The Libertines

The Libertines were a critically acclaimed British rock and roll band noted for their chaotic live outings, often seemingly ramshackle touring schedule and quintessentially English take on punk rock. The line-up consisted of Pete Doherty (vocals/guitar), Carl Barât (vocals/guitar), John Hassall (bass) and Gary Powell (drums). Their debut single, "What A Waster" (2002), produced by former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler, was immediately seized upon by the English press for its liberal use of profanity and English colloquialism. The single's success was followed up by the album Up The Bracket, produced by punk icon Mick Jones, formerly of The Clash and Big Audio Dynamite. It was followed in 2004 by their second album, simply entitled The Libertines.

Related Topics:
British - Rock and roll - Often seemingly ramshackle touring schedule - English - Punk rock - Pete Doherty - Carl Barât - John Hassall - Gary Powell - 2002 - Suede - Bernard Butler - Up The Bracket - Mick Jones - The Clash - Big Audio Dynamite - 2004 - The Libertines

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The band has been compared to many classic British rock n' roll bands, as their angle on rock n' roll is uniquely English. Their sound is often likened to the sound of The Jam, The Kinks' early records as well as The Clash's first album and early singles. They are perhaps most similar to pioneer rockers, The Buzzcocks. Morrissey is another key influence cited by the band members. Many of their lyrics refer to elements of British life, use English/cockney slang and are often in a near-drunken sounding slur. In their attitude they are almost always compared to The Sex Pistols due to their chaotic and energetic live peformances and Pete Doherty's instability and nihilistic, self-destructive behavior.

Related Topics:
The Jam - The Kinks - The Clash - The Buzzcocks - Cockney - The Sex Pistols - Nihilistic

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Despite their success and critical acclaim (especially in the UK), the band fell upon difficult times. Pete Doherty became estranged from the band and was convicted of the burglary of bandmate Carl Barât's flat in September 2003. The remaining members toured without him in August and September. After serving one month in jail he rejoined the band in October 2003. However, in June 2004 he was kicked out of the band again because of continued drug problems, but the band has promised that "When he cleans up his addictions he will be immediately welcomed back into the band" http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3852977.stm.

Related Topics:
September 2003 - October 2003 - June 2004

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He has since formed his own band, Babyshambles and failed to overcome his drug habit. In September 2004 Pete was given a community service order after being found with an illegal switchblade in his car and his return to the band has become even more remote. Carl Barât told NME that he planned to leave the Libertines at the end of 2004 if Pete Doherty didn't clean up his on-going drug problems. He has since made good on the promise and become a solo artist.

Related Topics:
Babyshambles - September 2004 - 2004 - Pete Doherty

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On 21 December, 2004, a 12 minute feature on Pete Doherty was broadcast on BBC2's current affairs program Newsnight. The piece featured Doherty's first-ever major television interview as well as an acoustic performance of "Music When the Lights Go Out". In the interview with Kirsty Wark, Doherty talked openly about his addictions to heroin and crack cocaine, stating that "I'm not a Nihilist, I don't want to die", and talked about the breakdown of his relationship with Carl Barât.

Related Topics:
21 December - 2004 - BBC2 - Newsnight - Television - Kirsty Wark - Heroin - Crack cocaine

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The Libertines officially disbanded at the end of 2004. The band played their last show in Paris without Pete Doherty. However, on 18 April 2005, at around 11:30pm, Pete Doherty and Carl Barât reunited at the Boogaloo Bar in Highgate, North London. This was said to be a friendly meeting and was the first time the pair had met since 8 June 2004 in Barât's London club, Dirty Pretty Things. The reunion took place when Barât arrived at the bar at 10pm and was told there was a strong possibility that his former bandmate would also be visiting the pub that evening. Upon learning a reuinion was possible, Barât told those in his prescence that ?it might as well happen now, because it?s going to happen sometime?. The pair were said to have seemed nervous at first, but greeted each other with a hug, before talking together on a leather sofa. Carl is currently attempting to forward his solo career, while Pete Doherty is still touring with Babyshambles, preparing their debut album for an October 2005 release. Bassist John Hassall has already formed a new band called Yeti, who are currently working on their debut album. Their debut single "Never Lose Your Sense of Wonder" was released in April 2005 and a second single will be released in August 2005.

Related Topics:
2004 - Paris - 18 April - 2005 - 8 June - Babyshambles - October 2005 - Yeti - April 2005 - August 2005

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