Photo credits: Screenshots from Matt Volta 23 and British Drum Co. IG, Edit by Emanuela
Here are the little information we could find about Matt Lunn, 'the guy from Harrogate' (North Yorkshire) before he joined Placebo in 2015:
HARROGATE MUSICIAN PLAYS FOR PLACEBO IN FRONT OF THOUSANDS An ex-Harrogate musician found himself at the heart of the rock 'n roll world in front of thousands of fans as drummer in Placebo.
Matt Lunn, who started off in local bands in Harrogate as a teenager, joined the famous alt-rock band in 2015. On the band’s recent 20th anniversary arena tour, Placebo's lead singer Brian Molko has been introducing Lunn on stage as a “local lad from Yorkshire”. In fact, he’s from Harrogate and appeared in print several times in the Harrogate Advertiser as a teenager in local outfits. But since those long-off days in the early Noughties, the talented Matt has built up a reputation as a brilliant drummer as a member of York-based band Colour of Fire (…).
Before joining Placebo (...), Matt also played with Shed Seven’s Rick Witter in Rick Witter and The Dukes who also included Stuart Fletcher of Seahorses.
ABOUT COLOUR OF FIRE Colour of Fire were a rock band from York, UK. They were signed to Riverman Music, PIAS in Europe, and King Records in Japan. They formed in 2002, taking their name from a Boards Of Canada song and had early UK-only single releases Decisions Decisions and Cut It both just sneaked into the UK top 100. Their 2004 debut album, Pearl Necklace, was highly praised both in UK music press and online, and helped to expand the group's international fanbase. Despite supporting acts such as Idlewild, Biffy Clyro, Silverchair and Placebo and playing festivals in Japan and Europe in 2003-2004, the quartet's album did not perform as well as they had hoped for. (…) However, following a short European tour, Colour of Fire split after playing Download Festival in 2005. Band members: Owen Richards (guitar, vocals) Stuart Jones (guitar, vocals) Matt Lunn (drums) Thom Craigen (bass 2002-2005) Mike Newsham (bass – 2005) Original article: https://bit.ly/3tHsnrO
Photo credit: Matt Volta IG
Here’s how Brian and Stefan introduced Matt on February 2, 2015, after Steve Forrest left the band:
INTRODUCING NEW TOURING DRUMMER, MATT LUNN Placebo will embark on their biggest UK and Irish tour in recent years, starting on 25th February with a sold out show at the Olympia in Dublin and ending with two nights at Hammersmith Apollo in London on the 24th and 25th March. The tour will allow fans to catch a glimpse of the band’s new line up, with old friend, and former Colour of Fire drummer Matt Lunn, joining the fold as the new touring drummer. Please give Matt your warmest Placeboworld welcome.
But let's go back to our days!
Just two days ago Never Let Me Go was released, and many of us wondered who would be the drummer playing live with Placebo on tour throughout 2022.
Luckily Matt thought to reassure us by coming out of a long social media hibernation: he will not just be on tour with Placebo throughout 2022, but he will take his new British Drum Co Legend Series kit along for the ride!
ABOUT BRITISH DRUM CO:
The British Drum Company adheres to the proudest traditions of British drum manufacturing, using only British made shells, employing striking design and committing to constant innovation. British Drum Company was founded by the team of UK Craftsman from Premier. If you recall the UK Made Premier Drums, they are essentially British Drum Co Products. The difference is, these drums are made to the highest possible level with better quality materials and finishes.
Very collectable and playable.
The combination of this perfectly blended mahogany and birch shell gives life to a vibrant, full-bodied tone which is aided by our rounded over 30 degree bearing edge. The kit is then beautifully finished with BDC's trademark mahogany and birch bass drum hoops, which are produced from the same mahogany and birch as both the Lounge and Legend Series drums. Hand made by our team of skilled craftsmen.
LOOK AMAZING! SOUND AMAZING! FEEL AMAZING!
