Pete Doherty Arrested, Babyshambles Album Due

Here's a regular rockstar shocker: Doherty remains convinced of his innocence. Speaking to BBC News following his release from a Shropshire police station, Doherty claimed that police had mistaken a drug-rehab implant in his lower abdomen for the real thing. Sez Doherty: "It's just some sort of mistake, that's all." That's what they all say, Pete, that's what they all say.

Being incarcerated and all, Babyshambles were forced to postpone their October 2 gig in Norwich, although the band intends to reschedule with due haste. And we all know how reliable that band is when it comes to playing shows.

The first incident of Doherty-centered hijinx this ain't. As previously reported on Pitchfork, Babyshambles canceled a string of shows last summer when Doherty shoved off to France for drug rehab. His 2005 batting average isn't shaping up much better: there were the blackmail and robbery charges back in April (he spent four nights in jail for that one), the fight with his guitarist Patrick Walden (on stage) in February, and his on/off dating of fallen supermodel Kate Moss (presently in rehab herself and refusing to see him). He's a winner, that Pete.

But wait! Hope reigns in Blighty, and what better harbinger of inspired vibes have we than Sir Elton John? John recently beseeched the British Press to lay off Doherty ‘cos addiction ain't no picnic. Quoth Sir Elton, ""Addiction is a horrible thing, it's nothing to be laughed at. I look at Pete Doherty and I just want to put my arm round him." Just one arm, though, because you wouldn't want your whole torso smelling like whatever Pete Doherty smells like.

And then there's Babyshambles, whose new record Down In Albion is still set to drop November 14 on Rough Trade, and will surely be a Brit chart zinger. With sixteen fooking tracks, all produced by Mick Jones of the Clash, there might just be something for everyone:

01 La Belle Et La Bête
02 Fuck Forever
03 A'rebours
04 The 32 of December
05 Pipedown
06 Sticks & Stones
07 Killamangiro
08 8 Dead Boys
09 In Love With a Feeling
10 Pentonville
11 What Katy Did Next
12 Albion
13 Back From the Dead
14 Loyalty Song
15 Up the Morning
16 Merry Go Round

November 28 will see the release of Babyshambles' third UK single, "Albion", which follows this summer's "Fuck Forever" and last year's top-ten-certified debut "Killamangiro".

And let's not forget Littl'ans, who released a single last week featuring, yes, Pete Doherty. For Pete's sake:

01 Their Way (featuring Pete Doherty)
02 The Otherway
03 Did You Hide From Saturday Night?
04 Their Way (Video)

Having brushed that whole arrest dirt off their shoulder, Littl'ans are marching out on a December UK tour (following a few dates in the next few weeks), which might just involve our man Pete. So look for Doherty, the cane, the wizard and the scroll here:

10-27 Glasgow, Scotland - Blitzkrieg Bop
11-13 London, England - Brixton Academy
11-26 Newport, England - TJs
12-01 Southhampton, England - Joiners
12-03 Oldham, England - Castle
12-04 Bristol, England - Croft
12-05 Newcastle, England - Digital
12-06 Huddersfield, England - Tokyo
12-07 Glasgow, Scotland - Barfly
12-08 Manchester, England - Jabez Clegg
12-10 Stoke, England - The Underground
12-11 London, England - 100 Club
12-12 Middlesbrough, England - Empire
12-13 Birmingham, England - Custard Factory
12-14 Leeds, England - Warehouse
12-16 Liverpool, England - Carling Academy

And keep yr pipe at home, sonny.

Babyshambles: http://www.babyshambles.net/
The Libertines: http://www.thelibertines.org.uk/
Littl'ans: http://www.littlans.com