"The world's a big place and travelling around it to do concerts takes many hours of the day, so you have to sacrifice things like family and friends..."

Vassil Varbanov: Steve, please tell us what are you and Placebo up to now?

Steve Hewitt: Well, we just get ready to go on tour. We've just been up to Bangkok in Thailand, and also to France, Belgium and Berlin to do lots of interviews and a few gigs. Now we're just getting ready for our UK tour, which starts on April 3, and then we'll do some European festivals.

V. V.: What do you think of 2006: Shall it be just an ordinary year for you guys - album, shows, interviews, tour - or it's going to be a special time for Placebo?

S. H.: I hope it's gonna be a better year. I mean, there's a lot to see what happens. The way the new album's been accepted by the media so far is very positive, so... We'll have to wait for the shows. However, when it comes down to single, album, touring - even rock'n'roll bands have a routine. That's just the way it works, a part of the process.

V. V.: You've been in business for quite a long time now. What's the most bitter experience you've ever had during these years?

S. H.: It's probably the sacrifice you make with things like family and friends. That's got to do with the dedication you put into what you want to achieve. The world's a big place and travelling around it to do concerts takes many hours of the day, so you have to sacrifice things like family and friends... You have to work probably double hard to make sure those connections don't suffer.

V. V.: Could we say your bandmates in Placebo (Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal) are among your best friends, or they're just colleagues, part of the team?

S. H.: No, they're definitely friends. To get this far as a rock'n'roll band, you just have to be a family. We see each other more than anybody else... You see, there's gotta be friendship, trust and respect.

V. V.: So far you've played only one show in Bulgaria, back in 2003, do you remember?

S. H.: I do. I remember flying in, getting there, being greeted at the airport by photographers... I also remember the show was awesome. I'm always interested in visiting new places, that's part of what we do.

V. V.: Less than two years later you chose the Bulgarian band which opened your show in Sofia to warm up the crowd on two concerts of yours at the Brixton Academy in London. Do you remember them?

S. H.: Yes, I do - the Imbeciles. There was this English guy who was taking care of us when we were in Sofia - that's how we got to know him. He moved his band over to London, we found out about it and got them to play with us in Brixton. It's really a good band.

V. V.: Let's finally talk about you new album "Meds" as well. Do you like it?

S. H.: Of course! Every new record is your favourite record. I actually feel it's our strongest album to date, and I'm extremely happy with it... but then again still not satisfied, as this is where we continue to make music.