If you are curious and want to take a look at all the great artists who are part of this family: https://bit.ly/3wOCSeK
Photo credit: British Drum Co. IG
British Drum Co. welcomed Matt in its family of British Drum Co. with some nice words in the last days.
Here they are:
“The @britishdrumco welcomes @placeboworld’s drummer Matt Lunn to our family of British Drum Co. artists. Matt has held the drum chair with Placebo since 2015 and is no stranger to playing massive stadiums and arenas around the world. He’ll be taking his new BDC kit on the road for the rest of this year, from a summer of European festivals, onto Canada, USA, Mexico before returning back home for a tour of Europe, including UK dates, just in time for Christmas 2022! Placebo’s new album ‘Never Let Me Go’ is out today. Any guesses as to what kit Matt will be using? All will be revealed later today...”
And later...
“BDC artist Matt Lunn, drummer with @placeboworld, recently visited the BDC factory to see his new kit a beautiful Legend Series in Whitehaven, which he’ll be using with a Merlin snare and Super 7 snare.”
MATT: "BDC instantly struck me as a company that are doing things right. From the impeccable sound and build quality of the drums to the dedicated and high quality craftsmanship of everyone in the factory. It’s an incredible place. Everyone really loves drums there and it shows in the attention to detail in the finished product. I’m currently touring the Whitehaven Legend Series and can safely say it’s the best sounding and most versatile drum kit I’ve ever played. I’ll be using it throughout 2022 on the new Placebo campaign".
Sizes: 24 x 16 Bass Drum, 16 x 18 Floor Tom, 18 x 16 Floor Tom and 12 x 9 Rack Tom. Merlin snare (14 x 7) and Super 7 Snare (13 x 7)
And finally:
“Drummer and BDC artist Matt Lunn recently toured the BDC factory to meet the makers of his stunning Legend Series Whitehaven kit. He’s pictured here with the BDC factory team, holding his Merlin snare (14 x 7) and the Super 7 snare (13 x 7) … this stunning purple heart snare drum is proving very popular with our artists! It’s an honour to be working with you Matt, we can’t wait for fans to hear your kit in stadiums around the world!”
And here is what Matt posted on his Instagram account, along with a nice picture of his new British Drum Co. Kit:
“I’ll be playing live for Placebo throughout 2022 and taking my new @britishdrumco Legend Series kit along for the ride. Huge thanks to Keith, Tina et al for hooking me up with such amazing gear at such short notice! Rolling into Berlin tonight! See you out on the road soon”.
Some of you have already had the good fortune to listen to Matt playing his new drums in recent days, in Paris and Berlin...so, how did it sound?
Placebo tour
2015 & Placebo20 soulmate never dies interview
Interview by
Susie Bosco, Diana E.T.Foghing, Mary Scott , Xenia Gerasimova and Zaryinta Molko – The Placebo Anyway
Team in colaboration with Stacey Taylor from Aberdeen, Scotland about the Placebo show in Aberdeen
(03/03/2015), all latetes news, the 20th anniversary and much more… Layout: Susie Bosco
Photo credits: by Stan bestmafia.com, Kevin Wells Life is better still @bigwhopperkevin / www.kevinwellsphoto.com
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:
Hello Stacey!! . Lets start with our first question is. How was the gig in Aberdeen? Did you get more
in touch with the band’s roots in the smaller venues like Aberdeen’s Music Hall?
Stacey
Taylor: Hello!!!! The gig was AMAZING!!!!!!!! I have seen Placebo 3 times, and i think this
was my most favourite time seeing them.
Seeing them in a smaller venue felt more intimate, and made you feel
lucky to be so close to them.
Placebo Anyway: Compared to
the gigs in 2014 do you see any difference, for example the lighting?
Stacey
Taylor: I sadly didn’t see them in 2014,
the last time I saw them was on their “Battle for the Sun” tour back in
2011. Looking back at that gig and
comparing the 2, this tour was much better visually. The lighting seemed to be automated by the
songs played, and the general layout and placement on stage worked better.
