BABYSHAMBLES PICS, VIDS ,REVIEWS

Pete Calls The Law A Pain In The Ass

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Wed, 12 May 2010 12:56:00 +0000

After being arrested for after his tour bus was raided for drugs, lead singer of Babyshambles Pete Doherty has called the law a pain in the arse.

After being searched and arrested Doherty was kept overnight after police dogs sniffed out class A's on his person following a gig in Shrewsbury.

He was released on bail the following morning and has been ordered to return to Telford in December.

Outside the police station Doherty ranted: It's all a big mistake. Every day of this tour we have been told we are going to get raided and basically, they have found fuck all.

"In the words of Dr Johnson, the law is a pain in the arse."

"This implant I've got to keep me off heroin has gone septic and it's spitting pills.

"I have been clean on this tour. It's libellous to call me a smackhead - it's a good job I am too disorganised to sue."

Despite the Norwich gig being cancelled last night it is expected that the remaining UK tour dates will continue as normally as possible, they are:

Southend, Chinnery
Bristol Academy
Middlesbrough, Empire
Leeds, Blank Canvas
Liverpool Academy
Cardiff University
London, Brixton Academy

Peter Doherty To Sing Three Lions

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 18:03:00 +0000

Frank Skinner has hinted Pete Doherty may be involved in the latest version of World Cup anthem Three Lions.

Frank, comedy partner David Baddiel and Ian Brodie of the Lightning Seeds wrote the song to support the England team in Euro 96 and rewrote it for the World Cup in France in 1998, reaching No 1 in the charts on both occasions, and were rumoured to be recording a new version this year with Robbie Williams.

Speaking at the premiere of David's new film The Infidel, Frank teased: "I have heard rumours, yeah. There's all sort of talk going on. I heard Pete Doherty's name mentioned, even. Anyway that's probably a secret, I shouldn't have said."

The comedian said going to South Africa with David to cover the World Cup was the best job in the world - and he believed England could win the tournament.

"Well I always think we are going to win, of course. Now we've got like a proper manager and everything I think it's a possibility," he said.

Frank insisted he is not worried about Wayne Rooney's injury, saying: "Wayne will be fine. Wayne is like a bull terrier. He is basically unharmable. He's so hard and strong."

The Libertines New Songs

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 10:05:00 +0000

Libertines Haven't Ruled Out New Songs
Apr 05, 2010

The Libertines won't be playing any new tunes when they play those reunion gigs this summer, but that doesn't mean they're not going to try writing some.

The act will stick strictly to the back catalog when it takes the stage this summer at the Reading and Leeds Festivals. The outfit isn't going to rule out a more prolonged stay, however, as NME reports both singer/guitarists Carl Barat and Pete Doherty said they're considering revving the songwriting machine back up as part of the reunion.

Pete's spit: Five to sue

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 20:20:00 +0000

Pete's spit: Five to sue

Bosses from TV's Five are to sue drug addict Pete Doherty for assault after he spat beer at a reporter.

Live From Studio Five's Minnie Stephenson was sprayed on the back of her head as she interviewed his Libertines bandmate Carl Barat.

Viewers saw Doherty, 31, twice spit at her after swigging beer from a bottle. Police are not taking action, but a Five source said: "What Doherty did was disgusting. Minnie wasn't bothering him, but he just decided to spit all over her. The station will be taking it all the way on her behalf.

Brawl Led To Libertines Reunion

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 20:18:00 +0000

Cult British rock band THE LIBERTINES' reunion was sealed after frontman PETE DOHERTY got into a brawl in Denmark.

The controversial singer/guitarist was strolling through a street in the country last year (09) when a group of tourists hurled abuse at him - which escalated into a group fight.

Doherty was so shaken up, he called up former Libertines bass player John Hassall, who now lives in Denmark - and the conversation set the wheels in motion for the band's surprise reunion.

The Libertines split in 2004 after Doherty's drug addiction caused a huge rift with fellow frontman Carl Barat. Although they eventually made up, a full reunion of the band looked unlikely until Doherty contacted Hassall.

Doherty tells rock mag NME, "I was in Denmark last year. I got abused by a load of Americans. I walked past this bar and one of them went, 'Hey man, what's Danish for pr**k?' I ended up getting in a bit of a ruck (brawl). As usual I got the f**king blame, and I phoned John. That's how we got back in touch."

Doherty, who previously confessed the band's upcoming gigs at the Reading and Leeds festivals in the U.K. could be a "f**king disaster", also admits the reunion is "upsetting".

He adds, "It would be very easy for us to laugh and joke and put up a front about it, but there's almost something quite upsetting about it in the excitement. It was a big part of my life. And I'm quite good at blocking things out. But the more I think about it, the more it upsets me. It's a celebration of a different time. It's a time that was... well, it's gone."

Doherty Blasted For Spitting At Tv Presenter After Reunion Gig

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 20:13:00 +0000

Doherty Blasted For Beer Spit

PETE DOHERTY has come under fire from critics after he was caught on camera spitting beer at a U.K. TV news reporter following THE LIBERTINES' reunion gig.

