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X-clusive: Libertines Speak “Friendship Comes First”

added 27 July 2004 at 16.46

With daily news stories predicting the ultimate demise of the band and a close friend exiled from the ranks with a seemingly uncontrollable drug habit, life should be unbearable for the three remaining Libertines. However, a surprisingly sprightly Powell eagerly answers questions about the band’s forthcoming second LP (entitled simply ‘The Libertines’) and speaks candidly about his current relationship with Doherty and what it’s like to be playing gigs without him.

“I enjoyed myself immensely [at T In The Park,

the band’s first gig apart from Doherty since the temporary separation],” Powell considers. “It was difficult because Pete wasn’t there, but I loved playing with Anthony [Rossomando, guitar technician and Doherty’s replacement]. He’s a great guy, but it wasn’t Pete. [Anthony’s] a great guitarist though and an easy guy to get on with. What more could you ask for?

“Carl’s attacking [the live shows] with a real fervour. He’s really, really going for it. Whether he’s enjoying himself or not, I don’t know. I think he also knows that this is for the better good of everybody,” he continues. “We’ll keep on playing, Pete has something to come back to, and hopefully Pete will want to come back. [He’ll be] in a better frame of mind than beforehand and that’s what we really, really want.”

As for the recent tornado of press interest with everyone from indie stalwarts the NME to the tabloid gossip columns of The Sun having an opinion on the band’s future, Powell is quick to make it clear that The Libertines have four members and not just two.

“[Pete and Carl] will be talking only from their individual standpoints with respect to their relationships with each other and that’s fine, that’s between them,” he states firmly. “But y’know, if they start talking about the band, then that’s when I’ll have to get involved.

“It would be good if people just started concentrating on the music instead of the thing with Pete. Without wanting to blow our own trumpets, we’re kind of an OK band and the band is four of us, not just Pete and Carl. I hope people realise that. I love Pete, Carl and John equally and as far as I’m concerned we’re all the sum of our parts.”

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