Stacey
Taylor: As always, they gave it their
all. Brian comes across as being quite
subdude and restrained but you can see that he is loving every minute of the
performance by the way he performs each song from the first to the last.
Placebo
Anyway: Band's members are usually very restrain,
non-talkative and laconic on the stage. We read some reviews about their
concerts and people often are so unsatisfied with this "Placebo's bad
behavior". What is your opinion?
Stacey
Taylor: I would like to hear more from the band, but I can see where they are
coming from – you pay to see a band play music, and not to have a Q&A
session!!
Placebo
Anyway:
About Molko little speeches before the songs. What’s your opinion?
Stacey
Taylor: His speeches captivate the crowd and he is mesmerising to watch. His voice is liquid gold and makes everything
he says have a double meaning. I love
this as much as watching the band perform!!!!
Placebo
Anyway:
Regarding the new set list this time they added two classics Special Needs and I
know, but One Of A Kind was
eliminated from the set list . What are your thoughts about this?
Stacey
Taylor: I was delighted that they added
some classic so the set list, and feel there was a very good mix of old and new
tracks. Some of the older songs I had
never heard before, and the crowd was bouncing when they played “Special
K”.
Special K- not from Aberdeen but from the same tour!
Placebo
Anyway:
Have you noticed a difference regarding the version of the songs they are
playing? (For example in Edinburgh STSG was a bit faster than it usually
is)
Stacey
Taylor: I like how they mix the song
tempos up – especially when they performed “Meds”. To me, it proves they are singing live and
they are trying to improve the overall experience by changing the
versions.
Placebo
Anyway: Which live song is the best for you in a
emontional way and why?
Special Needs- not from Aberdeen but from the same tour!
Stacey
Taylor: I can't pick just one
song!!!! I think hearing “Special Needs”
was emotional for me because it was one of the first songs of theres that I
realised it wasn’t just words and there was an actual meaning behind it. Also “Too Many Friends” was quite powerful
because having the no photo policy at the gig it was re-emphasising the line
“When all the people do all day
Is stare into a phone”
Photo credits: Ohrreckless - Aberdeen
Placebo
Anyway:
What would be your dream setlist incorporating songs from every album?
Stacey
Taylor: Each time I have seen Placebo
their set list changes. I would LOVE to
hear them sing “Nancy Boy”. Dream
setlist hmmmm probably a mix of songs from all albums. Some upbeat, some more melodic.
Placebo
Anyway:
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?
Stacey
Taylor: As soon as Brian comes on
stage!!!! The atmosphere changes, like I
said before he is mesmerising to watch and his gestures are so little but
powerful. He always makes me turn into a
giggly little girl.
Photography by Stan http://www.backseatmafia.com
Placebo
Anyway: What do you think about behavior of Brian
Molko connected with using of camera's and smartphones during concerts?
Stacey
Taylor: I can see where he is coming
from. I don’t like watching a gig
through the screen of someone else’s smart phone, so can imagine he doesn’t like
performing to hundreds of smart phones.
I admit, I did take a few photos of him purely because he is amazingly
stunning and I like to look at him.
Placebo
Anyway: What do you think about official live
pictures published on the Inet and illegal usage of them? Should they keep
their taken pictures on PC only? Or it doesn't make sense if they are published
or not allowed to be used...?
Stacey
Taylor: I havent seen any official live
pictures from the Aberdeen gig, but have seen some on your page from other
venues. I like looking through them, and
re-living when I saw that particular light sequence at the aberdeen gig.
Placebo
Anyway: A new tour,
a new tour drummer. How was for you the moment you read on the social networks
about Steve Forrest leaving Placebo?
Stacey
Taylor: I did feel slightly sad, because
Steve hadn't been with Placebo for that long a time. It seems to be a particularly difficult
position in the band to keep full for long!!
Photo credits: Planes / @Stefan Olsdal
Placebo
Anyway: We wish
Steve and his band Planesgood luck. There will go on tour soon too. Will you go to
one of their shows?
Stacey
Taylor: Probably not.
