Chicken or the egg?

Lately, I’ve found myself listening to Oh What a Lovely Tour by The Babyshambles and reflecting (albeit, very briefly) on that utterly non-sensical brain-buster. Ok, not really, but let me clarify…

The music isn’t exactly new and neither is the band, so I can’t take credit for bringing you something hot off the press, but I’d be willing to bet they’ve flown below your radar. Success and recognition for the band has been both aided and stunted by their manic lead singer Peter Doherty. The Babyshambles have released two studio albums, Down in Albion, in November 2005 and Shotter’s Nation in October 2007 – and both made the top-10 on the UK charts so it’s obvious the fans dig’em like HoneySmacks… but The Smack may just be the Achilles heal of their massive talent. The band’s touring schedule, live performances and membership have all been continuously disrupted by Mr. Doherty’s ongoing legal and substance abuse problems. As such, I ponder the symbiotic, chicken-egg relationship of the talented, troubled creativity found in so many prodigious music stars and the addictions that claim so much – if not all – of their lives. Are we happy to have the beautiful output of their fucked-up misery or do we wish they’d pull it together once and for all and give us a cold sober life filled with shitty music? Both? I don’t know how you separate the two.

All I can say is when The Babyshambles are on, it’s killer. Limey, catchy British gutter rock & roll at it’s finest and Oh What a Lovely Tour – which was released in late 2008 – gives an excellent perspective of the fan support and energy of their live shows. Have a listen and please stay clean kids.

The Babyshambles- Carry On Up The Morning (acoustic)

The Babyshambles- The Blinding