[Updated on January 30, 2008] The story of the brilliant Libertines in a 20 track playlist!  The Libertines have turned out to be (along with The Strokes and more recently the Arctic Monkeys) probably the most influencial bands of the new millenium. Thier frantic debut single 'What as waster' may have only just broke into the top 40, but it got the attention of the music press and from the start helped the band establish ... [+]

[Updated on January 30, 2008] The story of the brilliant Libertines in a 20 track playlist!
The Libertines have turned out to be (along with The Strokes and more recently the Arctic Monkeys) probably the most influencial bands of the new millenium. Thier frantic debut single 'What as waster' may have only just broke into the top 40, but it got the attention of the music press and from the start helped the band establish a solid fan base. The debut album 'Up The Bracket' also wasn't high charter straight away, but a solid album with tracks like the title track, the instant classic 'Time for hereos' and the brillaint 'Good old days' slowly gathered a huge word of mouth following.

The band finally split in a wirlwind of drugs, prision, and strained friendships in 2004. The Libertines song 'Can't Stand Me Now' is a brilliant observation of this brake up. A conversation between Carl and Pete, blaiming the problems on the other one. Carl claiming Pete 'Twist and tor thier love appart' while Pete claims 'You shut me off and balimed it on the brown' at one point, claiming Carl shut him out and blaimed all their problems on Petes growing herion addiction.

Whilst the band had split for the 1st time in 2003, Pete collaberated with Wolfman on 'For Lovers', a song whích did well on the radio and UK charts and put Pete in the media spot light, prehaps a big turning point as now the Libertines problems were all over the tabliods!

Razorlight front man Johnny Borrell went to school with Libertines Bassiest John Hassell and often played with the band on the early gig circuit. His song 'Dalston' is supposably about this period when Pete's growing Drugs problems were creating tension in the band, and on his relationship with his best mate and co-Libertines front man Carl Baret.

Whilst Carl tried to hang on to the Libertines, touring without Pete to promote the bands self titled 2nd album, Pete formed Babyshambles. The Song 'The Man Who Came To Stay' is about Anthony Rossomando, Pete's replacement when he went AWOL from the Libertines. At this point it was unclear on the future of the Libertines, and fans hoped Babyshambles was simply a hobbie, but a few months later Babyshambles realeased their 1st single 'Kilamangiro'.

Over the next year there were still many rumours about a Libertines reform, even though Pete continued to tour with Babyshambles (well he turned up sometimes!). They released the 2nd single 'Fuck Forever' in August 2005, around this time Carl annouced a new band, with Libertines drummer Gary Powell, Anthony Rossomando and Didz Hammond of The Cooper Temple Clause. Shortly after Babyshambles realeased their debut LP and...the other Libertine, bassiest John Hassall formed his band 'Yeti' and it seemed the Libertines were officially over.

In 2006 Pete and Carl colaberated on a cover of The Clash's Janie Jones for charity, and even though have both continued work with their own projects, have played a couple of low key improv sets togther...... so all hope is not lost yet for a reform!

Best Of The Libertines! My top 10 Songs
http://www.fiql.com/playlists/best_of_the_libertines_my_top_10/
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