The Libertines
The Libertines are an acclaimed British rock and roll band noted for their chaotic live outings and uniquely English take on punk rock. The line-up consists of Peter Doherty (vocals/guitar), Carl Barat (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.
Despite their success and critical acclaim (especially in the UK), the band has fallen upon difficult times of late. Peter Doherty became estranged from the band, and was convicted of burglary of bandmate Carl Barat'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 narcotic problems, but the band has promised that "When he cleans up his addictions he will be immediately welcomed back into the band" [1] (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3852977.stm). However he recently formed his own band, Babyshambles and has failed to kick his drug habit. In September 2004 given a community service order after being found with a flick knife in his car, a "welcome back" looks unlikely.
Carl Barat made statement for NME, where he said that he plans to split the Libertines at the end of 2004 if Peter Doherty doesn't clean up from his on-going drug problems.
Discography
- Up The Bracket (2002)
- The Libertines (2004)
External links
- official site (http://www.thelibertines.org.uk)
- Libertines page on NME.COM (http://www.nme.com/artists/51194.htm)
- fansite (http://www.thelibertines.org)
- babyshambles (http://www.babyshambles.com) - scans of Peter Doherty's "Books of Albion".
- another fan site (http://irvken.homelinux.net/libertines)
- punkcast vid (http://www.punkcast.com/267) - CBGB show Apr 2003".
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