Carl Barât

Carl Barât

Background information
Birth name	Carl Ashley Raphael Barât
Born	June 6, 1978 (1978-06-06) (age 31)
Origin	Whitchurch, Hampshire, England
Genre(s)	Indie rock Garage rock revival
Instrument(s)	Vocals, Guitar
Years active	2001–Present
Associated acts	The Libertines, Dirty Pretty Things, The Chavs
Notable instrument(s)
Gibson Melody Maker

Carl Ashley Raphael Barât (born June 6, 1978) is an English musician and most recently, actor. He was the frontman and lead guitarist of Dirty Pretty Things and the co-frontman with Peter Doherty of the indie rock band The Libertines. He currently resides in Muswell Hill, North London.^[1]

1 Early life
2 The Libertines
3 Post-Libertines
4 Dirty Pretty Things
5 Equipment
6 Other Notable Work
7 References
8 External links

Early life

Carl Barât was born in Basingstoke, England on June 6 1978, spending most of his childhood in the nearby Hampshire town of Whitchurch. In a September 2004 interview with Blender Magazine, Barât mentioned having a French, Polish, and Russian ethnic background, although other sources have suggested that Barât is also part Spanish. As a youth, Barât divided his time between his divorced parents. His father worked in an armaments factory, and his mother, Chrissie, was part of the commune-dwelling counterculture and peace groups such as the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. Barât spent part of his childhood living with his mother on a commune in Somerset. He has one sister, actress-turned-singer Lucie Barât, and who played Helen's handmaiden in the 2004 film Troy, and is currently the lead singer of The Fay Wrays,[1]; and five half-siblings. In 1996, Barât was studying for a drama degree at Brunel University in Uxbridge. He was somewhat disillusioned by his fellow drama students, but became well-acquainted with Peter Doherty's sister, Amy-Jo. Through her, Barât met Doherty. ^[2] Barât initially disliked Doherty, who had a habit of being rude and irreverent on meeting people. However, they soon developed an intense friendship. The Libertines were subsequently formed with bassist John Hassall and drummer Gary Powell; John Hassall left however due to a disagreement with Doherty about a gig at Filthy McNasty's. Johnny Borrell of Razorlight replaced him but was touring with Alabama 3 and so missed all of the gigs. He was subsequently kicked out and when John Hassall heard that The Libertines had been signed to Rough Trade Records and offered to reassume bass duties. Barât and Doherty shared songwriting and singing duties as well as playing guitars.

The Libertines

Main article: The Libertines

The Libertines' first album, Up the Bracket, was released in 2002 to critical acclaim. The band's rapid fame was due, in part, to their volatile stage performances, which were characterised by intense bouts of mic-sharing and fighting between Barât and Doherty. This paralleled their relationship, which had progressed to verging on dysfunctional and abusive, with Barât and Doherty being equally competitive and possessive with each other. The band also appeared on the cover of NME before the album was released.

In 2003, Doherty's addiction to heroin and crack cocaine led Barât to ask him not to participate in the band's next tour. Doherty discovered that The Libertines had left without him to perform in Japan. He broke into Barât's Mayfair flat and stole various items, including an antique guitar and an NME Award. He was convicted and sentenced to six months in prison. The sentence was later shortened to two months, during which Barât and Doherty reconciled through correspondence. Barât warmly welcomed Doherty back to The Libertines on the day of his release, and later performed an impromptu "Freedom Gig" at the Tap 'n' Tin club in Chatham, Kent on October 8, 2003. A photograph of the gig, taken by Roger Sargent, adorns The Libertines' self-titled second album, The Libertines, and the cover of Sargent's and Anthony Thornton's book, The Libertines Bound Together.

Doherty's drug addiction continued while the band worked on their second album (the aforementioned The Libertines) in 2004, which strained his relationship with Barât. Bodyguards were needed in the recording sessions, allegedly to prevent Barât and Doherty from physically assaulting each other (though this is claimed to be an exaggeration of the press in Bound Together) and to keep Doherty's hangers-on away from him. Before the release of the album in 2004, relations between Barât and Doherty reached a breaking point and Doherty was once again prevented from performing with the band before addressing his addictions. Doherty did not take the ultimatum well, especially as The Libertines continued touring without him to fulfill contractual obligations. Doherty admitted in a September 2005 interview that he had not spoken to any of his former bandmates since then.

What was intended as a short leave of absence turned into something more permanent, as Doherty formed a new band, Babyshambles.

