Molkorific

Rather a nice review...

2006-12-07T01:19:00.000-08:00

Xpress Mag welcomes the 10th anniversary re-release of Placebo:

The real treat arrives in the form of a DVD compiling Placebo related videos including clips old and new. Early footage from Britain’s frothy morning show The Big Breakfast proves a fascinating insight into the band’s initial awkward placement in the music scene.

Lyrics referencing drugs and sexuality slip by unnoticed as an incongruous looking Placebo perform Teenage Angst surrounded by dancing puppets, brightly coloured backdrops and bubbly TV presenters who at one point mistakenly announce them as ‘Menswear’.

Tour announcement

2006-07-26T05:34:00.000-07:00

Placebo are limbering themselves up in order to play the hugest UK gigs of their glitter-strewn lives:

Wednesday 6th December SECC Glasgow
Thursday 7th December Nottingham Arena Nottingham
Saturday 9th December Wembley Arena London
Sunday 10th December Evening News Arena Manchester

Yes, yes, they've done Wembley before, but this is the first time they've attempted to fill stadia outside of the capital. Blimey.

TOUR DATES 2006

2006-01-31T05:14:00.000-08:00

Hold everything, Placebo are plotting a tour for April:

Blackpool Empress Ballroom (April 5)
Glasgow Academy (6)
Newcastle Academy (8)
Birmingham Academy (9)
London Alexandra Palace (11)

This is all in aid of the new album, Meds (already available for preorder), of course.

music placebo

AMAZON NOW TAKING ORDERS ON MEDS

2006-01-31T02:12:00.000-08:00

Amazon are already inviting people to put in their pre-release orders for Meds, although it'll be a month or so before you get it.

NEW ALBUM: Report

2006-01-31T02:08:00.000-08:00

Spotted on Aversion.com:

During the recording process, the act made a conscious effort to move away from studio tricks and using dynamics as a crutch to focus on solid songwriting.

“We allowed space for the songwriting to shine through rather than show up how clever we were and how good we’ve gotten at using the studio,” said front man Brian Molko in a statement. “We were going for simplicity rather than elaboration.”

[More on the Aversion site]

SPEND THE NIGHT WITH BRIAN MOLKO

2006-01-24T01:44:00.000-08:00

Of course, you have to be in London to take part, but Placebo are recording the video for disappointing single Because I Want You tonight at the Koko, and they want you - yes, you to be there:

Not only will you be spending the evening with Brian Molko, Steve Hewitt and Stefan Olsdal from the band, you'll actually be in their new video! Placebo are looking for enthusiastic fans over 16 years (ID may be required to enter the venue) to take part in the shooting!

If you fancy it, this is what to do:

Turn up at KOKO (1a Camden Road, London NW1 OJH) on Tuesday 24th January at 6.30pm PROMPT. Doors will close at 7.30pm!

Please note the following important points:

* By turning up at the venue (inside or outside) you are consenting to be filmed and agreeing to the use of your image in the video.

* There are limited numbers so turning up does not guarantee entry (if we are over-subscribed). Admittance will be on a first come first served basis. (PLEASE TAKE THIS INTO ACCOUNT IF TRAVELLING FROM AFAR)

* We reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone.

* No video cameras, cameras etc.

* Please be prompt! Doors will close at 7.30pm. Filming will continue until approximately 10pm.

* You never know, Placebo may perform a couple of extra tracks for you…

No video cameras? Boy, that's going to piss the crew off. And what, exactly, do they mean by "etc" - presumably they don't expect people to leave their phones at home, do they? Or will sketchbooks be taken off people as they turn up?

IT'S PLACEBO, BUT IT'S NOT PLACEBO

2006-01-12T01:52:00.000-08:00

I don't actually dislike the new Placebo single - available for ear-listening at TORR.org - but it does disappoint slightly.

You want to be grabbed by a Placebo track, possibly by one of the more sensitive body parts; swung about and then dumped, panting and a little moist, three minutes later on the floor. This is more a fumbled kiss.

