Poor Pete Doherty can’t catch a break with the tabloids. Although he’s currently touring his rather revolting junkie ass off, the red tops would have you believe he’s gone into hermit mode due to a health scare. It seems that, about two years ago, Pete was photographed backstage with a Scottish fan named Dawn Askham, who just recently contracted swine flu while on her honeymoon in Mexico. So, naturally, Peter must have magically contracted this disease from Askham, hence a ridiculous Doherty-directed swine flu alert. Don’t they realize Peter’s drug-fortified body can withstand a direct nuclear attack?
Most assuredly, Pete continues his European solo tour, and a spectator dishes on last weekend’s Brussels gig:
“He arrived on time and was rather polite although he stank of alcohol. He sang well but he can’t play the guitar for toffee.”
And while Peter is away, his old Libertines bandmate, Carl Barat will play… onstage during secret London gigs with Babyshambles! Perhaps, after seeing Carl on our antihero’s rightful turf, Peter will stop cancelling festival gigs at the eleventh hour because he’s feeling “tired.” Regardless of any frustrations with the effects of Peter’s lifestyle, Babyshambles drummer Adam Ficek assures that the band’s third album is in the works and will sound like The Stone Roses:
“We are working on a Babyshambles album. The songs we have done so far are pretty groove based, like early Stone Roses. It’s less straightforward rock ‘n’ roll and punk. It’s a bit more beat driven.”
Say, mates, what’s the point of a “secret gig” anyway? Must not be much of a secret…
Imagery: Thanx to Stella Vine on MySpace
