It�s not hard to tell that Placebo are quickly becoming one of the most popular bands in Britain. Placebo have been in the music industry for ten years now. Placebo are already a very popular band in some countries around the world. Countries including France where they have a huge fan base, Germany, Belgium and across Europe. Placebo are also HUGE in South America. But now returning with their stunning fifth studio album �Meds� Placebo are taking the UK by storm.
So this month we�re going to take a look back over Placebo�s career to see the hi�s and lows of one of the most successful rock acts of our time.
Placebo Released 1996
In 1996 Placebo hit the music industry with a big bang. They arrived at the death of the brit-pop era so the music industry was looking for something new and fresh and they found Placebo. Placebo�s self title debut instantly got them recognised and for Brian, Stefan & Robert it was a new beginning.
Placebo�s debut album had a very distinctive sound, Brian�s nasal voice which sounded great and matched the songs. Back then Placebo had a more indie sound to their music.
Still a new band on the scene Placebo we�re already getting some good festival slots and support slots. By 1997 they were better known and were invited to Play at David Bowies 50th birthday party in New York�s glamorous Madison square gardens. They then went on to support Bowie on his tour. By the end of 1997 Placebo were getting more attention from both the media and music fans.
During this time Placebo�s image was different to what it is today. Brian often wore dresses and plenty of make-up, he was often mistaken for a girl. Stefan had his own style and would frequently be seen in cropped belly tops.
Singles:
36 Degrees, Teenage Angst, Nancy Boy, Bruise Pristine.
Standout moments:
Playing at David bowies 50th birthday, Glastonbury 1997, velvet goldmine.
Without You I�m Nothing Released 1998
In 1998 Placebo returned to the charts with their second album �Without You I�m Nothing� Having already established their name in the music industry Placebo�s second album proved to be quite a hit. They returned with a new drummer Steve Hewitt replaced previous drummer Robert Schultzberg in 1997. Already Placebo we�re sounding stronger.
With this album Placebo grew even more popular. They sounded more mature and had a fantastic new album. In October 1998 Placebo performed live at the Brixton Academy in London. This gig in particular stands out in most Placebo fans minds as it was a gig to be remembered. Brian went onstage wearing a black & white dress. It was also during this gig that they filmed their video for �Every You, Every Me� which was the theme song to the 99 hit movie �Cruel Intentions�
By 1999 Placebo were once again touring worldwide and appeared live onstage at the 99 Brit awards.
Singles:
Pure Morning, You don�t care about us, Every You, Every Me, Without You I�m Nothing.
Standout moments:
Brixton Academy Oct 98, Brit awards 99. US tour.
Black Market Music Released 2000
A new millennium and a new & improved Placebo hit the charts once again with their scorching �Black Market Music� This was Placebo�s first pure rock album, with this record they received more interest from the media and attracted a whole new fan base. Black market music is one of Placebo�s most successful records. Black Market Music was crammed of solid rock tracks but had a surprise for the Placebo fans. �Spite & Malice� a duet with nine inch punch front man Justin Warfield. The song was a good mix of both rock & rap.
Placebo toured extensively with Black Market Music and with this record they managed to break America. The BMM tour was certainly an eventful one. They played in far away lands such as USA & Japan. One standout point from this tour was a short festival appearance called �San Remo� on this day Placebo weren�t in the best of moods and at the end of special K Brian wrecked the stage. A moment which has been remembered in Placebo history. Placebo ended their BMM tour by playing two dates at London�s Brixton Academy. After this they had their first break in over 4 years.
Singles:
Taste In Men, Slave To The Wage, Special K, Black-eyed.
Standout moments:
Reading festival 2000 Spite & Malice, San Remo 2001, Brixton Academy 2001
Sleeping With Ghosts Released 2003
After a long break Placebo returned to the studio in June 2002 to begin work on their 4th studio album �Sleeping With Ghosts� They returned in March 2003 with their explosive new single �The Bitter End� this entered the UK charts at no.11. To accompany the release of The Bitter End Placebo did some warm up shows in the UK & Europe. After these warm up shows they begun their UK tour. Sleeping With Ghosts had a different sound to Placebo�s previous albums. This album had some more electronic sounds to it. The album was very well received all over the world.
Placebo had a new mature image with their return and the music itself had matured.
Sleeping With Ghosts was Placebo�s most emotional album to date. The album carried an important message �Soulmates Never Die�
Singles: The Bitter End, This Picture, Special Needs, English Summer Rain, Prot�g� Moi.
Standout Moments: Brighton Concorde II, Rock AM ring, Bercy Oct 2003.
Once More With Feeling singles 1994-2004 Released 2004
In late 2004 Placebo celebrated being on the music scene for 10 years. After a decade of Placebo the band realised that they had quite an impressive back-catalogue of music. They released a singles collection album which included all of Placebo�s single and 2 new tracks. �Twenty Years� & �I do� Twenty years was released as a single and a month later Placebo played at London�s Wembley Arena. A show which proved just how popular Placebo had become in the UK. They played mostly the singles but the gig itself was one of the best Placebo have ever played the show had a special surprise for Placebo fans, The Cure front man Robert Smith joined Placebo for 2 tracks. After this they took a long break before touring South America in April 2005.
Singles: Entire collection of Placebo�s singles and �Twenty Years�
Standout Moments: Wembley Arena London November 5th 2004
Meds Released March 2006
Placebo are back!!! With their long anticipated fifth album. Meds goes back to Placebo�s roots as it sounds more like their debut album. Meds is Placebo�s best material to date and an album which will be received well worldwide. Meds is already looking set to be Placebo�s most successful album to date.
Singles: Because I Want You.
