Peter Doherty, interview for Plugged France, dec 2016
Peter: “Hi! Who’s speaking?
Hello Peter, it’s Thomas, from Plugged Magazine PD: Hi Thomas. I’m waiting for the soundcheck for tonight’s gig. We have about 20 minutes. I’m glad I’m finally able to talk to you because… [Peter interrupts me] PD: Can you remember your dream, Tony? [Silence, we think he’s talking to someone else] PD: Tony? Tony are you still here? Tony? No, I’m Thomas. PD: Oh… Sorry. Can you remember your dream from last night Thomas? Hum… No… Sorry. Why? PD: Because I had a horrible dream. I’m still upset about it. What kind of dream was it? PD: Oh believe me, you don’t want to know! Why did you tell me about it then? PD: I don’t know. Ok. Let’s talk about the Bataclan then, if you don’t mind. The first gig was very emotional for the audience. Was it emotional for you too? PD: Yeah… Honestly, I was very anxious towards this gig. I didn’t know if I could make it. I was less into it the second night, but the first show was amazing. Many emotions, and also many good vibes. Are you French? Yes. PD: How old are you? 35, why? PD: Oh, we’re almost the same age! That’s cool. Hum…Yes. Back to the Bataclan, you’ve always had a special relationship with France. Is that the reason you wanted to be one of the first artists to play there? PD: Yeah, fuck yeah! It’s hard to talk about this. It was important for me, so important I didn’t want to fuck it up. It was a big honour to be on that stage, especially after what happened. I couldn’t believe it when I’d been asked. So many people died in Paris these last few years. And I love Paris you know. I could die for Paris! Love and Paris are the only things I’m ready to die for. There was a very good atmosphere at your gig, very positive, really. PD: Yes, I had never seen something like that. Many times, I stopped to watch the audience. I couldn’t believe my eyes. People were laughing and dancing… To be honest, I had never witnessed something like this in Paris. That’s not a very Parisian attitude. Generally speaking, do you think the Parisian audience is cold? PD: Not cold, I would say worried. Usually, you can see the audience half into the gig and half lost in thoughts. But that night, it was beautiful. My grandfather fought in Paris during the war.. He was wearing a uniform and was looking for a man. Have I told you this story yet? Not at all! PD: Well, he found the man! I’ll tell you another time. Hum… Ok. PD: Do you have some other questions? I’d like to stop talking about the Bataclan please. Let’s talk about your new album, Hamburg Demonstrations. It’s hard to date the creation of the album, it has songs you’ve been playing for years. Was it written before, during or after the Libertines reunion?PD: No, no, no,no! Listen to me [He speaks louder, a bit irritated]. I just recorded some acoustic songs. Then I got back with the Libertines, with the tour and the new album. Then I went back to the studio and the producer had rearranged it. Hamburg Demonstrations, it’s… difficult. I don’t know what else to say. To make this record, you spent several months in Hamburg. How was it?PD: I don’t know. It was horrible. I’m still an addict… In Hamburg, it was a daily struggle aganst a 98-tentacles octopus. (long pause) Fuck, shut up. (pause) Ok, can you call me back in 5 minutes? Bye!
[He hangs up, and 5 minutes later, we call his manager back.]
PD: Sorry, there’s been a big shower, I had to find a shelter. Weren’t you inside the venue, waiting for the soundcheck? PD: What were we talking about? Hamburg. PD: Fuck it, I don’t want to talk about Hamburg anymore! Let’s talk about the musicians who played on the record. Who are they? PD: Seriously? What the fuck? I don’t know actually. Like I said, I recorded some acoustic drafts. So I have no idea. But it’s ok, it sounds good. [He asks his manager who the musicians are, but the story seems rather complicated.] Do you know the song Good Times by the Stone Roses? Hum… Yes. Why? PD: What’s the name of the song I’ve just quoted? …Good Times by the Stones Roses. PD: Bravo! It was to make sure you were listening. What’s the link? PD: [He starts talking in French] Today, on my way to the venue, I had this song by the Stone Roses stuck in my head. That’s it. Next question! Your record starts with Kolly Kibber. The title is a reference to Brighton Rock by Graham Greene, published in 1938. After Morrissey, Queen and some other English musicians, it seems it’s your turn to be inspired by this book. PD: Yes, but the spelling is different, it’s originally Kolley Kibber. But that’s not very important. Have you seen the movie Control? By Anton Corbijn about Joy Division? Yes of course! PD: What’s the name of the main actor? Sam Riley. PD: Yes, that’s it, Sam Riley! He plays Pinkie in Brighton Rock. This movie is outrageous! I should have played this role! I know Sam Riley well, we went to school together. Really? He’s a good actor. PD: No, I’m kidding. We didn’t go to school together. It was a joke! Hum… Ok. Back to the record then. On Birdcage, we can hear a female voice. Who is this girl? PD: Ah thank you Thomas! Thank you very much! Hum… You’re welcome. PD: Seriously, thank you. It’s the first time I’m asked. Ok, but who is she? PD: It’s Suzie Martin. It’s a call girl I met in the Far West [laugh]. No I’m kidding. She’s an artist from Camden. Can you take a picture of me Thomas? What? PD: Could you take a picture of me? It’s complicated, I’m in Paris, you’re in Toulouse! PD: Yeah! Do you own a microwave? A microwave? Yes, like everyone. PD: Ah yes, that’s it! I knew it. Finally, the truth is out! You don’t have a microwave? PD: A microwave? Why are you talking about microwaves? I need to speak to my press secretary! (pause) I had one on the tourbus but it drove me crazy. You’re hard to follow! PD: Anyway, I think you are very polite. I try. PD: Where do you live? In Paris. PD: Which arrondissement? The 19th. PD: Is it near rue de Rome? No. PD: Then I don’t know it. It’s in the north of Paris. PD: Oh, I have to stay away from the north of Paris, you know. It’s the place of temptations… Shit! I’ve just hurt my finger! How? PD: It’s my nail. It hurts! [A long monologue ensues, he makes a lot of bad jokes and asks us about the history of French Guiana, we don’t know why.] On the first night at the Bataclan, we had the chance to see Carl Barât! PD: Yes I know, I couldn’t believe my eyes! It wasn’t planned at all! Carl came at the last minute, it was totally improvised. It was magnificent [in French]. But I really had too many drinks after the show. Carl is currently in theatres, in the movie For This Is My Body. Have you seen it? PD: Not yet, but I saw some bits. Car is a great actor! He’s brilliant! The first time I saw him, I knew he’d be a great actor! A few years ago, you played alongside Charlotte Gainsbourg in Confessions of a Child of the Century. How was it? PD: It was way too short. The director wanted to make a second movie but she didn’t get the money. It’s a pity, I was ready to do it! The story was about a postman and a prostitute, it was cool. Where are you? Still in Paris! PD: Is there a TV on? No, why? PD: I can hear noises. From behind you. Well yeah, your manager called me unannounced, I’m in a hotel lobby, waiting to do another interview. PD: I don’t like phone interviews. I would have preferred to meet you! Are you joking? We’ve been trying to meet you for weeks, we were at the Bataclan for that! PD: I suggest you come to Marseille tomorrow, we’ll finish this interview nicely. I’m a bit skeptic. Six years ago, I went to Lille to meet you and you cancelled. I don’t really want to go to Marseille for nothing. PD: Yes, but now we know each other! I don’t feel very well. Bye! [He hangs up]
