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The Libertines
English rock band
The Libertines are an English rock band, formed in London in 1997 by frontmen Carl Barât (vocals/guitar) and Pete Doherty (vocals/guitar). The band, centred on the songwriting partnership of Barât and Doherty, has 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 United Kingdom.
garage rock revivalindie rockpost-punk revivalalternative rockbandbritish
The Night Owl EditionExtra
Early history (1997–2001)
The founding members of the Libertines, Peter Doherty and Carl Barât, met when Barât was studying drama at Brunel University in Uxbridge in west London and sharing a flat in Richmond, London, with Amy-Jo Doherty, Peter's elder sister. Barât abandoned his course two years in; Doherty left his English literature course at Queen Mary, University of London after only a year, and they moved into a flat together on Camden Road in North London, which they named "The Albion rooms."
Reformation and Anthems for Doomed Youth (2014–2024)
On 20 April 2014, an image of London's Hyde Park was released to the band's Facebook page. Around this time, both Carl Barât and Peter Doherty indicated in interviews that they had accepted an offer to play the venue on 5 July 2014. On 25 April, it was confirmed that the Libertines would play on Saturday 5 July in Hyde Park, headlining the day, as part of the Barclaycard British Summer Time series of concerts. Support for the concert would be provided by a number of bands and artists, most notably The Pogues, Spiritualized, Maxïmo Park, Raglans and The Enemy. At the 5 July Hyde Park gig, they announced three new gigs would be held in Alexandra Palace in North London on 26, 27 and 28 September.
The Libertines have been characterised as indie rock, garage rock revival, and post-punk revival with punk rock influences. Lead singers and guitarists Doherty and Barât had different influences musically. Doherty was inspired by bands including (principally) The Jam, Sex Pistols, The Smiths, and Chas & Dave. Doherty has expressed "Still Ill" by the Smiths as a song that means a lot to him, in an interview. Barât admired the Velvet Underground, The Clash, the Doors, Django Reinhardt, and Nirvana. Doherty liked the written works of William Blake, Emily Dickinson and Thomas Chatterton whereas Barât preferred Saki and the Edwardian idea of wit.
London based rock & roll band (signed to Virgin Records, previously Rough Trade), featuring Peter Doherty on vocals/guitar, Carl Barat also on vocals/guitar, John Hassall on bass guitar & Gary Powell on drums.
Also known as: Libertines
From Discogs (free to use). Their entry
Liner notes
The Libertines, the records, oldest first
Up the Bracket
2002 album
Time for Heroes
2003 ep
wanted
I Get Along
2003 ep
Don't Look Back Into the Sun
2003 ep
What Became of the Likely Lads
2004 ep
Exclusive 5 Track CD
2004 ep
The Libertines
2004 album
wanted
Anthems for Doomed Youth
2015 album
All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade
2024 album
Records from MusicBrainz; covers from the Cover Art Archive.
"Don't Look Back into the Sun" is a non-album single by the Libertines. NME magazine awarded it single of the week upon its August 2003 release.
Release
The single was released in three versions in the United Kingdom featuring a re-recording of "Death on the Stairs" produced by Bernard Butler. With "Death on the Stairs" present the single was sometimes labeled as "Don't Look Back into the Sun"/"Death on the Stairs".
Reception
In May 2007, NME magazine placed "Don't Look Back into the Sun" at number five in its list of the 50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever, one place ahead of the Libertines' "Time for Heroes". In October 2011, NME placed it at number 71 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".
In popular culture
"Don't Look Back into the Sun" was used on the re-cap for some episodes of the BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey, as well as at the end of "First Day", the first episode of The Inbetweeners.
"Can't Stand Me Now" is the first single from English rock band the Libertines' self-titled second album. The song was their biggest hit, and peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart and number 28 on the Irish Singles Chart.
In the United Kingdom, it is their second highest-selling single after "Don't Look Back into the Sun".
Release
The song received some exposure in the United States; WFNX in Boston debuted the song by playing it twice back-to-back before its official radio airplay release. The promotional video for the song was filmed at one of the band's gigs at the Kentish Town Forum at the end of 2003 and was directed by ex-The Jesus and Mary Chain bassist Douglas Hart.
Reception
In May 2007, NME placed "Can't Stand Me Now" at number 13 in its list of the "50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever". NME also named the song as the best track of 2004. In October 2011, NME placed it at number 26 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".
Cover artwork
The cover art features an orange X and yellow background (CD 1) / blue X and green brushed background (CD 2) cover art by Sophie Thunder. The CD is a black disc with the orange X graphic (CD 1) / white disc with the blue X graphic (CD 2) from cover art, track listing and Rough Trade logo in orange / blue, and black on white / white on black 'THE LIBERTINES' logo. The back cover is a silhouette, black-and-white photograph by Sophie Thunder of Pete and Carl standing in front of a window smoking a cigarette.
