Riffed

Ahead of their British Summer Time reunion gig at Hyde Park this coming Saturday, we discovered 10 facts about The Libertines that you probably didn't know.

1  Pete Doherty got 11 GCSE'S, four A levels and an offer from Oxford University to study English Literature. He's also a published poet. 

2  'Up The Bracket' is a slang term that means a punch in the throat. 

3  While recording ‘Up The Bracket’, The Libertines played over 100 gigs in a year including support slots with Sex Pistols and Morrissey.

4  Pete and Carl took the band's name from the 17th century Marquis De Sade novel ‘The Lusts Of The Libertines’.

5  John Hassall went to school with Johnny Borrell from Razorlight. They attended lessons together at Highgate School.

6  When he finished his A-levels, Pete moved to his grandmother’s flat in London and got a job filling graves in Willesden Cemetery.

7  When he was 16, Pete won a poetry competition and a tour of Russia.

8  Gary Powell used to be a session drummer for reggae artist Eddy Grant.

9  Carl was left partially deaf after having a tumour behind his ear removed back in 2005.

10  Pete gave himself the username ‘heavyhorse’ when talking on The Libertines fans forums as the band started to show tensions between Barat and Doherty.

RIFFED x