Placebo frontman Brian Molko has revealed why the band decided to completely re-record their 1996 debut album, saying the original release always felt “incomplete” to him.
Speaking to John Kennedy on Radio X‘s X-Posure, Molko discussed the creative motivation behind Placebo: RE, a new version of the band’s self-titled debut that revisits the songs with nearly three decades of additional experience behind them.
Brian Molko says Placebo’s debut album felt unfinished
According to Molko, the idea emerged after reading comments from fellow musician Tricky about his own relationship with his debut record.
“That really resonated for me, you know, because I realised that I had a similar relationship with the first record of Placebo’s, which a lot of people also considered to be the classic album.”
Reflecting on the band’s early recording sessions, Molko admitted they lacked the studio experience needed to fully realise their vision at the time.
“We didn’t really know how to use it as an instrument, the studio.”
Reimagining a classic album with 30 years of experience
Rather than simply remastering the original recordings, Placebo chose to completely re-record the album using the knowledge and perspective gained from decades of touring and recording.
“I wanted to take the 30 years of experience of playing these songs live and the 30 years of experience that I have recording, you know, and our sound has become a lot more textured and layered, and kind of bring that back into the first album – drag it into the 20-first century sonically, whilst retaining the integrity of the record.”
Molko explained that the project came together much faster than expected.
“We put four to six weeks aside to do the project, and it was such a joyful experience. And we were in such a flow state, that we finished it in 13 days.”
London’s influence on Placebo’s early years
During the interview, Molko also reflected on the impact London had on Placebo’s formation and sound during the 1990s.
The singer praised the city’s cultural diversity and vibrant music scene, describing it as a crucial influence on the band’s identity.
“We would have been a completely different band if we hadn’t have got together in London.”
Molko reflects on leaving the UK after Brexit
Molko also spoke about his decision to leave the UK, revealing that political changes played a significant role.
“And yeah, it breaks my heart that I felt that I had to leave, you know, because of Brexit.”
The comments offer a rare personal insight into the musician’s relationship with both Placebo’s history and the city that helped shape the band’s early career.
Placebo revisit a landmark release
Originally released in 1996, Placebo introduced audiences to Placebo’s distinctive blend of alternative rock, glam influences and androgynous aesthetics.
The album featured tracks including Nancy Boy, 36 Degrees and Teenage Angst, helping establish Placebo as one of the defining alternative rock acts of the late 1990s.
