CARL BARATby Craig Ablitt
At the arse end of an exciting summer in London town, the sun is setting over Tower Bridge and I'm perched on London Bridge with two VIP passes to see Dirty Pretty Things at The Coronet, a half empty pack of B&H Silver and all is well with the world, plus I've got Carl Barat on the phone for a chat....
Good day Carl, how’s the collar bone now?
It’s not quite there yet as I discovered today but it’s getting there. Getting better now I am.
How was the recent tour of America?
Blinding it was, a real trailblazer! We got some great reviews, played some great cities and all the venues sold out which was good, but we didn’t get any radio coverage. Fuck knows why not!
Are audiences much different in that part of the world?
It’s different all over the world. The culture is different there, they just go fucking mental for gigs, no matter where you go there is always a pocket of English people Britain flying the flag. It’s a very contagious place to play in
You often throw a few Libertines classics in on tour – how do you decide which ones go into the set?
If we’re going to do one, it depends on whether our bass player can play it! He’s not quite as technical as our old bass player.
You’re playing this one-off gig for Make Roads Safe – Can you let us know what your motivation was for getting behind that?
We played with the Chili Peppers in Ipswich and three girls who went to the gig were killed on their way home which was tragic. We’d actually got involved with the cause before the accident happened. These things happens all the time, so it's time something was said.
It’s not quite there yet as I discovered today but it’s getting there. Getting better now I am.
How was the recent tour of America?
Blinding it was, a real trailblazer! We got some great reviews, played some great cities and all the venues sold out which was good, but we didn’t get any radio coverage. Fuck knows why not!
Are audiences much different in that part of the world?
It’s different all over the world. The culture is different there, they just go fucking mental for gigs, no matter where you go there is always a pocket of English people Britain flying the flag. It’s a very contagious place to play in
You often throw a few Libertines classics in on tour – how do you decide which ones go into the set?
If we’re going to do one, it depends on whether our bass player can play it! He’s not quite as technical as our old bass player.
You’re playing this one-off gig for Make Roads Safe – Can you let us know what your motivation was for getting behind that?
We played with the Chili Peppers in Ipswich and three girls who went to the gig were killed on their way home which was tragic. We’d actually got involved with the cause before the accident happened. These things happens all the time, so it's time something was said.
Looking back over the year, how has touring with this band compared to life on the road with The Libertines?It’s like early days of The Libertines; one for all, all for one, that kind of thing. It’s not all too different actually. There’s a lot of Libertines die-hards and lots of new people aswell coming to the gigs. it's all good.
After what’s been an extremely busy year for you, what’s been the highpoint for you?
Leaving Taiwan! I got too fucked there and all that stuff happened with me breaking my collar bone. A real fucking low point that was. There were people walking around naked all the time for some reason, it was like being backstage at cats or something. The best bit so far was the initial response we got on the first British tour; people still cared and were still waiting. It was heartwarming and reassuring and inspired me to want to carry on fwith this music lark.
Were you happy with what you have achieved with this album?
I conveyed what I felt so I’m happy with that. I'm glad people understood it and now I’m ready to do something different now.
Has your approach to songwriting changed much since releasing Up The Bracket?
I guess so, obviously I don’t have the same writing partner as such anymore and I’ve learnt to be confident in my own ability and to trust my own instincts.
I conveyed what I felt so I’m happy with that. I'm glad people understood it and now I’m ready to do something different now.
Has your approach to songwriting changed much since releasing Up The Bracket?
I guess so, obviously I don’t have the same writing partner as such anymore and I’ve learnt to be confident in my own ability and to trust my own instincts.
The new single will be 'Wondering', what’s the story behind the song?
It’s the first song we wrote together on a sunny day while we were rehearsing for the producer Dave Sardy in Northumberland . It’s about a feeling and a mood about moving on. A summer song really.
Any more singles to be had?
