Entertainment
Iconic 00s singer confirms band reunion is ‘on the horizon’ 10 years after split-Danni Scott-Entertainment – Metro
It’s almost their 20th anniversary.
Babyshambles might be about to reunite (Picture: Andy Willsher/Redferns/Getty Images)
Pete Doherty has confirmed that a Babyshambles reunion is on the cards just in time for their debut album’s 20th anniversary.
The 45-year-old musician formed the group in the early 00s after being cast out from The Libertines due to his drug use and arrest.
Babyshambles released their debut album, Down in Albion, in 2005 which went straight into the Top 10 album charts.
The best-known lineup included Drew McConnell on bass and drummer Dr Adam Ficek as well as guitarist Patrick Walden who Mick Whitnall later replaced.
In 2014, The Libertines reformed and Babyshambles went on indefinite hiatus but now Pete is ready to get his bandmates back together.
‘It is on the cards,’ he told NME. ‘We will get back together and get in a room with the instruments and play through the old songs, then get on stage and do it.
Pete Doherty formed the band after being removed from The Libertines (Picture: Mark Holloway/Redferns)
Babyshambles is ready to reunite (Picture: Ross Gilmore/Redferns)
‘But it’s the “who” and the “when” that needs to be worked out. I think we’ll just keep that one on the horizon and deal with that one next year.’
Babyshambles went through a few lineup changes as Pete and other bandmates’ drug use caused friction.
Over the years, the frontman has been arrested multiple times on drug-related charges, having also spent time in jail.
Original drummer Gemma Clarke — who also drummed for Adam Ant — left the group in 2005, after disagreements with the management.
Despite chart success with singles like F**k Forever, Killamangiro, and Albion, chaos followed the band thanks to their spiralling rockstar lifestyles.
They were set to open for Oasis but Pete was unable to get back to the UK after Kate Moss’ party, so consequently the Gallagher brothers pulled Babyshambles from the tour.
Pete is just not sure ‘who’ or ‘when’ (Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Over the 10 years Babyshambles was active they released three albums which all charted in the top 10 in the UK.
Their last album, Sequel to the Prequel, was released in 2013 with Stereophonics’ drummer Jamie Morrison replacing Adam.
The Cranberries’ Stephen Street worked with Babyshambles on the record but told NME in 2007 that Pete ‘wasn’t in a very good state for the first couple of weeks.’
‘It was a bit worrying to be honest with you,’ he shared. ‘There were a couple of times I had to fire warning shots across his bow, say “Listen, you’ve got to sort yourself out here because if you don’t I can’t work with you”.
‘I felt like I was going to let down the rest of the band if I walked away from things.’
Pete has been open about his addiction struggles in the past and has given up his ‘main poisons’ in a bid to lead a better lifestyle.
He was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in February, realising that alcohol, cheese and sugar are ‘just as bad’ for you as his so-called ‘poisons’.
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