Post by sacrilegend on May 29, 2007 10:48:45 GMT -5
This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards.
The Libertines were an English rock band who gained notoriety in the early 2000s, as part of what was described as the garage rock revival movement of that time. The band was centred on the song-writing partnership and chemistry of Pete Doherty (vocals/rhythm guitar) and Carl Barât (vocals/lead guitar), and was backed by John Hassall (bass) and Gary Powell (drums).
Although initially their mainstream success was limited, their profile grew culminating in a #2 single and #1 album in the UK Charts. However, the band's music was often eclipsed by its internal conflicts, many of which stemmed from Doherty's considerable drug use, ultimately resulting in the breakup of the band. The members of The Libertines have gone on to new bands, with varying degrees of commercial and critical success.
Musical style and legacy
Doherty and Barât had different influences musically. Doherty was inspired by bands such as The Smiths, Suede and Chas & Dave. Barât admired The Velvet Underground, The Clash, The Jam, The Doors and Django Reinhardt. Doherty liked the written works of William Blake, Emily Dickinson and Thomas Chatterton, whereas Barât preferred Saki and the Edwardian idea of wit. An idol common to both of them was Oscar Wilde.
The Libertines' lyrics occasionally reference their idea of sailing on "the good ship Albion to Arcadia". This idea was especially important to Doherty who has continued the theme when writing for Babyshambles. He thinks of Arcadia as a utopia without any rules or authority.
Their recordings were fairly lo-fi. Mick Jones' recording method was hands-off: he allowed the band to perform one song several times through and would then choose the best take. He performed minimal mixing and dubbing. Bernard Butler was less strict with this, however the final sound still came across as raw and unpolished.
The band has been compared to many classic British rock bands, as their angle on rock is uniquely English. The resemblance to The Beatles, both in their mop-top apperarance and their wild yet melodic music, is striking. Their sound is often likened to that of The Jam and The Kinks' early records as well as The Clash's first album and early singles. They are perhaps most similar to pioneer rockers, Buzzcocks. Morrissey is another strong influence cited by the band members. Many of their lyrics refer to elements of British life, use English/cockney slang and are sung in a near-drunken sounding slur. In their attitude they are sometimes compared to The Sex Pistols due to their chaotic and energetic live performances.
The Libertines were praised for forming a very close relationship with fans. No band of that profile before them had allowed their fans to get so close to them. The band befriended several of their fans. Their guerilla gigs allowed devoted fans to see them in close proximity. They would allow fans into their own flat to see them play. Doherty published the "Books of Albion" online, sharing his personal thoughts and feelings freely. He also frequently posted on the fan forums. This allowed fans a deep insight into his life and helped cement the relationship between the band and the public. They were also very free with their recordings, releasing songs free onto the internet and via word-of-mouth giveaways. This rewarded fans with the chance to hear unfinished songs or ideas, some of which would grow into finished versions on the albums, some of which would be discarded.
The Libertines have had two biographies written about them. Both were written after the split, by close friends to the band. The first was "Kids in the Riot: High and Low with The Libertines" written by Peter Welsh, a friend. The second was The Libertines Bound Together: The Story of Peter Doherty and Carl Barât and How They Changed British Music written by Anthony Thornton and Roger Sargent, an NME journalist and photographer respectively who had followed the band from an early stage.
It is undoubtable that the Libertines have had a lasting effect on the British music scene. The image of Doherty and Barat entwined, Barat looking up protectively as his friend leans into his shoulder, on the front of their second album, has been called by Anthony Thornton "one of the most iconic rock images of the last decade". Their poetic lyrics have inspired thousands of young people to start writing poetry and songs of their own. The intellectualism of their songs - drawing references to William Blake and Oscar Wilde - was a welcome revival of a new strain of British music pioneered by The Smiths. Many young bands cite them as an influence and in their brief tenure as the kings of British music, they inspired scenes of devotion not seen since Manic Street Preachers. Their refusal to distance themselves from their fans was far from just a marketing gimmick, but something which has inspired the "secret gig" phenomenon which many current rock bands have tagged onto. Their influence on British fashion is undoubtable - the military jacket look of the autumn 2005 was inspired by Hedi Slimane's designs around Pete Doherty while the "skinny tie and black suit" and military jacket and jeans looks have also been taken up by following British bands such as the Metro Riots, Razorlight and The Kooks. These fashions were pioneered by The Libertines, Doherty in particular. Comedian Russell Brand, a friend of both Pete and Carl, said on his Channel 4 television show that his lower half (skinny Jeans and pointed shoes with stack heels) was inspired by Carl.
Discography
Albums
1. Up the Bracket (2002)
2. The Libertines (2004)
Singles, Promos, & EPs
What a Waster (03/06/2002)
Up The Bracket (30/09/2002)
Time for Heroes (13/01/2003)
Don't Look Back into the Sun (18/08/2003)
I Get Along EP (US only) (01/09/2003)
Can't Stand Me Now (09/08/2004)
What Became Of The Likely Lads (25/10/2004)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Libertines
www.thelibertines.org.uk
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTb0958ayVI
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f13-zUVriSA
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jSQwoiNNOE
www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4SAY2NhE7Y
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwhHdeHJ1Yk (Ooooh, awesome)
I'll post some more later, I like this.
