Pete Doherty: “I was seen a wreck head!” The truth behind the headlines
Apr 14, 2025
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In this engaging conversation, musician Pete Doherty, frontman of The Libertines and Babyshambles, reflects on his journey from tumultuous fame to a quieter life in rural France. He discusses how creativity was often intertwined with addiction, revealing it was less about escape and more about seeking meaning. Pete candidly addresses his struggles, the chaos of youth, and the importance of redefining our perspectives on addiction. He also shares humorous anecdotes about parenting and the joys of simple pleasures, like walks with his dog.
Pete Doherty reflects on the duality of his drug use, describing it as a cautious exploration rather than pure escapism.
After overcoming addiction, Doherty embraces a healthier lifestyle driven by fatherhood, which promotes contentment and balance in his life.
He expresses how nostalgia for his chaotic youth with The Libertines influences his creative process, intertwining joy and sadness in his artistry.
Deep dives
Reflections on Innocence and Recklessness
The conversation explores the duality of innocence and recklessness in the past experiences of Pete Doherty, particularly in relation to drug use. He reflects on how he initially approached drug use with a sense of caution and awareness, viewing it as a sacred experience rather than purely exhilarating. Despite being labeled a reckless figure, he emphasizes that his early encounters were marked by a sense of caution as he navigated unfamiliar territory. This duality illustrates how nostalgia can romanticize past experiences while acknowledging the complexities and challenges that accompanied them.
Journey Toward Health
Doherty discusses his experiences with diabetes, detailing a significant shift in his lifestyle that includes stopping drinking and adopting healthier eating habits. He notes that the process of adjusting to a healthier routine has been surprisingly easier than it had been in the past, particularly because of his new role as a father. This transition not only keeps him alert for his child but also helps him cultivate a greater sense of contentment. Through this journey, he has developed a more balanced approach to life, recognizing the importance of taking care of his body.
The Impact of Nostalgia
The discussion delves into the nostalgia surrounding Doherty's early days with The Libertines and the vibrant music scene that influenced him. He shares how certain moments and memories from that time are still vividly accessible through music, capturing the essence of youth filled with energy, dreams, and chaos. This nostalgia is interwoven with feelings of joy and occasional sadness, as he reflects on the complexities of fame and its consequences. Doherty expresses that despite the turmoil, those moments provided him with a sense of freedom and fulfillment in his artistry.
Creativity and Drug Use
Doherty shares insights on the interplay between his creativity and drug use, highlighting how substances initially provided him with a unique perspective that fueled his artistic expression. He explains that the initial euphoria and heightened sensory experiences the drugs induced led him to create music and writing that captured intense emotions. Despite this, he recognizes that along with the bursts of creativity came significant anxiety and the risk of addiction. Ultimately, he articulates a transformation in his approach to creativity, seeking inspiration outside of drugs while pondering the deeper motivations behind his artistic drive.
Finding Balance and Connection
As the conversation shifts towards personal growth, Doherty expresses his desire to integrate his public persona with his true self. He shares how his relationship with his partner helped him reconcile his past with his present, ultimately motivating him to embrace a drug-free lifestyle. He discusses the importance of therapy in navigating self-worth and vulnerability, noting how it has opened opportunities for personal reflection. In this context, he finds joy in simple moments with his family and his pets, illustrating a newfound appreciation for the balance between career and personal life.
Does anxiety or darkness drive you to create? Is creativity the ultimate catharsis? For musician Pete Doherty making art has, at times, been a matter of survival.
In this chat with Fearne, Pete explains why taking drugs was less about trying to escape, and more about what he was trying to find. Now he’s stopped taking drugs, how does he unlock and express his creativity differently? Pete also confirms that ‘addict’ is the right word to describe his behaviour, but that our attitude towards addiction needs to change.
Fearne and Pete catch up about the early days of The Libertines, and what Pete labels as ‘the chaos and risk of youth’. He describes how he was sold on the enticing mythologies of a rock n roll lifestyle, but is now much more comfortable living quietly in rural France with his family and dogs.
For contributions to #2 of Pete’s ‘On Strap’ fanzine please post to:
'ON STRAP’ FANZINE c/o The Heavy Horse
Hôtel le Rayon Vert
Rue Général Leclerc
76790 Etretat
Normandie
FRANCE
Pete’s fifth solo studio album, Felt Better Alive, is out May 16th.
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