๐ธ๐ธ๐ฟ๐ง๐ช๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ฃ ๐ผ๐๐ช๐จ๐. ๐๐ง๐ค๐ช๐ฅ ๐ข๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ช๐ง๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ. ๐๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐๐๐ฉ. ๐๐๐ฎ ๐ฅ๐ค๐ง๐ฃ.๐ธ๐ธ
๐โ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐, ๐คโ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐, ๐กโ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ก๐ข๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐กโ๐ ๐ฝ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐. ๐ต๐ข๐ก, โ๐๐ฆ... ๐๐ก'๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ! ๐โ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ค ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ ๐ค๐๐๐! ๐ป๐๐ค ๐๐๐กโ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ ! ๐
๐ผ๐ก ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ค๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ค. ๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐ข๐ก ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐ก๐๐ฆ ๐กโ๐๐ฆ'๐๐ ๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐ก๐๐๐. ๐ถ๐ข๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ฆ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ก ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐โ๐ก ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ โ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐ .
๐ธ๐๐๐๐ฆ !
๐ป ๐ป ๐ป ๐ป
๐ธ๐ธ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ธ๐ธ
๐ธPlacebo frontman Brian Molkos loud, drunken proclamation is a great source of amusement to me and ๐ฒ๐๐๐๐๐๐! ๐ท๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ท๐๐ ๐ท๐๐๐. It's not, however, so mirthsome to several hundred Virgin Atlantic passengers who are attempting to sleep.
We're nearing the end of a flight from London to Tokyo and it's eight in the morning, Japanese time. The jet lag involved on such a journey is notoriously vicious - a fact which Molko clearly ignored as he consumed several glasses of red wine, one beer and, far more damagingly, some dodgy Spanish sleeping pills.
"๐ป๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐๐ ! ๐โ๐๐ก โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐?!" roars Molko at the rows of eye-masked, blanket-draped travellers, who were hoping to catch some sleep in this darkened cabin.
A stewardess hurries through the aisle towards us.
"๐๐๐ข'๐๐ โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ ๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ค๐, ๐๐๐", she tells Brian."๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐".
Molko slaps a hand over his mouth, looking genuinely repentant.
"๐น**๐", he whispers, as the stewardess heads off. "๐ผ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐ค๐ ๐ค๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐. ๐ผ ๐กโ๐๐ข๐โ๐ก ๐ค๐ ๐ค๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ข๐!"
Sixty seconds later, however, Molko is back up to full volume as he notes that long-running Eastenders character Pauline Fowler hasnt had a cock up her fanny in 20 years! No wonder she's got problems'!
Brian Molko started this flight with his tour manager and bandmates in Premium Economy class, which is situated between Business and Economy. He subsequently wandered through to Business class, where he was ejected for excessively foolish behaviour.
Holding my hand, he further claims that he was caught smoking in the lavatory, but managed to avoid the fine by handing a stewardess a signed copy of Placebo's latest album ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ ๐ด๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ด๐๐๐๐. This claim is, in all likelihood, boozy bollocks.
As Molko's slurred babbling continues, his press officer, Jakob, starts getting worried. He warns Brian that the plane's staff may have him arrested when we hit Tokyo.
"๐ฟ๐๐ก ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก ๐๐", shrugs Molko. "๐โ๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ ๐ข๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐ค๐๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ โ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐, ๐๐ข๐ก ๐กโ๐๐ฆ ๐ค๐๐'๐ก ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐กโ๐๐๐. ๐โ๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐ ๐ผ'๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ฆ ๐ค๐๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ก, ๐ผ'๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐, '๐๐๐ฅ๐ก ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ค๐๐๐ก ๐ก๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ฆ'๐ ๐๐ ๐ , ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐'."
You get the impression that Tokyo is about to experience yet another Godzilla interface.
๐ธDespite Brian Molko's repeated insistence that we all have to go shopping as soon as we arrive, he isn't destined to join us. We last spot him standing in the immigration queue, with eyes not unlike piss-holes in the snow. He is, however, still grinning.
Brian Molko displays cheery facial features with surprising regularity, even when stone cold sober. It's surprising, because the frontman has long been associated with scowling, tantrums, arrogance and cattily blowing cigarette smoke in people's faces.
Still, he has a lot to be happy about on this trip. Japan is a treat in many ways, whether you're a gourmet gadget-freak or simply a fan of ankle socks. Our hotel is placed in the Akasaka district, which is dominated by straight-looking business buildings and initially looks relatively un-Japanese, save the cigarette and drink vending machines that line the streets.
