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Indie Pop |
Despite only releasing two albums in their short and shambolic career, The Libertines are one of the most talked-about and adored British band of the decade, as well as being instrumental in knocking down the floodgates for British Guitar music in the 00's, helping pave the way for the likes of Franz Ferdinand, Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs, Razorlight, The View, Bloc Party, The Coral and well, pretty much nearly every Indie band that have come out of Britain in the last four years. The group's sound is often compared to that of British artists from times gone by, including The Clash, The Buzz ...read more
Despite only releasing two albums in their short and shambolic career, The Libertines are one of the most talked-about and adored British band of the decade, as well as being instrumental in knocking down the floodgates for British Guitar music in the 00's, helping pave the way for the likes of Franz Ferdinand, Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs, Razorlight, The View, Bloc Party, The Coral and well, pretty much nearly every Indie band that have come out of Britain in the last four years. The group's sound is often compared to that of British artists from times gone by, including The Clash, The Buzzcocks, The Kinks and Sex Pistols whilst Pete Doherty and Carl Barat's lyrics are strongly influnced by the likes of Morrissey, Syd Barrat and even traditional cockney rhythming slang. The group's first album 'Up The Bracket' released in 2002, was a sleeper hit, hitting #35 in the UK Album Chart but also spawning the top 20 hit single 'Time For Heroes' and cermenting the group's reputation as the Britain's finest new band at that time. The band's success quickly started to expand in 2003, non-album single release 'Don't Look Back Into The Sun' dented the UK Singles Chart Top 10 and in December of that year the group played three sold out shows at the London Forum, one of which was included in Q Magazine's 'Greatest Gigs Of All Time' list.
The Libertines (2001-2004):
Pete Doherty - Guitar/Vocals
Carl Barat - Guitar/Vocals
John Hassall - Bass
Gary Powell - Drums
Previous members:
Johnny Borrell - Bass/Vocals
Steve Bedlow (Scarborough Steve) - Vocals
Paul Dufour (Drums)
But whilst the band's fanbase began to grow, so did the group's problems. Frontman Pete Doherty, who had been dabberling with hard drug use for several years had developed a Crack and Heroin addiction that was spiraling out of control. In Summer 2003 alone, Doherty failed to show up for a European tour, was sent to Rehab in London, temporarily kicked in out of the band and was even arrested and sentenced for breaking into the appartment of his fellow band mate, and closet friend Carl Barat to fund his drug addiction. The events of 2003 overshadowed the recording of the group's second album in spring 2004. Compered to 'Up The Bracket', the group's self-titled second album was a much more darker affair that not only showcased the breakdown of the Doherty and Barat's friendship but also the breakdown of The Libertines all together. Towards the end of recording the album, Doherty was admitted to a London Rehab clinic once again, but left early, only to return a week before then leave again after just one week. The night Doherty left The Priory Rebah centre in London for the second time would also be the last time he would ever play in The Libertines. Doherty joined the rest of The Libertines onstage at London's Infinity Club for a short set to celebrate the opening of Barat's Dirty Pretty Things clubnight. The next day he left to go to a Rehab centre in Thailand. Yet again, the treatment was unsuccess in helping Doherty beat his addictions. Instead the frontman flew to Bangkok to find drugs. After hearing this, Barat announced that Doherty wouldn't be allowed to perform with the band again until he's clean, saying "When he cleans up his addictions he will be immediately welcomed back into the band''. Doherty never got clean, never returned to the band and didn't speak to Barat again for another 9 months.
Despite Doherty's drug addiction leaving the band as a three piece, the group's second album 'The Libertines' was released in August 2004 and went straight to the top of the UK Album Chart, spawning two top ten singles as well as becoming an instant Modern Classic amongst British Rock Fans. Within just a few months the album outsold 'Up The Bracket' and later went on to sell over a million copies in the UK alone. After the #1 success of 'The Libertines', the band toured the US with session Guitarist Antony Rossomando in October/November 2004 before heading back to Europe and playing their last ever gig in Paris on December 17th. Barat chose to then dissolve The Libertines as he no longer wanted the band or the name. In September 2006, Barat and Doherty both featured on a charity single cover of The Clash's 'Janie Jones' although both of them recorded their parts separately.
All four member of The Libertines went onto form new bands after the break up of the group in 2004. Doherty now fronts Babyshambles, a side-project that he formed with friends during his first absence from The Libertines in 2003. The band rose to fame in the final half of 2004 after their debut single 'Killamangiro' reached #8 in the UK Singles Chart, but are more notorious thanks to the tabloid hysteria surrounding Doherty's drug addiction and releationship with supermodel Kate Moss as well as losing band members and frequently failing to show up their own gigs, one of which at the London Astoria in December 2004 ended in a riot after Doherty failed to show up to the gig leaving fans standing about in the venue for four hours after the band were scheduled to go onstage. The band released their long overdue debut album 'Down In Albion' in November 2005 but the failed to match the #1 success of 'The Libertines' after it entered the UK Album Chart at #11 before dropping out of the chart completely a few weeks later. In December 2006, the group released the critically aclaimed 'The Blinding', an EP recorded whilst Doherty was reportedly over his drug addiction. Though speculation and gossip still builds as to if Doherty is now 100% clean. The band are currently working on their second album due for release in late 2007.
Carl Barat and Gary Powell however have seen nothing but plain sailing since they formed their new group Dirty Pretty Things in September 2005 along with former Libertines tour Guitarist Antony Rossomando and Cooper Temple Clause bassist Didz Hammond. The group released their debut album 'Waterloo To Anywhere' in May 2006 reaching #3 in the UK Album Chart, as well as spawning the top 5 single 'Bang Bang You're Dead'.
Bassist John Hassall now plays Guitar and fronts London Indie band Yeti. The band have released several single and EPs since they formed in Summer 2004 and are due to release an album through Moshi Moshi Records in 2007.
Albums:
Up The Bracket (October 2002)
The Libertines (August 2002)
EPs:
I Get Along (September 2003)
Singles:
What A Waster (June 2002)
Up The Bracket (September 2002)
Time For Heroes (January 2003)
Don't Look Back Into The Sun (August 2003)
Can't Stand Me Now (August 2004)
What Became Of The Likely Lads (November 2004)
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Similar Bands: Arctic Monkeys, The Smiths, The Kinks, The Strokes, Babyshambles
Contributors: samthebassman, RandyfromPennywise, Dave de Sylvia, tom79, bAdMaRk, All Tomorrows Parties, Senor_Whippy, The Jungler, Muisee, Med57,
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