When it comes to dealing with Placebo - both as individuals and the group as a whole - you have to throw out convention and prevailing attitudes. They've never been a band that does what the trends dictate, but they aren't necessarily looking to make waves, either. For Placebo, it's more of just them doing things their own way, which may or may not upset people. Placebo - singer Brian Molko, bassist Stefan Olsdal and drummer Steve Hewitt - are as real as it gets both personally and musically.

Spending some time with Molko and Hewitt, the preconceived notions are quickly cast aside. There is no arrogance, only a very keen intelligence and sense of calm that comes with being true to one's self. Likewise, there is the feeling that fame and fortune are not what Placebo is all about. There is a deep commitment to the art form rather than to what will generate the most press. The fact that the mainstream media seems to think that their sexualities and lifestyles is titillating and something to focus on is of no concern to Placebo. They are what they are, and they'll be happy to discuss it if it's what you want to talk about, but they aren't famous for it.

Placebo's focus is on music, which is best identified by the enormous growth shown on their newest release, Black Market Music. "It’s the most accomplished, the most immediate and the angriest record we’ve done," Molko told us while nursing one of his never-ending chain of cigarettes. "We’re just getting better at what we do."

The record is a much more cohesive, better-paced record than anything the band has done before. On top of that, the songs are just flat better.

We were sitting in a large window of the Palace Theater in Hollywood, with the late afternoon sunlight streaming in from behind Brian Molko and Steve Hewitt, framing their lithe forms in a glowing halo of smoke and light. The guys took the occasional peek out to see the very long line that had formed; all kids who were waiting early to see the evening's show. "There's something about the music we make that seems to appeal to the lunatic fringe," Molko said appreciatively, "Or the people that feel they’re square pegs fitting into round holes."