Dirty Pretty Things are an English band fronted by Carl Barât, a former member of The Libertines. The formation of the band was announced in September 2005, after a dispute between Barât and Pete Doherty led to the breakup of The Libertines in 2004. Barât had worked 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. Dirty Pretty Things played their first shows in October 2005 in Italy and Paris, France.
Initially, the band's name caused problems. A four-piece band from Salisbury had been playing as "Dirty Pretty Things" since early January 2005, claiming to have already trademarked the name in the UK ; the two groups came to an agreement over the name, and the band was renamed Mitchell Devastation. An Australian band had been playing under "Dirty Pretty Things" since 2003, although it also opted to change it. The name was shared by Barât's club nights in venues throughout London; they assumed the name "Bright Young Things" to avoid confusion.
The bass player Didz Hammond is also renowned for his multi-talented displays as a stand up comic. He regualarly attends Edinburgh Festival and his most recent small tour was in Autumn 2007. Prior to becoming a musician and comic, Didz was a child actor in Grange Hill, playing the rebel character 'Joe Meegan'.
