Vintage Libertines: John Hassal, Carl Barat, Pete Doherty & Gary Powell

Over the years, readers of this blog have made perplexed (and, in come cases, entirely exasperated) inquiries as to why I care whether or not Pete Doherty is making music or wanking in a ditch. Those who have followed Doherty’s career since the days of The Libertines (1997-2004) already know the answer, which is that, underneath all of the drug taking and supermodel shagging, Doherty has the makings of a great musician. Unfortunately, the last years of The Libertines and the entirety of Babyshambles’ existence has been overshadowed by the lure of the heroin needle, that is, shoved into the most willing vein of our Antihero.

Some of us still hope Doherty will eventually get his shit together and quit the drugs for good, however futile this eventual outcome may seem. A once-promising musical career has been all but destroyed by a string of missed gigs and overall lack of dependability by Mister Doherty. The situation came to a perpetual header when Doherty chose drugs over music. In 2003, while the rest of The Libertines toured Japan without their token wastrel, Doherty chose to rob the flat of Barat, his best mate and co-frontman, which secured his dismissal from the band. This act also led to Doherty’s first prison term and several more years of drug-related trouble with the law.

Last September, Doherty and Barat were finally able to put aside the bollocks for an impromptu a one-night stand one-off gig. Several months later, it looks like The Libertines are slowly making progress towards their inevitable reunion. Over the weekend, three out of four members of The Libertines reunited for the their first show since the band’s 2004 split. Drummer Gary Powell joined singer/guitarist Barat and singer/rhythm guitarist Doherty (along with bass by Babyshambles’ Drew McConnell) onstage for a surprise 2am gig at London’s Rhythm Factory. Pete and Carl were in such great spirits that they celebrated by breaking the law, breaking the law, that is, breaking out the ciggies onstage:

Obviously, Pete and Carl looked like total shit, but the band are said to have resurrected a “frenetic version” of several Libertines’ classics, including “What A Waster,” “Up The Bracket,” “What Katy Did,” and “Death On The Stairs” before Doherty ended the set on a stage-diving mission. Good times, mates!

The next afternoon, however, Doherty paid for his prior evening’s decadence. While performing with Babyshambles at the Great Escape Festival, poor Peter managed to trip over some equipment and, in grand fashion, promptly landed on his arse:

What a waster, indeed.