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Formed in spring 2004, just as the Libertines were beginning to fall apart, BabyShambles became the main vessel for Pete Doherty's poetic, chaotic rock when he was ousted from the Libertines for his increasing drug use and erratic behavior. Baby Shambles released their self-titled debut 7" in April 2004, and settled on the lineup of Doherty, guitarist Patrick Walden, bassist Drew McConnell, and drummer Gemma Clarke by that summer. That fall, things went relatively smoothly for the band, with a sold-out U.K. tour and the release of a second single, Kilamangiro, on the Libertines' former label, Rough Trade. But by December, the band had to cancel or halt shows because Doherty was unable to perform; one of these sudden cancellations sparked a riot at the London Astoria. Clarke left the band early in 2005 and was replaced with new drummer Adam Ficek.
Despite the band's ongoing tumult -- which included Doherty's arrest for allegedly assaulting and blackmailing documentarian Max Carlish (these charges were dropped that spring) -- BabyShambles began work on their first album. Teaming up with former Libertines producer Mick Jones, the band worked on the album through the spring and summer of 2005 and released the single Fuck Forever that August as a teaser for the full-length. Down in Albion was released in the U.K. that fall and BabyShambles toured in support of it, although the band canceled almost as many gigs as it actually performed. Doherty's wild behavior continued and his numerous run-ins with the law, which included being held on suspicion of stealing a car and possession of class A drugs in early 2006 and being arrested three times in one day, made Baby Shambles' existence as perilous as ever. Down in Albion was released in the U.S. that spring.
The 1995 single "Samba Magic" was picked up for distribution by Virgin, and in time, Basement Jaxx was drawing praise as one of the top house production units, from all corners of the American and British house community. The pair spent much of 1996 working on remixes (for the Pet Shop Boys, Roger Sanchez, and Lil' Mo Yin Yang among others), then released a third Basement Jaxx EP. One track from the EP, "Flylife," became a Top 20 hit in England after being re-released by Multiply in mid-1997, and the single proved one of the most popular anthems of the year on the worldwide club-scene. Late that year, Ratcliffe and Buxton released a compilation of their most crucial Atlantic Jaxx sides. After being courted by several major labels, Basement Jaxx signed to the independent XL Recordings (also home to the Prodigy) and readied their debut full-length Remedy for a 1999 release. Second album Rooty followed two years later, an outgrowth of the duo's similarly named club night. A collaboration-heavy third album, Kish Kash, appeared in the fall of 2003.
In 2005, the duo released The Singles, comprising of all the singles from their previous three albums, some earlier releases (featured on Atlantic Jaxx Recordings: A Compilation), and two new tracks, "Oh My Gosh" and "U Don't Know Me", which were both released as singles. The Singles (Special Edition) was also released, which contained the original compilation, as well as a bonus disc entitled Bonus Traxx, which contained many previously unreleased tracks, as well as some remixes of existing Basement Jaxx songs. The video for "U Don't Know Me" featured a drunken, carousing, and violent Queen Elizabeth II lookalike and was banned from daytime rotation on MTV. They appeared as a headline act on the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury Festival in 2005, and they are currently on tour with Robbie Williams and will headline their own UK arena tour this winter. Also, they are currently developing their next album, called Crazy Itch Radio and is scheduled to be released in September 2006. The first single released off of the new album is called "Hush Boy", and it premiered on The Essential Selection on June 30, 2006
In addition to their own work, Basement Jaxx have become in-demand remixers. Their more prominent work includes "4 My People" by Missy Elliott (which turned the song into a massive chart and club hit), "Like I Love You" by Justin Timberlake and "She Wants to Move" by N.E.R.D.
In 2006 they started on their 4th studio album. It will be called Crazy Itch Radio, and will be released in early September 2006.
