The Libertines were an English band whose rise to fame started in the early 2000s. The band was centred on the song-writing partnership and also the tempestous love/hate relationship seen between Pete Doherty (vocals/rhythm guitar) and Carl Barât (vocals/lead guitar), and was backed by John Hassall (bass) and Gary Powell (drums).
Carl and Pete first met when at uni in 1997 whilst Carl shared a flat with Pete's sister. They started on their long hard road to fame and fortune and both jacked in their courses with heads full of dreams.
They formed a band with their neighbour Steve Bedlow,. They met John Hassall who joined the band as bassist. At this stage, they had no real drummer. They began playing gigs, with many of them taking place in the flat Doherty and Barât shared.
In March 2001 they met Banny Poostchi of Warner Chappell Music Publishing, she started to manage them but with no success by the december of that year Hassall and Pootschi left the band to their own devices.Johnny Borrell was offered bass position andGary Powell became drummer and after seeing the success of the Strokes, Pootschi returned aiming to get The Libertines signed by Rough Trade Records. Hassall also rejoined the band as bassist after Johnny Borrell left to join Razorlight.
Their first single was a double A-side of What a Waster and I Get Along, produced by former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler. It received very little airplay due to the amount of swearing synonimous with many of the Libertines scribing.
Petes drug abuse became more and more prominent during the promotion of their album with him deciding not to appear on several dates of their European tour. Pete and Carl's relationship was very tense and after Pete organised a gig which Carl didnt appear at he felt betrayed and refused to play with Carl, but Carl was also getting angry at Petes drug abuseand it resulted in Carl telling Pete that unless he cleaned up his act the band would no longer play with him. Pete even burgled Carls flat and pleaded guilty to this in court. Carl was outside ythe prison waiting for Pete when he was released and an emotiional reunion began the writing of the second album. After many rehab attempts and refusal to disassociate himself with fellow drug users like Wolfman (with whom Pete wrote 'A song for lovers') the breakdown of The Libertines was inevitable.If theres anything you'd like to know thats not covered here please do not hesitate to ask!
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