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?
Photo credits: Steven Lynn Photography
Stacey
Taylor: Having seen both Steve and Matt
I can’t see a difference in them – they both play like their lives depended on
it!! They seemed more “into” playing the
drums than Steve Hewitt did when I saw him perform with Placebo.
Placebo
Anyway: Would you
like to see Matt Lunn (old Placebo
friend and drummer of Colour of Fire)
as an official drummer? Or do you prefer the
idea of Brian & Stefan being the only official members now of Placebo?
Stacey
Taylor: I will always see Brian and
Stefan as the original line-up and the drummer position being the one which
will change. As long as the drummer can
play the songs well and give as much in his – or her!! – performance as Brian
and Stefan then I don’t care who is in that position.
Placebo
Anyway:
One thing that we have noticed about this tour is how sometimes people are
going alone and ask in the fan pages for company. In fact, the official twitter
account once twitted a request for a fan. This is certainly not common behavior
in other fan bases . Why do you think this is?
Stacey
Taylor: I think Placebo are a marmite
band, and to find a fellow soulmate is rare!!
I have received some stick for being a fan of Placebo in the past, but I
don’t care. I would easy go and see
Placebo myself, but don’t think I could go and see any other band that I like
alone. Perhaps because the crowd is
mixed in age and gender anyway, and because they are a band who have meaning in
their lyrics and not just anything to make a hit the audience is more open
minded.
Placebo
Anyway: What do you think, does Placebo music sound
better live or recorded?
Stacey
Taylor: I think they sound similar. I like hearing them live but when listening
to a recorded album and closing your eyes it sounds the same.
Placebo
Anyway: How do you think can all Placebo concerts be
special, as for you and them as well?
Stacey
Taylor: Hmmmm I don’t know how to
explain this one. They do the same thing
each concert – play their songs to a crowd – but the concept seems different
everytime. It feels like seeing them for
the first time and I get the same butterflies before their gig as I did the
first time I heard them on TV.
Placebo Anyway:
Let’s talk about Placebo members and their proyects. 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?
Stacey
Taylor: Yes!!!! Of course I got the book!!!!! I had the personalised signed copy in my
basket but the website crashed, so my fiance was trying all day at home to get
it for me. I got a signed copy and it is
one of my most prized posessions now and everyone gets shown the book and his
signature.
Placebo Anyway: What do you think about the introduction of the Brian Molko book“Selected”?
Stacey
Taylor: It is very simple, and
honest. Wouldn’t expect anything more
from him.
Placebo
Anyway:
Did you find any surprises in the lyrics in this book? Different words
than you thought?
Stacey
Taylor: Not really, but it was lovely
having all the lyrics in one place.
Placebo Anyway: Were you
expecting something different?
Stacey
Taylor: I expected it to be a bit
bigger, but it is small just like Brian J
Placebo Anyway: Let
us speak about more projects. 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.
Stacey
Taylor: I don’t really pay attention to
the other projects by other band members.
Brian is my favourite member so if he were to embark on a different
project I would probably be more inclined in his venture. Sorry Stefan!!
Placebo Anyway:
On the Placebo Facebook page we could see the last weeks a comment about “a new album”. If you could choose
a theme for this new album, what would it be? A live album, an accoustic album,
more like the old days or similiar to LLL or something completly new?
Stacey
Taylor: I like their older albums
(Placebo / WYIM / BMM) but like the growth and exploration of their newer
ones. Some of my favourite Placebo songs
have the happy/punky/pop/anthem feel to them so an album like that would be
ideal for me.
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?
Stacey
Taylor: I am debating this, if they
re-released their albums re-mastered I would definetly purchase these.
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?
Stacey
Taylor: Probably the place they played
their first gig – to show where they started.
Preparation for the party ………… Wow, probably have their album covers on
the walls around the venue and some infamous images of the band in all stages
and all line ups.
Placebo Anyway: Now
let us go online. Imagine you have to organize something really special for the
band on a virtual way. What would you do, including every soulmate all over the
world?
