Warm up gig tonight in Kilburn

The Splinter Group hosted by Alan Wass presents:

Pete Doherty (Solo Acoustic Set)

Alan Wass

Sam Sallon

£5 before 9pm. £10 after

Power’s Acoustic Room 332 Kilburn High Rd London NW6 2QN

Says Babybear: "This place is VERY intimate so get there early for cheap entry and guaranteed entry at the very least. This is a warm up for Sunday night at The Forum, Kentish Town with the legendary sounds of The Sonics. Check out Alan [Wass] doing his solo stuff and a special mention to Sam Sallon who I used to manage but still incredibly remains firm friends with nevertheless .... "

So... BE THERE!

From Peter and Carl to the Irish

From NME.com:

Pete Doherty, Carl Barat, Franz Ferdinand and Billy Bragg are among those who have signed a St Patrick’s Day letter aimed at London’s Irish community. Celebrating today’s (March 17) saint day, the letter, issued by Rock Against Racism, and also signed by MPs, is warning the UK capital’s Irish community against voting for the British National Party in the forthcoming London mayoral election in May. The right-wing political organisation has apparently issued election literature targeting support from that community. Warning about the current campaign, the signed letter declares: “We believe that the BNP remains an inherently racist organisation; their past and present is based not on nationalism or patriotism, but fascism. The Irish community in Britain and especially in London has a long history of involvement in anti-fascist and anti-racist activities. Everyone who rejects the BNP's politics of hate has the duty to do everything they can to stop them. We urge the Irish community and all communities in London to reject the politics of division and hate in May.” Other signatories to the letter include author Will Self and former Irish football internationals David Kelly and Kieron Brady.

Interview Babyshambles in Milan

Aired on Italian music channel "All Music" on Friday night. Thanks a lot to Ananbelle for ripping it.

More... Nuggets

The Sonics

Peter is to support legendary surf-punk-garage '60s American band The Sonics at London's Kentish Town Forum on March 23 as part of this year's Le Beat Bespoke 4 weekender. The Horrors will also provide support. The Sonics' most memorable tracks are 'Strychnine' and 'The Witch', the latter being included in one of my fave records ever, "Nuggets", a compilation of 60's US garage bands cured by Lenny Kaye. For more information and tickets see here.

Still on the Shambles route, it seems the lovely Drew has pulled a General this time. There was no sign of Peter at the Helsinki's gig at the Dingwalls last night. But the gig was highly successful all the same. Here's the NME's review:

Babyshambles’ Drew McConnell performed his first gig with his new project, Helsinki, in London last night (March 13).The bassist, sporting an acoustic guitar, fronted the five-piece band supporting Kid Harpoon at Camden's Dingwalls venue.As well as playing a selection of new songs, including an instrumental post-rock-influenced number, McConnell performed a jazz version of Babyshambles’ 'Delivery'. Helsinki also covered Manu Chao’s 'Lagrimas De Oro' during the set, which saw him start off solo before being joined by the band on the second song. Before the first track, McConnell told the crowd: "If any more of my friends get arrested, I’m leaving the country." Helsinki are set to support Kid Harpoon again at his show at Brighton’s Pressure Point on March 15.

Nuggets

• NME.com has issued a photo gallery with various facts to celebrate Peter's birthday.
• The Guardian has an article on the Viccy Park Carnival.
• Adamski has announced a Babyshambles book: "All things considered expect it later this year/early next. Just confirmed.... Book detailing the history from 03 to Shotters and beyond".
• The old glorious Proud Club in Camden is reopening on 3 April, and the lovely Drew is going to play on the opening night, together with the Enemy, plus DJ sets from Friendly Fires, Nick Grimshaw, Jodie Harsh, Lisa Moorish and Stunners International. Proceeds from the first night will go towards those worst affected by the recent Camden fire (more info here).
• Peter has gone back to posting meowing movies on his youtube channel (no link. You know where they are).

Dirty Pretty Things broaden the spectrum

From BBC Newsbeat:

Dirty Pretty Things are promising fans they've come up with something different in their second album, which is due out following a short tour of the UK.

Tentatively titled This Is Where The Truth Begins, bass player Didz Hammond admits there has been some internal wranglings over the name.
He said: "Yeah, Four Egos and a Mouse came up again”.
"It's a bit more diverse record. There are a lot more factors and characteristics to it than the last record.
"It's not a jingle-jangle record."
Their debut album Waterloo To Anywhere went top three in the UK with a hit single Bang, Bang, You're Dead also going top five.
Singer Carl Barat reckons the new album is a very different affair.
He said: "The first album was rushed. This album, there's a lot more perspective to it.
"It's a lot broader in the spectrum."
Didz agrees: "It's not just a guitar record which is what I meant by jingle-jangle."
Dirty Pretty Things kick off their UK tour in Glasgow on 14 May and finish in Brighton on 28 May.

Plus, new French mag VoxPop has a 10 page article on Carl and da boys. Read the report from the Paris gig here (there's a nice video too).

Helsinki tomorrow at Dingwalls + Very Special Guest

Anybody going to see Kid Harpoon and Helsinki tomorrow at the Dingwalls? Move your ass darlings. The one and only Pizza Dockerty is going to be there and play one song with Drusillo as well.

The reliable source of this info is Mr. McConnell himself, using Peter's account on French Dog Writtles.