LLL Placebo
European Tour Special 2014 – Interview with
our soulmate Chrysa Galinidou from Greek in collaboration
with Placebo Anyway.
Interview
by SusanneCk & Diana E.T.Foghin.
Pictures almost all by Chrysa Galinidou with her own words: "For a special friend"
Placebo Anyway: Nice to have you here for this interview!!
Before we start with the concert details, we would like to know a little bit
more about you... When did you discover the band and why did you become a fan?
Pictures almost all by Chrysa Galinidou with her own words: "For a special friend"
Chrysa Galinidou: Nice to be
here,thank you!
Well,when I first heard them I was totally into
different genre of music,completely immature musically I must say, except the
classic music which was always on in our house.
Anyway,when I heard Bruise Prestine, I was so impressed kind of shoked by the
uniqueness and twisted creativity of the vid and sound that it teased my
curiosity but I didn’t go farther for them till I heared Pure Morning and I said ‘’oh,
them again, that’s interesting!’’ ….and yet, I left it at this till I heard
my beloved The Crawl and then I said
okay,that’s it…think I’m in love with them!!!
Placebo Anyway: Speaking about the gig some of us watch the live stream while some
watched it live. How was it for you?
Chrysa
Galinidou: Livestream is like a
party to me, I loose completely the track of time ,everything just vanishes
nothing matters anymore, it’s just me merging into their captivating
sound. I can observe the details of the performance more clear than if I were
actually there watching them rockin’ on stage, but definitely nothing can
compare to the feeling being there sweating with them for them. It is a kind of
pure high. I was totally overwhelmed by their perfect clear sound this year
attending the gig in Athens watching Brian revealing all the passion, the
variety, the complexity and the tension of the human emotions…it was just
awe-inspiring. They complitely took us away with them. We were very close to
Brian watching his feelings unfolding right in front of us…it felt like we were
completely possessed by every single sound they made. The collective euphoria
was so perceptible that it brought chills to my skin at times, it was so
bewitching, like somekind of ultimate revelation of truth of something really
essential…well yeah, it was, because that are the moments you realize that the
happiness is all about living the moment with all that you got inside…
Placebo Anyway: What about
the set list/lighting what is the difference between a festival and a
small venue? Do you think they could change the songs more often?What can you
tell us about the lighting during LLL tour? we have seen it is quite different.
Chrysa Galinidou: The
difference between the festival and a small venue is essetial. My preference
are small venues, it feels more cosy just like their sound, feels like home, you
know ?! ;) The set list is something that no fan is ever totally okay with it, because
there are variety of people, variety of stories they are living, so they might connect
more with some songs other that are in a particular set list. But I never
cared much about it really because I’m in love with their whole freakin awesome
work. Their sound is perfect to my years and since they chose the songs
according to their perception to stay truthfull to their own feelings and
connection to the particular songs I totally support their option. Although, I
definitely would love to hear the songs I ‘ve missed from them in their live
shows, such as Peeping Tom ,Days Before You Came,This Picture, Second Sight, of course Bruise
Prestine, The Crawl and Without You I’m Nothing. Songs that
made me love them.
The lightening was great(blue mostly maybe because it
is a color of Greece who knows ) too dark often, but I’m a fan of a
daylight anyway when it comes to Placebo,so…
Placebo
Anyway : Comparing some of the new versions of the
songs, for example there has been some changes in Space Monkey, and a tiny
difference in RUTH , since you heard them live what can you tell us about it?
Chrysa Galinidou: We all know that Placebo love to remake or make
small changes especially in the songs that they’ve played often. It keeps
them interested to continue playing them. I guess, as Brian said in an
interview this year ‘’I have
a light disfuncional relation to my owncreations.’’ Don’t know if it sound objective but I love
everthing they do. They make perfect music in my opinion. They are
perfectionists, nothing they do seems to be random (.. except their videos
sometimes! ;) Loved the LLL and Hold On
To Me piano versions a lot.
They always
surprise me with their acoustic versions they are really good at it and they
know it. So I hope for more of such versions. As for RUTH I can remember when we were in Athens attending their gig we
asked guys infront of as to make as a favore to let us move even
more closer to the second row right in front of Brian just for this song to see
him perfoming this masterpiece...it was magestic. One of the best moments of
the gig. He was so into it, so honest and genuene that I almost felt what
he feels at that right moment.
Placebo
Anyway : Did the boys say anything in Greek? If
so, what and how is their pronunciation?
Chrysa
Galinidou: That was a really
amusing part of the gig, because Brian’s pronunciation in Greek reminded me
imedienly the way he speaks in Spanish! After the For What It’s Worth he
said ''Thank you, hello Athens'' in
Greek,''Mithos'' then continued in
English ‘’The birth place of
democracyyyyyy. We are Placebo from London, England and we come with
love and friendship.Tonight we are loud like loooove.’’