The cult band, fronted by Doherty and Carl Barat, took part in a press conference at North London pub The Boogaloo on Wednesday (31Mar10), where the group performed an impromptu eight-song set.

They took time out to chat to Channel Five showbiz reporter Minnie Stephenson, during which Barat mentioned how bandmate Gary Powell had accidentally spat beer on her.

As Stephenson returned to speak directly into camera, Doherty could be seen in the background approaching the journalist and spitting beer at the back of her head.

The show then returned to the panel in the studio, where former soccer star-turned-TV host Ian Wright proceeded to chastise Doherty for his vile behaviour.

He ranted, "You know what, Pete Doherty does my head in (annoys me). I hate that geezer (guy). He's spitting on her back. What a complete mug (idiot) he is! What a fool. I hate that guy."

Peter Live on the 25th Vid

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 16:29:00 +0000

Pete Doherty is set to play a matinee solo

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 11:44:00 +0000

Pete Doherty is set to play a matinee solo show at the The Blues Kitchen in London on Easter Saturday (April 3), it has been announced.

The Babyshambles man will be supported by his sister's band, The Ezra Beats for the show, with doors set to open at 3pm (GMT).

See Theblueskitchen.com for venue details.

To check the availability of Pete Doherty tickets and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/TICKETS now, or call 0871 230 1094.

Pete Doherty arrested over drug death of Robin Whitehead

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:46:00 +0000

The Babyshambles star, 31, was one of four people questioned following the death of the 27-year-old filmmaker.

The body of Miss Whitehead, granddaughter of the late Teddy Goldsmith – founder of The Ecologist magazine – was discovered at a flat in Hackney, east London, on January 24 after paramedics answered a 999 call.

She died from a suspected drug overdose.

Doherty was arrested in connection with the inquiry on Friday.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "A 31-year-old man was arrested on March 19 on suspicion of supplying controlled drugs. He was bailed to return on a date in April pending further inquiries."

Doherty's friend, Peter Wolfe, 41, who found Robin's body but denied she had taken drugs, has also been arrested on suspicion of supplying controlled drugs and perverting the course of justice.

The flat's owner Gill Samworth, 53, has been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and allowing the flat to be used for the supply of drugs.

Musician Alan Wass, 28, was also arrested last Tuesday on suspicion of supplying drugs.

All three have been bailed until April.

Doherty, a friend of Miss Whitehead, said he was "shocked and saddened" following her death.

She had completed a documentary film, The Road To Albion, about Doherty's former band, The Libertines, and spent a lot of time with the singer.

Her website shows pictures of Doherty with his body encased in plaster, lying on a board in a crucifixion pose.

Her mother, Dido Whitehead, is a cousin of Jemima Khan and Zac Goldsmith, and her father is the 1960s filmmaker Peter Whitehead.

Want To See Courtney Love AND Pete Doherty Live?

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:40:00 +0000

Want To See Courtney Love AND Pete Doherty Live? Now You Can. Hurrah!

The Shockwaves NME Awards Shows are set to explode in February as notorious rock royalty join the already impressive line up. Guaranteeing a whirlwind of energy and excitement, Babyshambles play Koko on 17th February, and Hole storm the stage on the same night at Shepherds Bush Empire.

They will join headline acts including The Maccabees, Mike Snow, Hadouken!, Simian Mobile Disco, British Sea Power, The Sunshine Underground and New Young Pony Club who are already lined up as part of this festival of cutting edge music. These unmissable shows lead towards the highly anticipated and legendary Shockwaves NME Awards, taking place on 24th February at the iconic O2 Academy Brixton.

Never far from the headlines Pete Doherty’s Babyshambles, will take to the stage at Camden’s Koko on 17th February. Formed in 2003 the band released two albums, Down in Albion and Shotter’s Nation amidst a tidelwave of tabloid attention. This year is set to be huge for the band as they prepare to kick off 2010 in true NME style.

The notorious Courtney Love also makes a welcome return, ready to bring her legendary attitude and superstar persona to the Shepherd’s Bush Empire stage on the 17th of February with her band Hole. First formed in 1989 and splitting in 2002, a modified Hole are set to return amidst anticipation of their hotly awaited album ‘Nobody’s Daughter’, set for release early this year.

