Placebo - 20 Years to Go 20 Years to Know – That’s the trick in it - Interview with Steve Burns

 

20 Years to Go 20 Years to Know – That’s the trick in it 

 Placebo 20 Anniversary

Interview with old school fan Steve Burns from Germany

by SusanneCk – Placebo Anyway

20 Placebo Anniversary

Interview with old school fan Steve Burns from Germany

by SusanneCk – Placebo Anyway

Placebo Anyway: When did you first listen to Placebo?

Steve Burns First time I was fully aware of Placebo was because of a friend. She sent me a blue tape from Austria, but I can't remember which song it was. That had to be 1998. These days I was totally into the gothic scene. Before, in October 18th, 1996 I came across with the band while they were playing live in club in a town called Bischofswerda. I just thought: "What was that?"

Placebo Anyway: What was so special about the band for you to become a fan?

Steve Burns: The very special thing about the band was the image they had, the music and the fact that they blew up with sexual frontiers. And they had a huge influence on my own coming-out.

Placebo Anyway:  How have you lived the last 20 years with the band and their music?

Steve Burns: The years with Placebo passed by unbelievable quick. Every now and than it feels like I'm still standing in front of that little stage. The only difference to that time is that the venues are quite bigger now and that the Placebo's are looking way more beautiful nowadays.

Placebo Anyway:  You have been with the band from the beginning have you gone to all the concerts in your country? Some abroad? Do you have all their albums?

Steve Burns: . I saw them about 40 times live on stage so far here in Germany and once on a festival in the Czech Republic.

 Placebo Anyway: Do you have any special collection? Vinyls, singles, dvd’s...?

Steve Burns: OMG my whole apartment is a collection of band-stuff.

Placebo Anyway:  Which song makes you feel closer to the band?

Steve Burns: There are songs, which I feel very close to, which are really touching, because there is a story behind it, which is very personal for me.

Placebo Anyway:  Do you see any difference between the fans from the beginning and the fans from nowadays?

Steve Burns: I don't think that things had changed too much, because the front row is still full of girls.

Placebo Anyway:  Is there a stereotypical Placebo fan? 

Steve Burns: What is a fan all about? What's connecting a fan with the band? Well, I think no fan is like another. Everybody's wearing t-shirts I guess. And the hardcore fans are having tattoos

Placebo Anyway:  What do you think about "Soulmates Never Die". Is this true?

Steve Burns: Me thinks there's a point there on that soul mates-thingy... It's this one sentence, which is connecting fans from all over the planet, isn't it?

Placebo Anyway: In your opinion, what unifies Placebo fans. What is the glue that puts them together?

Steve Burns: I think this should stay the secret of love.

Placebo Anyway: How do you see the evolution of the band on a musical way?

Steve Burns: The musical development of the band is just awesome, and that's why I could stand the change of the drummer.

Placebo Anyway: Do you think the inclusion of Steve Forrest gave the band somehting positve?

Steve Burns: Definitely, the power of the songs is back! Everything seems to be fresh now.

Placebo Anyway: Which difference do you see in Brian when you look back and compare it with how he is nowadays?

Steve Burns: Gosh, if you are a fan and if you're following Brian now for so many years and experiencing him, what could one say? Well, it's nice, that substances stay in a closet now, so to speak. But he should find his happiness again.

Placebo Anyway:  In 3 seconds 3 words about Brian, Stefan and Steve!

Steve Burns: Sexy gay god.

Placebo Anyway:  20 Years to go...what is your wish for the next 20 Placebo years? 

Steve Burns: They should please stay together as a band, having fun of what they're doing and never ever after forget the fans from the old days, who made out of them what they are now. Because a band is always as good as their fans.

Interview by SusanneCk, translation into English by Heike Bonsai . Placebo Anyway

A special thank you to Steve Burns.

Interview mit Steve Burns by Placebo Anyway (Deutsch)

Placebo Anyway: Wann hast du zum ersten Mal Placebo gehört? Von der Band, ihrer Musik..etc..

Steve Burns: Das erstmal bewusst habe ich Placebo über eine Freundin wahrgenommen. Sie sendete mir aus der Schweiz ein blaues Tape mit einem Song, welcher das war weiß ich nichtmehr. Das war irgendwann 1998! Zu der zeit war ich tief in der gothic Szene unterwegs. Irgendwann bin ich auch mal live über die Band gestolpert, das war am 18.10.96 in Bischofswerda in einem Club, aber da dachte ich hui, was das denn???

