Dirty Pretty Things, the band that rose from the ashes left by The Libertines, have split up. While lead singer Carl Barat has made it clear this isn’t because of any plans to reform The Libertines, could it be that this eventually could mean the return of the seminal band?

There were rumours circulating this morning that Dirty Pretty Things had split, and they have now been confirmed by an official statement issued by the band to NME. It reads:

“It is with some sadness we announce the farewell of the Dirty Pretty Things. It’s been a glorious three years which we all would gladly live out again, but it is time for us to try new things (not The Libertines).

“We are reluctant to give up touring but will give the last waltz everything. We have and are determined to go out as we came in, after which we all have other ventures to be getting on with and splendid future plans.

“Heartfelt thanks to all who made it what it was, much love and we’ll see you on the road.”

The band are due to kick off an 11-date UK tour in Glasgow on October 4th, and this tour is still going to go ahead. The last gig at Southampton Guildhall on the 18th is sure to be a doozy as it will mark the end of the band for good.

Read more

It was only five years ago that The Libertines were on top of the world, as Pete Doherty and Carl Barat’s band gained a legion of fans, and had critics firmly behind them. At that stage they seemed to be the future of British music, the noughties version of Oasis, The Beatles and The Smiths.

However, it all went slightly wrong, as Doherty fell in to a downward spiral of drug addiction, and the band argued their way to breaking up. All of the members have gone on to new projects, even Doherty who is still a druggie to this day. However, all hope is not lost that we could yet see the return of The Libertines.

Doherty and Barat, whose massive falling out over Doherty’s coke and heroin addiction was the main reason they split up in the first place, are now talking again, and in an interview with The Independent, Barat gave hope to a generation of scenesters who’d love to see the band back together.

Talking mostly about his new band Dirty Pretty Things, Barat gave an indication that he would love to work with Doherty again, and that reunion may take the form of the Libertines reforming one day.

Read more

On Monday I reported that The Enemy and Dirty Pretty Things had played a gig live in Pentonville prison to raise awareness of the high incidence of suicides amongst young men.

Here is a YouTube video of part of the acoustic set from Dirty Pretty Things. The sound quality isn’t very good but it’s in a prison so I’m sure you’ll forgive me (and the person who filmed the video!)

Actually only lead singer Carl Barat seems to be doing much, the other band members are just standing around admiring the view (looking bored).

Read more

The Enemy and Dirty Pretty Things played a live gig in Pentonville prison today to highlight the amount of suicides in British prisons.

Mimicking Country music legend Johnny Cash, the two British Indie bands played a special gig to support ‘Wasted Youth’, a campaign to highlight and reduce the high incidents of suicide among young men.

Dirty Pretty Things front man Carl Barat first played a short acoustic set in the atrium of the prison, before both bands played a full set in the 180 capacity prison chapel.

Barat’s former Libertines band mate Pete Doherty was originally asked to play a part but it was thought his drugs problems might overshadow the important issues at hand.

Read more