November 16, 2007 16:08

Babyshambles: 'We wanted Carl Barat to play on our tour'

Band also reveal their grand theme for the dates…

Photo Gallery: Babyshambles

Babyshambles have revealed that they wanted Carl Barat, Pete Doherty’s former Libertines bandmate, to play guitar on their forthcoming arena tour.

Babyshambles bassist Drew McConnell explained to NME.COM that he and his bandmates wanted Barat to play guitar when they play the Libertines song ‘Time For Heroes’.

“I suggested getting Carl,” McConnell explained. “But he’s not going to be around. I bump into him quite a lot and he's a good lad.

“Every time I mention collaborating Pete’s always keen – he still calls him Biggles. We wanted to get him on [Babyshambles’ second album] ‘Shotter’s Nation’ as well, but he was too busy."

McConnell went on to reveal that Babyshambles’ forthcoming arena tour dates will see their stage decorated with old world war and Arcadian imagery, including some interesting stage props.

“It’s imagery from both world wars,” he said. “It’s more the romantic side of it, plus from the era 1913-1935.

“There’s going to be two big screens with images of the band playing. Then on the set there’s going to be large cigarette boxes where the monitors are. There’s a trinket market every Thursday at Spitalfields (in London) – we often head down there and buy old trinkets. It’s kind of inspired by that.

Drummer Adam Ficek added that the band were calling the jaunt “Oh what a lovely tour!”

To read the full interview with the Babyshambles members see the new issue of NME, out now.

Meanwhile, Babyshambles are set to play:

Manchester MEN Arena (November 22)
Newcastle Metro Radio Arena (23)
Brighton Centre (25)
Bournemouth International Centre (26)
London Wembley Arena (27)
Birmingham NIA (28)
Nottingham Arena (30)
Glasgow SECC (December 1)

To check ticket availability and get all the latest listings, go to NME.COM/GIGS, now.