Placebo should ram your face into their crotches, and fill your senses with salty, sexy air. This is more like they've drawn a cartoon cock on your maths textbook.
music placebo

BRIAN OR NEIL YOUNG?

2005-11-15T09:22:00.000-08:00

From a Gigwise interview with The Dash:

The show is all-important and the bands attitude means they produce something new every time they play. “Our set’s varied but it’s always loud and energetic. We try and mix it up so that no two shows are the same,” says Tom. “You’re trying to get The Dashpeople’s attention,” explains Marc. “Someone, maybe Neil Young, said that the main thing is to get a reaction. Whether it’s 10’000 people cheering you or 10’000 people throwing bottles at you and booing. If you’ve actually stirred something in them that will help them remember that gig then you’ve succeeded.”

“I think it was Brian Molko actually…who said that,” offers Ben. The Dash are certainly getting peoples attention and their fan base is growing by the day.

THAT ANDROGYNY DVD IN... WELL, PART

2005-07-15T02:41:00.000-07:00

This would be the blurb from the packaging, then:

Placebo are inarguably the cream of the crop when it comes to modern day Glam Rock. Following in David Bowie's footspets (sic) with their cross-dressing costumes and and powder white make-up, they have not only developed the genre intoa new millenuim phenomena, but have also played in a hit film based on the scene's 1970's origins. Theatrical shows, catchy tunes, bizarre yet poetic lyrics and androgyny' tells the tale of this strange collective. It follows their journey from a chance meeting at a London tube station, to playing festivals and arenas around the globe. It reveals what has influenced and shaped them into becoming one of the biggest cult acts in the world today, and predicts what lies ahead.

Features exclusive interviews with the band, rarely seen photographs (some from private collections), location clips and a host of other features.

In-depth and revealing commentary from those who know Placebo best, including: Simon Williams (MD of Fierce Panda Records), Tony Smith (MD of Deceptive Records), Alan Little (Studio Owner and producer of Placebo's 1st demo), Richard Smith (Gay Times and Melody Maker journalist), Ben Graham (Placebo biographer), Simon Breed (ex-band member, long term friend and lead singer in 'Breed' in which Steve Hewitt played drums), Gerald Lidstone & Robert Gordon (Brian's lecturers at Goldsmiths College), Jessica Otterwell (editor of Placebo Place' website), Johnny K (Fly music magazine journalist) and many others.

DVD special features include extensive Muse discography and digital trivia quiz.
DVD features music by rising bands and artists including 'Eric and the Bunny Boilers'.

Running Time 60 mins approx.

Buyable from Amazon now

Review: TIMO MAAS

2005-06-25T11:45:00.000-07:00

Spotted on Glasswerk.co.uk :

The little red sticker on the top left of this CD says that it features guest vocals from Brian Molko. This doesn't so much worry me, as send a cold shiver through my heart, a shooting pain up my left arm, a gagging reflex in my oesophagus and thoughts of Placebo singles polluting the darkest canyons of my psyche. Luckily, this is not a Placebo album, rather the new release from European dance-maestro Timo Maas. The album is chockablock with warped, throbbing basslines juxtaposed with computerised hi-hats and noises that sound like they were created in a some top secret lab deep in the Nevada desert. Most of the tracks have some kind of vocal on them, from well known artists to unknowns.

My personal knowledge of dance music fits somewhere in between
"comprehensive" and "intermediate", a fan but not really an expert. Even with this lack of expertise I can see that this record is hardly seminal or innovative. I can't really tell it's intentions either, it's not groovy enough to fill dancefloors and not commercial of different enough to transcend into Mainstream or Rock audiences tastes, like Daft Punk or Aphex Twin did. I can't really see it winning over the Hip-Hop collective, like DJ Shadow or Massive Attack did. There's still some cool stuff on here like the track with Kelis, and even the Molko track is one of the better ones.

