, more direct and more personal.[113]
In November–December 2013 the band went on an arena tour in Europe and the United Kingdom to promote the new album.[114]During February–April 2014 Placebo toured Australia, Mexico and South America.[115]Beginning in June 2014, they went on a tour in Russia and Europe. In October 2014, they went on their first full tour of the United States and Canada in six years.[80]
On 2 February 2015, the band announced the departure of drummer Steve Forrest. The end of Forrest's career with the band was "very amicable" and occurred due to the drummer's intention to "pursue his own musical ambitions". Placebo announced that for the planned 2015 gigs a newsideman,Matt Lunn, formerly of the band Colour of Fire, who supported Placebo on tour in 2004, would take the drummer's seat.[116]Lunn continued to perform with Placebo during theA Place for Us to Dreamtour.
On 12 February, Placebo announced that they would stream their entire back catalogue for the first time in their history.[117]
In February–March 2015, Placebo toured Ireland and the United Kingdom, culminating with two shows in London'sHammersmith Apollo.[116]During May–July 2015 they toured Europe,Morocco,Russia andGeorgia.[118]During the Morocco concert, bassist Stefan Olsdal, who is openly gay, appeared shirtless, having the number 489 crossed out on his torso, as a protest against Article 489 of the Moroccan Criminal Code, which punishes same-sex relationships with imprisonment. Olsdal also used a rainbow guitar on stage, the rainbow being a well-knownLGBTsymbol.[119]
20 Years of Placebo andA Place for Us to Dream(2015–2018)
editMarking twenty years since the release of their debut album, Placebo announced in June 2015 the re-release of their first five albums on 12 "coloured vinyl.[120]
On 19 August 2015, Placebo performed anMTV Unpluggedconcert in London.[121]The setlist for this performance consisted of many older Placebo songs, some of them not played live in a decade.[122]On 27 November 2015,MTV Unpluggedwas released on CD, DVD, Blu-ray and vinyl.[123]
In March 2016, Placebo announced the anniversary tour "A Place for Us to Dream – 20 Years of Placebo", with the first dates scheduled for December 2016 in the UK and Ireland. Molko stated that the setlist would include songs that he had sworn never to play again, adding: "This tour is very much for the fans and a chance for us to revisit a lot of our early material. So, if you want to see us play songs like 'Pure Morning' and 'Nancy Boy' which we haven't played in almost ten years and may not play again, then you'd better come along to these shows! "[124]
Alt.Russia,a documentary containing scenes from the 2014 Placebo tour in Russia, was released on 10 May 2016.[125]Narrated by Stefan Olsdal, the documentary was also a commentary towards the contemporary social and political issues in Russia, especiallyhomophobia.[126]
On 4 August 2016, Placebo announced the release of a compilation album,A Place for Us to Dreamand of an EP,Life's What You Make It,collecting previously unreleased material. The compilation album and the EP were both released on 7 October 2016. Both contained the new single "Jesus' Son",which was released on 19 August 2016, accompanied by a music video.[127]
On 7 October 2016, the band also released a video for the song "Every You Every Me", filmed in 1998 but never shown before to the public.[128]
The band kicked off their 20 Years of Placebo tour inAarhus,Denmark. The concert was abruptly cut short, however, already two songs into the set, as Molko became incoherent and had to be removed from the stage. An official statement from the band explained that Molko had an adverse reaction to new medication.[129]The tour continued in the next evenings without incidents, the band receiving positive reviews for their performances.[130]During October–November 2016, the band toured Europe and Russia. Placebo's December 2016 concerts in the UK and Ireland featuredshoegazesupergroupMinor Victoriesas the opening act.
In March–April 2017, Placebo toured Mexico. During April–August 2017, they played a string of gigs across Europe, including appearances at Greece'sRockwave Festivaland the UK'sLatitude Festival.In September 2017, Placebo performed seven shows in Australia.[131]In October 2017, they embarked on a tour of the UK, ending with two shows at the Brixton Academy on 23 and 24 October 2017.
Placebo have participated in the 2018Meltdown Festival,held atSouthbank Centrein June 2018.[132]The festival was curated by long-time Placebo collaborator Robert Smith. In June and July 2018, the band also went on four dates in Italy, Ukraine and Switzerland.
