Now I will play the rold of Bags
The Libertines
The British music press loves nothing more than to hype the next great British rock-and-roll hope. A couple of years ago, that honor went to the Libertines, a garagey, jaggedly romantic London group that the New Musical Express touted as Britain's best new band. Having its debut album, "Up the Bracket," produced by legendary Clash guitarist Mick Jones may have had something to do with the buzz.
Since then, though, the Libertines have starred in a rock-and-roll soap opera. Drug-addled guitarist and singer Pete Doherty missed shows, went in and out of rehab and was arrested for burgling band mate Carl Barat's apartment. Now that must have made for some awkward band meetings. The group hasn't disowned Doherty altogether, but he has proven too unreliable to take out on the road.
And so it was a Doherty-less Libertines who played for a little over an hour to an enthusiastic crowd Tuesday at the 9:30 club. Barat handled lead vocals and was backed by new guitarist Anthony Rossomando, bassist John Hassall and drummer Gary Powell.
A huge banner behind the stage depicted four riot police officers holding shields, and the imagery is apt for the band's cacophonous sound: a mix of snarling guitar leads, ferocious drumming and slurred vocals, all at a barely tolerable volume. The cigarette-friendly crowd provided the requisite haze as the band tore through about 20 songs including "What Became of the Likely Lads" and "Death on the Stairs." For the show-closing singalong, "I Get Along," 30 or so fans jumped on stage to join the action. Sure, it seemed prearranged by the band's street team, but band and fans alike seemed to enjoy it.
The Libertines aren't making particularly novel or breathtaking music, and at times the show seemed curiously emotionless, but for loud, boisterous rock, they do more than just carry water.