Placebo Drummer Steve Forrest Departs Band

Placebo had a major lineup change on Monday with drummer Steve Forrest departing the band.

The day started with a published statement saying that Steve Forrest, drummer for the band since 2008, was no longer a part of the group.

Steve Forrest, who joined Placebo in 2008 and has toured with them over the last two album campaigns Battle For The Sun and Loud Like Love, has decided to leave the band.

The split is very amicable and Steve was keen to pursue his own musical ambitions, and has been writing and recording his own material over the last few years.

Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal would like to thank Steve for all his work with the band and wish him all the very best in his future career.

They went on to announce that Matt Lunn, from Colour of Fire, would be the band’s new touring drummer. On their Facebook page, they elaborated on the new member:

INTRODUCING NEW TOURING DRUMMER, MATT LUNN.

Placebo will embark on their biggest UK and Irish tour in recent years, starting on 25th February with a sold out show at the Olympia in Dublin and ending with two nights at Hammersmith Apollo in London on the 24th and 25th March.

The tour will allow fans to catch a glimpse of the band’s new line up, with old friend, and former Colour of Fire drummer Matt Lunn, joining the fold as the new touring drummer.

Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal, original members since the band’s formation in 1994, remain the two permanent players in the group. Founding drummer Robert Schultzberg left the band in 1996 followed by Steve Hewitt from 1996 to 2007 and Forrest from 2008 until today.

The band begins their U.K. tour on February 25 in Dublin.

Placebo dates

02/25 – Dublin, Ireland – Olympia
02/26 – Belfast, Northern Ireland – Waterfront
02/28 – Edinburgh, Scotland – Corn Exchange
03/01 – Glasgow, Scotland – Academy
03/03 – Aberdeen, Scotland – Music Hall
03/04 – Newcastle, UK – Academy
03/06 – Hull, UK – City Hall
03/07 – Blackburn, UK – King George’s Hall
03/09 – Leeds, UK – O2 Academy
03/10 – Liverpool, UK – Guild of Students
03/12 – Manchester, UK – Apollo
03/13 – Sheffield, UK – O2 Academy
03/15 – Norwich, UK – UEA
03/16 – Leicester, UK – De Montfort Hall
03/18 – Birmingham, UK – O2 Academy
03/19 – Bristol, UK – Colston Hall
03/21 – Bournemouth, UK – O2 Academy
03/22 – Southend, UK – Pavilion
03/24 – London, UK – Hammersmith Apollo
03/25 – London, UK – Hammersmith Apollo