Never Let Me Go(2019–present)
editOn 25 July 2019, Olsdal revealed that Placebo are working on their eighth studio album.[133][non-primary source needed]In January 2020, Placebo announced a new tour, including festival shows during June–July 2020 in Greece, Spain, Belgium, Ukraine and Russia. In March 2020, Olsdal announced that he and Molko had to put finishing their eighth studio album on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and London being on lockdown, via a post on his official Instagram.[134][non-primary source needed]On 15 September 2020,Dave McLean,one of Placebo's managers at RIVERMAN, tweeted their eighth studio album would be released in early 2021.[135]On 13 September 2021 an announcement was made that the band will release a new single titled "Beautiful James" on 17 September 2021.[136]
On 4 November 2021, Placebo announced their eighth studio album,Never Let Me Go.It was released on 25 March 2022 on theindie labelSo Recordings. On 23 March 2022, Placebo embarked on theNever Let Me Gotour, starting with four intimate shows across Europe, followed by an extensive headline expedition, including, among other places, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Poland, Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Austria, Luxembourg, Belgium, France, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.[137]
On 7 September 2022, Placebo released a cover of the song "Shout"byTears for Fears.[138]
Musical style, influences and lyrics
editPlacebo's music has typically been labeled asalternative rock.[139][140][141][142][143]They have, however, also incorporated different sounds in their music throughout their career. Critics have also described the band's sound aspop punk,[144][145][146]industrial rock,[147][148][149]Britpop,[150][151][152]glam rock,[153][154]gothic rock,[155][156]electronic rock,[157][158]post-punk revival,[154]andexperimental rock.[147]Progressive rockelements in the band's earlier works along withgrungeandpunk rockinfluences were also noted.[147][159][160][161]
Placebo's influences includeDavid Bowie,[12]Can,[162]Iggy Popand theStooges,[162]Sonic Youth,[162]the Cure,Pixies,Nirvana,[28]the Smiths,[163]PJ Harvey,[164]Depeche Mode[165]andNine Inch Nails.[149]
Lyrically, Placebo's music contains many references todrugs[166]and sexuality.[167]The title of the song "Special K", for instance, is slang forketamine.Molko has been open about his use of recreational drugs: in a 1997 interview withKerrang!magazine he admitted that heroin was "probably the only drug on this planet I haven't tried".[168]However, he later admitted to using heroin as well.[169]Pharmaceutical drugs are also referenced, as evidenced by the band's name as well as the albumMedsand its title track. Molko admitted in 2003 that many of his initial excesses were due to his mental issues; he was officially diagnosed withmajor depressive disorderin his late twenties.[170]The singer claimed in 2016 that he gave up drugs completely after the recording and release ofMeds.[19]
Outsider themes are also explored, as evidenced in lyrics such as "the back of the class is where I'm from" on "One of a Kind" and "I'm forever black-eyed/A product of a broken home" on "Black-Eyed". Molko has been quoted as calling the band "for outsiders, by outsiders".[171]
Feud with Limp Bizkit
editA feud betweenLimp Bizkitand Placebo began at a show frontmanFred Durstwas hosting atIrving Plazain December 1998.[172]A side stage spat with Molko led to Durst asking the crowd to chant "Placebo sucks!" prior to Placebo's performance.[172]Molko later commented that nobody had told him that Durst would be hosting the show and that Placebo would have to follow opening actKid Rock.[173]Prior to introducingStaindas a part of K-Rock’s Dysfunctional Family Picnic in Holmdel, New Jersey in 1999, Durst once again encouraged the crowd to chant "Fuck Placebo".[174]The feud was reignited duringBig Day Out2001, on which Placebo were billed below Limp Bizkit after Hewitt acknowledged the animosity between both bands and claimed Limp Bizkit “was guilty of spreading negativity”.[172]By 2004, the feud had reportedly ended.[175]
Awards and nominations
editYear | Awards | Work | Category | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1997 | Kerrang! Awards[176] | Themselves | Best New British Band | Won |
NME Awards[177] | Best Band | Nominated | ||
1999 | Nominated | |||
Without You I'm Nothing | Best Album | Nominated | ||