Shockwaves NME Awards Shows 2010

February 2010
Tuesday 2nd February – Scala – Miike Snow - £10.60
Wednesday 3rd February – Scala – Hadouken! - £15.10
Tuesday 9th February – Sacla – British Sea Power - £13.10
Wednesday 17th February – Koko – Babyshambles - £21.60 + charity donation
Wednesday 17th February – Shepherd’s Bush Empire – £17.50 + charity donation
Thursday 18th February – Koko – The Sunshine Underground - Cosmo Jarvis – Wild Palms
Thursday 18th February – Cargo – Detroit Social Club - £8.60
Saturday 20th February – Matter - Simian Mobile Disco
Sunday 21st February – The Academy, Dublin – 25.00 EUR
Monday 22nd February – Islington Academy – New Young Pony Club - £13.10
Monday 22nd February – Cargo – Delphic - £10.60
Monday 22nd February – Mandella Hall, Belfast - £20.00
Tuesday 23rd February – Scala – Girls – Frankie & The Heartstrings - £10.60
Tuesday 23rd February – Heaven – Yeasayer - £12.10

Pete Arrested

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:29:00 +0000

Pete Doherty has been rearrested at Gloucester Crown Court this morning for suspected drug possession, moments after being spared jail for driving offences.

Doherty was initially ordered to pay £2,050 in fines with £160 costs and banned from driving for 18 months, relating to an incident in June.

However, the county force then arrested Doherty before he had left the court, this time on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance.

An onlooker who saw Doherty's arrest told The Sun that a clingfilm wrap thought to contain drugs fell out of his pocket when he first arrived at the court.

"He was being frisked by a security officer and when he emptied his pockets a clingfilm wrap fell out," the onlooker said. "The security man picked it up and saw it contained what looked like little blue crystals. The security man phoned the police and about six officers came over and waited to arrest Doherty when his case was over."

Pete Doherty is to collaborate with Towers Of London

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 11:41:00 +0000

Pete Doherty is to collaborate with Towers Of London guitarist Kristian Marr at a London art show on October 23. Doherty has been working on an acoustic set with Marr to perform at the show, which is in aid of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy charity. The night, which is called Rock Renaissance, also features artists, including New Yorker Phil Stein, and London-based Grant Kennedy

Pete Doherty Prepares New Album With Graham Coxon

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:52:00 +0000

The rumors are confirmed: Pete Doherty prepares your new album alone with the collaboration of Graham Coxon, guitarist and principal figure of Blur. There might not be better news for that we are fans of both.

The Babyshambles baterista has confirmed – accidentally to reveal too much – that both are together doing music. First he affirmed that Doherty was working with someone whose name was rhyming with “Layham Hoxon“ later to admit it to the egg whites.

Really if something was talking each other more that a collaboration many we would be pleased, especially those that we believe that in the best of Blur great Coxon had to say, for much that Damon Albarn should take almost the whole credit.

Pete Doherty Head-Hunted By Tories

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 11:06:00 +0000

Babyshambles star Pete Doherty has been invited to make a keynote speech at Manchester's Conservative Party Conference which begins on Monday.

"We've long wanted to get Mr Peter Doherty aboard", confessed a party activist. "We see him as a fine example for the talented youth of today, particularly since he's made such efforts to get himself off the Aspirin".

"Mr Doherty has been offered a free platform to debate either health issues, street crime or education", he explained. "The entire Shadow Cabinet is agreed that Peter Doherty has the potential to become a Conservative MP because he's in touch with the public and is extremely popular with the vital youth sector of the electorate.

Asked today what subject he'd decided to talk about, Pete Doherty was non-committal. "What's it matter to anyone", he said. "Thing about me joining the Tories is they're OK about creative people like me having more than one job", he explained.

"I've been wanting to duet with Ken Clarke for years and he's already signed for the next Babyshambles tour", he revealed. "Anyone who likes cigars, jazz and beer is a natural friend of mine. Also, William Hague's a bit nippy on the piano so he'll be joining us whenever he's not titting about as Foreign Secretary. Pity he doesn't do coke though".

It's just been announced that Pete Doherty's Conference speech will be on Prison Reform and will be delivered on either Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.

spoof.com

Pete Doherty trial date Set ( once again )

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:59:00 +0000

In December, Pete Doherty is headed to his home away from home. No, not prison. His other home away from home: the courtroom.

Pete Doherty: Putting British lawyers' kids through college. The Babyshambles rocker, solo artist and pillar of the British legal system appeared yesterday (Oct. 1) to enter an innocent plea on charges of reckless driving in a Gloucester courtroom, according to The Gloucester Shire. The rocker's set to appear Dec. 21 to stand trial on charges of wild driving.

Kate Moss Plans Music Career

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:07:00 +0000

It's no secret that Kate Moss likes to embark on the odd karaoke session with her showbiz pals, but we've never really taken her too seriously when it comes to a musical career... until now.

According to reports, the model has joined The Performing Rights Society, an official association protecting rights for songwriters, composers and publishers.

A spokesman for the community confirmed Kate had joined, adding: 'Kate has co-written some songs with Pete Doherty and will now be able to collect her share of the royalties.'

Perhaps most interestingly, the 35-year-old's move has led to speculation she is planning to launch her career with boyfriend Jamie Hince.

The Kills guitarist is also a member of the society, and is said to be finally mellowing to the idea of working with Kate, who requested to sing with him and the band's frontwoman Alison Mosshart on tour last year.

