Song:Boys In The Band
Album:The Best Of: A Time For Heroes
The Libertines had some success in their native England with their Brit Pop and Punk influenced sound. But they should have been much bigger and unfortunately they were best known for Pete Doherty's drug fueled bad behaviour. They only recorded two albums. The Libertines started when Pete Doherty and Carl Barat met in 1997 while Barat was attending Brunel University in Uxbridge. They formed The Strand with Steve Bedlow but then changed the name to The Libertines after Marquis de Sade's Lust of the Libertines. One of the problems was settling on a band lineup. But by the time they signed with Rough Trade Records in 2002, John Hassall was on bass and Gary Powell was on drums. Their 2002 debut CD Up The Bracket was produced by Mick Jones of The Clash. They had some chart success in England and the album was highly acclaimed. Though Boys In The Band was never released as a single, it's one of their best songs. While recording their second album Problems, Doherty's crack and heroin addiction was causing a rift in the band. Barat didn't want to work with Doherty anymore and it eventually led to the end of The Libertines. Doherty seemed to spend more time on his side project Babyshambles. Doherty also spent time in prison. Barat told Doherty that if he didn't get cleaned up, he wouldn't be allowed back in the band. Barat had already started his own band Dirty Pretty Things. Attempts to keep the Libertines together were ultimately unsuccessful and the band ended in Dec. 2004. Part of the problem was Babyshambles was doing well and Doherty didn't think he needed Barat. This comp is a good intro to their music. After no contact for several years, Doherty and Barat reunited The Libertines in 2010. But Doherty's continued drug abuse and high profile clashes with the law overshadow his musical talent. He continues to lead Babyshambles. Dirty Pretty Things split up in 2009 and Barat recorded a solo CD in 2010. These guys could have been big. Here are The Libertines performing Boys In The Band on Later with Jools Holland Jan. 2002.
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