"Brian Molko - My year"

by Simon Young

2000: How was it for you?

'It's not over yet! It's been work, work, work and hardly any Play. It's been a full-on emotional year.'

Album Of the year?

"At The Drive-in's 'Relationship Of Command'. It's an amazing record. I heard 'One Armed Scissor' and managed to get a copy of the album before it came out. It's like a cross between Fugazi and Jane's Addiction. They're my favourite band and they harness energy and passion. It's all over the Place musically. It goes off on tangents and there's a rebellious spirit which I like. I also love the new Queens album, 'Rated R'. It's hedonistic and really fun. 'Feel Good Hit...' is my karaoke favourite.'

The must-have item of 2000 was?

'I've just bought an Apple I-book laptop. That opens up several new doors of entertainment. Never a dull moment. I check out the Placebo chat rooms and have a bit of fun trying to find out what everybody thinks. It hasn't backfired yet!'

Where did you go on holiday this year?

'I haven't really been on holiday this year. We've done a whole bunch of festivals: Japan, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium. We never get the chance to check anv of the cities out. It's been a series of hotels and tour buses.'

Film of the year?

"Boy's don't cry" It's shocking that that kind of thing happens even today , that people can be that backward. The fact that it's a true story makes it all the more heartbreaking.

Person of the year?

"Anne Widdecombe for taking the legalisation of marijuana one step forward instead of backward, which was what she was originally trying to do.'

Wanker of the year?

'Me.'

Tragedy of the year?

"What's going on in the Middle East right now. It seems to me that people there don't want peace and it's pretty heavy."

Personal high point of the year?

'The tour we're on at the moment. It feels like freedom from responsibility. It's th. most fun because you feel like a teenager all the time.'

Personal low point of the year?

"I've had several, and it's all relationship based"

Worst Hangover of the year?

After Mark Richardson (drums) from Skunk Anansie's 30th birthday . We went out and partied like it was 1997. I couldn't make it to the studio the next day. It was the last time I break danced too. It was a good party"

Weirdest fan request of the year?

"It involved deflowering. No, I didn't"

Most famous person you've met this year?

PJ Harvey. Outside Ladbroke Grove tube station by accident. Her drummer Rob Ellis worked on our new album.

Most embarrassing moment of the year?

I don't get embarrassed about break dancing. None so far thankfully. I haven't been really embarrassed , it would be difficult.

Sexiest person you met this year was?

'I think Melissa Auf der Maur has to he one of the sexiest people in rock. It was a real shame because we were on tour when The Smashing Pumpkins played at Wembley. Typical.

Best band you saw this year?

'Queens Of The stone Age at a festival in Belgium. That was amazing. Nick Oliveri, their bassist, was naked and how he didn't get sunburn on his ass I'll never know. Sonic Youth and Einstfirzende Neubauten too. We had a studio outing and came back feeling really inspired.'

Best Song you wrote this year?

"All of the songs we've written since the new album came out. They have to remain a secret, sorry.

Joke Of the year?

'I'm really bad with jokes. I would have to say limp Bizkit.'

'Big Brother': ace or arse?

'I unfortunately saw that programme. Arse. Complete arse. They should have axed the show. The fact that these people are becoming celebrities is disgusting. What's the point?'

What should Slipknot do next year?

'Go unmasked, and see if they can Pull it off without their costumes.'

Personal motto of the year?

'Fear of flying'. I usually have a few double vodkas before getting on the plane and after that, I'm still shitting it.'

if I could change one thing about 2000, it would be...

'Peace in the Middle East.'

What would you do with Biritney spears?

'Ignore her.'

My ideal Christmas present is?

'Mental stability..

How will you be seeing in the New Year?

'I'm not sure where I'll be. Somewhere exotic, hopefully. I definitely don't want to be in London. I haven't decided who I'm going to take yet.'

In 2001, I intend to...

'Try to give up smoking, but it's not going to be very easy. it improves my voice, but I can't keep going on like this.'