Placebo (band)
Placebo is a British alternative rock band, formed in London in 1994 by vocalist–guitarist Brian Molko and bassist–guitarist Stefan Olsdal. Drummer Robert Schultzberg joined in late 1994, but left in 1996 shortly after the release of the band's eponymous debut album due to conflicts with Molko, and was replaced the same year by Steve Hewitt. Molko was born in Belgium and Olsdal and Schultzberg in Sweden; remaining members Molko and Olsdal both grew up in Luxembourg before separately relocating to London and are both British citizens.
This article is about the European rock band. For the 1970s jazz-fusion group, see Marc Moulin.
Placebo
Ashtray Heart
London, England
1994–present
Following the release of a demo, a split single, and their 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 its gender-bending content. The band stood out amongst the Britpop scene they were associated with at the time for their androgynous appearance 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 by Steve 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, including David Bowie, Justin Warfield, Michael Stipe and Alison Mosshart. To date, 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[edit]
Formation (1994–1995)[edit]
Placebo founders Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal had both attended the American 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 the South 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 the Captain Beefheart song 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 with Steve Hewitt, a friend of Molko,[7] but Hewitt had prior commitments to local band Breed.[11] Robert Schultzberg assumed 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:
Legacy[edit]
Placebo have been cited as an influence on such bands as My Chemical Romance and Panic! at the Disco.[181]