Dirty Pretty Things were a band fronted by former member of The Libertines Carl Barât. The formation of the band was announced in September 2005, after The Libertines had split up in 2004 due to a falling out between Barât and Peter Doherty. Barât had done some work with Vertigo Records and had previously revealed that his new project was with the label. Didz Hammond announced he was leaving The Cooper Temple Clause to join the band alongside ex-Libertines drummer Gary Powell and guitarist Anthony Rossomando, who had filled in for Doherty following his departure from the Libertines. They split in October 2008.