Brian Molko
Brian Molko, lead vocalist and guitarist of Placebo
Background information
Birth name	Brian Molko
Born	Brussels, December 10, 1972 (1972-12-10) (age 34)
Genre(s)	Rock Alternative rock
Instrument(s)	Vocals, Guitar
Years active	1994 - present
Label(s)	EMI, Virgin Records (current), Hut Records, Caroline Records
Associated acts	Placebo
Website	www.placeboworld.co.uk/

Brian Molko (born December 10, 1972, in Belgium) is a songwriter, lead vocalist and guitarist of the band Placebo. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... For other places with the same name, see Brussels (disambiguation). ... is the 344th day of the year (345th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Rock music (disambiguation). ... Alternative music redirects here. ... A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified with the purpose of making music. ... In music a singer or vocalist is a type of musician who sings, i. ... For other uses, see Guitar (disambiguation). ... In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. ... For other uses, see EMI (disambiguation). ... Virgin Records was a British recording label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, and Nik Powell in 1972. ... Hut Records was started in 1990 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Virgin Records. ... There existed at least two record labels named Caroline Records, one in the UK and one in the US. // Caroline Records (UK) Caroline Records was a subsidiary of Richard Bransons Virgin Records label during the early to mid 1970s. ... Placebo are an alternative rock band currently consisting of Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal. ... is the 344th day of the year (345th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition or melody to songs, or both. ... In music a singer or vocalist is a type of musician who sings, i. ... For the UK magazine, see Guitarist (magazine). ... Placebo are an alternative rock band currently consisting of Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal. ...

Career

Born to a American international banker father and a Scottish mother, Brian Molko's family moved frequently during his childhood, including spells in Scotland, Liberia, Lebanon and Luxembourg. Molko has referred to his mother's home town of Dundee, Scotland as "where I grew up" (at around age 13), ^[1]but attended high school in Luxembourg. He attended Goldsmiths College in London, where he studied drama. He describes his childhood as a period when he felt very lonely and alienated. He started to wear make-up at the age of 11. He was an actor in a school drama theater. This article is about the Scottish as an ethnic group. ... This article is about the country. ... For other uses, see Dundee (disambiguation). ... Goldsmiths College (founded in 1891 by the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths as Goldsmiths Technical and Recreative Institute) has been a part of the federal University of London since 1904, when it took its current name. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... For other uses, see Drama (disambiguation). ...

While Molko was brought up in a strict household that disapproved of artistic expression (his father wanted him to become a banker) he rebelled by affecting an androgynous image, wearing nail polish, lipstick and eyeliner, and listening to punk. In his late teens, he came out as bisexual. If referring to a flower, see disambiguation under bisexual Androgyny is the state of indeterminate gender, or characteristics of gender. ... Pink nail polish. ... Lipstick is a cosmetic product containing pigments, oils, waxes, and emollients that applies color and texture to the lips. ... Cosmetics or makeup are substances to enhance the beauty of the human body, apart from simple cleaning. ... Punk rock is an anti-establishment music movement beginning around 1976 (although precursors can be found several years earlier), exemplified and popularised by The Ramones, the Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Damned. ... For other uses, see Coming out (disambiguation). ... In human sexuality, bisexuality describes a man or woman having a sexual orientation to persons of either or both sexes (a man or woman who sexually likes both sexes; people who are sexually and/or romantically attracted to both males and females). ...

Molko and Stefan Olsdal both attended the International School of Luxembourg in Luxembourg, but they were never friends. When Molko moved to London to study drama at Goldsmiths College, where he graduated with a degree, he met Olsdal at South Kensington Tube Station. Molko invited Olsdal to one of his gigs in a club, which he played with Steve Hewitt. Olsdal was impressed with Molko's voice, and together they formed Ashtray Heart; eventually they changed the name to Placebo. Together with drummer Robert Schultzberg (a friend of Olsdal's from Sweden) performed together in 1996. Schultzberg did not fit in the band, however, and was soon replaced with Steve Hewitt, who played on Placebo's demo tracks. Stefan Olsdal (born Stefan Alexander Bo Olsdal) is the bass guitar player of the band Placebo and is part of the musical act Hotel Persona. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Goldsmiths College (founded in 1891 by the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths as Goldsmiths Technical and Recreative Institute) has been a part of the federal University of London since 1904, when it took its current name. ... Steve Hewitt (born 22 March 1971) was the drummer for the band Placebo between Mid-1996 and October 1st 2007. ... Robert Schultzberg was the original drummer for rock band Placebo. ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ...