While then, the answer was a resounding no, we wonder if her ability to charm even the likes of business Simon Cowell and Philip Green has finally brought him round...

marieclaire.co.uk

Libertines reunion venue Hackney Empire to close

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 09:13:00 +0000

London's Hackney Empire is to close for several months to reassess its financial situation, bosses have announced.

The east London venue, which was the scene of Pete Doherty and Carl Barat's reunion gig in 2007, will close its doors in January for at least six months, while owners try to take stock of its financial situation.

The decision to close the theatre comes after artistic director and chief executive Simon Thomsett left the Hackney Empire by "mutual consent" last month, reports The Stage. Thomsett's replacement, interim chief executive Clarie Middleton, said that she does not want the closure to be permanent.

"The idea is that we stop, take a breath and take stock of the way the organisation operates. We just need a little time to do that," she explained.

Hackney Empire opened in 1901 as a music hall, and saw performances from Charlie Chaplin, WC Fields and Stan Laurel.

Doherty has played the venue several times, though his most famous date there came on April 12, 2007 when he reunited onstage with Carl Barat for the first time since The Libertines' split in 2004.

Madness and Billy Bragg have also performed at the venue.

n.m.e.com

Barat says the time is not right for a Libertines reunion

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:50:00 +0000

Singer and guitarist Carl Barat plans to release a debut solo album next year and take his first theatrical steps on stage in January.

That leaves very little time to think about reforming his old band the Libertines.

"It's not too late, it's just not the right time. I am not ruling it out completely but next year I am doing my album and maybe acting in two plays in London in January," Barat told Reuters.

Speculation has been rife that the cult British rock act would reform, reuniting Barat, 31, with fellow frontman Peter Doherty, years after they fell out in a blaze of drugs and bruised egos.

Recently Doherty, 30, who currently fronts Babyshambles, seemed to be on a mission to reform the Libertines, telling the New Musical Express magazine that he wanted to reunite the band to play British festival slots next summer.

Barat spoke to Reuters while relaxing backstage after playing at the Paris Pompidou Centre museum with ex-Moldy Peaches frontman and U.S. anti-folk singer Adam Green Friday.

One of the evening's highlights was the pair's cover of old Libertines favourite "What a Waster." The raucous performance ended with Green tying up some members of the audience with heavy tape and smashing a guitar.

Barat, looking dapper in a white shirt, black tuxedo and matching hat, and accompanied by a fiddle and cello, played a couple of new songs he has been working on.

Of the future album, he said: "It's the first time I'm being on my own and doing without guitars fighting each other. It's a bit more about the voice. A bit more naked."

He has no record deal yet, but there are discussions with labels, he said.

Barat, whose influences range from the Kinks, the Velvet Underground to jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, said he had been writing solo songs since Dirty Pretty Things, the band he formed in 2005 after the Libertines demise, split up last year.

"I'd like to release the album as soon as possible. I'm working every day. I want the songs to be completely new. I want to do something fresh," he said.

Asked how he felt about being on his own for the first time in years, he said: "It's absolutely terrifying but it has to be done. It's very hard but at the same time it's very rewarding."

"Everyone has to do what they think is right. Even if it's shit, people respect you for being brave enough."

Barat released two albums with Dirty Pretty Things: "Waterloo to Anywhere" and "Romance at Short Notice."

LIBERTINES NO SIDE PROJECT

In recent months speculation grew of a Libertines reformation particularly as Doherty and Barat were often seen at each other gigs or even performed together.

This summer Doherty told the NME that he had already convinced former Libertines bandmates John Hassall, bass, and Gary Powell, drums, to reunite for gigs, and that as soon as Barat agreed, dates would be finalised.

Doherty went on to joke he would even consider hiring a Barat lookalike to stand in if the real one would not sign up.

"Good luck to him !" said Barat.

In March 2009, Doherty released a debut solo album "Peter Doherty: Grace/Wastelands" to critical acclaim.

In interviews Doherty insists he can juggle a solo career, his role as Babyshambles frontman and a Libertines reformation.

But for Barat The Libertines are no side-project.

"If I do the Libertines, it will be just the Libertines. If we do the Libertines, let's give them everything and be the Libertines again. Let's live that life again. It's a life and it's for a reason, for a good purpose," he said.

In July, former Clash guitarist and punk legend Mick Jones, who produced the Libertines' two albums "Up the Bracket" and "The Libertines" was quoted by music website The Quietus as saying he would be keen to see the pair get back in studio.

"I'm sure we'd have a lot more fun...We love Mick of course," Barat said, adding he had not seen Jones for a while.

PETE DOHERTY'S ROUNDHOUSE SHOW

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:37:00 +0000

Pete Doherty kicked-off his UK tour on Saturday night (19.09.09) with a two-hour show at The Roundhouse in Camden, North London.

Pete Doherty kicked-off his UK tour on Saturday night (19.09.09).

The former Babyshambles and Libertines frontman wowed his army of loyal fans as he performed a two-hour set at The Roundhouse in Camden, North London.