Placebo Anyway: Was war so besonders für dich, dass du zum Fan geworden und bis heute treu geblieben bist?

Steve Burns: Das besondere an der Band war damals das Erscheinungsbild, die Musik und das sie sexuelle Grenzen sprengen. Sie haben einen großen Anteil daran das ich mich selbst geoutet habe!

Placebo Anyway: Wie hast du die letzten 20 Jahre die Band und ihre Musik erlebt?

Steve Burns: Jahre mit Placebo vergehen wie im Flug, manchmal kommt es mir noch vor als stände ich 96 noch vor der kleinen Bühne! Nur die Hallen sind größer und Placebo optisch hübscher.

Placebo Anyway:  Du warst von Anfang an Fan. Warst du immer auf allen Konzerten in deinem Land oder auch woanders? Hast du alle ihre Alben?

Steve Burns: Ich persönlich habe Placebo um die 40 mal in Deutschland gesehen und einmal in Tschechien auf einem Festival.

Placebo Anyway:  Hast du irgendwelche special editions und andere Besonderheiten in deiner Placebo Sammlung?

Steve Burns: Omg meine ganze Wohnung ist eine Sammlung!

Placebo Anyway: Bei welchem Song fühlst dich der Band besonders nahe?

Steve Burns: Es gibt Songs denen ich mich nahe fühle, aber mit denen verbinde ich eine Geschichte, und das sollte privat bleiben.

Placebo Anyway: Wie siehst du die Placebo Fans im Vergleich zu damals und heute?

Steve Burns: Es sind immer noch die Frauen, die in der ersten Reihe stehen, somit hat sich nicht viel verändert!

Placebo Anyway: Gibt es für dich einen Placebo Fan Stereotypen...so einen typischen Placebo Fan?

Steve Burns: Was macht einen Fan aus? Was verbindet ihn mit der Band? Denk einen Fan fest zu nageln ist schwierig. T shirts trägt jeder! Der harte Kern trägt Tattoos.

Placebo Anyway: Was denkst du über "Soulmates Never Die" Ist da was dran für dich im Bezug auf die Fans?

Steve Burns: Denke das an soulmates verdammt viel dran ist! Ist es nicht der Satz der uns Fans weltweit verbindet?

Placebo Anyway: Was denkst du verbindet die Placebo Fans. Was ist der Punkt, das Geheimnis, was sie zusammen führt?

Steve Burns: Ich denke, das sollte das Geheimnis der Liebe bleiben!

Placebo Anyway: Wie siehst du die musikalische Entwicklung der Band in all den Jahren?

Steve Burns: Die musikalische Entwicklung der band ist fantastisch, somit konnte ich sogar den Drummerwechsel verkraften.

Placebo Anyway: Denkst du, dass der Drummerwechsel zu Steve Forrest der Band etwas Positives gebracht hat?

Steve Burns: Definitiv, die Power der Songs ist zurück. Es wirkt alles frischer...

Placebo Anyway: Welche Veränderungen siehst du in Brian wenn du zurück schaust und ihn mit dem heut und jetzt vergleichst?

Steve Burns: Oh Gott... Wenn man Brian als Fan schon Jahre verfolgt, und ihn wahrnimmt, was soll man sagen? Es ist schön das Substanzen im Schrank bleiben, aber er soll sein Lachen wieder finden!

Placebo Anyway: In 3 Sekunden 3 Worte über Brian, Stefan und Steve!

Steve Burns: sexy - gay - god

Placebo Anyway: 20 Years to go...was wünscht du dir für die folgenden 20 Placebo Jahre?

Steve Burns: Sie sollen bitte als Band bestehen bleiben, Spaß daran haben was sie tun, und niemals die Fans vergessen die damals sie hoch gebracht haben... Denn eine Band ist nur so gut wie ihre Fans.

Placebo Anyway mit Steve Burns. Danke für das schöne Interview J

"Interview with Brian"- Nov 1995 -NME

 

 

"Interview with Brian"- Nov 1995 -NME

Brian Molko stands sweaty and bedraggled inside London's Kings Cross Splash Club. His band Placebo have been off stage for 30 minutes and the procession of A&R men still stretches halfway down the corridor. As Molko soaks up the praise, his bassist and drummer sneak into the bar for a drink. They've had enough.