We started screamimg to encourage him to say more. Right after the Every
Me Every You and before the One of The Kind he said euxaristo (thank you in Greek) with puting the tone on the wrong letter which
made him sound funny but he got it right the last time after the Infra Red
when he said euxaristoooo Athinaaaa!!!
in greek. He continued with Enlish saying ''Will
see you soon babies. It’s been far too long thank you so much for such a warm
welcome, what a beautyfull place to plaaaaay !!! ( it was indeed because he
had an amazing view of the the crowd that was worshiping him and the sea right
behind it) Peace and friendship all the way !!!''
Placebo
Anyway : What was your favorite part of the gig? And
why?
Chrysa
Galinidou: Oh,a favorite
part…wow, that’s a tough one since every single moment of the gig was a pure
ecstasy honestly! Well, an amazing part of the gig is always the intro for me.
When you feel the first chill feeling tense and enthusiasm growing inside
of you fast. They are somekind of drug that’s for sure! He was very touched, when
before the Meds. When we one by one one gradually faster and faster
started to shout with all the strength of our voices ‘’Placebo’’, he stood for a moment lowered his eyes, moved
closer, smiled with content and gave us a bow we started shout louder and then
the first riffs started to play … .
Loved when while singing the Post Blue he was making ‘’funny’’
gestures with his fingers. Even my friend who is not much fan of them wordered
why he does this and I said ‘’Don’t
wonder just enjoy, honey ,it’s a Molko thing. Nobody knows where it comes
from.’’
Placebo
Anyway: And about the cameras we all know Brian
hates them. But people want their memory to last forever in a jpg
format or in you tube and claim they can multi task just fine. Do you
think they will ever be an agreement on this matter? or a reconciliation
between Molko and his fans?
Chrysa
Galinidou: Well. It is almost imposible for a huge fan not to take any pictures or
vid. For me it was imposible, though to record a vid over a 10 seconds. I
couldn’t ressist the intensity and the evalenge of their sound. It completely
was taking me over all the way.
I don’t see them as often as I wish, so I try to live every single moment
of their gig as fully as I can. Moreover I loose the track of time when im at
their gigs. Nothing matters anymore no past no future. It’s just me and them
giving our best we have inside of us. Exchanging the energy of our emotions.
Greeks are not much of recording or taking pictures of the gigs as far as
I know the same I noticed in this particular gig too. Don’t think that Placebo
(Brian) will ever come into terms on this issue They love the exchange of the
huge flowing energies with us rather than us watching then through the little
screens.
Their attitude towards
their audience is pretty much the same from the start of their carreer
it’s just more obvious now that Brian is not that energetic, not dosed with
various uplifting substances and not giving much interviews.
I’ve noticed that they
will take the pictures with the fans from the big countries that adore them and
are really warm for example Mexico or Russia.
He also might have gotten tired of talking to fans, hearing exciting
coments like ‘’you are amazing’’ or ‘’love you Brian’’ etc.
Since he has done it so many times through all these years, he must even
assume what his fans will say and it might get kinda annoying and frustrating
especialy after putting his heart and soul on the stage talking/comunicating
with his fans through his music and I guess he prefers this kind of comunication.
It seeems more essentual and comfortable for him. Don’t know just
guessing.
Placebo Anyway: We know
this is not your first Placebo gig. Comparing old gigs with this tour regarding
the energy of the show ( since is one of the things that has been critized
about the band) do you see any difference?
Chrysa
Galinidou: Yes, I can see what
you mean… they was in a very good mood but they are always like that when
they come in Athens.
Placebo
Anyway : What about Molko’s interaction with the
audience? What do you think is the reason for this change?
Chrysa
Galinidou: Everyone evolve in
their own special way. He must realized what do he really wants from his life.
Doing things he need to. Getting interested in some certain things. Being
effected by them everyday like reading, travelling, family, responsibilities
etc. and he must gotten tired of partying all these years…
Placebo Anyway: Did you meet someone of Placebo?
Chrysa Galinidou:
Yes, I did all of
them!…In the plenty of my wildest dreams!
Placebo Anyway: Let us speak about Placebo fans. What do you think about “Soulmates
Never Die”. Does it really exist for Placebo fans? And what about the Greek
Placebo fans. Which difference do you see between them and other fans?
Chrysa Galinidou: Yes,soulmates are soulmates since and as long as their
inner essential for them parts of themselves stay connected and as much as
both of them are willing to cherish it and preserve this connection, even
if they are far away or had to move away.
I will
borrow the quote of a man I admire, Russel
Brand “I missed him, of course, but sometimes close
friendships have a tidal beat that pulls you towards different shores though
the ocean that connects you remains.”
