from www.nme.com:
CARL BARAT plans to split THE LIBERTINES at the end of the year if PETE
DOHERTY doesn't clean up and rejoin the band.
The star is currently working on plans for what he'd do if Doherty is
either too unwell or unwilling to rejoin The Libertines this year. The
group aren't planning any more tours or studio time beyond December,
putting the band on ice for the "foreseeable future". Band sources have
told NME.COM the decision is tantamount to splitting The Libertines, but
with Carl leaving the door open for a reunion if Pete is ever well enough.
Speaking last week, Carl told NME.COM that he's working on new songs, has
a new found confidence and is considering either going solo or rehearsing
musicians for a new group next year. It's likely that any new band would
feature some members of The Libertines.
Carl told NME: "As of the end of December Gary, John and I have decided
The Libertines will be off the road for the foreseeable future, no more
official gigs are booked. An ongoing problem with my health, which
requires an operation, will put me out of action for maybe some months. My
position with Pete hasn't changed, I hope he gets better, I still love him
and hope he will come back in full health and take the world with The
Libertines and put the Albion back on-course. Joining the old crew on the
good ship wouldn't be so hard."
He continued: "I'm gonna have to do something different for a bit. I've
got a lot of songs written, I don't know if that means getting a splendid
top-hole band together or just going off and recording . So I'm
going to go and do that for a bit.
"I do put a rather stoic brave face on which is hard to maintain
sometimes. I don't always believe that's how I feel behind it. But right
now I feel like I've got more focus about what I do in the future than
ever before. And I've found confidence and faith in my writing. So I feel
a bit more positive."
Carl said that he still hopes more than anything for a reunion with a fit
and healthy Pete, but he can't see it happening in the immediate future.
He told NME.COM: "My heart, of course, is with The Libertines. In its
original line-up To be honest, I've not been that close to what's going
on (The Libertines have been touring the US). The pictures
sadden me. I don't feel he's well at the moment.
"I don't know if ever be quite the same but I don't
see why they'd be any less valid or why we'd have any less purpose or
conviction or relevance if we did get back together. Of course I'd love
to. But I'm not going to rest on my laurels waiting for Pete to decide if
he's going to stop taking drugs... I've got things that I need to get out
my system in song right now and I've got some other work to do."
Barat has to have an operation at the end of the year which will stop him
playing live for a number of months. No more shows will be scheduled in
the UK before December, meaning the last time the band played live with
Pete was on the opening night of Carl's London club Dirty Pretty Things
before Doherty flew to Thailand for rehab in the summer. Their last UK
show was at this year's Carling Weekend: Reading and Leeds festivals in
August.
However, the group have been touring North America without Pete, which
came as something as a relief for Carl. At one show in Washington DC fans
invaded the stage, similar to their legendary gig at the London Forum last
year.
trailblazer really. In America there's none of this press surrounding the
band. People have just heard that there's gonna be a good band in town and
gone out and had a good time. We think we've done good. But obviously it's
still a bit tricky right now."
There are no plans to release a third single from 'The Libertines'.
However, Carl has been in the studio with the band Client, having
co-written their new single 'Pornography' which is released on January 10,
2005.
Alan McGee, manager of The Libertines said: "There are no limitations to
Carl's songwriting talent or musical adaptability. The most probable way
forward under the current conditions of the Libertines will be to do many
co write projects and various guest appearances.
"I have never known Carl more confident musically than he is at the
moment. A great Carl Barat solo album or as yet unnamed band featuring
current members of the Libertines awaits sometime in late 2005. To me
'Pornography' sounds like Carl and Client have written a great Cure type
of single.
If there is going to be life after the Libertines, then Carl Barat's
journey is certainly going to be an interesting one."
― splooge (thesplooge), Friday, 12 November 2004 15:30 (twenty years ago)
YES, BUT STILL, THE POOR MAN, WHAT IS THE BIG OPERATION, I AM REALLY WORRIED ABOUT HIS HEALTH?!?!?!?
I started a thread about this on ILE by mistake (thinking that they are a soap opera rather than a band) and no one cared except me.
See, this is the problem with soap operas, is that I get way too emotionally involved with them, and I'm wondering where to send a Get Well Soon Card.
To be honest, I wish he would actually finish the band, for his own sake, but then again, perhaps I'm enjoying the soap opera too much and if he did actually make *music* instead of drama, I would have to start liking it. Oh dear.
― The Grain of Sand in Lambeth That Satan Cannot Find (kate), Monday, 15 November 2004 10:50 (twenty years ago)
Oh, plus, also, the title is a bit misleading. He didn't say that he *was* actually splitting the band, just that he might. I mean, how many bands have been on official "hiatus" and then we've got Libertines Unbound or Libertines Fulfilled or The Emmanations Of The Daughters Of Destiny or whatever the fuck that album is called when they get bored of not having any hype. Erm, that sounded cynical but it wasn't supposed to be quite so...
I mean, after all, he's the only one that *doesn't* have a solo project at the moment. He must feel a bit left out. Maybe I can get him to play on one of my symphonies.
― The Grain of Sand in Lambeth That Satan Cannot Find (kate), Monday, 15 November 2004 10:52 (twenty years ago)