Credit: Ed Cooke

Pete Doherty reveals strict rule The Libertines followed while making of new album

Thu 11 April 2024 13:45, UK

While The Libertines are a band intrinsically linked with hedonism, for their new album, All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade, they adopted a tee-total approach while in the studio.

Although this would have seemed improbable only a few years ago, after more than 20 years as a band, The Libertines have finally succumbed to professionalism. The new album, which is currently on course to become their second number one record, marks their first record since 2015’s Anthems for Doomed Youth, and the alcohol ban was introduced in order for the LP to reach completion.

The tactic was instigated by Carl Barât, and much to the surprise to the rest of the band, they followed through on the promise.

In a new interview with Vulture, Pete Doherty said: “Carl’s work ethic and sense of discipline. In the past we’ve worked hard, but it’s always been in conjunction with a jolly good knees up. This time around, there were strict instructions from Carl that there was no alcohol or drugs on the premises during writing and recording, which I went along with thinking it would be all right.

Doherty didn’t believe the rule would stay in place for very long, noting, “He’ll give up after two or three hours. But lo and behold, he didn’t.” In response, Barât proudly added: “And lo and behold, we got a record.”

While the method undoubtedly got results, as The Libertines finally completed their first album in nine years, Doherty found it challenging at times, stating: “I’m not knocking the system. I’m just saying it’s very difficult and I’m surprised by your puritanical adherence to it. Because after day three, I was ready for a glass of cider purely as a reward system.”

The notion of making an album without assistance from substances would have been impossible for Doherty while he was in the midst of addiction. Thankfully, he has been clean from drugs since 2020, which helped make the triumphant All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade a reality.

Last year, The Libertines guitarist was the subject of a new Louis Theroux documentary on the BBC. During the programme, Doherty openly admitted: “My life in using was so chaotic and the consequences of (it), you’ll be in prison, and you’ll fuck your body up, and you’ll be skint, and you’ll lose your family, and you’ll lose everything you love. Is it really that good? That’s beyond curiosity, that’s a right mess.”

Meanwhile, n a four-star review of All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade, Far Out praised the record, writing: “The album celebrates The Libertines’ past success with instrumental nuance centred in Latin flourishes and an embrace of several previously untrampled territories in rock history. Meanwhile, Barât and Doherty maintain a track record of incisive poetry, reflecting on ghosts of the past and remaining eternally relevant with sociopolitically incisive lyrics.”

Stream the new record below.