The Libertines Biography
Birth Name: NULL
Born: NULL
Birth Place: London, England
Died: NULL
Years Active: 1997–2004, 2010-Present
Genres: Post-punk Revival, Garage Rock Revival, Indie Rock
Born: NULL
Birth Place: London, England
Died: NULL
Years Active: 1997–2004, 2010-Present
Genres: Post-punk Revival, Garage Rock Revival, Indie Rock
The Libertines were an English rock band, formed in London in 1997 by frontmen Carl Barât (vocals/lead guitar) and Pete Doherty (vocals/rhythm guitar). The band, centred on the song-writing partnership of Barat and Doherty, also included John Hassall (bass) and Gary Powell (drums) for most of its recording career. The band was part of the garage rock revival and spearheaded the movement in the U.K.
The Libertines released their first single “What a Waster” in June 2002 on Rough Trade records. The single broke into the U.K. Top 40, and earned the band acclaim from the British music press. The Libertines followed up with their debut full-length album “Up the Bracket” in October 2002. Although “Up the Bracket” only peaked at #35 in the U.K., the album was critically acclaimed, and rated as one of the year's best by many publications. Two singles were released to support the album, “Up the Bracket,” which reached #29 in the U.K., and “Time for Heroes,” which peaked at #20.
In August 2003, The Libertines released their fourth single, “Don't Look Back into the Sun.” It was their highest-charting effort, reaching #11. The band's self-titled second album “The Libertines” was released a year later in August 2004. The album debuted at #1 on the U.K. Albums chart, helped by lead single “Can't Stand Me Now,” which hit #2. “The Libertines,” which was certified platinum in the U.K., saw the band chart in the United States for the first time, peaking at #111 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. However the album was to be the band's last, as they soon disbanded due to Doherty's substance abuse problems, run-ins with the law and disagreements with Barât. In 2007, Rough Trade issued a greatest hits compilation, “Time for Heroes – The Best of The Libertines,” which reached #23 in the U.K.
In spite of their critical success as well as decent commercial success, the band's music was often eclipsed by its internal conflicts, stemming from Doherty's addictions to crack cocaine and heroin, which eventually led to the breakup of the band. Doherty has since stated that the breakup of the band was due to relationship difficulties between Barât and himself that were not related to his drug addictions. The members of The Libertines went on to form new bands with varying degrees of commercial and critical success.
In August 2010, the four members of The Libertines reunited to play a series of shows, including slots at the 2010 Reading and Leeds Festivals. The reunion shows received a highly positive response from the press and fans.
The Libertines released their first single “What a Waster” in June 2002 on Rough Trade records. The single broke into the U.K. Top 40, and earned the band acclaim from the British music press. The Libertines followed up with their debut full-length album “Up the Bracket” in October 2002. Although “Up the Bracket” only peaked at #35 in the U.K., the album was critically acclaimed, and rated as one of the year's best by many publications. Two singles were released to support the album, “Up the Bracket,” which reached #29 in the U.K., and “Time for Heroes,” which peaked at #20.
In August 2003, The Libertines released their fourth single, “Don't Look Back into the Sun.” It was their highest-charting effort, reaching #11. The band's self-titled second album “The Libertines” was released a year later in August 2004. The album debuted at #1 on the U.K. Albums chart, helped by lead single “Can't Stand Me Now,” which hit #2. “The Libertines,” which was certified platinum in the U.K., saw the band chart in the United States for the first time, peaking at #111 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. However the album was to be the band's last, as they soon disbanded due to Doherty's substance abuse problems, run-ins with the law and disagreements with Barât. In 2007, Rough Trade issued a greatest hits compilation, “Time for Heroes – The Best of The Libertines,” which reached #23 in the U.K.
In spite of their critical success as well as decent commercial success, the band's music was often eclipsed by its internal conflicts, stemming from Doherty's addictions to crack cocaine and heroin, which eventually led to the breakup of the band. Doherty has since stated that the breakup of the band was due to relationship difficulties between Barât and himself that were not related to his drug addictions. The members of The Libertines went on to form new bands with varying degrees of commercial and critical success.
In August 2010, the four members of The Libertines reunited to play a series of shows, including slots at the 2010 Reading and Leeds Festivals. The reunion shows received a highly positive response from the press and fans.
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