The queue disappears and Molko leans against a wall, relieved that the inquisition is over. And then another A&R man barges through. "You were brilliant, " he says. "We've got to meet up. You blew me away." Millions of pounds worth of A&R people have been saying the same for months.

Molko flashes a plastic smile, listens to the rambling spiel and then says he really must be going. The A&R man fumbles a farewell handshake but knocks the singer's pint glass out of his hand, splashing the singer with beer. He panics: "I'm really sorry, I'll go and get you another now, " he says. But Molko just smiles and waves him away. Then he turns to his press officer, kicks broken glass against the wall and throws his first rock star tantrum. In a loud voice he shouts: "SCHMUCK!"

Placebo met in Luxembourg, Sweden and London. Confused? Don't be. Bassist Stefan Olsdal met drummer Robert Shultzberg at school in Sweden. Olsdal left for the American School of Luxembourg where he met Molko. The pair drifted apart but met by chance last year at a tube station in London. They decided to form a band, Shultzberg flew over from Sweden and on January 23 they played their first gig at Covent Garden's Rock Garden.

"I was studying drama at Goldsmiths," says Molko.
"I've got no other home really," offers Shulztberg.
"I think we're all a bit international," adds Olsdal.

The first thing you notice about Placebo is the tunes; all dark, brooding and anthemic. "The art that I liked most is the stuff that's moved me emotionally," says Molko. "I guess I wanted to make music that moved people and made them feel. You know, the music is tortured, it's very introspective and personal."

The second thing is the lyrics. "Since I was born I started to decay" or "Two holes in a paper bag/ Greatest lay I ever had" (Nancy Boy).

"We are the pie in the face people," says Molko. "Being from an acting background, the thing that always interested me was placing myself in the most vulnerable position possible and to see what came out of that. It's better that you have these quite either violent or hard emotions."

And the thing about Placebo is the searing gigs.

"The thing is it's your dream and you are aware of the fact that your dream could fuck up and that's scary," gushes Molko. "But you have to keep going otherwise you wouldn't be able to live with yourself. If you try your dream out and it doesn't work out and you become a casualty then at least you can say you tried. It's a risk. But in order to do it properly and put your whole heart into it you have to burn your bridges behind you."

Placebo watch them burn.

Sources NME

On The Couch - with Brian Molko

 

Pick a song that describes you best. 
Hang On To Your IQ , because it's so fragile. That's very much how I feel at the moment.

What is Heaven? 
I'm cynical, so I think that life ends when you die. But there's the optimist in me that thinks maybe we pass into something else.

What is Hell? 
Other people.

What's your earliest memory? 
When I was young I lived in Liberia. I remember being in my cot and it seeming like a jail cell, and there was a large and lovely black woman sweeping up around me.

What is your greatest fear? 
To be alone.

Who is your all time hero? 
Bowie, probably. When I was a teenager I listened to 'Ziggy Stardust' and 'Hunky Dory' obsessively. Having met him, I know he is the man who has the answers.

What's the worst trouble you've been in? 
I'm going to see Dream City Film Club on Friday and apparently my stalker is bringing her dad and the police to arrest me. That's the worst trouble I'm ever gonna be in.-(Fortunately, the evening passed without incident).

Who was the first love of your life? 
Her name was Carole, she was french - we were both virgins. I was 14 she was 16, and we went out for a year.

What's your greatest talent? 
I can skin up faster than anyone I know.

Upon whom would you most like to exact revenge, why and how? 
My stalker.

What have you most regretted doing whilst drunk ? 
Not challenging Gavin (Bush) to a pop quiz. He was going on about how Bush were the new Sex Pistols and I was like, 'Grow up man'.

What can you cook? 
I'm an excellent pasta cook. I can do stuffed peppers and a tiny bit of french and greek too.

What's the best piece of advice you have ever received? 
From Bowie, 'Never lose your spontaneity'.

Can you read music ? 
I used to be able to - I used to play the saxophone. Now I just follow when Stefan plays piano. I want to learn how to play the piano because secretly I want to be Elton John.

If you were invisible for a day, what would you do? 
I'd float around like an astral projection and look at everybody that has a place in my heart making love. I'd probably get a hard-on. Or I'd float around and see Bowie, Lou Reed, Liam Gallagher and that bloke from Embrace take a dump. But I'd have a better time watching them shag.

What are your final three wishes? 
This time next year, I want to be very much in love and very solidly with somebody. Secondly, I want the band to be f**king huge. I won't rest until we're larger than the Smashing Pumpkins. And I would like to learn to control my depression.