Well
Greek fans are passionate, loud, warm, very expressive, really know how to enjoy
a concert. We make gestures according to lyrics. For instance, I recall when Brian was singing
Space Monkey at the part he
was saying ‘’we are sown together she’s
born to mesmer’’ or during the Infra
Red ‘’it’s between you and
me’’ we all extended our hands towards them while shouting the lyrics
out loud. I think it is all about the idiogracy of people and the way they use
express themselves .
Placebo Anyway: Do you think Placebo fans criticize the band too much? After all some
people have even complaining about everything even Molko's clothes on stage.
Chrysa Galinidou: Yes,Placebo fans are truelly fanatics. I guess
it is natural.Tthese guys create an exceptional music, they make music, some
kind of religion and the listening to them is a ritual especially live it
becomes an experience of a strong unforgettable spiritual collective euphoria.
A tremendous exchange of energies not only between the band, but also you
can sense the vibration of the people around you with the same adoration that
you have for them…it made me so touched ones when I looked around when I was in
Rome that I cried smilling. Amazing moments. Moments when you feel so connected
with people that you start to wish it was always like that…
And since we know everything that they let us know about them and since
we adore them that much we want them to stay with us forever, so I think that
when they are not that energetic or down to earth we perceive it as a hint that
they gonna leave us.
At least that’s how I feel. Also most of us don’t see them live as often
as we would like to, so we want everything to be perfect! I don’t really mind
about his clothes, I really like his aproach towards this part, he wears
anything that makes him feel comfortable and it is really nice to know that ;)
He never betrey himself and what he really wants in order to be appealing
to others.He stood true to himself all these years and that’s why we love him. Placebo are honest and genuine and that’s why we adore them.
Placebo Anyway: What do the band and their music personally mean to you?
Chrysa Galinidou: I can talk about it for ages,really! But they
are one of the biggest parts of my life they are a perfect soundtrack to it, to
my idiosyncrasy. They are my meds for everything. Songs that I choose when I need them
to ‘’cure’’ me when I’m down are like a strong drug to me. Every single riff, note,
beat, sound of their music strikes me in a very cathartic way and kicks me off
back to live… .
Don’t know if I would ever say that music can save your life and it is my
best friend if I haven’t had came across them.
Placebo Anyway: Do you have a favorite song of the last album and also from the other
ones?
Chrysa Galinidou: When I first heard the Scene Of The Crime
I was so mesmerized by it that I was sure that it would be the best one from
the album because I was thinking that it was perfect and they couldn’t do
something more beautyfull that this, but I proved completely wrong and guilty
for underestimating their endless creativity when I heared the Begin The End…
I was so captivated by it that there had been weeks I had been listening
only to it, countless times…I still avoid listening to the Bosco, it
remains way too much touching for me and brings tears to my eyes. I can choose
my fav from this album because it is ‘’new’’ and the sounds are keeping growing
on me everyday till they will merge with the older ones and will add to the
list of ‘’my fav songs’’.Till then talking about old stuff the only thing I can
say is that my fav is The Crawl and all the others are my second fav
ones.
Placebo Anyway: Define Placebo to someone who never heard about the band.
Chrysa Galinidou: Do you wanna listen to the reall music that deals with the full rage of
human emotions,sure you do!Well go and listen to Placebo and you will find cure
and a best friend that always is there for you when you need it.You will learn to
comprehend yourself and music by going through their stuff.
Placebo Anyway: Define now Brian, Stefan and Steve in three words dedicated to
your Placebo soulmates.
Chrysa Galinidou: I would say a frase
for each one but since you’re asking me words I would say God, King
and the Sunshine hahaha that sounded like a title of a movie or a book
lol (Oh, talking about Steve when Steve was watching the show of the open
act for them in Athens when he was on his way to go off stage heading backstage
I shouted ‘’Come on Sunshine,come back
!!!’’ and he smiled !!
Placebo Anyway: 20 years to go, 20 years to know. The band's 20th anniversary. What
do you expect. For the band for the next 20 years?
Chrysa Galinidou: I expect them to make
exactly what they are meant to be doing since the start of their carrier and
surprise as with their captivating incredibly creative unique sound, overwhelming
performances, more interviews and of course to come more often in Greece, so we
will show our gratitude with all love we got for them.
Placebo Anyway: Thank you for the interview Chrysa. It was a great pleasure doing
this interview with you!
Chrysa Galinidou: Thank you too, Susanne
and Diana it was my pleasure to share.
LLL Placebo
European Tour Special 2014 – Interview with
our soulmate Chrysa Galinidou from Greek in collaboration
with Placebo Anyway.
Interview
by SusanneCk & Diana E.T.Foghin.
Picture sources on Placebo Anyway albums and Chrysa Galinidou
Picture sources on Placebo Anyway albums and Chrysa Galinidou