His playlist mainly consisted of tracks from his solo album 'Grace/Wastelands' but also included some huge crowd pleasers including 'For Lovers', 'Delivery' and Libertines numbers 'Donâ€™t Look Back Into The Sun' and 'Time For Heroes'.

Dressed in his trademark hat and jacket Pete â€“ who has previously not turned up for shows â€“ looked to have put his personal problems behind him and looked every inch the star.

Following his well-received set, Pete came back for an encore, which included a cover of The Specials' hit 'Message To You'.

He continued his small tour with a concert in Lemington Spa last night (20.09.09) and he will play Manchester Apollo tonight (21.09.09) and finish in Glasgow Barrowlands on Wednesday (23.09.09).

Wry beautiful and bizzare

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:13:00 +0000

Musician and DJ Adam Ficek is best known for his day job as drummer in the notorious British rock act Babyshambles.

As a member of the Peter Doherty-fronted band, Adam has seen the best and worst of life at the casualty-laden core of the music industry.

What many people don't know is that he is an artistic talent in his own right. Adam was born in Bletchley, Milton Keynes and over the years has amassed an impressive repertoire of musical skills.

He plays the guitar, piano, vibraphone, accordion, flute, trumpet, harmonica, tin whistle, recorder, and – of course – drums.

He knew Babyshambles' former manager James Mullord and ex-guitarist Patrick Walden from the time the three spent together in and around London's Old Street area.

Much of what followed (the albums, the gigs, the arrests, the tabloid scandals, the burnouts and triumphs and tragedies) is already modern pop history.

Roses Kings Castles is the moniker under which Adam performs and records his own unique catalogue of quixotic, chiming, and astute acoustic pop songs.

Lost somewhere between Belle & Sebastian's pastoral warmth and the hallucinatory six-string invocations of Syd Barrett, a typical Roses Kings Castles track is buoyed by the finest elements of classic British song writing; by turns wry, beautiful, and bizarre.

Originally conceived as an outlet for Adam's 'need to create my own ideas when Babyshambles were on holiday,' Roses Kings Castles quickly became something more than a means of occupying himself whilst on hiatus.

He says: 'I continually write, whether it's big band arrangements, electro riffs or folk-pop songs. I just needed an avenue to walk down.'

PETE DOHERTY'S FLIGHT OF FANTASY

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:12:00 +0000

PETE DOHERTY'S FLIGHT OF FANTASY

Babyshambles rocker Pete Doherty says he once took so many drugs he thought he was an air hostess.

Pete Doherty once took so many drugs he thought he was an air hostess.

The Babyshambles rocker began hallucinating after injecting horse tranquiliser ketamine while he was working on the band's 2007 album 'Shotter's Nation'.

Pete said: "Snorting it is bad enough but injecting it is the equivalent of... well, there is no explanation. One minute you're a perfectly sane human being working on what should be an album you're proud of and committed to - the next you're an air hostess on an airplane bound for Portugal."

Pete, 30, was dating British supermodel Kate Moss at the time, and claims the incident was one of the reasons for their split.

He explained to Britain's Elle magazine: "Imagine, there's millions of you inside a little tube which is going up a dog's ear. And your producer Stephen Street is carrying you from the toilets. And then your girlfriend turns up and starts shouting at Stephen Street, 'What's all this? What are you doing?' Stephen's like, 'Oh f***ing hell, we've got a vocal to do.' And I'm like, 'Do you want another drink?' Because I thought I was an air hostess."

Lazy Eye Mangement!: My Generation: Babyshambles & Roger Daltrey.

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:41:00 +0000

Lazy Eye Mangement!: My Generation: Babyshambles & Roger Daltrey.

Babyshambles Festivals 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Fri, 16 May 2008 18:20:00 +0000

Saturday 31-May-08 France St Pois Papillons de Nuit

Saturday 7-Jun-08 Germany Rock Am Ring
Sunday 8-Jun-08 Germany Rock Im Park

Thursday 12-Jun-08 Sweden Hultsred

Thursday 26-Jun-08 Norway Hove Festival

Friday 4-Jul-08 Belgium Rock Werchter
Saturday 5-Jul-08 France ARGELES SUR MER Les Déferlantes
Sunday 6-Jul-08 France Belfort Eurockeennes Festival

Friday 11-Jul-08 France Alpes The Musilac Fetival

Tuesday 15-Jul-08 Switzerland Montreux Montreux Jazz Festival, Miles
Davis Hall

Thursday 17-Jul-08 France Vieilles Charrues Festival
Friday 18-Jul-08 Spain Benicassim
Saturday 19-Jul-08 Spain Madrid Benicassim

Saturday 16-Aug-08 Austria Koppl Frequency Festival
Sunday 17-Aug-08 Hungary Budapest Sziget Festival

Friday 22-Aug-08 England Reading Reading Festival
Saturday 23-Aug-08 England Leeds Leeds Festival

Saturday 30-Aug-08 Netherlands Utrecht Festival De Beschaving

Saturday 13-Sep-08 France La Courneuve Fete de l¹Humanite, open air

FREEDOM GIG!