TIMO MAAS

2005-06-22T00:53:00.000-07:00

Spotted on MegaStar:

Mr Maas has realised to stay buoyant in the sea of dance you've got to stick on your alternative rubber ring.

So to speak.

With that in mind, keeping Timo company on this banging bagful of big beat and techno is a very showbiz (but unlikely) bunch of vocalists, including Neneh Cherry, Brian Molko and long-time associate Kelis.

As expected, a wee nod to indie and a sly wink at R 'nB find their way onto what is essentially billed as dancefloor fodder.

But maturing in a similar manner to The Chemical Brothers, the tune is valued above the BPMs on Pictures - something that wasn't the case on his previous outing Music For The Maases.

Cop a feel of single First Day featuring Placebo's Molko and you'll have a good idea whether grown-up Timo gets you going.

TIMO MAAS

2005-06-17T00:41:00.000-07:00

Spotted in Undercover:

The new Timo Maas single will feature vocals from Placebo singer Brain Molko.

Molko will share lead on the track 'First Day' with newcomer Jo Kate. 'She's so talented and has a great vibe" says Maas.

The song will feature on Maas' second album Pictures due July 17.

Pre-order pictures

JANE BIRKIN INTERVIEW

2005-06-11T03:01:00.000-07:00

Spotted in Adult Themes:
"Arabesque is interpretations of Gainsbourg songs with an Arabic group and is fired with fresh enthusiasm. But the other album, the slightly older Rendez-Vous, is just as telling, featuring duets with artists as varied as young British singers Brian Molko of glam rockers Placebo and Beth Gibbons of Portishead, older figures such as Bryan Ferry and Brazilian star Caetano Veloso and fellow French icon Francoise Hardy.

'In songs, lyrics matter a lot, which means it's a bit like acting,' Birkin says. 'With the lyrics, we can interpret them with a certain sense of people who have been there. Because lyrics are so important, people in France love Patti Smith, and Franoise Hardy won singer of the year and her record was a great success. There are a lot of us wanting to see people who look like us.'"

Buy Rendez-Vous

SOULMATES NEVER DIE review

2005-06-10T04:12:00.000-07:00

A review of Soulmates Never Die from Digitally Obsessed:

"There aren't many bands that can cross the seemingly unfathomable chasm that separates heavy metal/goth fans from those who appreciate more "sophisticated" music, but Placebo is one that has managed to stand up to that challenge. Bursting onto the UK music scene in 1996 with such singles as Nancy Boy and Teenage Angst, they not only became a favorite of UK bad lads, but also rapidly assumed the mantle of bands such as The London Suede and Kitchens of Distinction, bands that flirted with sexual ambiguity and explored gay themes.

Placebo has outlived them all, both in spirit and inspiration, and the best evidence of their continued, well-deserved success is Soulmates Never Die. This is a fantastic video, captured live at the Bercy concert hall in Paris. Don't be put off by the seemingly-cliched intro with its freeze frames on both the band and the audience, or its slow tracking shots back over the audience. You'll soon be treated to the multiple camera setups and editing that effectively capture the boisterous personalities and enthusiasm of lead singer Brian Molko, mohawked bassist Stefan Osdal, and drummer Steve Hewitt, as well as the thousands of fans that packed the sold-out concert."

Buy Soulmates Never Die on DVD

Timo Maas

2005-06-05T05:31:00.000-07:00

Spotted in Filter's British Accents newsletter:
"*PLACEBO are working on a new album to be released at the end of this year or 2006. In the meantine, check out BRIAN MOLKO's collaborations with TIMO MAAS on his new album. "

It's A Spin-Off

2005-06-05T05:23:00.000-07:00

This Molkorific blog is a spin-off from Molkorific, the email Molko-and-Pacebo worshipping community.

Not literally worshipping, of course; it's more sexual than spiritual.

The Molkorific blog will track Brian Molko and Placebo related news stories; feature the odd photo or two; and such other things as might be reasonably requested from time to time.