Babyshambles, which includes the ever-controversial former mouthpiece for the Libertines Pete Doherty, will be releasing a special single on October 30th. The band will cover "Janie Jones," opening song of the Clash's self-titled debut LP. Contributing to the single, comprising the "and Friends" label, will be 21 other artists: the Rakes, Mystery Jets, The Holloways, We Are Scientists, The Paddingtons, Larrikin Love, Cazals, Noisettes, Good Books, Lady Fuzz, Kooks, Jack Penate, Laura Marling, Maccabees, Lisa Moorish, Light Speed Champ (Test Icicles), Jamie T, Jeremy Warmsley and Guillemots. Curiously, former co-Libertine Carl Barat is also listed amongst the group of contributing musicians. The two have not worked together since a very public split due to drug abuse problems on the part of Doherty.
All proceeds from this single will be headed towards Strummervile, the Joe Strummer Foundation for New Music. It came about through Strummer's daughter Lola, the subject of the song "Coma Girl" from his posthumous Streetcore album, who contacted Drew McConnell of Babyshambles and Statik. The release will be available in CD and vinyl forms with the B-Side featuring a Doherty acoustic version along with a Statik-remixed version of the A-Side featuring Lethal Bizzle, JME, No Mind and Talk Taxis.