The Libertines were an English rock band who gained notoriety in the early 2000s, as part of what was described as the garage rock revival movement of that time. The band was centred on the song-writing partnership and chemistry of Pete Doherty (vocals/rhythm guitar) and Carl Barât (vocals/lead guitar), and was backed by John Hassall (bass) and Gary Powell (drums).
Although initially their mainstream success was limited, their profile grew culminating in a #2 single and #1 album in the UK Charts. However, the band's music was often eclipsed by its internal conflicts, many of which stemmed from Doherty's considerable drug use, ultimately resulting in the breakup of the band. The members of The Libertines have gone on to new bands, with varying degrees of commercial and critical success.
Musical style and legacy
Doherty and Barât had different influences musically. Doherty was inspired by bands such as The Smiths, Suede and Chas & Dave. Barât admired The Velvet Underground, The Clash, The Jam, The Doors and Django Reinhardt. Doherty liked the written works of William Blake, Emily Dickinson and Thomas Chatterton, whereas Barât preferred Saki and the Edwardian idea of wit. An idol common to both of them was Oscar Wilde.
The Libertines' lyrics occasionally reference their idea of sailing on "the good ship Albion to Arcadia". This idea was especially important to Doherty who has continued the theme when writing for Babyshambles. He thinks of Arcadia as a utopia without any rules or authority.
Their recordings were fairly lo-fi. Mick Jones' recording method was hands-off: he allowed the band to perform one song several times through and would then choose the best take. He performed minimal mixing and dubbing. Bernard Butler was less strict with this, however the final sound still came across as raw and unpolished.
The band has been compared to many classic British rock bands, as their angle on rock is uniquely English. The resemblance to The Beatles, both in their mop-top apperarance and their wild yet melodic music, is striking. Their sound is often likened to that of The Jam and The Kinks' early records as well as The Clash's first album and early singles. They are perhaps most similar to pioneer rockers, Buzzcocks. Morrissey is another strong influence cited by the band members. Many of their lyrics refer to elements of British life, use English/cockney slang and are sung in a near-drunken sounding slur. In their attitude they are sometimes compared to The Sex Pistols due to their chaotic and energetic live performances.
The Libertines were praised for forming a very close relationship with fans. No band of that profile before them had allowed their fans to get so close to them. The band befriended several of their fans. Their guerilla gigs allowed devoted fans to see them in close proximity. They would allow fans into their own flat to see them play. Doherty published the "Books of Albion" online, sharing his personal thoughts and feelings freely. He also frequently posted on the fan forums. This allowed fans a deep insight into his life and helped cement the relationship between the band and the public. They were also very free with their recordings, releasing songs free onto the internet and via word-of-mouth giveaways. This rewarded fans with the chance to hear unfinished songs or ideas, some of which would grow into finished versions on the albums, some of which would be discarded.
The Libertines have had two biographies written about them. Both were written after the split, by close friends to the band. The first was "Kids in the Riot: High and Low with The Libertines" written by Peter Welsh, a friend. The second was The Libertines Bound Together: The Story of Peter Doherty and Carl Barât and How They Changed British Music written by Anthony Thornton and Roger Sargent, an NME journalist and photographer respectively who had followed the band from an early stage.
It is undoubtable that the Libertines have had a lasting effect on the British music scene. The image of Doherty and Barat entwined, Barat looking up protectively as his friend leans into his shoulder, on the front of their second album, has been called by Anthony Thornton "one of the most iconic rock images of the last decade". Their poetic lyrics have inspired thousands of young people to start writing poetry and songs of their own. The intellectualism of their songs - drawing references to William Blake and Oscar Wilde - was a welcome revival of a new strain of British music pioneered by The Smiths. Many young bands cite them as an influence and in their brief tenure as the kings of British music, they inspired scenes of devotion not seen since Manic Street Preachers. Their refusal to distance themselves from their fans was far from just a marketing gimmick, but something which has inspired the "secret gig" phenomenon which many current rock bands have tagged onto. Their influence on British fashion is undoubtable - the military jacket look of the autumn 2005 was inspired by Hedi Slimane's designs around Pete Doherty while the "skinny tie and black suit" and military jacket and jeans looks have also been taken up by following British bands such as the Metro Riots, Razorlight and The Kooks. These fashions were pioneered by The Libertines, Doherty in particular. Comedian Russell Brand, a friend of both Pete and Carl, said on his Channel 4 television show that his lower half (skinny Jeans and pointed shoes with stack heels) was inspired by Carl.
Discography
Albums
1. Up the Bracket (2002)
2. The Libertines (2004)
Singles, Promos, & EPs
What a Waster (03/06/2002)
Up The Bracket (30/09/2002)
Time for Heroes (13/01/2003)
Don't Look Back into the Sun (18/08/2003)
I Get Along EP (US only) (01/09/2003)
Can't Stand Me Now (09/08/2004)
What Became Of The Likely Lads (25/10/2004)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Libertines
www.thelibertines.org.uk
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTb0958ayVI
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f13-zUVriSA
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jSQwoiNNOE
www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4SAY2NhE7Y
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwhHdeHJ1Yk (Ooooh, awesome)
I'll post some more later, I like this.
