When you think back over the course of history of the British Rock scene, surely one band that pops into your mind time and time again and that band is the Libertines.

The Libertines were a rock group that gained notoriety during the early part of 2000 when the garage band scene was reborn.  Within 3 months of their forming they already were performing in clubs and shortly after that, they recorded 3 singles and they started doing more recording sessions and playing gigs at venues further afield.

The group was formed in 1997, by members Pete Doherty (vocals/rhythm guitar); Carl Barat (vocal/lead guitar) and John Hassall (bass) and Gary Powell (drums).  The group formed primarily due to the song writing partnership and the chemistry of each one of the members.  Pete and Carl attended the same university and were sharing a flat.  Although they did not see eye to eye at first, they realized that they could work together with the talents and energies they both had.  They then sought out the talents of their neighbour, Steve. Then recruited both John and Gary at a later date

While at the beginning of the formation of the Libertines, their success was somewhat limited, however, their music grew in favour amongst British rock fans until they had the #2 single and the #1 record album in the UK music charts.  In 2002, the Libertines signed with the label "Rough Tradeâ".

In the later part of 2004, their self titled album "The Libertines", which was their second album, was voted to be the second best album of the year by NME.  Following this milestone, the Libertines have been recognized to be one of the most influential rock band of the early part of the 2000s. The Libertines are credited for having a vast amount of influence on many other genres of post-millennial British popular culture such as other genres of music and even into the fashion world.

The Libertines enjoyed success for several years; however, the band's music was often eclipsed by their internal conflicts.  In 2003, they travelled to the US to sell their sound to the US Rock charts and things within the band seemed to start disengaging.  Some of the internal conflicts that caused the breakup of the Libertines stemmed from Doherty's drug use.  This and the fact that he was in and out of rehab is seen as one of the main factor in the breakup of the Libertines in 2004.   Another being Doherty's and Barat continued inability to put aside their differences. The boys from the Libertines have subsequently enjoyed individual success.  Doherty, in the band sBabyshambles; Barat and Powell in the band "Dirty Pretty Things" and Hassell in the band Yeti. Though Doherty and Barat remained out of touch for a time after the band broke up, they have reunited and have played together several times.

Although no longer performing together, the band, The Libertines will always be remembered for their contribution to British garage rock history.