December 6, 2007 23:44

Babyshambles speak after Pete Doherty no show

Band explain Shockwaves NME Awards Launch Party performance

Photo Gallery: Babyshambles

Babyshambles have spoken about their makeshift Shockwaves NME Awards Party performance tonight (December 6), and talked about why frontman Pete Doherty was unable to turn up.

The band, who played a show featuring bassist Drew McConnell, drummer Adam Ficek, Josh Hubbard of The Paddingtons and a crowd member named Jamie Dell, have told NME.COM that Doherty was ill and was unable to make the show.

“There’s a legitimate reason why he couldn’t make it,” explained McConnell after the show. “It’s not anything to do with drugs being taken, put it like that. He’s our best mate and a recovering addict. It wasn’t right for him to come out tonight."

“We enjoy playing all the tunes, but we miss our boys,” McConnell added, referring to Pete Doherty and guitarist Mik Whitnall, who also didn’t show up for the gig. “We fly the flag for the ‘Shambles!”

Read a report of Babyshambles Doherty free set on NME.COM now.

Earlier tonight, Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong and The Wombats played rousing sets to kick off NME's first ever awards launch party.

Stay tuned to NME.COM for all the latest news. Plus register your vote for the 2008 Shockwaves NME Awards at NME.COM/Awards.