Molko's musical influences include Depeche Mode, David Bowie, The Smiths, Iggy Pop, Dead Kennedys, Serge Gainsbourg, Syd Barrett, Bad Religion, Sonic Youth, PJ Harvey, Nick Drake, Joy Division, The Cure and The Pixies. Molko taught himself to play guitar. At the age of 16 he got a Telecaster replica as a present from his parents. Soon after, he bought a real telecaster. He plays other instruments such as bass, harmonica, keyboard, saxophone, drums and turntables. Occasionally, Molko works as a disc jockey at clubs. Nowadays Molko listens to electro-clash artist Peaches, his old favourite, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and many others. Depeche Mode (pronounced ) are an electronic music group that formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex, England. ... David Bowie (IPA: []) (born David Robert Jones on 1947 January 8) is an English singer, songwriter, actor, multi-instrumentalist, producer, arranger and audio engineer. ... The Smiths were an English rock band active from 1982 to 1987. ... James Newell Osterberg, Jr. ... The Dead Kennedys (often known by their initials DK, as in decay) are a punk band from San Francisco, California. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Roger Keith Syd Barrett (6 January 1946 – 7 July 2006) was an English singer, songwriter, guitarist, and artist. ... Bad Religion is a seminal American punk rock band, formed in Southern California in 1980 by Jay Bentley (bass), Greg Graffin (vocals), Brett Gurewitz (guitars) and Jay Ziskrout (drums). ... Sonic Youth is a seminal American alternative rock group formed in New York City in 1981. ... Polly Jean Harvey (born 9 October 1969) is an English musician and songwriter. ... Nicholas Rodney Drake (June 19, 1948 – November 25, 1974) was an English singer-songwriter and musician best known for his acoustic, autumnal songs. ... This article is about the band. ... This article is about the rock band. ... This article is about the band named Pixies. ... For other uses, see Guitar (disambiguation). ... 1950s-style Telecaster with natural finish, with metal bridge cover removed. ... A sunburst-colored Precision Bass The electric bass guitar (or electric bass) is a bass stringed instrument played with the fingers (either by plucking, slapping, popping, or tapping) or using a pick. ... A harmonica is a free reed wind instrument. ... Piano, a well-known instance of keyboard instruments A keyboard instrument is any musical instrument played using a musical keyboard. ... The saxophone (colloquially referred to as sax) is a conical-bored instrument of the woodwind family. ... For other kinds of drums, see drum (disambiguation). ... Tonearm redirects here. ... For other meanings of DJ, see DJ (disambiguation). ... Merrill Beth Nisker (b. ...

Along with Hewitt and Olsdal, he had a small role in the 1998 film Velvet Goldmine, for which Placebo performed the T. Rex song "20th Century Boy." He played Malcolm, a singer of the fictional glam rock band, "The Flaming Creatures," who resembled the early Alice Cooper band. Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Velvet Goldmine is a 1998 film directed and co-written by Todd Haynes. ... T. Rex (originally known as Tyrannosaurus Rex, also occasionally spelled T Rex or T-Rex), were an English rock band fronted by Marc Bolan. ... Glam rock (also known as glitter rock), is a style of rock and pop music, which initially surfaced in the post-hippie early 1970s. ... Alice Cooper (born February 4, 1948) is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans four decades. ...

In 2005, Molko's long-term partner, Helena Berg, gave birth to his first child, Cody. He said he named the child after his long-time friend who died in a car accident.He currently lives in London but frequently travels to Paris.

In the same year he was voted as 39th of the 50 sexiest rock stars by Kerrang! magazine readers. This is a list of rock and roll performers. ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

He has performed as a guest vocalist on tracks by Timo Maas - 'Pictures', 'Like Siamese', 'First Day', Alpinestars - 'Carbon Kid', Trash Palace - 'The Metric System', 'Je t'aime, moi non plus' (duet with Asia Argento), the AC Acoustics - 'Crush', Kristeen Young - 'No Other God', Dream City Film Club - 'Some' and with Jane Birkin - 'Smile'. He also wrote the English lyrics to 'Pink water' version 3, a song by Indochine from the album that is due to be released at the end of 2006. Molko is friends with David Bowie, with whom he sang Placebo's "Without You I'm Nothing"^[2] and the cover "20th Century Boy" live. Timo Maas (born in Hanover, Germany) is a very well-renowned electronic music DJ/producer and remixer. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Kristeen Young is an American rock and roll singer, songwriter and keyboardist from St. ... Dream City Film Club were a North London rock band founded in July 1995. ... Jane Mallory Birkin OBE (born 14 December 1946) is an actress and singer. ... Indochine is a French rock band, formed in 1981. ... David Bowie (IPA: []) (born David Robert Jones on 1947 January 8) is an English singer, songwriter, actor, multi-instrumentalist, producer, arranger and audio engineer. ... Without You Im Nothing was a single by British alternative rock band Placebo. ...

Equipment

Molko uses a variety of guitars. In the Sleeping With Ghosts era, he used Gibson SGs (The Bitter End, Every Me Every You, Plasticine, Black Eyed, Without You I'm Nothing, Special K, Bulletproof Cupid, Soulmates, Special Needs, This Picture), Fender Jaguars (Allergic, Pure Morning, Nancy Boy, Bionic, Centrefolds, Where Is My Mind), a Fender Thinline Telecaster (Taste In Men) and a Fender Bass VI (Slave To The Wage). For amplification he used a Fender Twin Reverb.

