Placebo
tour 2015 & Placebo20 soulmate never dies interview
by The PlaceboAnyway Team & Gabriela Stöcklin
Interview with Grabriela Stöcklin from
Germany about the sold out Placebo show
in Dublin (25/02/2015), all latetes news
and much more…
Our favourite band is on tour again. These
days we are enjoying the biggest UK
& Irish tour Placebo ever had. Recently we could read what can
the fans expect from the gigs? The answer was: something more in touch with the
band's roots. "We're playing in smaller venues than those we normally play
in," says Brian, "to create a kind of intimate ambience. We recently
played in small clubs around the United States, and while the tour wasn't
financially successful, it boosted our confidence. It showed we could still
pull off gigs like that!
Placebo
Anyway: So, our first question is. How was
the gig and did you get more in touch with the band’s roots in the smaller
venues?
Gabriela
Stöcklin: I don't exactly know about the roots but it was very intimate and I
think this very special venue had a great influence on the mood of the band and
with that on us.
The
gig was absolutely awesome. The best I've seen from them by far. I had the
impression it was even a special gig to them. Brian was obviously in awe for
the historic theater.
 | ||||
Credits Photo:
Olga Kuzmenko
https://www.facebook.com/PhotoArtByOlgaKuzmenko
http://state.ie/photo-gallery/placebo-olympia-theatre-dublin-in-photos
Olga Kuzmenko
https://www.facebook.com/PhotoArtByOlgaKuzmenko
http://state.ie/photo-gallery/placebo-olympia-theatre-dublin-in-photos
Gabriela
Stöcklin: It was mind blowing. I get happy tears in my eyes when I just think
of the change in Brian. At my first gig
in November 2013 I had the impression he was afraid – this time he seemed
utterly happy.
Gabriela
Stöcklin: At first I don't like this attitude of their friends. They never
tried to be rude. I really had the impression Brian was struggling in the
not-too-far past with fears, maybe a wrong medication for depressions or god
knows what. I've seen in Mönchengladbach last summer that he was muuuuch better
off already but this time – it's no compare.
Gabriela
Stöcklin: As in my first gig he didn't say one word I was already happy with
his 'normal' little speeches. It's not much different to any other band. All
bands usually repeat what the say on stage. In Dublin Brian made even a big
exception. Before announcing 'Too many friends' he said he recognizes a lot of
people in the crowd, especially in the first row, and he knows they have heard
that a couple of times already and he is sorry for it but for all the others...
and then came the usualy little speech. I think that very lovely.
Placebo
Anyway: What about the set-list? I have to wait for the first set list
to be able to ask something… I would like to ask you about Nancy Boy and My
Sweet Prince…
Gabriela
Stöcklin: They didn't play both of these songs, sorry. But Brian said they are
playing a song they didn't play in many years and he hopes we enjoy it because
they enjoy very much to play that song. (So here is another new little speech)
And then they started into 'Special Needs'. There was also 'Space Monkey' and
this beautiful version of 'I know', besides the usual.
Placebo
Anyway: How do you think can all Placebo
concerts be special, as for you and them as well?
When you get to the point where you realize
that this particular gig is really kind of magic...Or every Placebo concert is
unforgettable and unique experience for you anyway?
Gabriela
Stöcklin: For me it is already very special and perfect if they are just
natural. For them I hope that their fans will give all their energy and really
stop holding their cell phones up constantly. I go to a gig to live it, not to
watch later what I could have lived.
Gabriela
Stöcklin: At first I was shocked. I hoped that there was no big fight behind
the scenes and that it would not drown Brian but then I thought about it some
more and thought maybe this decision hovering above them all the time maybe was
much worse for the mood in the band and that with the break there could be new
energy now. And I am happy it really is like that.
Placebo Anyway: We wish Steve and his band Planes good luck. There will go on tour soon too. Will you go to one of their shows?
Gabriela Stöcklin: I would like to go to one of their shows, even if I have to admit it is more for a thanx to Steve as I do not know a lot of their music. But it depends on where the gigs are. I would probably not travel too far for Planes.
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| Credits photos: Planes |
Placebo Anyway: Do you see any difference between Steve Forrest and Matt Lunn (old Placebo friend and drummer of Colour of Fire)? How do you think do the band members feel convenient touring with him?
Gabriela
Stöcklin: Matt was alright. I think his drum was much smaller than Steve's but
that must be due to the tiny stage. And I had the impression he's less
energetic. But he's not that experienced yet. I mean he didn't play for Placebo
in quite a while and so he won't over-do but play a good show. And he really
did. I think Stef and Brian like touring with him, though there was not much
more interaction with him.
