Biography
Following the Libertines’ dissolution in autumn 2004, Carl Barat promptly launched his next venture. He inked a deal with the British imprint Vertigo almost at once and began shaping material in isolation before enlisting former bandmate Gary Powell on drums. Guitarist Anthony Rossomando, who had stepped in for Pete Doherty after the latter’s arrest during summer 2004, joined as well. Bassist Didz Hammond quit the Cooper Temple Clause to complete the rhythm section, and the ensemble took its name from Barat’s own club night, later retitled Bright Young Things.
By autumn 2005 the roster stood finalized, allowing the group to debut in Paris—site of the Libertines’ last performance—and across Italy. Their lean, taut reinterpretation of the Libertines’ loose mod-punk quickly took shape. Recording commenced that winter, with Dave Sardy overseeing sessions in Los Angeles and Tony Doogan contributing in Glasgow. Momentum built rapidly in spring 2006: the track “You Fucking Love It” appeared as a complimentary NME CD, the band performed at South by Southwest, and the official single “Bang Bang You’re Dead” preceded their debut album Waterloo to Anywhere by mere weeks. The record entered the U.K. charts at number three.
Extensive touring filled the remainder of that summer, followed by an American release of Waterloo to Anywhere in August 2006. Romance at Short Notice surfaced two years afterward, and the band concluded its run with a final show in December 2008. In 2009 Barat and Powell joined Pete Doherty onstage at a London Rhythm Factory tribute to promoter Johnny Sedassy; a full reunion took place the next year at the Leeds and Reading festivals. Barat issued his self-titled solo debut in October 2010.
By autumn 2005 the roster stood finalized, allowing the group to debut in Paris—site of the Libertines’ last performance—and across Italy. Their lean, taut reinterpretation of the Libertines’ loose mod-punk quickly took shape. Recording commenced that winter, with Dave Sardy overseeing sessions in Los Angeles and Tony Doogan contributing in Glasgow. Momentum built rapidly in spring 2006: the track “You Fucking Love It” appeared as a complimentary NME CD, the band performed at South by Southwest, and the official single “Bang Bang You’re Dead” preceded their debut album Waterloo to Anywhere by mere weeks. The record entered the U.K. charts at number three.
Extensive touring filled the remainder of that summer, followed by an American release of Waterloo to Anywhere in August 2006. Romance at Short Notice surfaced two years afterward, and the band concluded its run with a final show in December 2008. In 2009 Barat and Powell joined Pete Doherty onstage at a London Rhythm Factory tribute to promoter Johnny Sedassy; a full reunion took place the next year at the Leeds and Reading festivals. Barat issued his self-titled solo debut in October 2010.
Albums
