Placebo vocalist Brian Molko has laid into Oasis and said he ‘doesn’t think they are good songwriters’.
The alternative rock band, formed in London, rose to fame in the 1990s and became known for their gender nonconforming image and musical content.
They became the defining opposite to the nineties’ Britpop wave, and Scottish-American vocalist-guitarist Brian has confessed to The i Paper that the band ‘stood out like a sore thumb’.
He went as far as to criticise the biggest Britpop stars of the time, saying: ‘I didn’t think that Oasis were very good songwriters.’
‘This obsession with Britishness just didn’t really compute with us,’ he added.
But Brian did share his appreciation for two huge British pop stars, David Bowie and Robbie Williams.
Placebo vocalist Brian Molko (seen in July 2024) has laid into Oasis and said he ‘doesn’t think they are good songwriters’
He went as far as to criticise the biggest Britpop stars of the time, saying: ‘I didn’t think that Oasis were very good songwriters’ (Oasis seen in August)
Placebo supported Bowie on tour in 1996 and Brian said the pair became close, recalling Ziggy Stardust’s ‘very un-rock starry’ kind-hearted attitude.
When it came to Robbie, Brian said: ‘When we met we were very much going through a lot of the same issues, and found a real connection.
‘Robbie’s a bit of a big brother to me.’
Last year, Robbie detailed his confusion after Placebo’s ‘gender-bending’ track Nancy Boy was released in 1997.
The singer, 50, made the confession when he made a shock appearance in the band’s new documentary This Search For Meaning.
In the show, Robbie explained that the alternative band, made up of singer Brian Molko, 51, and bassist/guitarist Stefan Olsdal, 50, had a profound impact on him.
In a clip from the film, the Angels singer explained that the lyrics and depth of the song connected to a confusion he was experiencing at the time.
He added that he looked up to lead singer Brian – who played with gender identity – and saw him as a hero.
The alternative rock band, formed in London, rose to fame in the 1990s and became known for their gender nonconforming image and musical content
Placebo supported David Bowie on tour in 1996 and Brian said the pair became close, recalling Ziggy Stardust’s ‘very un-rock starry’ kind-hearted attitude (Pictured together)
The singer said: ‘When Nancy Boy happened, it was the nature of that song embraced the confusion for me.
‘The melodies, the voice, the lyrics, the meaning, the depth, the import.
‘You know we all need heroes to relate to and to aspire to and for many and for me that comes in the form of Brian.’
In the official trailer for the new documentary, Brian asks the camera: ‘What do you do when you feel like an outsider out of 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’.
He would wear a dress and eyeliner on stage and his intention was to make homophobes question their attitudes because they would want to sleep with him.
The band’s second feature-length documentary was described as an ‘intimate and enlightening film’ that explores the band’s songs, while ‘charting their evolution as a group and as human beings’.
Their official blurb billed the film as ‘fearless, truthful and forthright’ and includes clips of Placebo performing with David Bowie and appearing in front of adoring crowds.
Stars such as Benedict Cumberbatch talked about their love of the band in the film – with Placebo unaware he was even a fan.