At around 7 p.m., band and Kerrang! convene in our hotel's bar. Shockingly, Molko has a demeanour bordering on the sheepish. He laughs as he proclaims himself a silly c**t for his plane antics, while bassist Stefan Olsdal, drummer Steve Hewitt, keyboardist Bill Lloyd and diamond geezer tour manager Steve Chapman rip the piss.
"๐ผ ๐กโ๐๐ข๐โ๐ก ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ค๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ฆ", admits Stefan.
"๐ผ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข", deadpans Hewitt grumpily. "๐ผ ๐กโ๐๐ข๐โ๐ก ๐ต๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข. ๐ผ'๐ฃ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ก ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐."
To add to Molko's humiliation, he has lost his wallet, containing his cash and credit cards, which we initially interpret as an attempt to avoid getting a round in. In the hotel foyer, sits a fan with spiky green hair. The band have met him before on their previous two visits to this country. Stefan strangely refers to him as Blue Boy.
"๐ป๐๐ โ๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐, โ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐๐ . ๐ผ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ โ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ โ๐๐ค โ๐ ๐๐๐๐ค ๐คโ๐๐โ โ๐๐ก๐๐ ๐ค๐ ๐ค๐๐๐ ๐๐. ๐ด๐๐ โ๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐๐'๐ก ๐ข๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ค๐๐๐ ๐ผ ๐ค๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐."
As we head out of the bar, two smiling female fans almost eerily emerge from behind a pillar. Molko smiles back and signs their copies of Black Market Music.
"๐โ๐๐ฆ'๐๐ ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ โ๐๐๐", he grins.
๐ธProstitues stand on most corners of Akasaka's neon-splashed streets. Smartly dressed, they hardly exude sleaze.
"๐โ๐๐๐'๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ก ๐ก๐๐๐", says Molko as we stroll. "๐ผ๐ก'๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ก๐ ๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐. ๐ผ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐ก๐ โ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ ๐... ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ด๐ ๐๐๐ p๐๐๐๐๐".
Despite being single right now, following the recent end of a two-year relationship. Molko claims he doesn't intend to canoodle during Placebo's Japanese stay.
"๐ถ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ก โ๐๐๐.", he explains.
"๐ผ๐ก'๐ ๐๐๐๐ค๐๐๐ ๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ ๐ก๐๐ค๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ โ๐๐ ๐ฝ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ค๐๐๐๐. ๐ผ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ โ๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐๐๐, ๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ก๐ฆ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ค ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ข๐."
You've experienced this first-hand?
"๐ผ โ๐๐ฃ๐, ๐ฆ๐๐ . ๐ผ ๐ค๐๐ ๐ฃ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ก ๐กโ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐. ๐ผ๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ก๐๐ ๐ โ๐๐๐๐๐-๐๐-๐กโ๐-๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ก ๐ ๐๐ก๐ข๐๐ก๐๐๐."
Disappointingly on the culinary front, we finally descend on an Italian restaurant.
Reasons Molko: "๐ผ๐ ๐ค๐ ๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐ ๐ฝ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ข๐๐๐๐ก ๐ค๐๐กโ๐๐ข๐ก ๐ ๐ฝ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐, ๐กโ๐๐๐'๐ ๐๐ ๐ค๐๐ฆ ๐ค๐'๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐ก ๐ค๐'๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐."
A major part of the culture shock here is generated by the totally alien language, both verbally and written. Whereas in France or Germany, you might recognise part of a word and work it out, Japanese symbols and spoken word is impenetrable to all but those who have studied it for some time. While few Japanese restaurants seem to include photographs of the meal - or even three-dimensional plastic replicas - for tourists to cautiously point at.
Over dinner, conversation is casual enough, with all present raving about the movies Goodfellas and Casino. Molko asks about bands of the moment and professes a liking for Queens of the Stone Age.
Doesn't he wish he'd thought of the drug shopping-list lyrics of 'Feel Good Hit of the Summer'?
"๐๐๐ ", he smirks.
Another surprising thing about Brian Molko is that, unlike many people in bands, he actually seems to listen. Good God, he even asks questions based on what you've just said. Quite remarkable.
The meal costs us - or more specifically the band's press officer, Jakob - £180. Being vaguely lubricated with booze by now, we head off in search of one of Tokyo's many karaoke bars. These things are apparently big business, but our search proves fruitless. We take tiny lifts up into one building, only to find that the karaoke bar has closed. As one set of life doors close on Molko, myself and snapper Pope, the frontman cries out to his bandmates left behind.
