The band

Origin: London, England
Genre(s): Indie Rock, Garage Rock
Years active: 1997-2004
Label: Rough Trade
Former members: Johnny Borrell, Steve Bedlow (Scarborough Steve), Paul Dufour (Mr. Razzcocks), Nick Gavrilovic, Anthony Rossomando

The Libertines were an English indie rock band. Formed in London in 1997 by frontmen Pete Doherty (vocals/rhythm guitar) and Carl Barât (vocals/lead guitar), the band also included John Hassall (bass) and Gary Powell (drums) for most of its recording career. Part of what was described as the garage rock revival movement of that time, the band was centred on the song-writing partnership of Barât and Doherty.

The band gained some notoriety in the early 2000s. Although initially their mainstream success was limited, their profile grew culminating in a #2 single and #1 album in the UK Charts. In December 2004, their self-titled second album was voted the second best album of the year by NME. Both of their full-length LPs were produced by Mick Jones, of the British punk band The Clash.

However, the band’s music was often eclipsed by its internal conflicts, many of which stemmed from Doherty’s addictions to crack cocaine and heroin, ultimately resulting in the breakup of the band. Doherty has since claimed that the breakup of the band has been due to relationship difficulties between Barât and himself, not relating to his drug addictions. The members of The Libertines have gone on to new bands, with varying degrees of commercial and critical success.

Studio Albums

Up the Bracket (2002)

  1. Vertigo - (View lyric?)
  2. Death on the Stairs - (View lyric?)
  3. Horrorshow - (View lyric?)
  4. Time for Heroes - (View lyric?)
  5. Boys in the Band - (View lyric?)
  6. Radio America - (View lyric?)
  7. Up the Bracket - (View lyric?)
  8. Tell the King - (View lyric?)
  9. The Boy Looked at Johnny - (View lyric?)
  10. Begging - (View lyric?)
  11. The Good Old Days - (View lyric?)
  12. I Get Along - (View lyric?)
  13. What a Waster

The Libertines (2004)

  1. Can’t Stand Me Now
  2. Last Post on the Bugle
  3. Don’t Be Shy
  4. The Man Who Would Be King
  5. Music When the Lights Go Out
  6. Narcissist
  7. The Ha Ha Wall
  8. Arbeit Macht Frei
  9. Campaign of Hate
  10. What Katie Did
  11. Tomblands
  12. The Saga
  13. Road to Ruin
  14. What Became of the Likely Lads
  15. France (Hidden track)