I'm at work so not a good moment to type out an article. Therefore, to paraphrase: When Carl said I was too sick to play I really felt suicidal for the first time - there's nothing he could have said to hurt me more. If he was clean too then I would make more of an effort to quit but since he's not...
Then lots of bitchy stuff about how he is 'allowed' to play with Babyshambles.
All very depressing. Complete refusal to admit he might by any chance have so much as a mere hint of a problem with drugs. Which is one thing but why the compulsive need to diss Carl all the time? For all I know Carl really does take any and everything he can get his hands on and is just able to handle it better, but he doesn't live in a little vacuum where he and he alone made the decision not to have Pete on the tour dates. For one thing, who would insure a band with Pete in it? And no insurance, no big gigs, AFAIK.
(/ducks for cover from people saying 'how dare you call Pete bitchy')
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Petes obviously lashing out, but there is a point in there too...
Pete is an addict, Carl, apparently uses drugs but isn't addicted.
If that is the case, there is an argument to say that the Libertines should clean up completely so that as a band it is a clean, drug free environment for Pete to come into when he gets off the drugs, otherwise he is going to fall off the wagon again.
its obviously not as clearcut as people think when they say that wolfman/babyshambles/the hangers on are a bad influence, as opposed to the Libertines clean lifestyle, which is blatantly untrue
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Thanks for the info. Much appreciated. BTW I don't think you'll find a copy of the Metro on buses going around a small village at the foot of snowdon called Bethesda. They would probably think it was an evil spell book and burn it along with the "witch" reading it......as I drove into the village on my first day working here I was pelted with stones and rocks as I was riding a "horseless carriage" powered by "the devil himself, lucifer".....catch my drift? I shit you not when I say they still sell Tin Baths in the village shop and some people who work with me do not have hot running water in their houses....
"You, You should be up where you belong but its only blood from broken hearts that writes the words to every song"
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I am a sales and marketing manager but I am leaving this god forsaken shit hole soon, never to return. I genuinely work with people who have never been further away than chester (45 Miles) and going there is a once a year big trip. It truly is unbelieveable. I had taken some shop floor workers to Manchester to repack some product and they were genuinely shocked at traffic, motorways, speed etc etc. You would not believe how small and narrow minded, not to mention blinkered. I am sure it is documented that Bethesda has the highest rate of incest in the UK - I believe that to be a fact. I work with people who cannot speak english at all, and most cannot speak it very well as it is a minor 2nd language. Its incredible. I have no idea why I came to work here apart from the amazing pay cheque....
"You, You should be up where you belong but its only blood from broken hearts that writes the words to every song"
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i dont think anyone labours under the misapprehension that the libertines are clean living lads and pete is a junkie. but wtf should the others give up their lifestyles just so pete can remain in the band? if he cant handle it, he cant handle it. thing is he doesnt want to handle it or he wouldnt have walked out of rehab 4 times. if he carries on mudslinging to try and distract from his own problems, i cant see him being welcome back in the band - and sapre a thought for the poor three and surrogate libertine pizza boy who have to go out and do all the hard work that is required to attain high levels of success in a band of their obvious talent and stature, whilst all pete has to do is make sure pipey's worn off in time for him to get to his next little acoustic soiree or 25 band shambles bill.
does anyone think that if carl made a pledge to give up drugs and welcome pete back with open arms, pete would last 5 minutes on tour without a fix? i dont.
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Muzz
I do find the righteous absolutist manner of your posts grating. I don't know what particular insight underpins the arrogant authority with which you deliver your anti-Peter rants. It's a complex situation of which we just get snapshots that you nevertheless seem to think you have the answers to each time.
To counterpoint your "Peter's a fucking worthless junkie but I'll go and see him in Sheffield anyway" I'll give an equally weighted but possible account of the situation....
Peter is a genius and is the overriding primary reason that the Libertines are the most exciting band of the current generation. If it wasn't for Peter, Carlos wouldn't have had his positive musical influence and probably have given up his hard rock furrow and be a well paid accountant in the City by now. As it happened, they got together, have a fantastic chemistry and thanks to mainly Peter's songs (all if you were to believe some in the know) with Carlos' et al embellishment burst onto the scene last year with a great debut album.