"๐ท๐๐'๐ก ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐กโ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐!"
The hearty laughter confirms that Molko has finally come to terms with the press and become more comfortable with it.
We enter an up-and-running karaoke bar, only to leave shortly after arriving. It seems that the place isn't communal.
"๐๐ ๐ค๐๐ข๐๐ โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ก๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐", explains the singer. "๐โ๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ฆ ๐ค๐๐ข๐๐ โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐โ๐ก ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ค๐ ๐ค๐๐ข๐๐ โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐โ ๐๐กโ๐๐."
To the nearest pub it is, then. And a pub it quite literally turns out to be, because - after a good 15 minutes wandering around and finding places shut - we shame-facedly settle on an English-style bar called 'The Hobgoblin'.
The moment we go in, the volume of pissed-up chatter is gratingly apparent, after the relatively hushed tones of the Japanese. People are throwing darts and talking loudly, while an English football game plays on TV.
"๐ฝ๐ข๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐๐ โ๐๐๐", grins Brian ruefully. "๐๐'๐๐ ๐ค๐๐๐ก๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐ '๐โ-๐๐ฆ-๐บ๐๐-๐๐ก'๐ -๐๐ข๐๐๐๐ โ' ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ โ๐๐๐ ๐ค๐?"
Yes. For some reason, however, we end up staying for at least two rounds, as conversation flits through fake breasts (something about how the saline solution in them can leak), Dogme95 films like 'The Idiots' and how ex-Judas Priest singer, Rob Halford allegedly fancies Brian.
"๐ป๐๐ค ๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐๐, ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐?
๐ท๐๐ ๐ก๐ข๐๐๐๐."
๐ธWhen we leave the bar, the streets of Akasaka are deserted, save an endless stream of taxi cabs with no passengers in them. Weird.
Back at the hotel, Blue Boy is no longer waiting in the foyer - even hardcore fans clearly have their limits.
We set up camp in the press officer's hotel room, fish some beers from the mini-bar and commence that deeply unfortunate all-male ritual: scoring the pay TV channels for porn.
"๐ผ๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ โ๐๐ก", says Brian, "๐๐๐ ๐ค๐ ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐กโ๐๐๐๐? ๐ผ๐ก'๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ค๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ก๐๐ ."
"๐๐๐โ๐๐๐ ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐ โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐", offers Stefan, probably not referring to a member of the veteran US punk combo.
When we find porn in the shape of an American movie named 'Complicity', it's of the no close-ups variety. Only the first five minutes are free of charge, but we keep it going anyway.
"๐โ๐๐ฆ ๐ โ๐๐ข๐๐ โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ", complains Stefan as yet another female head bobs up and down at the bottom of the screen. "๐โ๐๐ก ๐๐ ๐ผ ๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐ค๐๐กโ ๐กโ๐๐ ? ๐ผ๐ ๐ผ ๐๐๐'๐ก ๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ก๐๐ ๐ผ'๐ ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐."
More beer is drunk - thankfully we don't manage to find the spirits drawer above the mini-bar - and things get hazy as we watch a parade of interminable Japanese pop bands on TV.
"๐โ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐ก ๐ค๐'๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐ค๐๐กโ?", says Brian incredulously, as the jangling nonsense drones on...
๐ธThis is promo day for Placebo, which involves sitting in their record company's building being quizzed and photographed for six hours straight.
By 5pm, more cracks are showing in certain members of the band, than in others.
In a sealed-off room, the trio are facing cameras for a Japanese TV music show. While Molko is a picture of professional behaviour, Steve Hewitt is less amenable.
Asked how Placebo got together, the drummer claims that they met in a Sumo wrestling club - "๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐ ๐, โ๐ ๐ ๐๐ฆ๐ , ๐ค๐'๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ก ๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐๐ ๐ค๐๐๐โ๐ก ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐."
The most withering moment comes when the interviewer asks what made Placebo start their first tour of 2001 in Japan.
"๐โ๐ ๐ ๐โ๐๐๐ข๐๐", replies the drummer blithely, before Brian sweeps in and answers the question nicely. Thank the Lord.
This evening, we commit yet another cardinal sin by drinking solely in the bar of our hotel, Placebo are knackered and plagued by the ever-present jet-lag, which makes you feel like you're not entirely in the right dimension and guarantees waking up at around 6 a.m. The Tokyo show is tomorrow night and they are cautious about burnout.
So we sit for hours, learning that Molko found his wallet under his bed where he drunkenly kicked it, and talking about the late INXS frontman, Michael Hutchence ("๐โ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ก ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐ผ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ โ๐๐ ๐ค๐๐ "๐น**๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐**๐ก", remembers Molko fondly) and toilet doors being broken down on cocaine users.