Post-Libertines

Barât disbanded The Libertines in December 2004, citing his lack of desire to continue the band without ex-partner Doherty and an "ongoing problem with [his] health." In 2005, Barât underwent surgery to remove a tumour behind his ear and spent several weeks recovering from the operation. The tumour and resulting surgery left the singer partially deaf.

In February 2005, the Libertines won NME's Best British Band award and Barât paid tribute to Doherty in his acceptance speech. Days later, it was officially announced that Barât had signed to Vertigo Records as a solo artist.

Barât's first work as a solo artist was providing vocals for the European duo Client on their single, "Pornography". Barât set up the London club Dirty Pretty Things in June 2004, where he regularly serves as a DJ. In July 2005, he released an album contributing to the Under the Influence series, where musicians select tracks that have influenced them as artists.

Barât was seen with Doherty on April 18, 2005, where the two publicly reunited at the Boogaloo Bar in Highgate, North London.

On April 17, 2006, Barât said about Doherty's drug addiction, "It's just sad and I wish he would sort it out. I would really like to work with him again some day. I don't deny that but I've not seen him really."

On the July 7, 2006 episode of Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, Doherty said that he did not have a relationship with Barât anymore, shooting down rumours that the pair speak regularly. However, Doherty stated that he would like to work with Barât again.

On July 18, 2006 Barât and Doherty met in the Dublin Castle pub in Camden, London..

On April 12, 2007, Pete Doherty and Carl Barât played 13 songs together at the second of Doherty's "An Evening with Pete Doherty" gigs at the Hackney Empire, London. At the end of the concert, Barât and Doherty swapped trilby hats, a symbolic reference to the Libertines song "The Good Old Days".^[3]

In August 2007, Barât and Doherty recorded a version of The Beatles' "A Day In The Life" for a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the release of Sgt. Pepper. Other popular bands and music figures did their own versions of the other songs from the album. They also both contributed to a cover of Janie Jones for Strummerville, but never met during the recording process.

In May 2008, Barât said that he would reunite with Doherty only to make a new album, but also said that he wanted to 'let it be for a while' as he was busy with his new band. Despite referring to his relationship with Doherty as 'a friendship I cherish' and stating that a reunion would not be difficult, they currently do not have any firm plans to record together again.^[4]^[5]

Barât has said that he wants to work with Doherty again and they have 'supposedly' begun writing a musical together due to be released in early 2009. ^[6] However, he has recently rubbished rumours that the pair are recording new material, stating that he has not seen Doherty 'for donkey's' and the musical 'is off'.^[7]

In a July 2008 interview Barât said that The Libertines had 'unfinished business' and that he missed performing with Doherty, which he was particularly reminded of at their Hackney Empire gig. At the question of a Libertines reformation, he stated that it is 'a big maybe'.^[8]

On September 17, 2008, Barât surprised Doherty by joining him on stage near the end of Doherty's solo set at the Prince of Wales pub in Camden. The pair showed signs of their trademark chemistry while performing several Libertines songs and a cover of Oasis' "Don't Look Back in Anger." Barât also stated that he had a new tattoo of the words 'let's put our futures behind us', which could indicate a possible forgiveness and reunion with Doherty.^[9]^[10]

In a statement announcing Dirty Pretty Things' split, Barât stated that his new musical project would not involve The Libertines.^[11]

Dirty Pretty Things

Main article: Dirty Pretty Things (band)

On September 15, 2005, it was announced that Barât was forming a new band.^[12] His bandmates included former Libertines drummer Gary Powell; Anthony Rossomando, who filled in as guitarist following Pete Doherty's departure from the group; and Didz Hammond, formerly of The Cooper Temple Clause, on bass. It was later announced that the band's name was "Dirty Pretty Things".

The group played their first shows in Italy and Paris, France in October 2005, before recording their debut album in November 2005 in Los Angeles, California. This was produced by Dave Sardy, who has also worked with Supergrass, the Dandy Warhols, Jet, Marilyn Manson, Rolling Stones, and Oasis. The album - entitled Waterloo to Anywhere - was released on May 8, 2006 in the UK and August 8, 2006 in the US.

Their first studio recorded demo, "Bang Bang You're Dead", was released on their website in the form of a flash video. Its sound has been likened to that of the early Libertines', mixing punk and reggae influences. This song was released as their debut single on April 24 2006 and reached number 5 in the UK single chart. This coincided with the latter part of their first tour of the United Kingdom, which spanned from the 26 February to the 24 May 2006. Their debut album, Waterloo to Anywhere, was released on May 8, 2006, and reached number 3 in the UK album chart. They have since released "Deadwood" and "Wondering".

