The Libertines (album cover)

Though having balanced for years on the fine line between greatness and disaster, the sun appears to have finally set on the careers of popular British rockers the Libertines.

According to a recent interview with noted rock magazine the New Musical Express, group co-founder Carl Barat said, “There is no future,” for his old band and that “Right now is not the right time for the Libertines.”

While not entirely unexpected, the news still came as a surprise to many fans following last month’s premiere of a new documentary about the Libertines by director Roger Sargent entitled There Are No Innocent Bystanders and after the band’s triumphant reunion concerts at the Reading and Leeds festivals just last year.

Even though the group has failed to release any new music since 2004s self-titled album, they have managed to maintain a presence in and out of the headlines for years owing mostly to member Pete Doherty’s drug abuse, criminal activity, and dalliances with supermodel Kate Moss.

Watch the video for the Libertines’ track “Don’t Look Back Into the Sun” here:

Still, far from putting a complete end to any talk of a future comeback, Barat also claimed anything was possible if he and songwriting partner Doherty could fix the lingering personal problems between them.

He said, “I don’t believe we’re healed from the hurt. If our hearts heal up then we can break them all over again. But right now… it’s hard.”

For more information on the Libertines please visit www.thelibertines.com.