Babyshambles return with “reggae-ska-pop song” ‘Dandy Hooligan’ – their first new music in 12 years

Babyshambles have returned with their first new single in 12 years – listen to ‘Dandy Hooligan’ below.

• READ MORE: Babyshambles tell us about reuniting for UK tour: “We have to do this now”

The comeback track arrives ahead of the London band’s 2025 reunion tour, which is set to kick off next week.

“It’s a well-turned-out, elegantly crafted; reggae-ska-pop song… with a sweet melody to bowl along to with your sharpened walking cane,” explained Pete Doherty of the infectious song.

“Word from the ‘shambles camp is that it’s a homage to a legendary National Front basher.”

‘Dandy Hooligan’ is loosely based on the escapades of Babyshambles associate Bob Morris, who has served his time in the anti-nazi ranks for many years. Morris stars in the official music video, filmed by Roger Sargent in Soho.

“He’s rude in temper, rude in style/ Him a wicked and a wild/ He loves an old hat shop/ And a good punch up/ Oh well, he never punch down,” Doherty sings in the first verse.

The single was recorded in Normandy and Manchester earlier this month, and produced by Mike Moore (Baxter Drury) and mixed by Ross Orton (Arctic Monkeys/ M.I.A./ The Fall) in Sheffield.

Speaking to NME recently about their return, Babyshambles discussed whether any new music could emerge. “When we do the bigger shows, it’d be nice to release a single and a couple of B-sides,” Doherty told us. “I’ve got a couple of ideas and when we get in a room, we’ll try them out.”

Babyshambles followed up on their 2005 debut album ‘Down In Albion’ with two further studio records: 2007’s ‘Shotter’s Nation’ and 2013’s ‘Sequel To The Prequel’.

The singer-songwriter also told NME that the reunion only became possible once he and guitarist Mick Whitnall had both been clean for a number of years. He revealed that original guitarist Patrick Walden – who passed away in June – was meant to be involved in the comeback, too.

Doherty said Walden’s death was “a real trigger to get it done”. “My first thought was of just seeing his face up there while we’re playing and that’ll be an important part of it,” he added.

“There was always talk about it; there was always a desire to play those songs again,” Doherty told NME, “but the centrifugal point of it was addiction really, and the danger that me and Mick would be an unhealthy influence on each other. So it was people around us not wanting to meet up and probably us both knowing that it wasn’t a good idea.”

You can find any remaining tickets for Babyshambles’ UK tour here, and see the full list of dates below.

Babyshambles’ UK tour dates for 2025 are: 

NOVEMBER
13 – HMV Empire, Coventry
14 – The Nick Rayns LCR, Norwich
16 – O2 Academy Brixton, London
17 – O2 Academy Brixton, London 
26 – O2 Academy, Birmingham
29 – Mountford Hall, Liverpool
30 – O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester 

DECEMBER
01 – Middlesbrough Empire, Middlesbrough
02 – O2 City Hall, Newcastle
04 – O2 Academy, Glasgow
05 – O2 Academy, Glasgow 
07 – O2 Academy, Leeds
08 – Rock City, Nottingham
09 – O2 Academy, Bristol 
10 – The Pavilions, Plymouth
15 – KOKO, London 

Last week, Babyshambles announced a 20th anniversary reissue of ‘Down In Albion’. The remastered and expanded edition will feature numerous session tracks, rarities and B-sides from that era.

NME had previously asked Babyshambles if they would be celebrating 20 years of the 2005 album by playing it in full at their reunion shows. Doherty replied: “I’m not really into doing an anniversary thing, even though I’ve done it with The Libertines. I don’t think it would be possible to be honest. We didn’t even know how to finish those songs at the time.”