Through the Meds Tour, he used Gretsch Duo Jets (Infra-Red, Because I Want You, Song To Say Goodbye, One Of A Kind, The Bitter End, Running Up That Hill, Special K), Gibson SGs (Special Needs, Every You Every Me, Black Eyed), a Fender Jaguar (Drag, Nancy Boy), a Fender Thinline Telecaster (Twenty Years) and a Gibson Chet Atkins SST (Meds). Once again his amplifier was a Fender Twin Reverb.

During a 2003 interview with Graham Norton, Molko revealed that he collects guitars and gives them all names - amongst them are his favourite 'Bitch', and a pink guitar (which he claims is gay) called 'Bertie'.

Filmography

• (1998) Velvet Goldmine as Malcolm of the Flaming Creatures
• (2001) Sue's Last Ride (Executive Producer)

Velvet Goldmine is a 1998 film directed and co-written by Todd Haynes. ...

Appearances

• Never Mind the Buzzcocks
  • Episode #2.06 (1997)
  • Episode #8.01 (2001)
  • Episode #9.06 (2001)
• BRIT Awards (1999)
• Late Night with Conan O'Brien
  • Episode dated March 27, 1999
• rage
  • Placebo Guest Program rage (1999)
• Paskvil
  • Episode #5.11 (2001)
• The Kerrang! Awards (2002)
• Rive droite - rive gauche
  • Episode dated March 21, 2003
• V Graham Norton
  • Episode #4.21 (2003)
• Tout le monde en parle
  • Episode dated May 3, 2003
  • Episode dated February 14, 2004
• Double je
  • Episode dated June 26, 2003
• Placebo: Soulmates Never Die - Live in Paris 2003
• Le grand journal de Canal+
  • Episode dated September 13, 2004
  • Episode dated October 13, 2004
• Placebo: Androgyny (2005)
• Live 8 (2005)
• 4Music (2006)
• Rock am Ring (2006)
• Rock im Park (2006)
• Isle of Wight Festival (2006)
• Greenfield Festival (2006)
• The Friday Night Project (2006)
• Soccer A.M. (2006)
• Nova Rock Festival (June 15, 2006)
• Roskilde Festival (July 2, 2006)
• Open'er Festival (July 6, 2006)
• T in the Park (July 8, 2006)
• Oxegen (July 9, 2006)
• Vieilles Charrues Festival (July 21, 2006)
• Festival Internacional de Benicàssim (July 23, 2006)
• Rock-A-Field (July 25, 2006)
• Leeds Festival (August 25, 2006)
• Rock'n Coke (September 3, 2006)

Never Mind the Buzzcocks is a comedy panel game show with a pop and rock music theme, presented by Simon Amstell and produced by talkbackTHAMES for the BBC. It is usually aired on BBC Two. ... The Brit Awards are the annual United Kingdom pop music awards founded by the British Phonographic Industry. ... Late Night with Conan OBrien is an Emmy Award-winning American late night talk show that is syndicated worldwide. ... Rage is an all-night Australian music video program that is broadcast on ABC TV on Friday and Saturday nights. ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... V Graham Norton was a ground-breaking entertainment programme shown on Channel 4 in the UK starring Graham Norton. ... Tout le monde en parle is the name of a talk show in both France and Québec. ... Soulmates Never Die (Live in Paris 2003) is the band Placebos first live DVD release that was released mainstream and was made available worldwide. ... Official Live8 DVD, released in November 2005 Live 8 was a series of concurrent benefit concerts that took place on 2 July 2005, in the G8 states and in South Africa. ... Rock am Ring (Rock at the Ring) is a rock music festival held annually in Germany at the Nürburgring racetrack. ... For more information on the ongoing festival, see Isle of Wight Festival 2007. ... The Friday Night Project is a British comedy-variety show by Princess Productions that first aired in the United Kingdom on Channel 4 in February 2005. ... The Nova Rock Festival, also just Nova Rock, is a music festival that took place for the first time from Thursday, the 9th, till Sunday, the 12th of June 2005. ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... The Opener Festival, commonly called Heineken Opener Festival in the name of its main sponsor, is a contemporary music festival held in Gdynia, Poland. ... T in the Park is a major Scottish music festival, held annually since 1994. ... Oxegen is an annual music festival, the first of which occurred in 2004, sponsored by Heineken. ... The Vieilles Charrues Festival (Literally : Old Ploughs Festival) is held every year in mid-July in the city of Carhaix located in the west of Brittany. ... The FIB or Festival Internacional de Benicàssim (Benicàssim International Festival) is a famous music festival held in Benicassim (Spain). ... The Reading and Leeds Festivals, officially called the Carling Weekend, are a pair of annual music festivals that take place in Reading and Leeds in England. ... The Rockn Coke logo. ...

References

1. ^ NME Interview with Placebo. NME/PlaceboWorld. Retrieved on 2006-07-17.
2. ^ Placebo with David Bowie Chat Transcript - 29/3/99. BowieWonderworld.com/SonicNet/Yahoo!. Retrieved on 2006-10-14.

For other uses, see NME (disambiguation). ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 198th day of the year (199th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 287th day of the year (288th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

Brian Molko

• Placebo's official site