Gabriela
Stöcklin: I don't mind both ways. I am happy if Matt would be officially the new
drummer but I don't mind much if he follows his other band and Placebo would
find another one.
I also think it would be absolutely okay if Stef & Brian would make
Placebo and there's no other official member. After all there had to be 6
official band members otherwise.
Gabriela
Stöcklin: I never realized that. I am astounded that when I tell people I know
for years that I am a fan of Placebo now that they always reply: Oh yeah,
they're good, I've also seen them live … bla bla.
But for fans searching fans … Maybe the vulnerability that is displayed in the music of Placebo gives the people confidence to ask, when others don't dare. And also the melancholy in the music maybe is more for people that don't have friends around all the while, more for introverts. But that is really guessing!
Credits Photo:
Olga Kuzmenko
https://www.facebook.com/PhotoArtByOlgaKuzmenko
http://state.ie/photo-gallery/placebo-olympia-theatre-dublin-in-photos
Placebo
Anyway: Let us speak about more projects. Did
you get Brian’s book “Selected”?
What kind of version did you order and how do you feel with this book, what
does it give to you?
Gabriela
Stöcklin: I have the book, the normal version. Brian's words in the beginning
really touched me and I also think it is a mirror to how he appeared on stage
in end of 2013. I am happy he seems more confident now. For the rest it's
interesting to read the lyrics of course as I don't listen close enough
usually.
Placebo
Anyway: Some days before the touring started Stefan presented on the famous Spanish
radio Channel ‘Radio3’ a song in colaboration with Digital 21. We could listen to the song “war” at
the ‘Siglo21’ programme and we would like to ask you, what do you
think about this project and also the
other social activities of Mr. Olsdal. More information here..
Gabriela
Stöcklin: I try not to follow the band members too much outside the band to not
interrupt their privacy too much. But as the official FB site of Placebo posted
the song I also heard it and loved it. I like it very much that they all have
other projects where they can live out their creativity that does not have
space within Placebo.
 |
| Fiona Brice - Portrait by Emilie Bailey Photography Make-up by Freddie Stoppler Cables kindly lent by Ian Nelson |
Placebo
Anyway: Tour memember Fiona Brice
was also recording an album. What do you expect and do you wanna get it?
Gabriela
Stöcklin: I didn't even know about it, I have to admit. :(
Placebo Anyway: We are
celebrating Placebo's 20 years. The
first special thing Placebo prepared for their fans was the posibilty to listen
to all their albums remastered online . We enjoyed them a lot with this
amazing sound. Did you like this idea? What about the upcoming vinyls? Do you
want to get them even if you don’t have a vinyl record player?
Gabriela
Stöcklin: As I don't have a player and not too much money I won't buy them. I
am not really a collector. I love to celebrate them live. But I like both ideas
veeeeery much. It is so great making the albums available! And I guess the fans
also love the vinyls, it is only my personal choice.
Placebo Anyway: Imagine you could
prepare a special Placebo20th party in a
small venue, band included. Choose a place which do you think it would be
perfect and what would you prepare for this party?
Gabriela
Stöcklin: Puh, this is a tough question. I think the Olympia Theater in Dublin
was extremely special already and as they seemed to love it I would think about
that again. But also the Brixton Academy in London is special to them. Maybe it
would be cool to see them in a quarry, something like that!
Gabriela
Stöcklin: Good god, I knew Placebo in 1998 but I was not exaclty a fan back
then...
In 1996 they were not really famous yet. So I maybe would have asked for their plans and dreams.
In 1996 they were not really famous yet. So I maybe would have asked for their plans and dreams.
Gabriela
Stöcklin: If they still have dreams, things they want to archive. And after
this amazing Dublin-gig: If love is his new drug. ;)
Gabriela
Stöcklin: His mood of course.
Gabriela
Stöcklin: That they re-invent themselfes with each new album and that they do
give a fuck for critics in a way.
Credits Photo:
Olga Kuzmenko
https://www.facebook.com/PhotoArtByOlgaKuzmenko
http://state.ie/photo-gallery/placebo-olympia-theatre-dublin-in-photos
Olga Kuzmenko
https://www.facebook.com/PhotoArtByOlgaKuzmenko
http://state.ie/photo-gallery/placebo-olympia-theatre-dublin-in-photos
Placebo
Anyway: Coming to the end of the interview, please
define the Dublin concert with 3 words.
Credits:
pure bliss, memorable, makes worth living
Interview
by Susie Bosco, Diana E.T.Foghing, Mary Scott, Xenia Gerasimova and Zarynita
Molko in colaboration with Gabriela
Stöcklin from Germany.
Facebook:
Placebo Anyway