© NME - Nov. 1997

Photos: PlaceboRussia, Gilbert Blecken

 

Placebo @ Black & White Video Sessions

Black & White Placebo Video Sessiones 

by Angelika Mjj 

Careful not to give your favours to your lonesome fucked-up neighbours, I had one who sent me her heart in a Tupperware container All the movies in my head they flicker with my bleeding heart A careless slipping of the tongue On just another private part Blatant search for stoned affection Fights the rust that breeds infection Meet me at the intersection Don't forget your fuel injection

Brian Molko

My Sweet Prince
Never thought you'd make me perspire.
Never thought I'd do you the same.
Never thought I'd fill with desire.
Never thought I'd feel so ashamed.

Nancy Boy

Alcoholic kind of mood
lose my clothes, lose my lube
cruising for a piece of fun
looking out for number one
different partner every night
so narcotic outta sight
what a gas, what a beautiful ass.

In The Cold Light of Morning

In cold light of morning while, everyone is yawning,
You're high,
In the cold light of morning the party gets boring, you're high.
As your skin starts to scratch and wave yesterdays action goodbye.



This Picture

I hold an image of the ashtray girl
Of cigarette burns on my chest
I wrote a poem that described her world
And put our friendship to the test







Pepper Sunlight Losers ft. Brian Molko "Summertime Rolls 

Fell into
A sea of grass
And disappeared among
The shady blades...
Children all
Ran over me
Screaming tag!
You are the one!

Michael Stipe & Brian Molko - Broken Promise

They rise above this,
They cry about this,
As we live and learn..





Another video of 
A Sea of Grass. Losers, featuring Brian Molko "Summertime Rolls" 

Yellow buttercup
Helicopters
Orange buttercat
Chasing after
The crazy bee
Mad about somebody...





Hotel Persona feat. Brian Molko - Modern Kids 

We are modern kids
Living through a screen





Brian Molko - Requiem For A Jerk

Listen to the organ that I play for you
Since you got no choice, hear me through
You look as if you like it but you seem reserved
It's my requiem for a jerk





Pictures - Brian Molko - Timo Maas

You wanna go for a ride
So get in the car
No I won't hurt you
Unless you ask me to
Hurt you





Battle For The Sun 

Dream brother, my killer, my lover




Brian Molko - The Metric System remix

They wanna buy it in kilos
They wanna buy it in grams
They wanna buy it in kilos
They wanna buy it in grams
You know they're down with the metric system
And they never fuck around

The Reflection Of Yourself - "The Movie On Your Eyelids" 

I always watch you when you're dreaming
Because I know it's not of me
I smoke a dozen cancer sticks
Imagine there are two or three ways
To make you love me
And not dream of someone else
Become the movie on your eyelids






The Way You Are. PLACEBO "Plasticine" (Lounge Version) 

Don't forget to be the way you are




A Deal With God. PLACEBO & Kate Bush "Running Up That Hill" -Alternate Version

It doesn't hurt me.
You wanna feel how it feels?
You wanna know, know that it doesn't hurt me?
You wanna hear about the deal I'm making?
You be running up that hill
You and me be running up that hill





In Dreams. PLACEBO "Innocence of Sleep"





Then The Clouds Will Open For Me

I don't want to be forgotten
I can't be alone
So don't you dare leave me
It's like coming home
To a skin that has died
Human voices like a drum
And they're looking right through me





Cabaret of Desire, Brussels 2001"Peeping Tom" 

I'm careful not to fall
I have to climb your wall
'Cause you're the one
Who makes me feel much taller than you are
I'm just a peeping tom
On my own for far too long
Problems with the booze
Nothing left to lose





 Lady of the Flowers (live Bataclan 1996)

'Scuse me, I apologize
he likes your attitude, he tries it on for size
he spends the afternoon, between your thighs
how's that for gratitude, I apologize






Brian Molko - Interview without words 2013





Happy Birthday Mr. Molko





Happy Birthday Brian Molko





Stefan Olsdal about Brian Molko





Brian kissing Stef





Molko Tribute 

A Special Thank you to: Angelika Mjj for her brillant Placebo video collection and Holly More for the translation.

Design: SusanneCk

Placebo Anway

Placebo @ Mexico - concerts review Vive Latino Festival 2014

Here we a have a summary of some of the press reviews from the band's performance at the Vive Latino Festival

Placebo Sensibility  in Vive Latino

The band was grateful with their Mexican audience and the singer Brian Molko offered some words in Spanish.