There’s talk of putting 'The Enemy' out but that’s kind of record company stuff really, but we’ve been getting our heads down and will play some new tunes tonight.
Oh yeah? What are they then?
There'll be a couple tonight which is a bit scary. They're called 'Chinese Dogs' and 'Puffing On A Coffin Nail'. One of those we used as a B-side but never played live. The other was written and recorded on the spot and there’ll be a surprise guest tonight.
It’s the first song we wrote together on a sunny day while we were rehearsing for the producer Dave Sardy in Northumberland . It’s about a feeling and a mood about moving on. A summer song really.
Any more singles to be had?
There’s talk of putting 'The Enemy' out but that’s kind of record company stuff really, but we’ve been getting our heads down and will play some new tunes tonight.
Oh yeah? What are they then?
There'll be a couple tonight which is a bit scary. They're called 'Chinese Dogs' and 'Puffing On A Coffin Nail'. One of those we used as a B-side but never played live. The other was written and recorded on the spot and there’ll be a surprise guest tonight.
You're people have kindly sorted out passes for us. Who's this guest?You're coming are you? Come and say hello! We've managed to get in some bloke called Paul Weller to play a few songs with us tonight for a bit of a laugh.
What’s next for you once the tour and promotion for this album is over?
Two months to write and reflect on it all and then i'll try and get back in touch with the fans again. I've been here in the machine for so long so I'm gonna get back on the internet, send some emails about and then do some little gigs in pubs and stuff and stuff keep the sprit together.
You and Pete spotted out together at Dublin Castle recently and started the usual Libertines reforming rumor. I have to ask; what's the chances?
Maybe one day. Who knows? We get on alright now me and Peter. There’s no war, there’s no rivalry. I went to meet a mate of a mate really and we ended up meeting in an old pub just like the old days really and it ended up with loads of people taking pictures.... well of Pete anyway!
What’s next for you once the tour and promotion for this album is over?
Two months to write and reflect on it all and then i'll try and get back in touch with the fans again. I've been here in the machine for so long so I'm gonna get back on the internet, send some emails about and then do some little gigs in pubs and stuff and stuff keep the sprit together.
You and Pete spotted out together at Dublin Castle recently and started the usual Libertines reforming rumor. I have to ask; what's the chances?
Maybe one day. Who knows? We get on alright now me and Peter. There’s no war, there’s no rivalry. I went to meet a mate of a mate really and we ended up meeting in an old pub just like the old days really and it ended up with loads of people taking pictures.... well of Pete anyway!
So all this talk of a dramatic falling out is to be taken with a pinch of salt then?
People just want to sell papers at the end of the day and this meeting we had was only in The Sun because of Pete really. Maybe one day The Libertines will get back together when we’re not doing this stuff that's keeping us al busy right now.
Do you still class yourself as a Libertine?
I always will be!
The Libertines are considered by many as one of the best ever British bands – how do you think they will be seen in a few decades?
I really couldn’t say. If people have grown up and been genuinely inspired by The Libertines and it stays in their hearts then I'm glad to have been a part of that. Let's gope for the best, who knows?
Are there any bands since the break-up of The Libertines you'd mark out for big things?
Probably The Metro Riots. You know when I said I was out of the loop and in the machine?
The Libertines are considered by many as one of the best ever British bands – how do you think they will be seen in a few decades?
I really couldn’t say. If people have grown up and been genuinely inspired by The Libertines and it stays in their hearts then I'm glad to have been a part of that. Let's gope for the best, who knows?
Are there any bands since the break-up of The Libertines you'd mark out for big things?
Probably The Metro Riots. You know when I said I was out of the loop and in the machine?
Yeah..
Well, that's not entirely true because I've been getting loads of demos from bands and been collecting tracks from new bands I've seen along the way. I'm trying to think of some of the others I've liked of late. Hmm, I'll get back to you later tonight on that if you bump into me at the gig. Right now I'm going to negotiate with my body whether I can handle another five beers...
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