Raised by strict parents who disapproved of artistic expression and tried to steer their son toward a career in banking, the teenage Brian Molko was no better understood by select classmates at Luxembourg's European School where rampant bullying ultimately led him to withdraw and enroll at the American International School. It was the 80s so naturally he wore eyeliner, lipstick, and black nail polish. Just as predictably, he studied acting at college in London and started a band. But unlike millions of other alt/punk/glam/goth wannabes, Placebo had it. Their demo got them gigs opening for Bowie and their debut was a hit across Europe, thanks to touring with U2 and their own breakout single, Nancy Boy. Bowie also invited Placebo to play his 50th birthday party at Madison Swuare Garden and he dueted with them at the BRIT Awards. Molko appeared in Todd Haynes' Velvet Goldmine as the lead singer of The Flaming Creatures. Every two or three years since 1996 Placebo has released a new album, all of which have peaked in the top 10 in the UK and the past four of which have reached #1 in France. Molko sings, writes their songs, plays lead guitar, says he has done every known drug on earth, came out as bi, lived with a woman, had a son named Cody, and separated. Five years ago he told an interviewer he regretted coming out and wished he had been more "quiet" like Michael Stripe and Morrissey:
"I was open about my sexuality because I was filled with a great deal of musical bravado when Placebo started. Coming out of the closet seemed to be important to me in terms of making a stand. Unfortunately, we became this faggy band in dresses in the eyes of the media. People started to talk about that and not the music as a by-product."
Next month the band headlines a concert at Sundance. They will be back in the studio, recording a full-length release for 2012.
Comments