Alongside the mainstream success, Peter's poetic minstrel approach, a multitude of internet releases showcasing the expansive range of his song writing talent, posting his obscure but fascinating insights and full journals on babyshambles.com, interacted freely with fans on here sharing jokes, tabs, anecdotes and poetry, given the opportunity to go to a multitude of intimate gigs around the country etc, etc, etc. His music and his approach have inspired an unprecedented amount of people to find or reignite their joy for music, pick up guitars, start bands, etc etc etc.
Meanwhile, he got hooked on hard drugs but nevertheless continued to deliver until last year when Carlos failed to show for a secret gig. He failed to turn up for the European tour and got kicked out and then a story ensued that we all know too well.
During his last stint out of the band, the two had a similar duel in the music press during which Carlos listed all the songs he’d written and in the same breath was talking about releasing an album of Peter outtakes called Down the Gullet. As it happens, Carlos forgives Peter, months pass by, the drugs situation apparently gets worse and yet they throw him in the studio, squeeze a raft of new songs out of him (over 40 allegedly) then chuck him reluctantly into rehab. Only one of the songs on the album is obviously Carlos’, the others from last year have disappeared. That song is old from the Paris sessions, contains a bit of another song in it and is slightly disappointing. Carlos appears in NME this week emphasising the fragments he’s contributed to the album apart from on the Narcissist on which he claims its not about who writes them!
Meanwhile, Carlos gets the whole music industry machine (that Peter’s approach is such a fresh antidote to) gets underway again to promote the album and his earnings whilst Peter is tossed aside, allowed to continue playing and writing, just not with his band who are playing his songs. Just like last year. Will they let him in to steal his songs again next year?
Now, I know that this would be a preposterously imbalanced account of the reality of the situation, but its just as reasonable as your annoying, cocky, snidey, presumptuous digs that Peter is more than likely to read on occasion. The man has problems but, whether you accept it or not, you know a fraction of the story, none of the solution, and you owe him a lot more respect. So pipey down.
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'scuse me, but who are you and how do you know that Carlos is such a leech?
I love both boys, and I still find it revolting that all their laundry is washed in the papers for a few dirty bucks, but to hear a so-called fan of the libertines going all judgemental. it's not a Love John or Love Paul situation, y'know?
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Here here. You just accused people of insulting Peter and then you do exactly the same thing to Carl. For all that Peter might have written this song or that song, it's a partnership.
No one knows how it works except the two of them. Criticising either isn't helping. Please lay off Carl. As far as I'm concerned, he deserves a bucketload of medals.
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The point of my ludicrous agrument was to position an equally ill-informed and skewed viewpoint to counter the ones against Peter that I read so often. I know nish about the true situation other than what I've read on here and elsewhere but there are many elements of the story I believe are perfectly feasible based on the fragments I do know. I only tried to mirror the warped view of the Bilobashers because they show such meagre respect to a man who has inspired me and many others. Carlos may well be the saint of the piece but I haven't been able to glean that and don't think that those that freely give Peter such a hard time can either.
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I think the guy is the most talented and beautiful writer for 20 odd years, I think the Libertines are the best and most exciting and evocative band since the Clash. The band carries on without him and its not the same but its better than them caving in, and all power to carlos for keeping the dream alive. Last summer, he had to teach the guitar tech the songs as they went along on stage at manchester - he couldve gone and got drugged up to the eyeballs and pulled the gig but he kept the band going - as they did when they got antony wottsit in and played all the festivals. You dont seem to deem that worthy of respect though - yet you think pete deserves canonising purely on the strength of past glories?
Whether we are devoid of the full facts is neither here nor there, nor do i believe every slant put on tabloid articles about pete, irrespective of quotes 'attributed' to him. but its plain to see that the band could not function with pete in it as it stands. he should get help - he should stick to his rehab and cut himself off from the people who are in that drugs arena - and by that i do not mean carlos and the rest of the libertines who are cited by pete everytime he mentions the fact that he's not allowed on tour with them.
