Carl Barat

Carl Ashley Raphael Barât (born June 6, 1978) was co-front-man of punk and garage rock revivalists The Libertines with Pete Doherty.

Related Topics:
June 6 - 1978 - Punk - Garage rock - The Libertines - Pete Doherty

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Carl Barât was born in Basingstoke and he divided his youth between his father, who worked in an armaments factory, and his mother, who was part of the commune-dwelling counterculture, into CND and peace groups. Barât spent part of his childhood living with his mother on a commune in Somerset.

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Around the time he met fellow libertine Pete Doherty in 1996, Barât was taking a drama degree at Brunel University in Uxbridge. Barât was somewhat disillusioned by his fellow drama students, although he did meet and get on well with a girl called Amy, who happened to be Doherty's sister. Through Amy, Barât met Doherty. They instantly formed an intense and exceedingly close relationship, the two building a mythical view of a British arcadia, named "Albion," populated in equal degrees by Dickensian gentlemen and cockney wide-boys. The Libertines were subsequently formed with bassist John Hassall and drummer Gary Powell, with Barât and Doherty sharing songwriter and singing duties.

Related Topics:
Pete Doherty - Brunel University - Uxbridge - The Libertines - John Hassall - Gary Powell

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The Libertines' first album, "Up the Bracket", was released in 2002 to critical acclaim. The band quickly became famous in part due to their volatile stage performances, characterised by intense bouts of mic-sharing, kissing and fighting between Barât and Doherty. This paralleled their relationship, which over time had progressed to verging on dysfunctional and abusive, with Doherty and Barât being equally competitive and possessive towards each other.

Related Topics:
The Libertines - Up the Bracket

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In 2003, numerous troubles stemming from Doherty's addiction to both heroin and crack-cocaine led to Barât firing Doherty from the band. Doherty broke into Barât's flat on the spur of the moment, stealing various items including an antique guitar and an NME award, and was sentenced to six months in prison. The sentence was later shortened to three months, during which Barât and Doherty had reconciled through correspondence. Barât later warmly welcomed Doherty back to the Libertines on the day of his release.

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However, Doherty continued his addictions to drugs, even while the band continued working on the second album in 2004. This strained his relationship with Barât both professionally and privately. Bodyguards were needed in the recording sessions to prevent Barât and Doherty from physically assaulting each other as well as to bar entry to Doherty's drug friends and hangers-on.

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Before the release of the second album in 2004, simply entitled "The Libertines", relations between Barât and Doherty reached a breaking point. This resulted in Doherty being expelled from the band once again. Doherty did not take the expulsion well, especially as the Libertines continued touring without him as per contractual obligations.

Related Topics:
The Libertines

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What was intended as a short leave of absence has turned into something more permanent, as Doherty has formed a new band, Babyshambles, whom he describes as "the new Libertines" and Barât calls "Pete's denial band" for their seemingly lax attitude regarding Pete's drug habits.

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Barât himself disbanded the Libertines in December 2004, citing his lack of desire to continue the band without ex-partner Doherty and an "ongoing problem with health." In 2005, Barât underwent surgery to remove a tumour behind his ear and spent several weeks recovering from the operation while Doherty went on to make tabloid headlines about his escalating drug addictions and tumultuous relationship with supermodel Kate Moss.

Related Topics:
The Libertines - Kate Moss

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In February of 2005, the Libertines won NME's Best British Band award and Barât paid tribute to Doherty in his acceptance speech. Days later, it was officially announced that Barât had signed on to Vertigo Records as a solo artist and is expected to release an album with ex-Libertines drummer Gary Powell at the end of 2005.

Related Topics:
NME - Vertigo Records - Gary Powell

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Barât's first work as a solo artist was administering co-vocals for the European duo Client on their single and video, "Pornography". Barât set up the London club Dirty Pretty Things in June 2004 where he regularly has DJ duties. In July 2005, he released an album contributing to the Under the Influence series, where musicians select tracks that have influenced them as artistes.

Related Topics:
Europe - Client - Pornography - London - Dirty Pretty Things - DJ

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Barât's last public sighting with Doherty was in April 18, 2005, where the two publicly reunited at the Boogaloo Bar in Highgate, North London. Despite reports that their reunion was amicable, they have not been seen together since. However, there are currently verified claims that they regularly speak on the telephone.

Related Topics:
Highgate - North London

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Recently, many claims have been made that Pete has left Babyshambles because 'Kate told him he was too good for them', been 'dumped' by his fiancee Kate Moss, been made homeless and has no manager, after firing him during an angry argument.

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In September 15 NME revealed that Barat is making a new band and has unveiled the full line-up for his new band. Alongside with former Libertines drummer Gary Powell and Anthony Rossomando ? who filled in as guitarist following Pete Doherty's departure from the group ? Barat has announced that The Cooper Temple Clause's Didz Hammond will be taking on bass duties. In a posting on band's official site, Barat said: "Firstly, thank you all for your reassuring gestures. Secondly, many thanks for the "frink". You make me feel a little more alive. I am proud to announce that our new bass player is none other than the justly acclaimed Didz Hammond, formerly of the Cooper Temple Clause. He has never shown anything but love, compassion and talent from the off."

Related Topics:
September 15 - Gary Powell - Anthony Rossomando - The Cooper Temple Clause - Didz Hammond

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The group will be known as Dirty Pretty Things.

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The name is the same as that of Barat's club night, which has taken place in London at various locations.

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Additionally, Dirty Pretty Things announced they are set to mount their first tour together, playing in Italy later this month.

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