"You Don't Care About Us" | Best Single[178] | Nominated | ||
"Pure Morning" | Nominated | |||
Brit Awards | Best British Video | Nominated | ||
2004 | Hungarian Music Awards | Sleeping with Ghosts | Best Foreign Rock Album | Nominated |
NRJ Music Awards | Themselves | International Duo/Group of the Year | Won | |
Lunas del Auditorio | Best Foreign Rock Artist | Nominated | ||
2006 | Nominated | |||
Kerrang! Awards | Classic Songwriter Award | Won | ||
"Infra Red" | Best Single | Nominated | ||
Los Premios MTV Latinoamérica | Themselves | Best Rock Artist – International | Nominated | |
2007 | ECHO Awards | International Rock/Alternative Artist/Group of the Year | Nominated | |
Lunas del Auditorio | Best Foreign Rock Artist | Nominated | ||
2009 | Kerrang! Awards | Battle for the Sun | Best Album | Nominated |
"For What It's Worth" | Best Single | Nominated | ||
Best Video | Nominated | |||
MTV EMA | Themselves | Best Alternative | Won | |
TMF Awards | Best Rock International | Nominated | ||
Best Live International | Nominated | |||
2010 | UK Music Video Awards | "The Never-Ending Why" | The Innovation Award | Nominated |
ECHO Awards | Themselves | International Rock/Alternative Artist/Group of the Year | Nominated | |
Lunas del Auditorio | Best Foreign Rock Artist | Nominated | ||
2014 | UK Music Video Awards | "Too Many Friends" | Best Alternative Video – UK | Nominated |
ECHO Awards | Themselves | International Rock/Alternative Artist/Group of the Year | Nominated | |
2015 | Artist and Manager Awards | Artists' Artist Award | Won | |
2016 | ECHO Awards | International Rock/Alternative Artist/Group of the Year | Nominated | |
2017 | UK Music Video Awards | "Life's What You Make It" | Best Cinematography | Nominated |
Ibiza Music Video Festival | Best Colourist | Nominated |
Žebřík Music Awards
editYear | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | Black Market Music | Best International Album | Nominated | [179] |
2003 | Sleeping with Ghosts | Won | ||
Themselves | Best International Group | Nominated | ||
Best International Surprise | Nominated | |||
Brian Molko | Best International Male | Nominated | ||
Best International Personality | Nominated | |||
"The Bitter End" | Best International Song | Nominated | ||
"Special Needs" | Nominated | |||
Best International Video | Nominated | |||
"This Picture" | Nominated | |||
2004 | Themselves | Best International Group | Nominated | [180] |
Best International Surprise | Nominated | |||
Brian Molko | Best International Male | Nominated | ||
Best International Personality | Nominated | |||
"Twenty Years" | Best International Song | Nominated | ||
Best International Video | Nominated | |||
2006 | Brian Molko | Best International Male | Nominated | |
Meds | Best International Album | Nominated | ||
"Because I Want You" | Best International Song | Nominated | ||
Themselves | Best International Group | Nominated | ||
2008 | Nominated | |||
2009 | Nominated | |||
Brian Molko | Best International Male | Nominated | ||
Battle for the Sun | Best International Album | Nominated |
Legacy
editPlacebo have been cited as an influence on such bands asMy Chemical RomanceandPanic! at the Disco.[181]
Band members
editCurrent members
editImage | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brian Molko | 1994–present |
|
all releases | |
Stefan Olsdal |
|
Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bill Lloyd |
|
|
| |
Nick Gavrilovic | 2008–present[185] |
|
| |
Matt Lunn | 2015–present[116] |
|
| |
Angela Chan | 2017–present[186][187] |
|
Former members
editImage | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Steve Hewitt |
|
|
| |
Robert Schultzberg |
|
| ||
Steve Forrest | 2008–2015[69][116] |
|
|
Former touring musicians
editImage | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Xavior Roide | 2003–2005[188][189] |
|
none | |
Alex Lee | 2006–2007[190][191] |
| ||
Fiona Brice | 2008–2017[192][193] |
|
|
Timeline
editDiscography
edit- Placebo(1996)
- Without You I'm Nothing(1998)
- Black Market Music(2000)
- Sleeping with Ghosts(2003)
- Meds(2006)
- Battle for the Sun(2009)
- Loud Like Love(2013)
- Never Let Me Go(2022)
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- ^"Placebo Anyway Blog: 🎈🎉𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐃𝐀𝐘: 𝐅𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐄🎉🎈".Placebo Anyway Blog.5 November 2021.Retrieved31 July2023.
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