One of the things I hoped to do with the blog is ensure that good thought provoking writing was shared from other places related to The Clash. Here’s an example as Gigdoggy has written a great synopsis of The Libertines which orbits around just one song ‘Can’t Stand Me Now’, definitely worth a read.

Mick and the Likely Lads

I really enjoyed The Libertines and was more than a bit peeved when they imploded. Although the writing was on the wall I still hoped that something would make them realise that it was worth fixing the (huge) range of issues and inner conflict. It wasn’t to be of course but for 2 great albums and a short short spell they were making some great music. The Clash connection via Mick Jones as producer (and minder and PR) is well documented and the influence is debatable. At times they do capture similar sparks that were the trademark of the Clash yet a new setting. There were elements of a cavalier and cartoonish sort of portrayal of living as likely lads (chancers) in modern day London and England. Much like The Clash I think the time capsule of when they actually wrote will be forever linked to the band’s mystique. When I first heard them the press were telling me it’s like a ‘new clash’ or ‘punk reignited’ once I got beyond that and listened with a cleaner slate I appreciated them significantly more.

Rough Trade’s Geoff Travis and Jeanette Lee:
“The Libertines were the best and most influential band of the last decade, please forget the hype and just listen to the music.”

Continued debate about them reforming stirs and although the window is open due to lack of time passing (it’s less than 5 years since they split) I’m not sure that they can revisit what they were. Nor is there anything to indicate that the furrows that caused the split are any less deep in 2009. The correlation to The Clash in terms of the breakup are similar also, it’s a crying shame that Joe Strummer wasn’t able to move on to making new records as soon as Barat and Doherty.

On a final note it seems logical to assume that working with The Libertines sparked the return of Mick Jones to the industry. I need to research if that logic applies, assuming it does then cheers to Carl, Pete, John and Gary.

1. Mick Jones on Libertines return, Pat Gilbert writes in
2. Mick Jones news, Ade Edmonson and Johnny Marr
3. Mick Jones…a very busy man plus Bernard Rhodes makes a list
4. What a great traffic system – Vol 6
5. Toronto photo exhibit, try Gorillaz new disc for free & why we need to save BBC 6 music
6. What a great traffic system (Vol 3)
7. Terry Chimes & Mick Jones exclusive from Rock n Roll Library