Photo: WENN
Carl Barat has opened up to give a frank interview about the new Libertines album, and his attempted suicide back in 2003.
The Libertines singer and Jackals frontman told The Independent that he was flying out to Thailand to meet Pete Doherty to work on new material - comparing their artistic partnership and friendship to a "love affair" which he described as "completing one another".
However, bassist in new band The Jackals, Adam Claxton, told the Independent that Barat "has stressed to them that The Jackals is as important to him as The Libertines", which "gives us the confidence we need".
Barat also opened up about his current health and state of mind - saying that through meditation and therapy, he's come a long way for the chaos and depression of The Libertines' early days, when he once attempted suicide.
"I realised I had to totally change – I just couldn't be this depressed and self-destructive – not when I've got children," said Barat. "I had to find myself instead of being eternally lost. With depression there is often a comfort in being depressed and I had to find a way to get through that. My family has been a salvation to me."
He continued: "I attempted alcohol-fuelled suicide in 2003 after I drank a bottle of whisky when Pete and I reunited to write the second Libertines album. We were in Wales at manager Alan McGee's house and I smashed my face against a sink. I just didn't want to be in my body. It was just all these childhood issues that you try and unravel in therapy and a cry for help. I don't really want to put people through that again. It's flirting with death and occasionally it goes too far.
"When the demons start to surround you, if you cut out the booze and the self-destructiveness, you break the cycle. It seems like a miracle and there is sunshine again. You have to want to work through it though. You just pray people find that moment before anything happens. And that often doesn't happen, but I was very lucky."
Meanwhile, Gigwise are proud to announce that we will be co-presenting a special gig for Carl Barat and The Jackals, who will be launching their huge new single 'Glory Days' with a show at London's 100 Club.
After playing to over 21,000 people over three nights with The Libertines at Alexandra Palace this weekend, Carl Barât has announced a series of intimate gigs with his new band The Jackals.
The band are playing six nights in November, including one night at London's 100 Club presented by Fifth Floor in association with Gigwise. Support comes from Demob Happy and Silver Furs.
Carl Barat and The Jackals will play a show at London's 100 Club on 21 November. For tickets and information visit here.
Carl Barat and the Jackals' other upcoming UK tour dates are below. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Wednesday 1 October. For tickets and information, visit here.
November
14th Stockton On Tees Ku Bar
15th Glasgow King Tuts
17th Stoke Sugarmill
18th Coventry Kasbah
19th Manchester Sound Control
21st London, 100 Club