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:49:00 +0000

Pre sale tickets available from 9 am tomorrow morning.

http://www.artistticket.com/link/?s=babyshambles

13th may - the forum, doors open at 7pm

come along and celebrate Peters early release from Her Majestys pleasure!

Rhythm Factory Reviews by Alice Biglow

noreply@blogger.com (Xonica) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 16:40:00 +0000

Is There Life After the Rhythm Factory?

December 16-17-18 2007

The Rhythm Factory in Whitechapel has been home to what is now becoming a little annual ritual. Three nights of Pete Doherty, the first a solo and the subsequent two with the rest of Babyshambles. This year a shifting cast of friends booked tickets in a late night frenzy of excitement to a mega Pete-fest. Three nights and nowhere near enough sleep later, it’s over. Late night debriefing, feeling as if we have been spat out at the other end of yet another set of memorable gigs.

Seeing Pete at the Rhythm Factory has a special quality. A venue that is full of associations with the Libertines, the familiar blue back wall, with Rhythm Factory in white lettering, appears in video after video, immortalised in photographs, it is hard to be there and not see the ghosts of young Pete and Carl flitting about the stage. It is an incredibly atmospheric venue. A small concrete box, low ceiling, barrier constructed of scaffolding and ply, tiny stage and a box lighting rig hanging from the ceiling inches above the performers’ heads. It boasts a somewhat unbelievable license for 400, and the music always seems several notches too loud for the size of the space. It gets crowded and sweaty, and even when, early on in the evening, there are not many people in the hall, it seems to burst at the seams.

Act I - Soliloquy

Pete Doherty December 16th, 2007

Most of the reviews of Babyshambles recent Arena Tour led with a commentary on how un-shambolic the band were. And, indeed, this was palpably true. Shambles were tight and professional, and the performances were impressive. But the change in Doherty was nowhere near as dramatically visible as it was at his first solo gig since emerging from rehab.

When I saw Pete’s solo gig last January at the Rhythm Factory I was pleasantly surprised at how lucid he was. But eleven months on, the transformation is astonishing, and it is only seeing him on his own, close up, that you realise just how much difference being clean has made. It was evident in hundreds of little ways. His movement was precise and controlled, he looked wonderful, he was talkative and interacted with the audience during the whole of the 100 minute performance. But best of all, most significantly of all, was his voice – beautifully controlled, breathy and passionate, not a glimmer of the slightly rambling quality that one associates with Pete solo. We didn’t know what we were missing until it was there. He has not lost the meandering sense of someone singing to a bunch of mates in their front room, but has acquired a beautiful tone and a precision that is less familiar. Every song was a joy to hear, and he was charming, funny and alert throughout.

By 9pm we were ensconced one row back, and, inevitably, had a long wait until Pete appeared bang on time at midnight. The time was filled by chatting to an excited bloke in front of us, who eventually gave up his spot in the front to go to the loo. Four support bands were listed, starting with a rather engaging Dylan look-alike by the name of Tom Court, who with his ‘mate’ played a sequence of interesting acoustic songs. Next up was the energetic Supernovas who combined driving tunes with a convincingly rock and roll front man. The third band, featuring Texas Bob, was the Television Personalities. Their set was interrupted by a completely wasted Alan Wass, scheduled to play next, who wandered on stage and proved unwilling to leave, to the point of wielding a bottle threateningly. He was finally escorted off by a clutch of bouncers, having rather blotted his copy book with the audience. The energetic and funny compere, Vis the Spoon, provided amusing commentary, and we were rather surprised to see Wass take the stage about half an hour later, announcing he had an apology to make, which he did, and then played a rather discordant version of his rather tuneful, ‘Hired Gun’.

At midnight sharp Pete arrived on stage, radiating good form, wearing a slightly grubby black suit and white shirt (missing button replaced by safety pin) and a hugely ornate silver necklace. He looked particularly beautiful, skin clear and translucent. The set was eclectic, starting, somewhat disconcertingly with ‘Shambles’ usual closer, Fuck Forever. Most songs were played in response to audience request, and included a number of real treats – songs not often played, including Bucket Shop, Through the Looking Glass and You’re My Waterloo. It was a performance full of memorable ‘moments’ and witty comments. In response to a request for ‘What a Waster’, Pete replied, ‘Yeah, I know, but what do you want me to play?’. ‘The Delaney’ followed a somewhat off the wall, ‘Oh, I don’t know about that, I don’t play it very often’, and he launched into ‘I Wish’ only to grind to a halt, saying ‘I’ve been practising… but I can never get this right’.

He downed pints of cranberry juice, getting through nearly four of the stuff which I find has an odd dehydrating effect on your mouth. Pete, however, seems to have no such problems with cranberry. Dripping with sweat, he requested ‘towels for the artiste,’ but didn’t complain when it seemed to take ages to provide said towels. And when they came (two little checked tea towels – someone had clearly rummaged around in the kitchen), he dried his head vigorously, creating a charmingly tufty hairstyle reminiscent of his very early days. Indeed, one of the things that really struck me about his appearance was how young he looked. Much younger than earlier this year when he still had the rather haggard appearance of a heavy drug user.

