This time last year fans of The Libertines were rejoicing at their reunion for Reading and Leeds. A year later though and it looks like Carl Barat is once again putting the nail in the coffin (a coffin which is now more nail than wood). NME are running an interview with the frontmen (you have to feel for the others who must be wondering whether they will be getting those big juicy cheques they had become accustomed to will be coming their way soon) which contains some gloomy statements.
The pair seem to have fallen out, or at least rubbed each other up the wrong way a bit, since their false dawn last summer. After they performed together at the gigs, the soundings coming out were good. However, soon enough Pete went back to Babyshambles and Carl released at autobiography/ memoir book that predictably had a few disparaging things to say about Pete. Still, it wouldn’t be The Libertines if they weren’t arguing, and we thought this was the standard bitchiness that defined the band.
There is some hope though for the fans. While the statement that there is “no future” for the band seems pretty final, the rest of their statements hint that this latest announcement isn’t really the red line that is suggested. Firstly, phrases are used like “Right now is not the time for The Libertines” and “if our hearts heal up then we can break them all over again.” When we read this we found ourselves yawning a bit as this on/off thing has been going on for way too long.
Secondly, Pete seems still up for the reunion. His major reservations are that Carl doesn’t want to buddy up with him again. So really they are half way there.
Thirdly, fans have seen this all before. When you know you can get a cover story on NME by just making a few of these statements about you’re former band, why not do it? It’s good for business. If you want the band to come back at some point, then you should do you’re best to keep the headlines ticking over. To us, it looks like this is what these latest set of claims are really about.
Thanks for idda11 for the picture.