You're not talking to some green youth here, i've known many, many junkies, some of whom are no longer with us. i know how they work and think and i know how to read some of the stuff i see pete quoted as saying. Quite a few of them had talent (not in pete's league but then, who is?) but when you see the smack take the sparkle from their eyes and lives, its sad and it hurts. It pains me to see pics of pete looking sallow and cold eyed, strumming his guitar in the front of the RF when he shouldve been up at TITP, i wish he could and would kick the habit but that doesnt mean i have to accept everything he says.
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Aye, but I think that was the point of the post. Was not a good way of doing it though cuz it's so easily misinterpreted. I think they were trying to say leave off Peter cuz we don't the situation. For all we know it could be .... but not that they believe that is the case. Although it does look rather like they're just insulting Carl, I don't think that was their intention. I may be completely wrong though!
x
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It's not a competition you know or a war (despite what the NME say with their feature next week). Obviously there are problems at the moment but to expect to be able to make a fair and balenced assesment of the situation you would need to know all the facts. No one apart from those involved can ever be in that position and even you're not accounting for emotion clouding the issues.
So, just leave it.
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I think you should actually try reading what i write in future.
I have NEVER EVER called Pete a worthless junkie. EVER. I may have expressed my profound disappointment and disgust at the way things have turned out but not once have I said anything against Pete that countless other have said at some time or another. I'm going to see him in Sheffield, yes, so fuck? Now why do you think i tipped up £21 for me and my missus to go then, eh? Or the 'Shambles in Leeds? Or the countless other Libertines gigs I have been to? I am going to see him because I am a fan - but that doesnt mean I have to agree with every single fucking word he says and take it as law.
i cant respond to the whole specifics in your post as really long ones break up on my crappy netscape imac at work, suffice to say whatever the point of your rant is it overlooks completely the fact that i do care about Pete and the band , but that means the band as a whole, not just Pete.
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i think the metro is different in different areas, so only if you live in certain places you'll have the one with peter.
anyway this is what it says:
Driven to destruction
- Troubled Libertines singer Pete Doherty opens his heart.
'I don't want to die.' Coming from punk-rock waif and celebrity skag-head Pete Doherty, this is a surprising announcement, but a welcome one. His voice is pure barrow-boy, his lyrical sentences occasionally tailing off into mumblings or nonsense. One thing's for certain though : the man recently pronounced dead by Internet gossip merchant Popbitch ("Fucking hell, did they?") is alive and kicking.
Best known as the troubled singer of the Libertines, whose sublime punk-rock dandifications rightly caused a furore when they surged onto the undreground indie scene in 2001, it seems Doherty's self destruct button is bigger, redder and shinier than everyone elses. His Class A addictions have seen him steal from bandmate and co-singer Carl Barat, spend a spell in the slammer and do a runner from healing monk hands at Thailand's Thamkrabok Monastery. It's no secret that Doherty's screwed up.
'The narcotic contribution to my lifestyle is exaggerated', he muses. 'If i did the things they say, i would be dead. £1000 of heroin a day is impossible. I feel like i've got things under control on the drugs front. And i'm confident about the album'.
The album to which Doherty refers to is The Libs eponymous follow-up to 2002's debut Up The Bracket. It's due out next month but Doherty won't be on the PR junket - not since Barat announced they'd be touring without him.
'This absolutely breaks my heart' Doherty sighs. 'Saying that i'm too mentally ill to play and that i'm noy welcome at the festicals is a bit like him saying "Kill yourself". i know i've cut myself up and stuff, but that was the first time in my life that i felt suicidal.
'If Carl was a clean-living lad, then maybe i'd make an effort to be completely clean' he continues. 'but i feel abandoned, there's nothing he could have done to hurt me more. Hopefully, he'll get help himself and realise I love him'.
In the meantime, Doherty's focusing on his other musical manifestation, Babyshambles. So how's it different from the libertines? 'Well i'm allowed onstage' Doherty smiles, wanly. 'This libertines album that's coming out should have come out a year ago, so the Babyshambles album we're working on is the new Libertines. We might confuse people by calling it The Libertines by Babyshambles.'
Pete Doherty then - a punk-rock phenomenon with a sense of humour. The weird thing is, ask most people to hum a Libertines track and they'll look a bit baffled. The band's passionate punk-rock remains relatively underground, yet their story - or, specifically, Doherty's - has captured the nations interest.
