Wednesday, June 30, 2004

Exit The Skag And Bone Man

NME Reports:

LIBS CONTINUE WITHOUT PETE

THE LIBERTINES have decided to continue their forthcoming live commitments without PETE DOHERTY, NME.COM can exclusively reveal. The band are confirmed for a number of festivals in July, which will be their first gigs since cancelling all dates in June because of Pete Doherty's addiction to drugs. The band have issued a statement to NME.COM today (June 30) saying that "with regret" they've decided to continue without Pete. It reads: "It is with regret that The Libertines announce they are to continue without singer and guitarist Peter Doherty due to his well-known addiction problems, specifically with crack cocaine and heroin." Carl Barat said: "Peter is and always will be a Libertine and when he cleans up from his addictions he will be immediately welcomed back into the band. "This decision is made with love and with no disregard to Peter and his problems. The other members of the band - Gary, John and myself - have come to this conclusion after three recent failed rehab attempts, all of which The Libertines have funded. "Peter's erratic mental state worries us greatly and having him on tour would only compound his problems. We aim to complete all existing tour commitments without him." The Libertines' eponymous second album is now complete, and set for release on August 30. It was recorded with Doherty in April and May, before his health problems escalated. The band have confirmed they will be appearing at T in the Park (July 10). The show will be followed by the Oxygen Festival in Dublin (11).