English Rockers The Libertines are signing a new record deal with Virgin EMI, leaving their London based label Rough Trade Records.
Rough Trade put out the band’s first two albums Up The Bracket in 2002 and their self-titled second LP a decade ago.
The likely lads are saying goodbye to fellow label mates such as The Strokes, Jarvis Cocker, and The Smiths.
The Libertines signed their new contract on Ko Si Chang Island in Thailand, just a hop, skip and a jump from singer Pete Doherty’s drug rehabilitation centre.
The group are planning to release a new album next year. Guitarist Carl Barat says that he and Doherty have made major progress on the new record, revealing that the songwriting duo have penned five new songs together for the band’s third album.
In a statement, Doherty said, “I don’t know what to say, I’m so happy. It was a beautiful day.” Barat added: “After everything we have been through The Albion sails on course again, I couldn’t be more excited.”
The band’s managers, David Bianchi and Adrian Hunter stated that: “This deal has been a long time coming. The decision to sign to Virgin EMI was influenced hugely by Mike Smith’s [President of Music at Virgin EMI] history with the band. The other offers were varied and fantastic in their own right but in the end Mike’s previous experience and guidance of the guys was the factor that swung the band towards Virgin EMI. We are sure they have a good home and wish the guys all the success they have deserved for so long.”
The libertines are joining the likes of Jake Bugg, Metallica, Black Sabbath and Paul McCartney at Virgin EMI.