'I'll do good by you. I'll make you proud for the right reasons' he promises, and you know he believes it. Then he adds: 'Crack cocaine can be a very dangerous drug, but used properly and in moderation...' He trails off. And, sadly, you know he believes that, too.
Two years of turmoil:
Aug 2002: Doherty punches Carl Barat in the throat, walks out of the studio and goes missing for 48 hours.
Jun 2003: Doherty;s first stint in rehab lasts a week.
Jul 2003: With an escalating crack and heroin addiction to fund, Doherty breaks into Barat's flat. He's charged with burglary. He also becomes a dad.
Sep 2003: He's given two months in Wandsworth. The libertines reform on his release and play a gig in Chatham.
Mar 2004: Doherty smashes his guitar and storms off stage halfway through a gig at Brixton Academy.
May 2004: He checks into London's priory rehab clinic but only lasts a week.
Jun 2004: His mum takes him to rehab in france, and he then returns to the priory, but goes missing again. He heads to Thamkrabok for three days, returns to England and, within hours, is arrested for possessing an offensive weapon.
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damn right it should have come out a year ago, its a very good album, but its not fresh to any Libs fans at all.
I sense self indulgent solo albums in the pipeline, pete & carl obviously have their issues, but pete needs carl as much as the other way round.
depressing being a libs fan at the mo, by no means exciting at all
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Then he adds: 'Crack cocaine can be a very dangerous drug, but used properly and in moderation...'
that's really sad... i'm not the expert on crack and smack but i'm pretty darned sure that that's not a viable excuse for using the stuff... pete really needs to wake up and stop this shit before he does himself in...
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"'This absolutely breaks my heart' Doherty sighs. 'Saying that i'm too mentally ill to play and that i'm noy welcome at the festicals is a bit like him saying "Kill yourself". i know i've cut myself up and stuff, but that was the first time in my life that i felt suicidal.
'If Carl was a clean-living lad, then maybe i'd make an effort to be completely clean' he continues. 'but i feel abandoned, there's nothing he could have done to hurt me more. Hopefully, he'll get help himself and realise I love him'."
That part disgusts me, Peter needs to stop blaming other people and start taking responsibility for his own actions. Carlos doesn't deserve any of this! I'm rapidly beginning to think he's much better off without Peter..
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i hate to say it but you've got a point... pete has no grounds to be saying that carl should get help...
i really admire carl for the way he's handled this whole pete saga... and as for the ''maybe he'll realise i love him'' quote... well, pete's not exactly done much to show that recently has he?
now don't get me wrong, i love Bilo as much as i love Biggles, but My God that boy needs to realise that he has to take responsibilty for his own actions... he can't blame anyone but himself for the situation he's in...
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Pete isn't blaming other people. But why should he get kicked out when he IS cleary still fit to play live. If the other libs are doing drugs, they shouldn't be kicking pete out for doing them. If they had petes best interests at heart theyd take him with them and keep an eye on him. He's better with them than the babyshambles.
And does anyone actually know how much pete does, it may not be as much as you think....
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has he been kicked out though? or is he just not wanting to play - ? i havent been keeping up with this saga. its exactly the same as last summers story/......
i think that carl deserves a medal for accepting peter back time and time again when pete says this stuff about him. it must be really hard, and i think he has been very understanding.
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I don't have a clue about Carl's use of drugs, but what I do know is that Pete being out of the Libs for his drug habits is good motivation to sort himself out so he can welcomed back into the band. If Carl is a user tho', it would be very irresponsible to be takin drugs around Pete at such a critical pt in time, but who knows?
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"I don't have a clue about Carl's use of drugs, but what I do know is that Pete being out of the Libs for his drug habits is good motivation to sort himself out so he can welcomed back into the band."
I dont't think thats true as this approach has been tested before and all it resulted in was further spiriling addiction and theft.
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Has anyone considered the possibility that Carl and John and Gary just can't stand him anymore? That maybe he's a complete pain in the arse to be around and they're just tired of bullshit? I don't know the guy from Adam but you have to wonder. Or not.
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Yeah, good point, but this means that the statement Carl put out about Pete always being a Libertine etc is not entirely true. Perhaps this was just a kind way of givin him the boot?
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