While Molko inevitably takes centre stage even in bar chats, it's generally because he has interesting stuff to say rather than because he demands such status or talks over others. Stefan tends to sit and listen with a faint smile on his face, occasionally throwing in witty comments which sometimes get lost in the mlรe due to the quietness of his voice. Steve, on the other hand, adopts something of a protective charade, often attempting to intimidate with a comical fixed stare. Challenge him, however, and he tends to laugh like a drain.
The topic of tomorrow night show keeps cropping up. It is, after all, their first gig in months.
"๐โ๐๐๐ ๐ผ ๐ค๐๐ โ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐", says Brian, "๐ผ ๐ค๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐โ๐๐๐๐ . ๐น๐๐ 17 ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ".
Is there any chance at all that Placebo might be as ropy as f**k?
"๐๐ ๐ค๐๐ฆ", protests Hewitt. "๐ผ๐ก'๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ก๐๐โ๐ก๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐ ๐ฃ๐๐๐๐'๐ ๐๐๐๐ก-๐๐๐ฅ".
The evening is relatively subdued. At one point, Molko succeeds in getting the bar's management to change the music.
"๐โ๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ ๐ค๐๐๐ก ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐๐", he explains to a smiling barman, while munching on some steak cubes. "๐ป๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ ".
Collins' sonic twattery is promptly replaced by Janet Jackson's. Time for bed.
Photo credit: Pat Pope |
๐ธJapan is currently in the process of rebuilding a shattered economy - a fact that surely contributes to 365,000 citizens killing themselves every year. Stefan calculates that this works out as one per minute. It doesn't quite, but it's scary enough. To put it into perspective. The Samaritans latest figures suggest that around 6,700 people committed suicide in the UK and Ireland in 1998.
Japan's people are hoping that their imminent new president will speed up the process of restoring the country to its former financial glory.
Unfortunately, a knackered economy doesn't mean things become cheaper. Companies simply make less products and up their prices. This could have something to do with today's lunch in the hotel's priciest restaurant coming to an obscene £500 for five people.
"๐โ, ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐", laughs Molko as dishes and bowls are brought out. "๐โ๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ค๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ก ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ค๐'๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ฃ๐๐ โ๐๐."
Eating Japanese is a tricky business. There's a fair degree of hesitation involved - you don't want to do the wrong thing.
Chuckles Brian, peering at wafer-thin slices of raw beef:
"๐ผ๐ก'๐ ๐๐๐๐, ๐ธ๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ ๐ ๐ข๐ , ๐คโ๐๐ก ๐๐ ๐ค๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ค?. ๐โ๐๐๐'๐ ๐๐ ๐ค๐๐ฆ ๐ผ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐๐ค."
Then the bowls of steaming broth are activated, and pennies start to drop. Sensing first-timers, one of the waiters explains everything. You take the beef slices and dip them into the bowls until cooked, then into various sauces, amid a frenzy of noodles, tofu chunks, vegetables and Kirin beer.
"๐โ ๐ค๐๐ค", exclaims Brian after his first mouthful. "๐ผ๐ก ๐๐๐ฆ๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ก๐ข๐๐๐ข๐ , โ๐ขโ?"
We start yapping about Japanese culture and its seedier underbelly. Foot fetishism, for a start.
"๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ, ๐ค๐๐๐๐ โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ก ๐ข๐๐๐๐, ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก โ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐ โ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ก-๐๐๐๐", states Molko. "๐ผ'๐ฃ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐โ๐๐ก๐๐๐๐๐โ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ก'๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐๐ก๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฆ".
Another bizarre tradition is allegedly the selling of schoolgirl's underwear from vending machines.
"๐ผ ๐๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ก ๐กโ๐๐ฆ'๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ข๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฆ๐กโ", says Molko. "๐ด๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐กโ๐๐ก ๐ข๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฆ๐กโ, ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐, ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐กโ๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐".
As some confusing Japanese pickles arrive (which look like chocolate, but taste like fish, then beef) Placebo confess that they have yet to discover much of Tokyo's covert perversion.
