October 5, 2007 15:30

Babyshambles: 'We nearly quit our new album'

They nearly pulled it because of Pete Doherty's drug-taking

Photo Gallery: Babyshambles
Photo: Danny North

Babyshambles have explained to NME.COM how they nearly scrapped ‘Shotter’s Nation’ because of tension between producer Stephen Street and Pete Doherty.

They explain that the rest of the band’s all-night partying also clashed with Street’s more rigid lifestyle, creating further conflict.

"There were a couple of times when I found myself running down a stairwell after Stephen," explained Babyshambles bassist Drew McConnell. "I had to drag him back to the canteen to talk."

"Did I think it might not ever get done? Yeah," elaborated drummer Adam Ficek. "They were difficult times. There were a lot of heart-to-hearts between Stephen and Pete. Each time Stephen was about to quit, they’d sit down and have a chat.

"Stephen wouldn’t compromise at all. He was like, ‘I’m going to get what I need to make a good album, otherwise I’m not going to do it.'"

As previously reported on NME.COM, the band will be hopeful that Doherty’s drug taking days are over, as his lawyer, Sean Curran, confirmed that the singer has tested clean of drugs following his stint in drug rehab.

For the full inside story about the Babyshambles album crisis, see the new issue of NME, out now.