30 years in, Placebo has earned their veteran status as one of the most innovative and unusual bands to come out of the UK. The band marks three decades of music with This Search for Meaning, a new documentary looking back, within, and beyond.
I’ve been a casual fan of the band for some years. I own a handful of their albums, and have had the cool fortune to see them live (in a Halloween show flanked by Social Distortion and She Wants Revenge – a hell of a lineup). I was impressed by that performance, especially with Olsdal’s hypnotic and passionate dancelike movements.
So while I’m not an expert, I am coming into this with a basic appreciation of the band and their work.
The documentary, directed by Oscar Sansom, explores the band’s past, their music, and various themes and controversies that have defined them, recounting memories, discussing their impact, and also sharing thoughts about modern society, including our surveillance culture (which informs the imagery in the film’s posters and artwork). There’s some great stuff here from the archives like live clips from the early days, or hanging out with David Bowie.
Placebo was formed in 1994 by Brian Molko (vocalist/guitarist) and Stefan Olsdal (bassist/guitarist). While some other recording and touring members have come and gone, the founding pair have remained the constant core. Their music has been characterized by moody tones, glam influences, infusion of electronic elements, and Molko’s characteristic high-pitched vocals.
Relatively early on, Placebo became known for both their queer identity and their live energetic performances – Molko, who is bisexual, cross-dressed and had an androgynous persona, and Olsdal has been openly gay since 1996. Challenging gender norms and heteronormative expectations has been one of the band’s most defining characteristics, sometimes catching hatred for their stance.
Placebo’s music has always dealt straightforwardly with topics like sex and drugs, and this frankness similarly is applied to this film, in which the members (and others in their orbit) openly discuss various aspects of the band’s history and struggles associated with fame and substance abuse.
The interviews and archival footage are also supplemented with contemporary performances of the band’s music. Besides being good tunes, these interludes provide context and a chance for neophytes to hear what the band is about.
As someone who’s coming in with appreciation for the band, I found This Search for Meaning interesting as an inside look. Placebo is a fascinating band, musically exceptional, and historically significant. That said, it’s tough to gauge how much appeal this film will carry to anyone who’s not already a fan – but I think their uniqueness is reason enough to recommend it.
This Search for Meaning is now screening at the Quad Cinema in New York City and the Trylon Cinema in Minneapolis. Click here to check for expansions or request a screening in your area.
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