Placebo's Brian Molko: “David Bowie taught me how to be a better person”

Virgin Radio

15 Mar 2022, 17:20

Placebo frontman Brian Molko credits the iconic David Bowie for improving his life.

The band are back with new music after a few years away, and a tour later on this year.

Molko told NME: “This may sound like a grandiose statement, but it’s true. David taught me how to be a better person, but it took his passing for me to really reflect on it.

"When it was happening, I was far too arrogant and far too drunk to notice the real impact of what was going on," he admits.

A huge fan of the artist, Molko continued: “The thing with David was that he treated everyone who he came into contact with with the same dignity, kindness and humanity – it didn’t matter what your status was.

He continued: "You could be the waiter or Johnny Cash. You’d get the same amount of respect. That’s really David’s legacy for me.”

Bandmate Stefan Oldsal also took advice from Bowie, as he told him to sing much more on the record.

Talking about the time they spent together in the '90s, Oldsal says: "We were young and probably felt like we deserved to be with him. But for me, his personality outshines the music.”

With a new album on the way, what's next for Placebo after such an impressive career so far?

“As long as we don’t become a heritage act, I don’t really know how to do anything else,” says Molko. “It’s what I’ve been doing since I was 20.”

They're celebrating their 28th year as a band, and 'Never Let Me Go’ is their first album in nearly a decade.

The band have gone in a different direction than before, and said they wanted to keep their curiosity alive: "Consider this fact – [1998 mega hit] ‘Pure Morning’ was originally meant to be a B-side. As soon as the record company heard it they wanted to put it out, and we were quite shocked.

"I think we just wanted to keep as much of an open mind as possible and try not to allow ourselves to be burdened by whatever our perceived identity appears to be to others.”

'Never Let Me Go' is out March 25.

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