interview with brian molko

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Placebo are alive and well. No deaths from overdose have occurred. Nor have most of the other rumors our brothers and sisters in the press would have us believe. In fact, the band has emerged with a third album, Black Market Music. Frontman Brian Moloko may have shortened his hair and taken to black clothing in lieu of feathers, outrageous jewelry, and brightly colored duds, but he remains as androgynous as ever, never forgetting to bat his eyelashes on the appropriate occassion. Some divas of the silver screen could learn a trick or two from saucy Brian.

NYROCK:
Where does Black Market Music fit in with your previous work?

Placebo - Pure Morning

Placebo Interview

BY NICKHOLT ON DEC 03 2009, 01:00PM

At the age of twenty-three it's fairly normal to be playing in one of the largest bands of the past decade. OK, maybe not, but that is the remarkable case of Californian drummer Steve Forrest.

After sinking five years of his life into US alt-rock band Evaline, Forrest was discharged from his duties and underwent a year of soul searching at the ripe age of twenty-one. Turns out the Evaline drummer was noticed while the band were supporting Placebo on one of their tours, and when long-time Placebo drummer Steven Hewitt decided to vacate the band in October 2007, singer Brian Molko requested Forrest's services and the rest, as they say, is history.

We catch up with Steve to discuss the surreality of the situation, the chaotic touring schedule, adapting to a winning formula, and bringing something fresh and galvanisng to the camp.

Placebo - Every you Every me

Placebo

Placebo is a three-piece alternative rock band, formed in London, United Kingdom, when former Luxembourg schoolmates Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal - who never actually spoke to each other at the time - met by accident at South Kensington train station in 1994. During their ‘accidental’ meet, Molko invited Olsdal to one of his gigs, where Olsdal was impressed by Molko’s unique vocals. While briefly known as Ashtray Heart, the band soon settled on the name Placebo, after the drug that has no active ingredient but works because the patient believes it does.

Soon after forming, the band could not decide on a permanent drummer, with Steve Hewitt (drums) andRobert Schultzberg both alternating on the spot. While Hewitt was the preferred choice, he was bound by other musical commitments as drummer for London-based band Breed, leading to Schultzberg being the drummer when the band signed its contract with Caroline Records. As time went on, Molko and Schultzberg began to drift apart as friends, which eventually led to Molko and Olsdal persuading Hewitt to rejoin the band shortly after their debut album was released.