Placebo vocalist Brian Molko lays into Oasis as he says he ‘doesn’t think they’re good songwriters’ and criticises ‘obsession with Britishness’

Placebo’s singer, Brian Molko, has criticized Oasis, stating he ‘doesn’t believe they are strong songwriters’.

This alternative rock band, which originated in London, gained popularity during the 1990s. They became well-known for their music and their unique style, which challenged traditional ideas about gender.

They emerged as a stark contrast to the Britpop scene of the nineties, and Scottish-American singer-guitarist Brian admitted to The i Paper that the band ‘stood out like a sore thumb’.

He didn’t hold back, even criticising the most popular Britpop artists, stating: ‘I didn’t think that Oasis were very good songwriters.

‘This obsession with Britishness just didn’t really compute with us,’ he added.

However, Brian did express his admiration for two very famous British pop singers, David Bowie and Robbie Williams.

Placebo joined David Bowie on tour in 1996, and Brian Molko said they developed a close relationship. He remembers Bowie – particularly as his Ziggy Stardust persona – as having a surprisingly gentle and kind nature, quite unlike the typical ‘rock star’ image.

Regarding Robbie, Brian explained: ‘When we first met, we were both dealing with similar challenges and quickly formed a strong bond.

‘Robbie’s a bit of a big brother to me.’ 

Last year, Robbie explained his bewilderment following the 1997 release of Placebo’s song ‘Nancy Boy,’ which challenged traditional gender roles.

The singer, who is 50 years old, revealed this information during a surprise appearance in the band’s new documentary, This Search For Meaning.

During the show, Robbie shared that the alternative band – featuring vocalist Brian Molko, 51, and bassist/guitarist Stefan Olsdal, 50 – greatly influenced him.

In a scene from the movie, the singer shared that the song’s words and meaning resonated with a personal struggle he was going through then.

He also mentioned that he admired lead singer Brian – who explored gender identity through his performances – and considered him a role model.

The singer explained: ‘With the song Nancy Boy, it really captured the feeling of being confused, and that resonated with me. ‘

‘The melodies, the voice, the lyrics, the meaning, the depth, the import.

I think we all need someone to look up to, someone to inspire us, and for me, that person is definitely Brian. He’s just always been a hero I can really relate to and aspire to be like. Brian really embodies everything I admire.

In the official trailer for the upcoming documentary, Brian poses a question to the camera: ‘What do you do when you feel like an outsider, estranged from your own family?

‘You create a surrogate family. What do you do when you feel like you don’t belong in the world?

‘You create your own world.’

Elsewhere in the clip, Brian explained he was ‘trying to challenge homophobia through confusion’.

I was always captivated by his performances. He’d confidently step onto stage in a dress and eyeliner, and it wasn’t just for shock value. He told me his goal was to really make people who harbor hateful feelings towards others – homophobes specifically – actually *question* those feelings. He wanted to create a situation where they’d be attracted to him, forcing them to confront their own biases. It was a really powerful statement, and I always admired his boldness. He wanted to use his own appeal to challenge their prejudices – to make them feel conflicted and, ultimately, reconsider their attitudes. It was brilliant, really.

The band’s second full-length documentary is an intimate and enlightening film that delves into the meaning behind their music, and also tracks their development both as a band and as individuals.

The film’s promotional material described it as fearless, truthful, and forthright, and features footage of Placebo performing alongside David Bowie and playing to enthusiastic audiences.

Celebrities like Benedict Cumberbatch shared their appreciation for the band in the film, and Placebo themselves didn’t even know he was a fan.

Read More

2025-10-02 14:35