Hype surrounds the Libertines at all times since their reputation as being "bad boys" precedes them. Let's face it, one of the reasons UK music rag NME loves them so much is that they provide a lot of good fodder to fill their gossip columns. Stories of groupies, heavy drinking, and drug use are common, not only from eyewitness accounts but by the band themselves. And to be truthful, certain members do seem to enjoy a good alcoholic beverage or two or twelve (as Carl stumbled by us at one post-show party, Gary jokingly said that Mr. Barât "speaks fluent drunkenese").

But although we can't make any defining comments on the drugs, it was a little more apparent that the groupies were out with some business of their own to take care of.

At a Libertines show, don't expect a lot of back-and-forth banter amongst band and audience and quirky asides of how such-and-such song came to be. Even the spaces between songs are filled with canned applause and laugh track. What you will get is a set jam-packed with songs played tight and fast in that kinda-sloppy-on-purpose style the boys have mastered. Missed notes and out-of-tune guitars actually enhance the performances. They may skip an encore but in a set that usually lasts over an hour with close to twenty songs, who needs one? Remember, they only have one album out thus far, so cut them some slack. They've also gotten into the habit of ending their sets with audience members dancing onstage. So maybe next time around, you'll get the chance to bounce around with them.

That's if they feel like inviting you up, of course.