BABYSHAMBLES have been forced to bootleg their own music to make ends meet.
For sale at the rockers’ first gig since frontman PETE DOHERTY
got out from his latest jail spell were a selection of tawdry live cds and
dvds.
Even more demeaningly the quartet have been reduced to flogging signed
programmes for a tenner a pop.
With a venue, London’s Kentish Town, only two thirds full it seemed a
necessary move for a group whose once fanatical following seem to be
deserting in droves.
Previously, Babyshambles shows crackled with electricity. Wide-eyed frontman
Pete at the centre of a frenzied army of devoted followers.
Now though apathy hangs heavy in the air as the quartet are exposed as the
mediocre musicians they really are.
An impromptu cover of SQUEEZE classic Up The Junction quickly collapses
as bassist DREW MCCONNELL fails to get a grip on the basic chord
changes.
Flimsy tracks like UnBilo Titled, I Wish and a pair of new songs speed by in a
blur of trebly guitar-twanging.
But there are still impressive flashes in the Babyshambles arsenal. Pipedown,
Killamangiro and F*** Forever are genuinely decent tracks delivered with
real muscle.
Lord SHANE MACGOWAN even popped in for a rendition of Dirty Old Town
too.
But, you’re left with the impression that the Doherty soap opera has detracted
focus so far from their music-making that it’s going to take a concerted
effort to get the good ship Babyshambles back on track.
Thanks to new mobile phone ticketing service ticket-text.com for access to the
show.