It was a really lovely show. Pete was chatty, the audience was enthusiastic, but benevolent, football chants abounded, and there was that really strong sense of connection with the audience that Pete is so very good at generating.

Act II - Chaos in the Dark

Babyshambles December 17th, 2007

Night two. Babyshambles plus five support acts. Oh joy, the prospect of standing at the barrier for, in the region of five hours, much of it waiting. But the alternative is to end up at the back of the crowd feeling frustrated. So to wait is the only really viable option.

The supports were a pleasant surprise. First up was Steve White, a heavily tattooed ‘ordinary joe’ with a good sense of tune and a handful of cheerfully delivered lyrics cram packed with social commentary – global warming, the tyranny of trying to be thin, and a chirpy condemnation of supermarkets with a memorable chorus starting with ‘why is it always summer in Sainsbury’s?’ The Badass Cowboys followed on with a series of musical treats which could only be described as an Indie style Country and Western.

Alan Wass repeated his apologies from the night before in rather more convincing style, and with his excellent guitarist, performed a reasonably coherent set. Red Roots followed, having scooped multi-talented and effortlessly charming Nico from the disintegrating ranks of Ark of the Covenant, winning over the audience with a lively front man and ska influences. The final support was No Picasso, and although I wasn’t convinced by their punk-style delivery, the lead singer, with his ‘fuck me’ dancing, and his able handling of a heckler proved quite entertaining.

And then somehow, between the end of the support bands and the arrival of Babyshambles, all the technicals seemed to go haywire. First sign of a glitch was a lot of fiddling with the bass amp, plugging and unplugging Drew McConnell’s familiar bashed-up instrument. A plea was made to the other bands for a working bass, and after more futzing, it appeared that ‘Shambles were ready to go. But it was not to be that simple. Only Adam’s drum set up was trouble free. The others embarked on a sequence of plugging and re-plugging, dial-twiddling and mic-tapping. Once again, Pete’s recent sobriety showed, beacon-strong, as he self-tech-ed with a surprising competence and confidence. Indeed, as the audience, already in full ‘band’s-on-squish-mode’ became increasingly restive, the band’s efficient teamwork was impressive, as Rhythm Factory techies raced around looking increasingly stressed. The tension on and off stage escalated. Half an hour of pissing about and several punch-ups in the crowd, and Pete took a pragmatic and wise decision to bugger the problems now focussed on his guitar and begin the set. And they did with gusto, more than compensating for in-out sound for guitars and mics, obvious absence of a monitor on the bass. But the night was destined to be a total technical disaster, because no sooner was the room filled with sound, than we lost all lighting. And I mean all lighting. Pitch black. Gamely, the band carried on, as a single emergency light flicked on and off, casting the stage into a realm of eerie shadow and silhouette. And so it remained for the rest of the set – half light, erratic sound and a band that seemed to feed off the chaos, tethering the audience through driving sound. Pushing flitting thoughts of health and safety into the back of my consciousness, the only sane thing to do was to follow the band’s lead and go with the flow. Anything else would have pushed the event off the scale of chaos into madness.

It was a set cram-packed full of memorable moments. Flickering images cut from old newsreel. Drew coming to the front of the stage and screaming, open mouthed. Mik, Pete and Drew closing in on each other, as if seeking compensation for the lack of light, sound or anything else by reinforcing their connection with each other. Pete bashing his head on a cymbal when offered ‘Leatherhead’ during ‘Albion’. Drew’s own bass, abandoned at the side of the stage. The energy from the band flowed through the venue like a surrogate electric current, warm and good natured. It was clear that all four were delighted to be playing a small venue after the Arena Tour.

And just to liven things up, it was an evening of for stage diving. Pete, dressed for a grunge-stomp in skinny black jeans, white plimsoles, white T shirt and a polo-neck style jumper, leaped repeatedly into the crowd, once continuing to play his guitar. Stage dives that were just that, dives, forward thrust, not simply a flop. Visions of feet and legs poking up from the crowd, worried bouncers trying frantically to haul him back to safety, only to have him do it again. Shoes went on the first go, red socks on the second. Bare feet for the rest of the show giving an unexpected sense of vulnerability. On his first or second dive, following the line of trajectory to just behind me, I was startled to see a alarmed-looking Pete face just behind me, low down, maybe on his knees. And, along with those around me, I hauled, pulling him up and towards the barrier, frantically struggling to keep the bouncer from dragging him over the foot high scaffolding pole upright which would have scored a rather nasty groove along the Doherty frame.

