The Libertines

As the Strokes ushered in a new generation of garage rock-inspired bands in the early Noughties, the Libertines offered a distinctly British blast of ramshackle rock'n'roll in response. Quickly building up a reputation for anarchic guerrilla gigs and chaotic live shows, the fraught relationship between joint frontmen Pete Doherty and Carl Barat soon sparked a devoted fanbase. Produced by the Clash guitarist Mick Jones, debut album Up the Bracket (2003) turned them into the darlings of the UK indie scene; with singles "What a Waster," "Up the Bracket" and "Time for Heroes" establishing a sound that drew on the spirit of punk, the melodies of sixties' guitar bands and the poetic romance of olde time England. Pete Doherty's spiralling drug problems brought prison sentences, rehab and a high-profile relationship with Kate Moss, with the increased tensions forcing the band to employ security guards during the recording of second album The Libertines (2004). "Can't Stand Me Now" became a Number 2 hit single in the UK but, after Pete Doherty was ejected from the band (going on to form Babyshambles), they split in December 2004. In 2010 they reformed with Pete Doherty to play the Reading and Leeds festivals and they reunited in 2014, which resulted in the arrival of their third studio LP, Anthems for Doomed Youth, the following year. It would be another nine years before their fourth album All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade would emerge in 2024, propelled by the lead single "Run Run Run" and with all tracks written by longstanding band members Carl Barat, Pete Doherty, Gary Powell (drums), and John Hassall (bass).

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