The band were forced to postpone their Real Fits fundraiser gig, which had been set to take place at the London Hackney Round Chapel on Friday, June 20th, 2008 as Barât was rushed to hospital on June 17th with acute pancreatitis.^[13] He was released from hospital on June 22nd.^[14]

The band released their new single, "Tired of England", on June 23, 2008, and their album, Romance at Short Notice, a week later on June 30.

Their album failed to chart highly despite heavy touring schedules leading to beliefs that the band are facing difficulties with their record company. Gary (Powell) even logged onto their forum and said it had been a difficult year. Despite this the band continue to tour and kicked off at the silent disco in Brighton on 22nd September.

His re-union with Doherty on 17th September at the Prince of Wales Pub in Camden has re-ignited rumours that this is the beginning of a possible permanent re-union between the two. This topic has much been debated on forums of late yet Carl still maintains that he is busy with Dirty Pretty Things and will focus on writing material with Doherty when Dirty Pretty Things have been exhausted.

As of October 1, 2008, Dirty Pretty Things have split up, though they will finish their final tour, which began in Glasgow on October 4.

Equipment

Gibson Melody Maker
Fender Mustang
Vox AC30
MXR Dyna Comp multi-effects pedal

Other Notable Work

In 2005, Barât and his friend, Adam Green of The Moldy Peaches appeared in a documentary following the pair on a night out in London.^[15]

In 2005, Barât modelled for clothing brand J. Lindeberg, along with Juliette Lewis.^[16]

In 2008, he will be featured as actor in the film Telstar (The Joe Meek Story) in the role of Rock'n'Roll singer Gene Vincent. The film will premiere at the London Film Festival on October 25.

On July 7, 2006, Carl announced that he would become the fifth mentor in the Road to V competition ^[17], which involved a UK search for the best unsigned music talent in the UK with the winner opening V Festival in either Chelmsford or Staffordshire.

On 28 February 2008, Barât and bandmate Anthony Rossomando presented Glasvegas with the Philip Hall Radar Award at the NME Awards.^[18]

Barât featured in the 2008 advertisement for BBC Two's The Culture Show, being asked about British culture.^[19] A longer version of his interview can be found on the Culture Show website. ^[20]

Tim Burgess has stated that he and Barât's supergroup The Chavs plan to record their debut album in August 2008.^[21]

It was reported in July 2008 that Barât is planning a collaboration with DJ/producer Mark Ronson and with Jon McClure of Reverend and The Makers.^[22]

In 2008, Barât split with his girlfriend of five years, DJ and TV presenter Annalisa Astarita.

In September 2008, Barât stated that he was set to play a scientist in a new British film.^[23]

On 14th January 2009, Barât will support Glasvegas with a solo show during their gig at the Los Angeles Troubadour.^[24]

References

External links

'The Libertines Bound Together The Libertines Bound Together - official site of bestselling Carl Barât/Libertines biography
Site for Carl Barat Website for Carl Barat
Official Dirty Pretty Things website Dirty Pretty Things official website.
Official Libertines Website The official website of British rock group, The Libertines.
Vertigo Records Vertigo Record's official web site containing profiles of the artists, past and present, on their label.
Carl Barât at the Internet Movie Database
[2]

The Libertines

Carl Barât · Peter Doherty · John Hassall · Gary Powell Anthony Rossomando · Johnny Borrell · Paul Dufour · Steve Bedlow

Studio albums	Up the Bracket · The Libertines

Extended plays	I Get Along EP · Don't Look Back into the Sun/Death on the Stairs EP · What Became of the Likely Lads EP

Singles	"What a Waster" · "Up the Bracket" · "Time for Heroes" · "Don't Look Back into the Sun" · "Can't Stand Me Now" · "What Became of the Likely Lads"

Compilations	Time for Heroes - The Best of The Libertines

DVDs	Boys in the Band · Who the Hell Is Pete Doherty?

Related articles	Discography · Babyshambles · Dirty Pretty Things · Yeti · The Libertines Bound Together

Persondata
NAME	Barât, Carl
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Barât, Carl Ashley Raphael
SHORT DESCRIPTION	English musician
DATE OF BIRTH	1978-06-06
PLACE OF BIRTH	Whitchurch, Hampshire, England, UK
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH