THE DOHERTY DEBATE: Part Two
- Posted on March 6, 2008 2:34 PM
- 4 comments
Chris Todd had nothing nice to say about Pete Doherty. If you haven't yet, then check out Part One of our Doherty Debate.
Zarina Raja swiftly came to Pete's defence matching Todd's words and putting him in his place (we think). Do you agree? Please leave a comment below.
‘Pete (and The Libertines) may have inspired a movement that resulted in various skinny-jean clad, floppy-haired band but it is not his fault that they are all total shit.’
Pete Doherty is a bad role model, he is just a ‘worn-out drug addict’ (NME), sometimes he is in the tabloids with dirty finger nails. Shock Horror. He likes smoking. His is only famous for his relationship with supermodel Kate Moss. Blah, blah, blah.
Here’s a thought; don’t read crass tabloids that say things like ‘The (insert trash news paper name here) is well aware of the sickening nature of the images – and prints them only to show that Doherty is not cured and is a terrible role model,’ underneath a video of Pete injecting drugs. If you watch this kind of sh**, then I suggest you pick up a real newspaper without the words ‘Sun’ in the title or maybe watch something a little car crash.
Should we stop buying Pete’s records because he isn’t a good role model?
Why not form an opinion for yourself instead of indulging in vile tales from the media? Put on one of his CDs and then judge Pete Doherty for yourself. If you think then that he still deserves a good slating, fine. But bore-off with all the drug stuff. Who cares if he is a good role model?
Music is music, why do artists have to be a ‘hero’ or an ‘icon?’ Pete has been voted as various cool-this and iconic-that but this has little to do with the music he makes. I’m in agreement that being crowned Hero of the Year seems pretty absurd. Who gives a f*** even if he was a real hero? I also agree that NME has taken a turn for the worse but let’s get back to the subject of Pete.
Eccentric characters and tormented souls have an edge that is irresistible to (some of) us civilians. That’s why people like Kate Nash don’t make the grade over Amy Winehouse; not because of the drugs or ‘wild’ behaviour but because there is something unobtainable about these anguished souls that makes their art more unique than others.
Being a ‘kid’ I did Google Rodney Bewes and saw a slight resemblance. This, however, had no impact on my feelings about Pete, although it did make me chuckle. He also kind of looks like Uncle Burt from Eastenders but do you see me complaining?
Pete Doherty is a great musician and song-writer. It may not be a paper seller but it sure sells records. And that’s the point isn’t it? Or are we more concerned with the fact that some people (I mean YOU) haven’t taken a fancy to his physical appearance and think that he might smell a bit.
It is a well-known fact that Pete is a genius. Sorry, I couldn’t help throwing in some worship speak to fire you Pete haters up. You see, I was previously brainwashed by an odd, lanky, yellow-looking fellow outside TopShop where I had just purchased the ultimate pair of skinny jeans.
In truth, Pete is a very talented lad who is simply misguided by God only knows what. At school, he received a string of impressive GCSE results and four A-Levels, two of which were As. Before forming The Libertines with Carl Barat, he briefly flirted with a degree in English Lit at the Queen Mary in London.
His aptitude for the written English word is certainly portrayed through Pete’s lyrics. There is no-one of this generation that puts pen to paper like Pete.
‘I model lacklustre in vain search for the remedy, no words only melody, so I take the day off. My love, my love, she sits with me, I love, I love, her company, rain drops on roses and dust filled trinkets. ‘
His life may be a bit of a shambles but his writing certainly isn’t. Any artist that has a poetic edge to them is bound to get deemed as pretentious by people that would rather watch Pete take drugs on You Tube than judge him by his music. Pete may not be adverse to a wild night or two but he is skilled at illustrating a magical and sad world, often sprinkled with tales of love exuding English charm.
Admittedly, The Libertines had an edge over Babyshambles (and Dirty Pretty Things). Pete and Carl created something untouchable, something that let a raw freedom leak through their electric and scratchy anthems. The two need not be compared. And if you didn’t like The Libertines the first time round then I don’t know what is wrong with you.
So what if Pete published his diaries? Who cares? It is not something that I have read or will read but give the boy some credit; he needed to get the money from somewhere to pay off all his court fines.
And so what if built up his public profile by dating Kate Moss? It’s your own stupid fault for buying the papers and allowing him to linger in the public eye.
Oh, and one last thing. Pete (and The Libertines) may have inspired a movement that resulted in various skinny-jean clad, floppy-haired bands, but it is not his fault that they are all total shit.
Pete Doherty - Hero or Villain? Let us know your thoughts!
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Comments (4)
Heather
I loved the Libertines and Babyshambles but Pete seems to have lost it a bit really. I don't think he deserved NME's title 'Hero of The Year' though. What? He definitely seems to be a media scapegoat for what is wrong with society.
Posted on March 6, 2008 4:12 PM
Becky
I am a huge fan of Petes and have been since The Libs first started up and have since followed and supported the Babyshambles too. I have said many a time that his drug use does not romanticise his work nor do I think of him as being 'cool' for being a user. But people seem to forget that addiction is an illness. Beyond his drug taking, Pete is an intelligent, talented singer/song writer/ poet. Okay, the award was a step too far, but I think was an attempt to get this guy acknowleged for something positive?! And surely if Pete really did inspire this 'new' craze for skinny-clad, floppy haired bands, then that in itself is a tribute to the many that love and follow him..only meaning that somehow he has made a mark musically, fashionably and most importantly eternally??!!
Posted on March 6, 2008 11:45 PM
Tomster
Well, kids, I don't think there is much doubt that Pete has some talent but I also think that he's been p*ssing it up the wall lately. (Can we say "pissing" on here?) Pretty much everything he's done after the first Libertines album has not really been worth listening to (though I hear the new Babyshambles album isn't all bad). He should just get over himself and start using his talent again...
Posted on March 7, 2008 10:29 AM
Chris Todd
One of the tracks from Shotters nation appeared while my ipod was shuffling this weekend, it was really good, I take everything back...he is a tortured lost soul genius poet etc etc, i apologise although i stick by what I said about Moss though - Get the london look? what? rancid old groupie hag??
Posted on March 10, 2008 1:44 PM
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