hecklergigs - Babyshambles: Koko, 9/1/2006

The Koko is packed out and buzzing with excited fans tonight, it’s Babyshambles’ first gig of the year, the first of three dates announced only last week - in true ‘shambles style.

Babyshambles as we see them now are not without merit, but still not entirely reliable due to Pete Doherty’s reputation for sometimes failing to turn up. Buying a ticket to one of their gigs can still be a bit risky - but there are no court dates coinciding with today’s gig, so we’re not too worried he’ll stand us up.

Despite all the naysayers, we’re here cos we actually like the Babyshambles (CDs) album,
with all it’s rawness and rough edges. We’re here hoping they’ll
continue to prove the critics wrong by starting the year in earnest,
and building on the success of their last UK tour, when things seemed
to go more smoothly. Can they hold it together? Well, yes. Tonight’s
gig is a raucous success.

Pete walks on to huge cheers, and immediately starts removing two extra
jackets he’s wearing and flinging them into the crowd. He’s about to
chuck his hat in too, but stops at the last minute, “I’ve got a New
Years resolution to throw less clothes into the crowd” he says. As if that’s the biggest of his worries. To prove he’s not really a man for resolutions, after an
energetic thrashing of Kilimangiro, he announces he’s brought along his
charge sheet and reads:

“… you have been charged with the Misuse of Drugs Act..”

“Fuck the Misuse of Drugs Act!” yells the guy behind us. Yeah, that’s the spirit. Let’s be honest, it’s kinda wrong, but people like to cheer for the
underdog sometimes, and if he’s a bit of a poet who can play a good
tune, then all the better.

It’s sad to see Pete living such a tired
cliché, but then, we’re not his Mum so what do we care? He seems to
still have a few friends around, if the motley crew taking up both
sides of the stage are anything to go by. After informing us of his
next court appearance: “…if you’re not doing anything on Wednesday
morning…” he fittingly dedicates A’rebours to the police. The stage
might be the only place where Pete can do no wrong - in the eyes of
fans and wellwishers anyway - and most of the band are still there,
minus guitarist Patrick Walden, who left before Christmas.

Tonight’s
set includes lots of songs from latest album Down in Albion, as well
as lesser known b-sides, and a bit of ol’ Libertines stuff that
everyone loves. They attack all the songs with vigour, swinging round the
stage, Pete carelessly whacking over his mic stand and singing into
bassist Drew’s while the sound guy rescues it. They play What a
Waster (without a hint of irony), the charmingly crooked In Love with a
Feeling, then halfway through an intro, a plastic cup comes flying
through the air and smashes Pete in the face.

He stops playing and
comes to the front of the stage, holding his guitar by the neck like
he’s about to bash someone. Everyone cheers, but he decides against it,
mutters something about how we’re all insane, and casually throws his
can of beer to some punters up the front. Later they bring in a bit of
the reggae vibe, as ex-cellmate The General joins them onstage for Pentonville Tough.

Albion is greeted with polite applause, and just for
a moment it feels like a civilised affair, a quiet moment as the
gentle intro comes in. It’s a wistful ballad that’s just raw enough,
with that slightly drunken wail before the chorus that reminds us who
we’re listening to. Before the night is over we’re treated to a Libs
era classic Time for Heroes, and then the big ending – the
brilliantly in your face Fuck Forever with a mass of fans bouncing in
unison, fists in the air. It really looks impressive from up here.

Since that night – and what felt like a big ‘welcome back’
celebratory shindig – Pete’s ticked off some other firsts for the year.
He’s made his first court appearance (late as usual. Charged with
possession, greeted by paparazzi and public. As usual).

He pleaded guilty to possession of heroin and cocaine, and is due back
in court for sentencing on February 8 – so don’t count on any gigs
going ahead around then. Following his court appearance that day was his first no-show of the
year, a let down for the fans in Stoke, who watched The General and the
rest of Babyshambles play a few songs while they waited for the singer
who would never show.

And so it goes, just another week for the ‘shambles. With that mixed
start to the year we can only hope that Pete becomes better known for
his poetic lyrics and memorable gigs than for court cases and
no-shows. Only time will tell which way he’ll go, but maybe he’ll prove
us wrong again before the year is out.

[story by Dedee W]