"๐ผ๐ก'๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ข๐๐ก๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฆ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ", admits Brian. "๐ผ๐ก๐ ๐ ๐ข๐โ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฃ๐๐ ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ก ๐๐ก'๐ โ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐ก ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐. ๐ผ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ค๐๐๐ก ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐ฆ, ๐ฆ๐๐ข โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ก๐ โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ ๐ฝ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐กโ ๐ฆ๐๐ข, ๐ ๐ ๐) ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ค๐๐'๐ก ๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐) ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ค๐๐'๐ก ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ก๐ข๐๐ก๐๐๐. ๐ผ'๐ ๐ ๐ข๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐๐'๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ โ๐๐๐, ๐๐ข๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ก'๐ ๐๐๐๐ก ๐ฃ๐๐๐ฆ โ๐๐๐๐๐. ๐ผ๐ก'๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ก ๐ต๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ก".
As for drugs in Japan, you may as well stick to ginseng bottles during your stay.
"๐โ๐๐๐'๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ก๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ก๐ข๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐๐ โ๐๐๐", declares Molko. "๐ธ๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ก๐ข๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ข๐-๐๐๐๐".
"๐ผ๐ก'๐ ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐", notes Stefan. "๐ด๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐กโ๐๐ก ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ข๐ก๐ข๐๐'๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐๐".
That could well be Placebo's Tokyo mansions out of the window, then. What's their drug policy in 2001?
"๐๐ข๐๐๐๐ก๐ฆ ๐๐๐ก ๐๐ข๐๐๐ก๐๐ก๐ฆ", says Brian. "๐โ๐๐ก'๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐กโ๐๐๐ค๐๐ ๐? ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ก๐ข๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐'๐ก ๐คโ๐๐ก ๐๐ก ๐ข๐ ๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ค๐๐๐ 21 ๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐ค๐๐๐๐๐๐๐'๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ก โ๐๐โ๐๐. ๐โ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ก ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐ก ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐ค๐๐๐ก ๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐ค๐๐๐, ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐กโ๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐ ".
"๐ด๐ก ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก", pipes up Stefan, "๐ฆ๐๐ข โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ก๐ ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ข๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ค".
Photo credit: Pat Pope |
๐ธTonight's gig takes place at the On Air venue, in the busling Shibuya - a district which looks exactly as you'd expect Tokyo to look, complete with all the 'Blade Runner' trimmings besides floating cars. Placebo admirably spend all afternoon rehearsing on the venues stage. In fact, they spend too long rehearsing. By the time they take to the stage, Molko can feel his voice starting to weaken.
The 1,500-odd teenage fans present have paid £40 a ticket to see this, which only ups the pressure. Hopefully, they haven't paid an extra fee for the interesting locker system, in which kids seal away their possessions until after the show.
The big myth about Japanese audiences is that they are ludicrously reserved, but they bounce around like most audiences as Placebo hit the stage - save any kind of stage-diving activity.
As Stefan put it earlier:
"๐ผ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐กโ๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ฆ'๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐, ๐ค๐๐๐ก ๐ข๐๐ก๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ค๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ . ๐ด๐๐ ๐ผ ๐๐๐ โ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ต๐๐๐๐! ๐ต๐๐๐๐! ๐ธ๐๐ก ๐๐! ๐ธ๐๐ก ๐๐!".
Can't say that phrase audibly crops up, but there is a slightly weird low-level hum in-between tracks, which some bands might misinterpret as a lukewarm reaction.
Right now, Brian Molko is more worried about his voice falling apart. It finally does - not so you'd notice, but enough to force Placebo to cut their otherwise impressive set short by 20 minutes after Pure Morning. There's no Teenage Angst or Nancy Boy.
Placebo walk dejectedly back upstairs to their dressing room, which is on a balcony overlooking the venue. There they stay for a good half-hour. Anyone connected with them who ventures inside walks out with an awkward expression on their face.
Molko finally surfaces when the seemingly fulfilled fans have left. In an hour, we will go out for a low-key meal with the gig's promoters - who might well be pissed off with the abbreviated set but are clearly men of honour. Right now, the frontman is leaning on the balcony, visibly gutted. Down below, people are clearing up the rubbish.
"๐โ๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐ค๐๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ก โ๐๐๐", โ๐ ๐ ๐๐โ๐ , ๐กโ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐***๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ ๐กโ๐๐๐๐ก ๐๐ข๐ก. ๐โ๐๐, ๐คโ๐๐ ๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐คโ๐๐ก ๐ฆ๐๐ข'๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ข๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐ ๐ข๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐๐'๐ก ๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐".
Bizarrely enough, this is the only tantrum Brian Molko has thrown in the last 72 hours. And, for once, you can hardly begrudge him it.
(๐พ๐๐๐๐๐๐!, ๐๐๐๐โ 10, 2001)
๐ป ๐ป ๐ป ๐ป
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