It was sort of funny because they were a band I got into as a kid cause my dad is a big fan, so I had no idea that any of their lyrics or aesthetics had anything to do with queerness at all. They were one of the first bands I liked and I just assumed that was what yer meat and potatoes rock and roll lads sounded and looked like
I’d probably chalk the first three albums as classics, but that’s me being super subjective tbf
I’ll say it again, the guitar tones
The guitar toooonnneeesss
Yeah their sound quality edged on industrial because its all super compressed and there’s no room in the distortion at all, sounds all cold and metallic and COOL.
The likes of NME really sneered at them and always with an uncomfortable whiff of homophobia.
Regardless of what you think of the band this is just a fucking raging, amazing pop song.
Yeah remember hearing them in the car and going “who is this!?!” for the first time. Probably about seven years old, it just RESONATED
i’ve always thought it is a smart move when bands capture the semi-goth market, much more loyal fanbase than fickle indie kids, will play decent sized venues forever
Had the Bruise Pristine 7 inch on Fierce Panda, was a total fanboy early doors. I loved the first 3 albums, saw them countless times, always tight as fook for a 3 piece.
The version of Without You I’m Nothing with Bowie on does odd things to my insides.
I really like those first three albums (and some singles after). Been listening to them a bit this year actually and they’re still great. Even better live than on record had a heavier edge to them.
As others have said that queerness and singing about bisexuality and gender fluidity on a top 10 song getting daytime radio play and on top of the pops in the mid 90s is pretty cool counter point of the laddishness of some britpop bands.
Might listen to placebo tonight
Me too, forgot how many bangers for the ages they have.
So it looks like Paul Campion co-wrote a bunch of their early songs. Is he that chap from AC Acoustics? Honestly never realised, despite (a) being a big AC Acoustics fan and (b) the fact that AC Acoustics used to support them, and yer fella Brian used to cut about in a Stunt Girl tee-shirt…
that is interesting not heard that before, weird looking on all music he isn’t credit on the debut album but is on the compilation
did a lot
The first 2 albums were pretty good.
One of my main memories of them is the arguments that raged for weeks on end in the nme letters page about whether or not Brian Molko was going bald
Fucking love their tuning. Without you I’m nothing is ace, ask for answers is bloody brilliant
Love them. Will 5 the 5 out of their HGATR, have an essay and a half specially for it.
Even something like brick shithouse has got this ache running through it. Really graceful record for the most part.
when I think of placebo I think of helium vocals and sparks flying off of guitars, but there is another side to them on that album, really intimate and elegant, the brushed drums and hushed guitar tones
Great band. Bought that deluxe box set for £25 at the weekend so looking forward to getting that from the postie.
Gave Brian a thumbs up in Topshop on Tottenham Court Road circa 2005.
