The Libertines

Something of a British answer to garage rock revivalists like The Strokes, The Libertines formed in 2002, led by guitarists/vocalists/songwriters Carl Barat and Pete Doherty, and released their debut album, Up The Bracket, the same year. The album, produced by Mick Jones of The Clash, was a critical success in both the UK and US, and was a commercial hit in the UK.

With their success came immediate and intense attention from the UK music press. The vast majority of the trouble to follow centered on the volatile Doherty, who in 2003 broke into the home of his bandmate Barat, for which he was sentenced to six months in jail. Doherty, with good behavior and an appeal, served just two.

In May of 2004, Doherty's drug problems landed him in and out of rehab, causing the band to cancel some major shows, including their appearances at Glastonbury and the Isle of Wight Festival. Doherty's rehab stint was cut short, and he remained a lightning rod for music tabloids. In August, the same month the band released their self-titled sophomore album, The Libertines played live shows without Doherty, saying he could return to the band once he was able enough to do so.

In the meantime, Doherty scheduled solo live shows with Wolfman, though he failed to appear at many of them and other times was in no shape to perform, and did a two-month tour with his side project Babyshambles. Barat and the rest of The Libertines, including replacement guitarist and vocalist Anthony Rossomando, continued to play live, ending with what was supposedly the final Libertines show ever, in Paris. In 2005, Barat made plans for a solo career, and bassist John Hassall shifted his focus to his band, Yeti.