Babyshambles biography
Date of birth : -
Date of death : -
Birthplace : London, England
Nationality : English
Category : Arts and Entertainment
Last modified : 2012-03-21
Credited as : Indie rock band, Pete Doherty, Shotter's Nation album
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Current lineup(2012):
Pete Doherty is the lead singer, guitarist and main songwriter for the band.
In September and October 2004, Babyshambles embarked on a British tour that culminated with two shows at the London Scala. Despite fears that Doherty's performance would not be consistent, the tour sold-out and received critical acclaim. The band's second single "Killamangiro" was released 29 November 2004 on Rough Trade Records, reaching number 8 on the UK singles chart. The band embarked on another tour in December 2004, among growing concerns regarding Doherty's drug dependence. During a gig in Blackpool, the band walked off the stage when it became clear that Doherty was too intoxicated to perform, and a riot broke out at the London Astoria after Doherty failed to appear.
Fellow English rock group Oasis had booked Babyshambles to support them on their UK tour in July 2005. However, Doherty was attending the birthday celebration of fashion designer Hedi Slimane with Kate Moss and was unable to arrange transport back to the UK in time for the band's first appearance. As a consequence Oasis cancelled Babyshambles' support for the rest of the tour.
In August 2006, Babyshambles signed to major record label Parlophone for the release of an EP, and headlined the Get Loaded in the Park festival. The band released the limited edition single "Beg, Steal or Borrow", which was exclusively available to those who had attended the festival. A free copy of "The Blinding" was released in the street magazine The Big Issue.
On 4 December 2006, The Blinding EP was released to critical acclaim. The release was promoted with music videos for "The Blinding" and "Love You But You're Green", and an acoustic performance of the latter on The Culture Show. The single was not eligible for the singles chart because it contained too many tracks; however, the band claimed on its MySpace page that it would have made number four in the Christmas Day 2006 UK chart had it been eligible.
In January and February 2008, Babyshambles played their biggest European tour to date. Babyshambles are due to play at a lot of festivals this Spring and this Summer, especially in France. In June they played at Hove Festival in Norway. In August they headlined the RadioOne/NME Stage of the Reading and Leeds Festivals. However, a large amount of their scheduled tours were cancelled due to Doherty's recent imprisonment.
In June 2010 drummer and co songwriter Adam Ficek split with the band to focus on his solo outfit Roses Kings Castles, with former Supergrass drummer Danny Goffey temporarily taking his place.
Mick Whitnall is the lead guitarist and song writing partner for the band. Before this, Whitnall played with Kill City fronted by Pete Doherty's ex-girlfriend Lisa Moorish, and also in bands including Finley Quaye's band and ska band 100 Men.
Drew McConnell is the bass guitarist and backing vocalist with the band. McConnell completed a bass degree at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP). He was formerly in the band Elviss, and he currently also plays in another group, The Phoenix Drive as well as writing and recording solo material. Also currently playing double bass and piano with Irish singer/songwriter Fionn Regan. McConnell organises a musical collective named Helsinki, with which he performs solo material as well as versions of songs by Babyshambles, such as a swing version of their single "Delivery". Among the members of this collective are Matt Barrett, Stephen Large of Squeeze and Albert Hammond Jr of The Strokes.
Danny Goffey, former Supergrass drummer, replaced Adam Ficek in June 2010 after the drummer disappeared in mysterious, unexplained circumstances although he later resurfaced under the guise of Roses Kings Castles.
Studio albums:
Down in Albion (2005)
Shotter's Nation (2007)