Stacey
Taylor: It would be good to have an
album of classic Placebo songs, with soulmates singing different lines to the
songs. I don’t know how to convey how
much they mean to all their soulmates!!
Placebo
Anyway:
It is a known fact that it's impossible not to be hooked on Brain Molko...What
do you find so attractive in him and how do you consider him? As a close friend
(a soulmate), you could relay on, or just a handsome man with a great vocal
skills and beautiful songs? What traits of character do you appreciate in him
most?
Stacey
Taylor: Wow he is STUNNING!!!!! His mannerisms, his gestures, oh and his
facial expresions….he has more sex appeal than any other lead singer of any
band that I can think of. He is very
much so someone I would like to chat to if we were in a bar. I cant get anough of him and his gorgeous
face.
Placebo
Anyway:
What would you ask Brian Molko from 1996?
Stacey
Taylor: What would you like to achieve
with Placebo in 5yrs / 10yrs / 20yrs time?
Placebo
Anyway:
What would you ask Brian Molko in 2015?
Stacey
Taylor: Can you perform at my wedding
please? *flutters eyelashes* hahaha in all seriousness; you said you would like
to achieve XYZ in 1996 when Placebo just started out, do you think you have
achieved all you would like to and what else do you think as a band and solo
artist you could do?
Placebo
Anyway:
What would influence your questions?
Stacey
Taylor: What mood he was in. He is a notoriously guarded and private
person so I wouldnt like him to feel I was intruding on his personal life.
Placebo
Anyway:
Many bands from the 90's are turning 15 , 20 years what do you think makes
Placebo so different?
Stacey
Taylor: They havent had an hiatus, the
main line up hasn’t changed and they keep diversifying their sound to suit the
current musical climate. Oh and their
fans are very loyal!!!!
Placebo Anyway: Coming
to the end of the interview, please define the Aberdeen concert with 3 words.
Stacey
Taylor: Loud. Passionate.
Brilliant.
Placebo Anyway: Now
imagen you could give Brian and Stef a Thank You gift for the wonderful last 20
years with the band. Which gift would you choose?
Stacey
Taylor: My eternal thanks for being such
an amazing band, and my continuing loyalty.
Cant put a price on that J
Placebo
Anyway: Thank
you very much for the interview Stacey!
Stacey
Taylor: Thanks for
letting me be included in thisJJ
Photo by Kevin Wells Life is better still www.kevinwellsphoto.com
Interview by
The Placebo Anyway Team & Stacey Taylor, Aberdeen, Scotland
This morning the whole Placebo world fans and friends were really surprised, sad and also shocked by the latest news in a band member changing.
Here is what on the official Placebo page is written:
"STEVE FORREST LEAVES PLACEBO TO PURSUE PERSONAL MUSICAL AMBITIONS"
Steve Forrest, who joined Placebo in 2008 and has toured with them over the last two album campaigns ‘Battle For The Sun’ and ‘Loud Like Love’, has decided to leave the band.
The split is very amicable and Steve was keen to pursue his own musical ambitions, and has been writing and recording his own material over the last few years.
Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal would like to thank Steve for all his work with the band and wish him all the very best in his future career.
Taking on the role as Placebo’s new touring drummer for the UK tour is old friend Matt Lunn, former Colour of Fire drummer, who in fact supported Placebo on various tours back in 2004.
Placebo embark on their biggest regional UK tour in years, commencing in February, where you can catch the new line up."
Ladies and gentlemen as you all know there's been some sad news in Placebo World today. But here it is Matt Lunn. The drummer who will cover for Sunshine Forrest Here the official info from the Placebo page: Placebo will embark on their biggest UK and Irish tour in recent years, starting on 25th February with a sold out show at the Olympia in Dublin and ending with two nights at Hammersmith Apollo in London on the 24th and 25th March. The tour will allow fans to catch a glimpse of the band’s new line up, with old friend, and former Colour of Fire drummer Matt Lunn, joining the fold as the new touring drummer.
