Placebo

Placebo are a British alternative rock band formed in London in 1994 by vocalist and guitarist Brian Molko and bassist Stefan Olsdal, who had known each other as children in Luxembourg. Their sound built on Molko's androgynous vocal delivery, distorted guitars, and themes of sexuality, addiction, outsider identity, and psychological fragility made them one of the most distinctive voices in 1990s British rock. Their 1996 self-titled debut and Without You I'm Nothing (1998) established their standing, while Black Market Music (2000) and Sleeping with Ghosts (2003) represented their artistic peak, the latter reaching number five on the UK Albums Chart. Their cover of Kate Bush's Running Up That Hill gained renewed attention decades after its release. Drummer Steve Hewitt was a long-term member before departing in 2007 and being replaced by Steve Forrest. The band has sold over 11 million albums worldwide. Molko's fearless articulation of queer identity and mental health themes ahead of mainstream culture's engagement with those subjects gave Placebo a significance well beyond their chart positions.