Placebo

46,757,299 plays (989,355 listeners)

alternative, alternative rock, rock, indie, britpop… see all

London, United Kingdom (1994 – present)

Placebo is a rock band consisting of Brian Molko (vocals, guitar), Stefan Olsdal (bass), and Steve Forrest (drums). Steve Forrest has joined in 2008, replacing Steve Hewitt, who left in October 2007, citing personal music differences.

The band was founded when former Luxembourg schoolmates Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal - who never actually spoke to each other - met by accident at South Kensington, London, United Kingdom tube station in 1994. Molko invited Olsdal to one of his gigs and Olsdal was impressed by Molko’s vocals so they agreed on forming a band. While briefly known as Ashtray Heart, the band quickly settled on the name Placebo, after the drug that has no active ingredient but works because the patient believes it does. Placebo also means “I shall please” in Latin. The band could not decide on a drummer at first with Steve Hewitt (drums) and Robert Schultzberg alternating on the spot. While Hewitt was the preferred choice, he also had other commitments as drummer for London band Breed, leading to Schultzberg being the drummer when the band signed its contract with Caroline Records. As the other band members were having difficulty getting on with Robert Schultzberg, they persuaded Hewitt to rejoin the band in 1996.

The singles “Nancy Boy”, from Placebo (1996), and “Pure Morning”, from Without You I’m Nothing (1998), were the peak of their British success, both charting in the top ten.

1	Every You Every Me full track	7,509
2	The Bitter End full track	7,401
3	Song to Say Goodbye	6,575
4	Pure Morning full track	6,257
5	Special K	5,678
6	Infra-Red	5,240
7	Special Needs	5,036
8	This Picture	4,704
9	English Summer Rain	4,456
10	Post Blue	4,367
11	Because I Want You	4,062
12	Nancy Boy full track	3,756
13	Drag	3,722
14	Follow the Cops Back Home	3,542
15	Space Monkey	3,541

Top Albums

Sleeping With Ghosts
Placebo
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Without You I'm Nothing
Placebo
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Meds
Placebo
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Black Market Music
Placebo
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OsakaPolice wrote:
5 hours ago

Yes!! but you're a fan of Helen Ladytron who looks completely androgynous at times, so.... XD

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Sleeping12 wrote:
12 hours ago

Luv luv luv

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higginst wrote:
yesterday evening

really? that's so weird.

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OsakaPolice wrote:
yesterday evening

the girlish look is extremely appealing, i have to admit.

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GymLeaderBrock wrote:
yesterday evening

I'm certain if you like these guys, you'll like Mwanza. Check them out. http://www.myspace.com/mwanzamusic

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Fastenleek wrote:
yesterday evening

Placebo !!! I love their )))

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smell_my_cheese wrote:
yesterday afternoon

PLACEBO THEY WEAR MAKE-UP BUT LEAVE THEM ALONE

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Juddu wrote:
yesterday afternoon

He does look girlish but he does it on purpose

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never-there-gir wrote:
yesterday afternoon

just ok)) let it be))

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Corblimeyguvnor wrote:
yesterday afternoon

"I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel...but I am, so that's how it comes out." - Bill Hicks

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never-there-gir wrote:
yesterday afternoon

to Corblimeyguvnor hey, problems?

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Corblimeyguvnor wrote:
yesterday afternoon

My Parents Are Aliens was awesome, you're all fucking morons.

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never-there-gir wrote:
yesterday afternoon

I LOVE BRIAN!!! that's what to be said for me and you all

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Incubo1986 wrote:
yesterday morning

remember me

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SirMothy wrote:
yesterday morning

yeah the voice sounds girlish sometimes though. Then i thought he was a guy/girl before realizing he was just..well..idk how to describe it haha. and i dont know what that guys talking about either,

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higginst wrote:
yesterday morning

I always just thought he was a guy who looked incredibly like a girl.... the vocals kinda gave it away from the get go. And Corblimeyguvnor, I have no idea what you're talking about.

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SirMothy wrote:
Saturday evening

who else is not afriad ot admit they thoguht molko was a girl at some point? I just began listening to the band when i watched the Pure Morning music vid. Then I looked up on wikipedia that lead Singer Brian Molko was the girlish looking figure who jummped off the building, I was taken back. btw Debut Album > all else.

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Corblimeyguvnor wrote:
Saturday evening

Okay new topic. Anyone remember when Brian Molko was namechecked on My Parents Are Aliens? Good times.

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higginst wrote:
Saturday evening

ok well then lets leave it at "I don't like most of their photos"... o wait that's EXACTLY where we started!!

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tsum wrote:
Saturday afternoon

AND there's many kinds of rock bands.

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