Initially Babyshambles was the pseudonym Pete Doherty gave to a solo project he maintained while a member of the Libertines. Following Doherty's widely publicized split with the group, the troubled songwriter recruited a permanent line-up and Babyshambles became a full-fledged band. Anticipation of the group's debut was fueled as much by Doherty's formidable talent as it was by his near-daily arrests for drug violations and petty crimes. Finally, DOWN IN ALBION was released in early 2006 and marked a continuation of Doherty's ragged, punk-inspired singer-songwriter style.