Stocking feet dancing. Between leaps floor resting. Music with no pauses. Playing every song not needing Pete on guitar. Keeping order amidst chaos, this was ‘Shambles magic. Feeding on chaos and managing it, effortlessly. Certainly not the greatest live music they have ever produced, but one of the most amazing live events I have ever had the good fortune to take part in.

Act III - Fights and Flight

Babyshambles December 18th, 2007

After the amazing high of Monday night, Tuesday was bound to be a bit odd. But we had not anticipated just how odd it would be. Indeed, by the time this weary audience member sat down to type these words, the internet was buzzing with commentary on the abortive gig that was a rather deflating follow on to such brilliant duo.

For the record, the Rhythm Factory once again produced a varied and entertaining set of support bands, you didn’t have to like them all, but there was something for everyone. The cutely named ‘Hello Wembley’ engaged and charmed, ‘O Titus’ got our feet stomping, ‘The Scuzzies’ thrashed out indie-punk and ‘Blah, Blah, Blah’ seduced us with a unique brand of high energy music hall rock ‘n’ roll. Red Roots ended the support sequence with a tight melodic set, lovely harmonies and thumping bass lines. A late addition to the line up was a repeat performance of Alan Wass and Lefthand’s guitarist. Sadly, Wass, who at his best delivers a collection of rock ‘n’ roll cowboy-style numbers sung in a sub-Jagger drawl, seems to have sacrificed precision and impetus for a drug/alcohol fuelled vagueness. Although this served as a salutary reminder of the potentially degenerating impact of performing-while-wasted, and acted as a marked contrast to his mate Pete’s sobriety, it remained a rather sorry set, lifted by the dexterity of Lefthand’s guitarist, and a contrast to the full band’s tight sets at the January 2006 RF gigs.

It’s a truism that every gig has a unique audience-feel. Sunday night was largely benevolent, Monday’s was edgy and fractious. On Tuesday, the crowd seemed quite relaxed up to the point where anticipation of the imminent arrival of Babyshambles morphed the atmosphere into one of the more forceful press-shove events I have experienced. ‘Shambles set started off with more waiting, band onstage. Unlike the previous night, this was not a result of technical difficulties, but due to a decision to try and relocate a wheelchair user from the barrier to a refuge at the other side of the stage. Rather bloody late in the day. One would have thought that the RF could have noticed the wheelchair-user fan at some point between half eight when he was in place and half eleven when the extended dialogue about his repositioning began. By the time the security decided to try and do the move, the crowd was densely packed, ‘Shambles had arrived on stage, and a fight had broken out just behind the wheelchair user’s position. Security spoke to Pete, asked him to explain what was going on, which he duly did, but the move took quite a while, during which time the crowd became increasingly tense, one person telling Pete to ‘fuck off’ to which Pete replied ‘you fuck off’ and that the wait was to help someone move. Not an auspicious start.

In marked contrast to the previous nights, Pete didn’t look particularly well, and mumbled about having flu. He was bundled up in an overcoat over a leather jacket and jeans, a lot of clothes even by Pete’s standards. He seemed less physically at ease than he had on the preceding nights. Finally, after time-filling musical twiddles (instrumental East of Eden, for example), the band launched into an energetic version of Kilamanjiro, and at long last things seemed to be taking off. But somehow, the set never did quite find it’s stride. It felt slightly stop-start, and Pete appeared restive, interacting a bit with the audience, but not dominating it as he had on the previous nights. They played seven songs, all a pleasure to hear, and then Pete vanished to the back stage area, followed, more slowly by the rest of the band. The audience waited, wondering, ‘fag break?’ but as the minutes ticked by, beginning, in our corner of the crowd at least, to fear a rather more radical interpretation was in order.

The time was broken by Mik appearing to sing a solo version of ‘I Wish’ which he had done at a number of the arena dates. At the end he was not joined by the rest of the band, but left stage himself. Then someone came and gathered up the guitars and took them to the back stage area. Things did not look good. And indeed, they were not. Adrian, one of ‘Shambles managers appeared on stage with the beginnings of an apology. At which point we made a strategic exit, hoping to avoid a potentially difficult and angry crowd. Outside, people gathered, and the news spread via a someone who knew someone who had been back stage that Pete had been quite ill, pale and vomiting. It seems that the rest of the band played a few more songs to a rather unreceptive audience and the gig was over.

When you have the track record like Pete’s, it is inevitable that people will suspect that the last night at the Rhythm Factory was not a result of genuine illness, but due to drugs or temper. And that is a great pity, since he has so clearly been clean of late. It is too much to expect that the forums, never mind the tabloids will accept the explanation of illness at face value. And that is a shame, because it has been so evident in both the arena tour and the first two RF gigs that whatever else is going on with him, he has achieved a new and impressive ability to control himself and his music, without sacrificing his charm or his love of chaos. For me, the last night detracted not one bit from the total magic of the first two. And I hope that those who decide to cast stones as a result of the Tuesday show do not attempt to taint the stunning tour de force that Pete and Babyshambles demonstrated at the Rhythm Factory on Sunday and Monday.

Alice December 19th, 2007