CARL BARAT has spoken to NME.COM about his plans to contact PETE DOHERTY and the future of the Libertines following the band’s final show in PARIS last month (December 17).
With no immediate chance of Doherty cleaning up, or of him and Carl reuniting, the band felt they were left with no choice but to put things on ice at the end of the year.
The group’s last-ever show – for now – took place supporting PJ Harvey at the 287 Club at a special gig for 350 competition winners.
Minutes after stepping offstage, Barat told NME.COM: “It was inevitably poignant. It was laying a tombstone to what’s been and gone and also laying a foundation stone for the future… it’s cutting the ribbon into a different realm of freedom. Because Libertines became constrained.”
Barat also revealed that the reason Libertines played their last gig outside of the UK was that, even now, he was concerned at not hurting Doherty’s feelings.
“I’d like to have (played a tour of Britain),” he said, “but the reason I didn’t was because I didn’t want to upset Peter, really. I didn’t want to rub it in his face. I believe I’ve done the right thing. I hope he understands it. Of course I’d have loved to play Britain. I’m English… contrary to popular belief! I love the British crowds. I feel a loyalty, affinity and unity with him whatever plight he seems to have been trudged through.”
Of his immediate future plans, Barat said: “I’m going to tie up my loose ends, deal with some demons and follow my ridiculous drive to find what’s previously been embodied in the word Arcadia. I shan’t rest until I find it. So I have to find a home, go to it, take stock and try and understand what this has all been about.”
He added: “I intend to contact Peter. I’d like to embrace him on a level of friendship and maybe…. I don’t want him thinking I’m avoiding him… I want him to remember I love him. I get upset when he says things (to the media) that make me sad. I read it. And he knows I read it. I feel nothing evil towards Peter. I get angry sometimes but I know better than to spread it to the rumour mill and the gossipers, like some kind of virus.”
While Barat considers his next move, bass player John Hassall has formed a new band, Yeti, in which he sings and plays guitar.
Said Barat: “I’ve seen Yeti play. I think they’re a good band I think he plays well and he seems happy and if I were him I’d do exactly what he’s doing. Today we spoke about everything – much of which we’d never discussed before. It was quite liberating for me as there had been some kind of tension. Whatever anyone says I do consider John a Libertines; he’s been nothing but himself.”
Finally, Carl sent a message to [a][/a] fans: “It’s your turn, really. All the people who’ve come to our gigs and picked up a guitar, all the people who say they’ve liberated themselves… I look forward to what you come up with.”