Maybe Vive Latino was not the ideal scenario for Placebo's musical emotionality,  however fans and faithful Brian Molko's  devotees experienced the show with all their senses.

The British band  jumped on stage in the Indio Stadium at exactly 8:00 pm to the extremely loud screams of their fans, even though not everyone knew the band. One of the first songs was Loud Like Love, song that it's also the title of their new album.

"We are delighted that you came to see us. Enjoy the show like we sure will." were some of the words pronounced by Molko in Spanish.

Placebo knew that it was necessary to regained older fans who saw them grow up and because of that they had to play some hits such as: "Special K" and "The Bitter End".

"Infra - Red " was the last song while true fans asked for the encore to listen to more hits.

Sources

Placebo consumo su romance con Mexico. Placebo reaffirmed his romance with Mexico.

Placebo has visited Mexico many times before and has played in every kind of venue there is. From big stadiums to smaller theaters and each and every one of their shows has had something in common, their fans devotion for the band that results in an unforgettable show.

Their show at Vive Latino was no exception,  that night their new songs won the hearts of new fans and their classics like "Meds", and "Every Me Every You" made an already nostalgic crowd fall in love again with the band. They are well knonwn in Mexico a friend who always comes back to a warm welcome and Vive Latino festival. Was no exception.

Sources

From sopitas: Vive Latino. Day 4 live from Foro Sol.

"Good evening, friends *, boys and girls , assholes¤ * my name is Brian and the name of my rock band is Placebo " this were the words said by Molko at the beginning of the show.

*using both. The feminine and masculine terms

¤ it is important to point out that this word "pendejo" can have many connotations in Spanish depending on the country. Normally it is a swear word in the Northern countries of Central America such as Mexico meaning three things 1. Pubic hair 2. A woman who sleeps around 3. Asshole. However, in Southern countries the words has a "cleaner" connotation meaning stupid, dumb, simpleton and sometimes Asshole. Being the latter the most common it is likely that this was the meaning that Mr Molko had in mind when he said it.

Sources

Placebo pleases in Mexico. Excelsior mag

During 1:15 minutes,  Brian Molko alongside Stefan Olsdal and Steve Forrest made the dreams of, more or less 70,000, fans come true.

Mexico City,  March 30.  British. Band Placebo arrived on time at the Foro Sol stadium to offer one of the last shows of the 15th edition of the Iberoamerican festival of music culture Vive Latino.

During 1:15 minutes,  Brian Molko alongside Stefan Olsdal and Steve Forrest made the dreams of ,more or less 70,000*, fans come true. Fans who enjoyed the alternative rock band's talent.

"Thank you .Good evening, friends, boys and girls , assholes my name is Brian and the name of my rock band is Placebo" said the singer in Spanish after playing "For What Is Worth", "Loud Like Love" and "Twenty Years"¤

And colorful explosion was showed in the in the led screen of the Indio Stadium. The concert also included a set of white lights that went on to the rhythm of  "EMEY", "Too Many Friends" and "Scene Of The Crime".

Placebo did not let any fan down, since some people were able to enjoyed the powerful sound of the drums and electric guitars, that caused an inevitable euphoria,  while drinking beer or eating some burger.

The black outfit of the band plus, the smoke, some 3d images along with the violin sound created a mystic environment during "Purify".

After that the next songs were "Space Monkey", "Blind", and "Exit Wounds",  but during "Special K" some fans couldn't hold back the enthusiasm and started to sing and even to  dance.

Seconds later when the screen turned white and green the band was showered in applauses to continue with. "The Bitter End" that Brian rocked with all the energy he could have while sporting his dark black hair.

After the song was over he said "Thank you very much", and went backstage for some minutes. When he came back he sang "Teenage Angst " ,"RUTH", "Post Blue " and "Infra - Red" as loud as he could while his bandmates did their thing with their instruments.

*according to Ocesa

¤ it is necessary to point out that they actually didn't played "Twenty Years", "Blind", or "Exit Wounds" they were included in the translation to remain faithful to what the original text said.

Sources

Tranlation by Diana E.T. Foghin

Design by SusanneCk

Documentation by Zarynita Molko & Brenda Tejeda

Photos by Brendad Tejeda, Viva Latino, Placebo Russia, Instagram

Placebo Anyway