Placebo are a British alternative rock band, formed in London in 1994 by vocalist–guitarist Brian Molko and bassist–guitarist Stefan Olsdal, and in late 1994 Robert Schultzberg joined as drummer.

The band stood out amongst the Britpop scene they were associated with at the time for their androgynous appearance and musical content,[4] as well as Molko's distinctive voice and lyrics which openly discussed sexuality, mental health, and drug use.

[6] Placebo founders Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal had both attended the American International School of Luxembourg, although they did not interact at the time as they were part of different social circles.

[21] When reviewing a concert, the New York Times compared them to bands of the "first wave of post-punk rock, particularly New Order, the Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, early U2 and Talking Heads".

In 1998, Placebo recorded a cover of T. Rex's "20th Century Boy" for the Velvet Goldmine soundtrack and the band appeared in minor roles in the film.

[32] In a 2016 interview related to their early years, Molko commented: We were reacting very strongly against the machismo, terrace chants and revisionism of Britpop, and the nationalism that we interpreted as xenophobia of the musical kind.

[36] The song appeared on the soundtrack for the film Cruel Intentions,[39] which was inspired by the novel Les Liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos.

[19] The band's third album, Black Market Music, released in October 2000,[33] and produced by Paul Corkett,[41] further experimented with genres outside of regular rock sound.

[19] Placebo encountered resistance from the British music industry upon release of the single "Special K" due to its reference of a ketamine high as a simile for love.

[36] The compilation was meant to allow the listener to observe Placebo's change of lyrics, music and attitude; Molko was highly critical of his early years, comparing in a 2005 interview the first singles with "bad teenage poetry you made at college".

[33] The album was also released in a limited edition, containing a documentary, the lyrics, live videos, three demo versions and the song "Long Division".

[33] The version released in the US had two bonus tracks, "Running Up That Hill" and "UNEEDMEMORETHANINEEDU", but did not include "In the Cold Light of Morning" at Molko's demand, who refused to have the song censored.

In October their debut album Placebo was digitally remastered and re-released on 25 September 2006 with the subtitle 10th Anniversary Collectors Edition;[33] the box set also included a DVD containing music videos, concerts and TV performances.

In 2007 Placebo joined Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance, Taking Back Sunday and various other acts for the annual Projekt: Revolution tour.

[62] Following the tour, Virgin released the Extended Play '07 EP as a simple introduction for new fans to the band's past decade of music.

[63] The compilation featured eight songs: "Nancy Boy", "Every You Every Me", "Taste in Men", "The Bitter End", "Meds", "Pure Morning", "Infra-Red" and "Running Up that Hill".

[69] Placebo gave one live performance in 2008, as part of an MTV EXIT event, a campaign against human trafficking held in Angkor Wat in December.

[75] The album, Battle for the Sun, was the first to feature new drummer Steve Forrest, and was recorded with producer David Bottrill,[76] also known for his work with Tool, Muse, Peter Gabriel and Silverchair.

[89] On 27 September 2010, Placebo released Battle for the Sun Redux Edition,[90] which included the single version of "Bright Lights" and a bonus disc featuring several re-recorded old tracks and the new songs "Monster Truck" and "Trigger Happy Hands".

[99] In January 2012 the band confirmed their participation at the Rock im Pott festival scheduled for 25 August 2012 at Arena AufSchalke, Germany, along with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

[102] In June and July 2012, Placebo also played exclusive concerts in Madrid, Paris, Rome, Zurich and Hamburg for the launch of the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

[118] During the Morocco concert, bassist Stefan Olsdal, who is openly gay, appeared shirtless, having the number 489 crossed out on his torso, as a protest against Article 489 of the Moroccan Criminal Code, which punishes same-sex relationships with imprisonment.

Molko stated that the setlist would include songs that he had sworn never to play again, adding: "This tour is very much for the fans and a chance for us to revisit a lot of our early material.

[126] On 4 August 2016, Placebo announced the release of a compilation album, A Place for Us to Dream and of an EP, Life's What You Make It, collecting previously unreleased material.

[133][non-primary source needed] In January 2020, Placebo announced a new tour, including festival shows during June–July 2020 in Greece, Spain, Belgium, Ukraine and Russia.

In March 2020, Olsdal announced that he and Molko had to put finishing their eighth studio album on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and London being on lockdown, via a post on his official Instagram.

[134][non-primary source needed] On 15 September 2020, Dave McLean, one of Placebo's managers at RIVERMAN, tweeted their eighth studio album would be released in early 2021.

[147][159][160][161] Placebo's influences include David Bowie,[12] Can,[162] Iggy Pop and the Stooges,[162] Sonic Youth,[162] the Cure, Pixies, Nirvana,[28] the Smiths,[163] PJ Harvey,[164] Depeche Mode[165] and Nine Inch Nails.

Molko admitted in 2003 that many of his initial excesses were due to his mental issues; he was officially diagnosed with major depressive disorder in his late twenties.

[173] Prior to introducing Staind as a part of K-Rock’s Dysfunctional Family Picnic in Holmdel, New Jersey in 1999, Durst once again encouraged the crowd to chant "Fuck Placebo".